Best watches for small wrists

You know when a watch wears just right. Whether it’s a dive watch, dress watch, or sportier offering, it’s a thing of beauty when a watch band fits perfectly. A good watch isn’t just about what’s inside. It’s about how it makes you feel when you’re wearing it.

This is where watch lovers with slender wrists start running into problems. Oftentimes, vintage watches and new watches alike are too bulky for those with thinner wrists. And while there are an array of thin watches out there with watch strap options made for tinier wrists, finding the right one that fits your personality is oftentimes a chore.

Rather than making you sift through large watch after large watch in search of small watches that are worth your while, we’ve done the work for you with an in-depth list of the 6 Best Watches For Small Wrists In 2021.

If you’re looking for a budget timepiece with an accurate Japanese quartz movement, we’ve got you covered. And if you’re looking to find watches with a more luxurious air, we’ve included that too.

The 6 Best Watches For Small Wrists In 2021

6) Rolex Daytona Mechanical Men’s Watch

While the Rolex Datejust might be a safer pick for some, we’re all about the gravitas and the otherness of the Rolex Daytona Men’s Mechanical Watch. The Rolex Daytona puts yellow gold to good use on the watch case, on the strap, and on the dial accents. The watch face features three sub-dials and is protected by a sapphire dial window that’s nearly impossible to scratch. Add in an automatic movement that lives up to the lofty standards set by Rolex, and you’ve got a luxury timepiece well worth your time and money.

Specs

Display Window Material: Sapphire Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Fold-Over Clasp with Safety

Case Material: Yellow Gold

Case Diameter: 40 mm

Strap Material: Yellow Gold

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Color: Gold

Dial Color: Off-White

Movement: Automatic

Water Resistance: 100 meters

Pros

• You know what you’re getting with a Rolex — timeless luxury quality and an aesthetic to match.
• The off-white dial verges on silver but stays in the space between in a really gorgeous way.
• Rolex watches offer automatic movements that pace the field in terms of artistic license and pure quality.

Cons

• Rolexes will set you back a pretty penny, whether they are used or new.
• The yellow gold theme might come off a bit too ham-fisted for some stylistic tastes.

5) Tudor Black Bay Automatic 36mm Blue Dial Watch

A mid-range luxury watch perfect for men with 6-inch wrists, the Tudor Black Bay Blue Dial Automatic Watch embraces minimalism without being the least bit boring. The brown calfskin leather strap softens the overall presentation and contrasts perfectly against the deep blue dial and stark white hour markers and hands. And the self-winding caliber 2824 automatic movement offers a 38-hour power reserve and fantastic luxury quality in the low four figures.

Specs

Display Window Material: Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Deployant Clasp

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 36 mm

Strap Material: Leather (Calfskin)

Strap Color: Brown

Dial Color: Blue

Bezel Material: Fixed

Movement: Automatic

Water Resistance: 150 meters

Pros

• It’s a really durable timepiece that offers 150 meters of water resistance.
• The stainless steel case blends effortless good looks with an unquestionable sturdiness.
• The calfskin leather strap is soft, supple, and lasts a long time.

Cons

• The watch face might be a bit plain for those looking for busier layouts.
• It’s a really small watch that may even look tiny on medium-sized wrists.

4) Cartier Tank Solo XL Stainless Steel Automatic Watch

If you want to change things up a bit in your collection of small luxury watches, might we suggest the rectangular glory of the Cartier Tank Solo XL Stainless Steel Automatic Watch? You could settle for a typical class like the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, or you can think outside of the box by going boxy with this Cartier fireworks show. We love the setup of the silver dial, the boldness of the Roman numeral hour markers, and the way that Cartier leather straps fit around smaller wrists.

Specs

Display Window Material: Scratch-Resisant Sapphire Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Fold-Over Deployment Clasp

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 41 mm

Case Thickness: 7.8 mm

Strap Material: Leather

Strap Length: 7.5 inches

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Silver

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Movement: Automatic

Water Resistance: 30 meters

Pros

• This new Cartier classic revels in its own atypical splendor. Simply put, it does its own thing quite well.
• The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal dial window fends off scratches and scrapes better than most.
• The in-house automatic movement purrs like an absolute dream.

Cons

• The rectangular watch case takes getting used to and won’t be for everyone.
• This smaller watch can only take a few splashes of water before things get tricky.

