The 20 Best 40mm Watches You Can Buy Right Now

When it comes to case sizes, 40mm has always felt like a sweet spot for many of us. It’s big enough to show off, whether that means bold design details or more advanced movements than your classic day and date, but still comfortably wearable day in and day out.

For many of us, it’s the perfect middle ground, being not too chunky nor too dainty, still sliding nicely under a shirt cuff when it needs to and looking sharp but not obtrusive in dressier settings.

And while it’s often marketed as a “men’s size,” a lot of us women (myself included) love the presence and punch of a 40mm case too. It’s confident, versatile, and doesn’t try too hard.

So if you’ve landed on 40mm as your sweet spot, you’re in the right place. This list is dedicated entirely to watches that are a true, no-fudging 40mm across. Not 39.5mm, not 40.5mm but just straight-up 40mm.

Who Would Suit a 40mm Wide Watch?

A 40mm watch tends to look right at home on wrists measuring around 6 to 7 inches in circumference. Typically, on this size wrist, 40mm strikes that happy balance between presence and proportion.

It’s large enough to stand out without overwhelming your wrist, and the proportions usually mean the lugs don’t hang awkwardly over the edge.

That said, these are just general guidelines, not hard rules. I always say you should never let a sizing chart, or anyone else’s ideal case size talk you out of the watch you love.

If your wrist is a bit larger but you prefer a more classic, compact look, 40mm might be exactly what you’re after. On the flip side, if you’ve got smaller wrists, especially common among women, but you’re into bolder, more statement-y pieces, 40mm can absolutely work.

It’s all about how it feels to you. I always suggest trying on a 40mm size for yourself. See how it sits, how it feels and if you love it, choose it. Watch wearing is supposed to be enjoyable, so choose the watches that make you happy, whether it’s a little big, small or perfectly in proportion.

The Best 40mm Watches You Can Buy

So, whether you’re already a 40mm fan or you’re new to discovering how well it suits your wrist, we’ve rounded up some of the best 40mm watches you can get your hands on right now.

There’s no size guesswork, no rounding up or down, just solid, true 40mm picks that look great, wear even better, and cover everything from everyday staples to statement pieces.

Rolex Day-Date 40

If you’re thinking classic elegance, the Rolex Day-Date deserves to be right at the top of this list. Originally introduced in 1956, it was the world’s first wristwatch to spell out the full day of the week alongside the date.

Fast forward to 2015, and Rolex unveiled the Day-Date 40 as a refined update with modern proportions and Rolex’s cutting-edge caliber 3255 movement under the hood.

Sized at a true 40mm, it keeps the signature look of the original but wears just a bit bolder, with slimmer lugs and a balanced dial layout that still feels timeless but never stuffy.

It’s only available in precious metals like yellow gold, Everose, white gold, or platinum, so it’s not the cheapest of 40mm watches out there, but definitely a good investment piece.

Every model comes on the iconic three-link President bracelet, which is as comfortable as it is recognizable.

Price start from $51,000

Omega De Ville Trésor

Most people think of Omega and immediately picture a Seamaster or Speedmaster, icons of dive and space watch fame. But neither is currently available in a true 40mm case, which gives us the perfect opportunity to spotlight one of Omega’s quieter, more refined gems: the De Ville Trésor.

Originally introduced back in 1949, the Trésor line has always leaned elegant. The modern 40mm version keeps that DNA intact with a sleek, ultra-thin case and a design that’s all about restraint and sophistication.

But the manually-wound Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement, caliber 8927, inside is anything but old-fashioned, boasting impressive precision, anti-magnetism, and a beautifully finished display case back.

Finishing the model is a polished case, often seen in yellow gold or other precious metals, paired with a domed dial and simple sub-seconds layout to channel the spirit of vintage dress watches.

Price starts from $7,400

Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar

The Nautilus is already a legend in the world of luxury sports watches, but in 2018, Patek Philippe added a serious twist to its design with a perpetual calendar.

Officially known as the first Grand Complication in the Nautilus lineup, this model blends haute horlogerie with unmistakable everyday wear all in a remarkably slim 40mm white gold case.

At just 8.42mm thick, it stays sleek thanks to the ultra-thin Caliber 240 Q movement, which somehow fits a perpetual calendar, moonphase, and 24-hour indicator into a case that still feels like a true Nautilus.

The signature porthole design remains intact, complete with a horizontally embossed sunburst blue dial, luminous white gold markers, and just enough visual complexity to draw you in without overwhelming the eye.

Price starts from $169,220

Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Complete Calendar

A modern tribute to a 1956 classic, the Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Complete Calendar cleverly blends vintage elegance with contemporary watchmaking.

It’s inspired by reference 6073, a historic Vacheron Constantin, and features a refined 40mm case available in 18K pink gold or stainless steel whose design echoes the brand’s iconic Maltese cross.

