Watch Size Guide

As with jewelry, watch bands are manufactured to standard lengths. For women, the standard is between 6 3/4 inches and 8 inches, depending on the style and manufacturer. For men, the standard watch band measures between 7 3/4 inches and 9 1/2 inches, again, depending on the style and manufacturer. Watches are manufactured to fit the majority of people.

Watches with leather bands have an advantage over many forms of jewelry in that the multiple holes allow the wearer to easily adjust the size to fit most wrists. Many watch styles also have clasps that can be adjusted by the wearer. If the wearer has an unusual wrist size, a leather band can often be replaced with one of a longer or shorter length. Of course, not all bands are available in multiple sizes and the buyer may have to select a replacement band that is slightly different. REEDS is happy to check with the manufacturer to determine if varying band lengths are available.

Professional jewelers may reduce the size of watches with metal bands by removing extra links. Depending on the manufacturer, links may or may not be added, so its smart to buy a watch with this in mind. Adding or replacing metal links in fine watch bands can be very pricey if the option is available at all. The availability of extra links will depend on the specific watch as well as the manufacturer. It's a good idea to retain removed links in the event they may need to be reattached or used as part of a repair in the future. When resizing a watch with a metal band, the wearer should be present to ensure accurate measurement.

ALWAYS use a reputable, authorized distributor of the brand of watch when resizing the band. Expect to pay a nominal fee for this service. Attempting to resize the watch yourself, or using an unauthorized dealer can result in damage or scratches to the watch or watch band. Watches purchased from REEDS may be taken to any of our stores for sizing. Be sure to bring your receipt as proof of purchase. Once a watch band has been resized, it cannot be returned or exchanged. (REEDS accepts returns or exchanges within the first 30 days of purchase if removed original links are returned and the resizing was done by REEDS.)

Can all Watches be Re-sized?

Removing links from certain styles of fine metal watches, particularly those that taper dramatically from the watch face to clasp at the back, can affect the design integrity. Many stretch, bangle-style, or designer fashion watches may not be alterable.

Ordering Special Sized Watches

If the wearer's wrist is too large or small for a standard watch size, REEDS experts are available via live chat, telephone (at 877-406-3266, M-F 9-5 ET), e-mail, or in-store to assist you with finding a suitable style of watch to fit your needs.

If you have a specific watch style in mind that is not available in the size you need, custom sizing may be an option. Contact us and we will check with the manufacturer and/or expert jewelers regarding not only the availability, but the feasibility of customizing a particular watch in the desired size. If the watch can be customized, we'll provide you with a quote and timeframe for completion. Please note that custom orders take time, not only to obtain quotes, but for the customized construction. Custom watches cost more than their standard equivalents not only due to the custom work required but also for any additional materials needed, such as extra metal or gemstones. Other factors effecting costs include restructuring the original design to allow for the size adjustments.

Measuring Wrist Size

Prior to placing an order, it's important to correctly size the wearer's wrist. Measurements may be taken by REEDS in-store professionals or at home utilizing a standard cloth measuring tape or our printable REEDS Jewelry Measurer ™*. If you do not have a soft measuring tape, wrap a ribbon around the wrist at the wrist bone, mark the spot where the ends meet, then lay the ribbon against a yardstick or ruler to determine approximate wrist size. Note that certain styles of bangle-type bands must fit over the widest part of the hand, and you should measure at that part of the hand accordingly. Wrists at or within 3 inches under the standard watch diameter will fit most standard watches.

If you do not have a measuring tape handy, we have provided a printable version: Reeds Jewelry Measurer ™

*NOTE: To view REEDs Jewelry Measurer, Adobe Acrobat reader must be installed on your computer. If you do not have this program, go to Adobe's website and follow the instructions for your computer, platform and language for a free, safe installation.

To use REEDS Jewelry Measurer*, you'll need to follow these directions. Before printing, set print options at 100% normal size, with no Shrinking or Expanding to fit the page. Since screen resolution and printer settings vary for every user, these measurements are only approximate. Cut the tool out and tape it together to form a measuring tape. Wrap the tape around the wearer's wrist at the wrist bone and mark the spot where the ends meet to obtain an approximate wrist measurement.

After obtaining the wrist diameter, add 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches to that measurement for an approximate watch band size. This additional length allows for how snug or how loose the wearer wants the band to fit. Remember that some watches fit differently. Clasp style can provide more space than anticipated. Band adornments such as large gemstones can cause bands to fit tighter. One side bit of advice, if the wearer has very small hands, watches with large face styles may appear over large.

Before Buying a Luxury Watch

A luxury watch can be a significant investment. Unfortunately, there are many watch vendors, especially on-line, that sell luxury watches but are not authorized by the brand to do so. Service, expertise, warranties and guarantees may not be reliable. It's sometimes a difficult lesson to learn when a buyer discovers that his luxury watch warranty or guarantee is not considered valid by the watchmaker if the vendor is not authorized. Be sure the jeweler you select is affiliated with a professional trade association, such as Jewelers of America, which requires high ethical standards of its members and provides them with ongoing education. To ensure a vendor is legit, manufacturers of high-end watches frequently provide a list of authorized dealers on their websites.

REEDS Jewelers is an authorized retail outlet for all the designer and luxury watches, jewelry, and collectibles offered on our website and in our stores. In addition, REEDS carries many luxury watch brands not currently offered on our website, including Tag Heuer and Omega. If you have a certain luxury brand in mind that is not on our web site, please call us at 1-877-406-3266 for a list of REEDS locations carrying specific product lines.