Rolex Sizing Made Simple: Find the Best Fit for Your Wrist

Choosing the right Rolex involves more than judging aesthetics. Each model—and each generation of that model—will vary in terms of how the watch actually fits to your wrist. Understanding key measurements like case diameter, lug-to-lug, and thickness can make all the difference, but less-objective factors like case shape also come into play. Ultimately, you should try on any watch you’re considering buying, but to understand what you’re looking for, let’s break down the essential factors to consider.

Lug-to-Lug Measurement

Curved End Rubber Strap For Rolex Submariner 41

Most people overlook lug-to-lug measurement, yet it’s arguably the most critical factor in determining how a watch fits your wrist. Lugs are the protrusions at 12 and 6 o’clock to which your strap or bracelet connects. Lug-to-lug refers to the distance from the tip of one lug to the tip of the opposite lug. This measurement directly impacts how the watch sits on your wrist.

Consider my experience with the Rolex Sea-Dweller 43. My 6.75-inch wrist comfortably accommodates its 50mm lug-to-lug measurement without any overhang. In contrast, the Rolex Sky-Dweller, which measures 50.5mm lug-to-lug—just half a millimeter longer—feels too large, like the lugs overhang my wrist. This slight difference significantly affects how the watch rests on my wrist, making the Sea-Dweller a better fit for me. 

To make matters worse, the Sky-Dweller has a case diameter of 42mm and the Sea-Dweller 43mm. Most will assume the Sky-Dweller is “smaller” than the Sea-Dweller due to its smaller case diameter, but that doesn’t paint the whole picture.

Case Diameter

Case diameter is the most common way to refer to a watch’s size, but it shouldn’t be the sole criterion for determining fit. As noted with the previous example, a larger case diameter can sometimes come with shorter lugs, and vice versa, which means the watch might feel different than expected based solely on diameter.

Image Source: Calibre 24

Take the discontinued Rolex Explorer 39mm (above, left) and its successor, the 40mm model (above, right). Surprisingly, the Explorer 39mm has a lug-to-lug measurement of approximately 47.5mm, while the 40mm model measures 46.5mm. Despite the 40mm being technically larger, its shorter lug-to-lug measurement makes it feel slightly smaller on the wrist. Case diameter is a useful starting point—a rough idea of how a watch will feel on your wrist—but not the definitive measure of a watch’s fit. Always consider how the lug-to-lug distance interacts with the case diameter, and finally, the case’s shape and thickness.

Thickness/Case Shape

Steel Endlink Leather Strap For Rolex Explorer II

Another important factor is the watch’s thickness and case shape. To determine how a Rolex’s thickness affects its fit, try laying the watch caseback-down on a flat surface. Observe whether the caseback or the lugs touch the table. If the caseback protrudes below the lugs, the watch may sit taller on your wrist. Conversely, if the lugs make contact with the table, the watch’s thickness will be less noticeable as the lugs hug your wrist. 

The picture above shows an exaggerated example of this. The red line marks the lowest point of the lugs. The caseback of the vintage Rolex Bubbleback (top) hangs lower than the lugs, resulting in a thicker-wearing watch. The caseback of the Explorer (bottom) remains higher than the lowest point of the lugs, resulting in a slim-wearing watch.

This method provides a practical way to gauge how the watch will sit without solely relying on manufacturer-provided thickness measurements, which can sometimes be inaccurate or misleading. Remember, thickness shouldn’t make or break your decision to buy a watch. The best way to understand how a Rolex feels on your wrist is to try it on yourself.

Conclusion

Selecting the right Rolex size involves more than just looking at the case diameter. By paying close attention to other factors like lug-to-lug measurement, thickness, and case shape, you’ll get a better idea of how the watch actually fits. These measurements, combined with trying on various models, will help you find a Rolex that not only looks great but feels right on your wrist.