Its sector dial balances functionality with beauty, combining a sunburst hour track and opaline center and of course, a complete calendar complication with day, date, and month indicators, and a moon phase accurate for 122 years.

A blued pointer hand tracks the date which harmonizes perfectly with the midnight-blue moon disc. Through the sapphire case back, the self-winding Calibre 2460 QCL/1 is visible bearing the Poinçon de Genève motif and an open worked 22K gold rotor shaped like the Maltese cross.

Price starts from $27,400

Grand Seiko Hi Beat “White Birch” SLGH005

Grand Seiko has many brilliant 40mm watches in its portfolio that are all worth your time, but a model I’ve had a lot of hands-on time with in the past which I think about on the daily is the “White Birch” SLGH005.

Inspired by the pale trunks of birch trees near Grand Seiko’s Shizukuishi studio, this watch’s textured silver dial is a masterclass in detail. With deep grooves and a rich metallic finish, it captures the quiet beauty of nature in a perfectly sized 40mm case.

Part of Grand Seiko’s Evolution 9 collection, it’s also well sized at just 11.7mm thick so it hits the sweet spot between sporty and dressy.

It comes with the Japanese watchmaker’s famous Zaratsu-polished lugs, brushed flanks, and a box-shaped sapphire crystal give the watch an elevated presence on the wrist while inside, the 9SA5 high-beat movement offers 80 hours of power, showcases a next-gen escapement and reveals stunning finishing through the sapphire case back.

Price starts from $9,300

Breitling Chronomat GMT 40

Since there’s no 40mm Navitimer, though if you’re a fan of pilot’s watches, the Navitimer 41 is well worth checking out, the Chronomat GMT 40 is my go-to from Breitling.

While the Chronomat traditionally meant “chronograph + automatic,” this model ditches the chrono for a more streamlined design that still feels very Breitling.

You get the iconic Rouleaux bracelet, the distinctive onion crown, and a tough-but-slim 40mm stainless steel case that wears comfortably with its 11.77mm thickness and 47.4mm lug-to-lug profile.

The GMT functionality is practical, especially for those juggling time zones, thanks to the caller-style GMT hand. It’s powered by the Breitling Caliber 32, a COSC-certified movement with 42 hours of reserve.

What I really appreciate is how this watch balances sportiness with subtlety. The 200m water resistance makes it capable, but the clean dial and understated rehaut-printed 24-hour scale give it versatility for work, travel, and weekend wear.

Price starts from $5,600

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph is a welcome reminder that great watches don’t always need winding or fanfare to shine. On paper, it’s a sleek, solar-powered diver powered by the TH50-00 quartz movement that’s accurate, low-maintenance, and endlessly convenient.

On the wrist, it becomes even more compelling at just 9.97mm thick and 40mm wide so it wears effortlessly but sporty remains enough for daily adventure.

My favourite part of this model is the semi-translucent dial which reveals deep horizontal striations, crisp sunburst finishing, and soft accents that add just the right amount of personality.

Lume is bright, thoughtfully color-coded, and feels purpose-built rather than gimmicky. Even the steel case’s angular lines and polished facets start to shine the more time you spend with it.

Price starts from $2,500

IWC Portugieser Automatic 40

Next we have the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40, a model inspired by a 1930s commission from two Portuguese businessmen.

Even after all this time, it’s a design that has stayed remarkably true to its roots keeping the same slim bezel, Arabic numerals, feuille hands, and that signature recessed seconds subdial at six.

At 40mm wide and just 12.3mm thick, it wears with graceful presence, offering the refinement of a true dress watch but enough heft to feel substantial day-to-day.

Powered by IWC’s in-house Caliber 82200 with a 60-hour power reserve and Pellaton winding system, it pairs traditional aesthetics with thoroughly modern reliability.

The lacquered dials, available in soft tones like silver, green, salmon, and blue, bring surprising depth, especially under the double box sapphire crystal.

There’s also no date to clutter the dial, and no complication to distract from what this watch does best: deliver quiet luxury with heritage.

Price starts from $7,300

Longines Spirit 40mm

When it comes to Longines, the brand’s catalogue has often leaned on heritage. From the Heritage Military to the Avigation BigEye, the Saint-Imier-based manufacturer has long excelled at reaching into its archives to reintroduce classic references with contemporary mechanical upgrades all at really nice case sizes. But for me, one of their best vintage executions is the Longines Spirit 40mm.

This time-and-date model manages to be at once sharp and restrained, full of small, thoughtful details that elevate it from utilitarian tool to everyday staple.

Designed not as a one-for-one vintage revival but as a modern reinterpretation of the classic pilot’s watch, it combines its 40mm diameter with a 12.2mm thickness, stainless steel brushed case, oversized and onion-shaped crown and leather straps.

