When you are wearing a watch, there is nothing more irritating or uncomfortable than a band that is too tight. Not only will this hinder your movement and serve as an annoyance but if the watch bracelet is too tight, it could restrict your blood flow, and that’s never a good thing.
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But at the same time, you don’t want a watch that feels too loose and moves around on your arm, getting in the way when you are trying to go about your business. So, where is the sweet spot for watch tightness?
If you have been wondering how loose should a watch be or asking yourself how should a watch fit? Then you’re in the right place. In this guide, we will be looking at exactly how tight your watch should be as well as introducing you to some of our favorite watch bands that will allow you to adjust the strap to a tightness that suits you.
How Tight Should My Watch Be?
The last thing that anyone wants when wearing a watch is for it to feel overly tight and therefore, uncomfortable. Most experts would recommend that your watch should be tight enough that it doesn’t move around on your wrist but not so tight that you cannot get your index finger underneath the case. If you cannot, your watch is too tight. A watch that is too tight could compress nerves or blood vessels.
If you can get your index finger underneath the case but you can freely move it around, then your watch is too loose and needs to be tightened a little more.
One of the great things about buying watches as a modern consumer is that most brands will offer you the option to order a specific sized band. Moreover, there are watches that feature bracelets made from links which can be added and removed to alter the size. While it is possible to do this at home, we would always suggest taking your laptop to a professional who will be able to safely add and remove links without causing any damage.
When you are buying a watch, it can be a very good idea to be there in person so that you can try it on. You might consider the different types of straps and fastenings as these can play a role in how loose or tightly the watch fits. A strap with a buckle is often easier to adjust than one that uses a butterfly clasp. Also consider where you will wear your watch.
If you are determining how tight to make an Apple Watch, then you also need to consider how well the case makes contact with your skin.
What Size Watch Should I Wear?
When it comes to choosing the right size watch, the tightness is just one aspect that you will need to consider. You should also think about the size of your wrist because those with a smaller wrist may find that a large watch is uncomfortable, not to mention unsightly. You should also think about on which wrist you will wear your watch.
One of the best ways to determine the right size watch for you is to look at the size of your wrist and go from there. Men’s watch faces always tend to be slightly bigger than women’s purely because men typically have larger wrists than women. However, a good rule of thumb is that if your wrist is between 14cm and 18cm, you should go for a small to medium case whereas anything over this would work better with a larger dial.
The Best Watch Straps
If you find that your watch band is too tight or too loose then it may be that the strap simply cannot be adjusted to a size that feels right for you. But there is no need to worry since there are a great range of watch straps on the market that you can use to make your watch so much more comfortable and secure.
Barton Alligator Grain Quick Release Leather Watch Band
This stunning leather watch band comes in an alligator style for that extra little bit of sophistication. There is an excellent selection of colors to choose from so you can really show off your style and the leather material offers a soft feel as well as being super durable.
What’s more, the Barton alligator grain watch straps come in a range of widths to suit your chosen watch case meaning you will always get the best combination. They feature a brushed stainless steel buckle that is easy to adjust and fasten.
Barton Canvas Quick Release Watch Strap
For a more laid back look, you might go for the Barton canvas watch strap that comes in an amazing choice of colors to match any taste or style. And since the watch straps are so affordable, you could even buy several to suit different outfits and moods.
These watch straps are made from high quality canvas material that is ideal for a more active lifestyle as it will easily stand up to the challenges of modern life. What’s more, the choice of widths means that you will always get a strap that fits in perfectly with your watch case.
A quick release stainless steel buckle finishes off the look and makes using the watch strap nothing short of a dream.
Fossil Unisex Leather Interchangeable Watch Strap
We instantly fell in love with this beautiful leather watch strap for men and women that oozes sophistication and class. Coming in a dark brown color, the Fossil watch strap offers a contemporary design that will never go out of fashion. But much more than just being super stylish, this watch strap is incredibly practical.
With a stainless steel buckle closure, you can guarantee that the fastening will stand the test of time. Moreover, since the strap is made from genuine leather, you know that it will be resistant and durable, giving you a watch strap that will last many years.
This watch strap features a 22mm width making it suitable for cases that have 12mm lugs so be sure to check the size of your watch before buying.
Barton Quick Release Top Grain Leather Watch Strap
One of the greatest things about the Barton top grain leather watch strap is that it is highly interchangeable. If you are looking for an affordable way to update the look of your watch then we would absolutely recommend this. It is super quick and easy to change and comes in a glorious range of colors allowing you to constantly switch up your look.
More than this, the top quality leather gives you a soft and yet incredibly durable watch strap that will serve you for years to come. What’s more, since the underside of the leather is so soft, this will prevent it from moving around when on the wrist giving you the ideal tightness.
Ritche Canvas Quick Release Watch Strap
As one of the most affordable watch straps on the market, you could be forgiven for thinking that the Ritche strap wasn’t as good in terms of robustness but with the canvas material, you can feel confident that this strap is perfect for sports and those with an active lifestyle.
It comes in an amazing selection of colors so you can buy several allowing you to change it up and create a new look every day. What’s more, the watch strap boasts one of the most flexible fits out there and will work with watch cases between 5.6 inches to 7.8 inches.
Conclusion
Millions of people around the world wear a watch every day but a big portion of these people find that their wrist wear is either too tight or too loose. But how should a watch fit? Well, your watch should be snug on your wrist so that it doesn’t move around on your arm. But at the same time, it is essential to make sure that it isn’t too tight so that it cuts off your circulation and makes you feel uncomfortable.
While most watch straps are fully adjustable or come in various sizes, you also have the option to purchase a watch strap to improve the fit of your favorite timepiece. And what’s even better is that they come in a whole array of stunning designs, colors, and materials.
