Shirt cuff size and watches

[tpap]

Do you also find it difficult to fit a watch under the shirt's cuff and at the same time have the cuff rest at the base of your thumb? Even a dress watch adds at least 1" to the cuff's size, which allows the cuff to go past the thumb's base. The larger the watch, the further down the cuff reaches. How do you deal with this problem?

Is this "base of thumb" rule really incompatible with wearing a watch? In fact, I've seen multiple photos of Prince Charles wearing his watch and having his cuffs reach almost halfway between the base of his thumb and the notch formed between the thumb and the index finger. I don't particularly like this look.

If you have managed to address this problem, please, post some photos of your cuff/watch for us to see!

Thanks.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Even without a watch I wouldn't want the shirt cuff to hit the past of my thumb. Looks sloppy.

 

[TheFoo]

Simple: get shirts made with bigger cuffs. I wear very large watches (> 42mm diameter) and don't have this problem.

 

[Cantabrigian]

Sounds like you're wearing your shirts too long unless I'm entirely misunderstanding. I don't think I've ever seen Prince Charles with cuffs that long.

Just wear your largest watch when you're fitted for or buy shirts.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Haha I just saw in iWatch that they have a cut out cuff shirt so you can view your watch!

Eric Glennie where you at!??

You missed your chance to patent that schnat!

 

[tpap]

Originally Posted by Cantabrigian

Sounds like you're wearing your shirts too long unless I'm entirely misunderstanding. I don't think I've ever seen Prince Charles with cuffs that long.

Just wear your largest watch when you're fitted for or buy shirts.


Well, here's one of the many photos out there. Do you think this looks good?

Also, isn't the sleeve, when unbuttoned, supposed to be a bit longer than the end of your wrist to allow for you hand's movement? So, a wider cuff will normally sit lower on you thumb.

Am I missing something?

 

[SoCal2NYC]

You should not be wearing your shirt sleeves any longer than that picture...even then it is a tad too long for me.

 

[rbm]

Originally Posted by tpap

Do you also find it difficult to fit a watch under the shirt's cuff and at the same time have the cuff rest at the base of your thumb? If you have managed to address this problem, please, post some photos of your cuff/watch for us to see!
I have exactly the same problem. The cuffs of several of my recently purchased shirts are so tight around my wrists (manufacturer's shirt design, not a sizing problem) that I am unable to get the cuff over my watch. And I wear a very thin watch, unlike some of the modern 40mm and 50mm calibers. The button is positioned barely a centimeter from the edge of the cuff so that is is impossible to relocate the button to add dimension to the cuff.

I've not managed to get a solution to the problem yet with which I am comfortable.

I remember seeing a novel solution to this problem in a photo in Allan Flusser's book, Dressing the Man, where Adolphe Menjou (I believe; this is from memory) wore his watch on the outside of his cuff. He pulled it off stylishly by also rolling back his jacket sleeves to reveal the combination.

 

[Mustapha]

I had some bespoke shirts done up awhile back and they got the barrel cuffs too roomy. I fixed this myself by moving the button. I was quite pleased with the unintended sleeker look from a very tight cuff - but now there was only wiggle room for a 1960s style slim/flat watch. For my next set of shirts I specified the tighter cuff.

Guess what. I can only wear 1960s style slim watches now. :&gt

I save my big sports watches for Ts, polos and RTW shirts.

-Moose

 

[teddieriley]

For RTW - cuff size will be determined by the brand. I think manufacturers err on making the cuff diameter larger to accomodate various size wrists, but can't win them all.

At least for my bespoke/MTM shirts, I have the left cuff cut 1/2" larger to accomodate my watch.

 

[kolecho]

On a related note, do any of you have custom shirts with cuffs designed to be worn over slim dress watch and bulkier sports watch?

I have never come across a good solution.

 

[teddieriley]

The only way to ensure that you can wear both watches with the custom shirt is cutting the cuff opening to accomodate the bigger watch. It might cause the sleeve to fall lower on your wrist then you would like, but the only other solution to that is shortening the sleeve length.

 

[kolecho]

How about having two buttons on the cuff?

 

[teddieriley]

Didn't think about that. That should work. I guess there's two ways going about it: (1) the two buttons that are vertical to each other, whereby you can unbotton the top one to have more room in the cuff opening, or (2) the two buttons horizontal that allow you to button the cuff looser or tighter.