The dial, which is available in a range of shades, suits the overall look with a matte, subtly grained surface, applied Arabic numerals and a date window at 3 o’clock.

Price starts from $2,150

Chopard L.U.C XPS

Before we go into slightly more affordable 40mm watch territory, we couldn’t leave out the Chopard L.U.C XPS. It’s a timepiece that has redefined what an ultra-thin dress watch can be with a 40mm Lucent Steel case, crafted from an alloy with at least 80% recycled content, and a slim profile of just 7.20mm.

The case pairs with a dial in black, silver, or my personal favourite, green, with a sector layout, off-white markers and rhodium-plated dauphine hands that catch the light beautifully.

It’s a 40mm watch that doesn’t just look good but it also has the L.U.C 96.12-L calibre inside that is a COSC-certified chronometer, boasting a 65-hour power reserve and an automatic winding system driven by an ethical 22k gold micro-rotor.

Pair this with a smooth leather strap, and you get a versatile timepiece that effortlessly transitions from casual to formal settings.

Price starts from $11,800

Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic Auto Chrono

When most people think of 40mm chronographs, Hamilton might not be the first name that comes to mind, but the American Classic Intra-Matic Auto Chrono is a real gem.

Based on the brand’s 1968 Chronograph A and the slightly later Chrono-Matic, this 40mm release strikes a great balance between heritage styling and modern wearability.

If it were me, I’d head straight for the panda dial layout with its crisp and legible display that gives strong vintage energy without leaning into kitsch.

Under the hood is Hamilton’s H -31 movement (based on the Valjoux 7753), offering 60 hours of power reserve and smooth chronograph operation.

The 40mm stainless steel case is nicely proportioned, wide enough to feel sporty, but with a case shape that helps it sit more comfortably on the wrist than some thicker chronos out there.

Price starts from $2,395

Fears Brunswich 40

The Fears Brunswick 40 marks a confident evolution for the British watchmaker, building on the legacy of the original and popular 38mm model.

With a larger 40mm cushion-shaped case and a newly developed five-link bracelet, it strikes a perfect balance between sporty and elegant, something Fears calls “beach-to-boardroom”.

The polished bezel contrasts beautifully with the brushed stainless steel case, and domed sapphire crystal adds vintage charm.

Inside is the reliable Swiss ETA 2824-2 automatic movement, finished with Côtes de Genève and a custom rotor, though hidden behind a closed case back.

The collection features several core dials including Opaline Silver, Fears Blue, Flamingo Pink and Aurora (which is blue mother of pearl).

Several special editions are also available, including the Boutique Edition with a deep emerald green dial and the limited Odyssey Edition, inspired by explorer Angus Collins’ GBO challenge.

Prices start from $3,750

Nomos Tangomat GMT

Nomos is one of my all-time favorite watch brands. I’ve always loved Bauhaus-inspired design, and this German maker consistently nails the balance between minimalism and mechanical brilliance.

For a moment, I thought I’d have to skip Nomos in this list of 40mm watches, since I know they have plenty of 39mm and 41mm models, but nothing right on the 40mm mark… until I remembered the Nomos Tangomat GMT.

This quietly brilliant travel watch is an understated gem. At 40mm wide and just under 11mm thick, it wears larger than a standard Tangente thanks to the automatic DUW 5201 caliber and clever complication layout.

The watch tracks local and home time simultaneously, with 24 global time zones denoted by crisp airport codes. The dial is clean and silver-plated, paired with heat-blued hands and Nomos’ signature Glashütte finishing.

Price starts from $4,920

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80

This is another of my favourite brands and a watch I own myself, in both the 35mm and 40mm sizes, so it’s safe to say the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 holds a special place in my collection.

If you’re drawn to integrated bracelet watches but not keen on spending Royal Oak money, this is arguably the best value-for-money option out there.

Inspired by Tissot’s 1978 Seastar, the PRX delivers 70s sport-luxury style with its barrel-shaped case, integrated steel bracelet, and stunning “Clous de Paris” textured dial.

Inside is equally impressive, housing the Swiss-made Powermatic 80 automatic movement boasting a whopping 80-hour power reserve and anti-magnetic Nivachron hairspring.

At 40mm, the case wears slim and refined at just 10.9mm thick, and with 100m water resistance, sapphire crystal, and a see-through case back, it punches well above its price tag.

Price starts from $775

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date

The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date is a 40mm watch that has truly stood the test of time. First introduced in 1938 for pilots, its distinctive oversized crown and central date pointer hand remain signature features to this day, all housed within a modest sized 40 mm stainless steel case. It also boasts domed sapphire crystal and a see-through case back.

Inside beats Oris’s Caliber 754 automatic movement offering 38 hours of power reserve and reliable precision. The straps come in a range of colours and metals including sustainably sourced leather or three-row link steel bracelets, just like the dials which can be ordered in timeless navy or black, or more unexpected and playful tones like mustard yellow, peachy pink, or gorgeous teal.

