Is the Apple Watch Ultra for small wrists?

When the Apple Watch Ultra was announced, I was very excited! And also very scared. 

Let me explain.

I have been alternating back and forth over the years between the 45mm and the 41mm Apple Watches, and I eventually settled on the 41mm size because it just looked aesthetically better on my wrist. It was the more sophisticated choice. It didn’t look like a kids vtech watch on my wrists. 

When you wear a piece of tech, sometimes bigger isn’t always better. 

Eventually I became heavily invested in 41mm bands, including the link bracelet. Did I miss the bigger screen size? Of course I did, but I couldn’t switch to a bigger size anymore, could I? 

Enter the Apple Watch Ultra. 

Could I really pull this off? Going from 41mm all the way to 49mm? All the puzzle pieces were lining up in my favor. My Series 5 was starting to show its age at almost 3 years, and my wife wanted to give the watch a try for tracking her workouts. I could have gotten her an Apple watch SE, but a used stainless steel Series 5 was more pleasing to her eye, and frankly a much better device. She is still not consistent with it, but it still lives on under her watch (pun intended). Her go to band is the black milanese loop since it is “infinitely adjustable,” and it allows the skin to breathe easily.

So now that I had a “buyer” for my Series 5, I pulled the trigger on the Ultra. Once I unboxed it, I was genuinely excited to hold it and admire its titanium curves but I had to put it on right away. This was the breaking point for me. Was it going to look too big, or would I be able to pull it off? Well here it is:

The alpine loop is a wider band, but its comfortable fabric doesn’t pull hair like the 45mm sport band.

Just for reference, my wrist is 160mm. (41mm sport band)

I thought to myself, this is quite a beast and it did initially look huge on my wrist. After using it for a few days, I got used to it, and it didn’t really stick out as anything abnormal. It was a watch with a mission, and it was not masking it in any way. I thought to myself, even though this watch is bulky, it is supposed to look bulky like a Casio G-Shock (which I do own). I bought it with the Starlight Alpine Loop, which I alternate with my 41mm blue sport band. I really wanted the blue/gray trail loop, but that was sold out for a launch day arrival. 

The Alpine Loop is a great band and very comfortable, but I do use the small sport band 90% of the time. It’s just easier to deal with and easier to dry with a quick wipe, especially after workouts. I know that the 45mm bands work with the Ultra and fit flush with the band slot, but since I already had a 41mm band, I decided to stick with it until I buy another sport loop in the larger size. 

Once I bought the larger sport band, I didn’t like how much wider and longer it was. I was so used to the 41mm width and length that I just couldn’t get a proper fit with the 45mm band. The wider band was pulling on more wrist hair, and that was a deal breaker. Even though the 41mm band does expose part of the band slot, it actually fits the watch’s character perfectly. This watch is not smooth or subtle in any of its curves like the Series 8, with the protruding crown guard and flat, sharp screen bezel. So what if you can see the band slot a little bit? It actually adds to the brawny look.

The regular Apple Watches are smooth and have curves that flow seamlessly between screen and body. It is meant to be a piece of fashion as well as a tool. The Ultra on the other hand is a tool, period. Aesthetics are for the most part thrown out the window, and you have a lot more freedom to wear it however you want regardless of how big or small your wrist is. 

If you have been wearing the smaller sized Apple Watch over the years (38mm, 40mm, and 41mm) and you want the Apple Watch Ultra, I say give it a try. Worst case scenario, you can always return it, but I think you will find out that it actually might just be OK for your smaller wrist. 

You won’t truly know unless you try.