3) Citizen Eco-Drive Watch Corso BM8240-03E

One of two budget watches for small wrists on our countdown, the Citizen BM8240-03E Eco-Drive Corso Watch is a legend among those who collect cost-effective smaller watches. With a case diameter of just 36 mm, this watch is perfectly suited for those with thinner wrists. And thanks to its classic look and Eco-Drive Japanese Quartz movement that catches a charge from nearly any source of light, you’ll be looking great with a low-cost watch that will last a long time on the road with you.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 36 mm

Case Thickness: 8 mm

Strap Material: Leather

Strap Length: 9.5 inches

Strap Width: 20 mm

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Movement: Japanese Quartz

Water Resistance: 30 meters

Pros

• It’s the cheapest watch on this list by a long shot.
• The Eco-Drive movement makes sure you’ll never be in a lurch with a dead watch.
• There’s a classic style element here that hearkens back to much more expensive vintage watches.

Cons

• This watch is extremely hard to read in low light.
• The stock strap is rather uninspired compared to other watches on this countdown.

2) Junghans Max Bill Hand-Winding Mechanical Watch

An expertly crafted mechanical hand-wound watch will often set you back somewhere in the mid-to-high four figures. That’s not the case with the Junghans Max Bill Hand-Winding Mechanical Watch. For under $1,000, you can own a stately dress watch that fits like a dream on slender wrist sizes. With a plexiglass dial window that outperforms the usual mineral crystal glass, you’ll have a clear look at the stunning silver dial whenever you want. And thanks to its soft calfskin leather band, it’ll never hurt to wear.

Specs

Display Window Material: Plexiglass

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 34 mm

Case Thickness: 9 mm

Strap Material: Leather (Calfskin)

Strap Length: Unisex

Strap Width: 20 mm

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Silver

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Movement: Hand-Wind Mechanical

Pros

• There’s so much more in less with this watch. There’s very little on the dial, but it all works so well.
• The hand-winding mechanical movement is of great quality for a watch at this price point.
• The plexiglass dial window holds its own against glare, scuffs, and scratches.

Cons

• If you find the stock leather strap to be a bit bland for your tastes, you may want to consider an after-market strap.
• The minimalist dial scheme might be hard to read for those with visual problems.

1) Patek Philippe Calatrava Watch

While Rolex watches might get all the publicity, there’s something otherworldly and unparalleled about Patek Philippe’s timepieces. And our favorite Patek Philippe offering for smaller wrists has to be the Calatrava. The Patek Philippe Calatrava is the best example of how to make rose gold sing around a watch lover’s wrist. Each curve is perfectly places and each accent is painstakingly aligned to ensure that those with smaller wrist sizes get a taste of the true horological good life. And with its artisan-level self-winding mechanical movement, you’ll be investing in an heirloom for generations to come.

Specs

Display Window Material: Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Tang Buckle

Case Material: 18 K Rose Gold

Case Diameter: 39 mm

Strap Material: Leather (Alligator)

Strap Color: Dark Brown

Dial Color: Ivory

Movement: Self-Winding Mechanical

Water Resistance: 30 meters

Pros

• 18 K rose gold just hits different. This watch has a true resonance on any wrist.
• The alligator leather strap is so comfy and holds to thinner wrists in a near-perfect fashion.
• The entire setup of this watch is art at its finest.

Cons

• It’s the most expensive watch on this list by far.
• Don’t submerge this luxury knockout in water for very long. It’s not made for that.

Frequently Asked Questions About Watches For Smaller Wrists

Are most luxury watches smaller watches?

While there are some luxury classic dress watch options available that cater to thin wrists, not all luxury watches are made the same. Some luxury offerings are larger watches that don’t exactly vibe with a slender wrist. Other luxury wrist watches are made for those with thinner wrists to comfortably wear. In short, you have to do your research to see whether or not your luxury watch of choice is a good fit for your wrist size. And if it’s not, you can look at replacement watch straps if you feel like the case makes for a perfect watch to complement your style and taste.

Are there sports watches out there made for those with slender wrists?

Most watches made for active pursuits, whether they’re men’s watches or women’s watches, are built with durability in mind. And while there are some small watch options out there in the sports watch oeuvre, the average watch’s size might be a little big for those with a case of the thin wrist. Rather than settling on bulky watches that look strange on your small wrist, look for sports watches that call out their smaller size in the product description. While most casual watch and sports watch options are built for average wrists on up, there are some sporty timepieces out there made for smaller wrist sizes. All you have to do is look!

Closing Thoughts

If you’re a watch enthusiast with thin wrists, don’t settle for less. You should be able to wear watches that conform to your small wrist size rather than settling for oversized watches that just don’t look right. And whether you’re looking for a new watch at a reasonable price or a luxury offering, the dress watches and sports watches on the list above represent the very best that the watch world has to offer. From quartz watches to automatic watches and everything in between, there’s something for everyone (with smaller wrists) to enjoy.