Price starts from $2,300

Farer Maze III GMT

Our next affordable 40mm watch comes from Farer and is named the Maze III GMT. As its name suggests, it’s a watch that’s now in its third generation and sports a slimmer, more wearable 40mm stainless steel case, curved “ski slope” lugs, and a box sapphire crystal that adds vintage character without bulk. It’s water resistant to 200 meters and features a screw-down crown, making it a true tool watch.

A pearlescent white tile pattern serves as the base for oversized black gloss markers and hands, packed with icy blue X1 Super-LumiNova for unmatched nighttime legibility.

The GMT hand pops in postbox red, working in harmony with the black and white sapphire bezel to let you track a second time zone at a glance. The movement elected is the Sellita SW330-2 made visible through an exhibition case back.

Price starts at $1,150

Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver’s

Another 40mm dive watch worth your time and money is the Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver’s. It’s a modern evolution of the 62MAS, Japan’s and Seiko’s very first dive watch.

Reimagined for today’s adventurers, this 40mm stainless steel diver blends vintage character with serious performance boasting a barrel-shaped case, curved lugs, and a mix of brushed and polished finishes to deliver classic tool-watch aesthetics.

Water resistance is what you’d expect from a Seiko diver, boosted to a professional-grade 300 meters, meeting ISO standards and reinforced by a screw-down crown and case back.

The coin-edged unidirectional bezel and curved sapphire crystal complete the rugged build. For the dial, you can choose from classic black, deep navy “Scuba Blue”, or a special “Tide Grey” anniversary edition with gold-tone accents.

Price starts from $1,300

Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic 40mm

Offering an impressive blend of sports elegance and affordability, the Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic 40mm stands out in the crowded integrated sports watch genre.

Its barrel-shaped stainless steel case features mostly matte, vertically brushed surfaces, complemented by a polished fixed bezel for a subtle contrast.

At just 11.7mm thick, it wears comfortably, while the integrated three-row bracelet with rounded links and folding clasp adds to the sleek profile.

Under the hood, the in-house Calibre 8210 automatic movement powers the watch, delivering a reliable 40-hour power reserve and 21,600 vibrations per hour.

A sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating protects the dial, which comes in an array of vibrant sunray-brushed colours from classic black and navy blue to bold green, yellow, and a fresh pastel blue. There are few 40mm automatic watches as high value as this one.

Price starts from $300

Orient Mako 40

40mm dive watches aren’t easy to come by, with most tipping the scales at 42mm or above but the Orient Mako 40 is one of the few – and also one of the most affordable.

The watch sports a sleek 40mm stainless steel case equipped with an unguarded screw-down crown and a clean dial layout with bold bar-shaped hour markers and luminous hands for easy reading underwater.

Powered by Orient’s in-house F6722 automatic movement, it offers a solid 40-hour power reserve, hand-winding, and hacking capabilities for a nice level of precision and reliability.

Water resistance is rated at 200 metres, making it suitable for serious diving activities and there’s even sapphire crystal glass to protect the dial which again is a rarity in a watch at this price point.

The dial is available in a striking range of colours from traditional navy and black to vibrant apricot, lilac and ruby red.

Price starts from $450

Timex Marlin Chronograph

Last but certainly not least in today’s rundown of the best 40mm watches, we’ve saved the most affordable for last: the Timex Marlin Chronograph.

This model taps into the much-loved “panda” dial style characterized by its silver sunray-brushed surface contrasted with black subdials.

It’s a design popularized by luxury icons like the Rolex Daytona and TAG Heuer Carrera but what makes Timex’s take so exciting is the price point. At just $209, it offers vintage chronograph charm without breaking the bank.

Housed in a polished 40mm stainless steel case, the Marlin Chronograph features a domed acrylic crystal and quartz-powered movement for reliable precision.

For the dial, a black tachymeter scale is added around the outer minute track for a sporty edge and retro-style black numerals and square markers are positioned at key hours to keep the dial clean and readable.

It also has 50 meters of water resistance and comes on a choice of a black leather strap or fine link bracelet.

Price starts from $209

Conclusion

If you asked me, 40mm might just be the perfect case size. It suits almost everyone; big enough to have presence, small enough to stay versatile, and always looks the part, whether you’re dressing up or down.

Sure, it might lean slightly oversized on some wrists and slightly compact on others, but that’s kind of the beauty of it: 40mm has an uncanny ability to just work.

And thankfully, for all of us who love that sweet spot, there’s no shortage of incredible 40mm watches out there. From haute horlogerie masterpieces in solid gold to everyday tool watches packed with tech, there’s truly something for everyone whatever your taste, lifestyle, or budget.

So whether you’re adding your first 40mm to the collection or just looking for the next great piece to wear on rotation, this list is a great place to start.