
Garmin · 2021
Approach S42Size, Dimensions & Wrist Fit
The Garmin Approach S42 sits best on flat wrist widths of about 46–62mm (≈ 12.3–16.6cm wrist circumference). Adjust the slider below to check your wrist.
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The Approach S42 in short
The figures that decide whether this watch suits you, pulled out of the full specification sheet further down.
- Between 15 hours and 10 days per charge depending on the power mode — smartwatch at best, gps at worst.
- Water rated to 50 m.
- 11.7mm thick. Thinner than 87% of 43mm watches, so it slides under a cuff more easily than most of its size.
- 1.2 inches LCD display, always-on capable.
- Carries on-board maps rather than breadcrumb navigation only.
Does the Approach S42 fit your wrist?
Drag the slider to your wrist width and see the Approach S42 overlaid at true scale. Lug-to-lug — not case diameter — decides whether a watch overhangs your wrist.
Happy with the fit? Check current availability for the Approach S42.
Check offer2D Dimension Schematics
The Approach S42 drawn to scale — from above, and in profile against the wrist.
- Garmin Approach S4243.4mm · 11.7mm thick
3D preview
Garmin Approach S42 on a wrist
On an arm sized to your own wrist — the view a product photo never gives you.
Shapes are built from published measurements, not manufacturer 3D models — accurate proportions, generic dial.
How long the Approach S42 lasts, by power mode
Runtime changes by a factor of 16 depending on what you leave switched on. Bars are scaled against the longest mode.
- Smartwatch10 days
- GPS15 hours
How the Approach S42 ranks on battery
Against the 268 Garmin watches in our database, ranked on each figure Garmin publishes.
- Everyday use10 days#179 of 257
- GPS tracking15 hours#184 of 233
Approach S42 specifications
The figures that decide a purchase, followed by every line Garmin publishes.
- Battery life
- 10 days
- Display
- 1.2 inches
- Resolution
- 240 x 240 px
- Water rating
- Waterproof
- Storage
- 0.64GB
Full specification sheet
93 published lines across 8 groups, unedited
Design
- width
- 43.4
- height
- 43.4
- volume
- 22.04 cm³
- weight
- 43 g
- thickness
- 11.7
- resolution
- 240 x 240 px
- screen size
- 1.2 inches
- Display type
- LCD
- Has a display
- pixel density
- 282 ppi
- water resistance
- Waterproof
- Always-On Display
- has a touch screen
- waterproof depth rating
- 50 m
- Watch band is replaceable
- Has sapphire glass display
- has branded damage-resistant glass
Battery
- battery life
- 10 days
- has wireless charging
- has a removable battery
- battery life with GPS on
- 15 hours
- Has a solar power battery
- has a rechargeable battery
Sensors
- has GPS
- has a compass
- Has a barometer
- has a gyroscope
- Has a cadence sensor
- has an accelerometer
- Monitors perspiration
- Has a heart rate monitor
- Has a temperature sensor
- Monitors blood oxygenation levels
Features
- release date
- 2021-03-16
- Has a stopwatch
- Has smart alarm
- Has call control
- Has silent alarm
- internal storage
- 0.64GB
- Has notifications
- Locates your phone
- Acquires GPS faster
- Can be used to answer calls
- Has a built-in camera remote control function
Connectivity
- has NFC
- supports ANT+
- supports Wi-Fi
- has a cellular module
- Is compatible with iOS
- Is compatible with Android
Miscellaneous
- Has auto pause
- Available on PC
- Is compatible with Windows
- Is compatible with Mac OS X
- has an external memory slot
- Compatible with smart scales
- has a battery level indicator
- has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
- Compatible with external heart rate monitors
App & Software
- Ad-free
- Free app
- Tracks BMI
- Has coaching
- Includes maps
- Supports routes
- Has achievements
- Has goal setting
- Has live tracking
- Has exercise diary
- Predicts ovulation
- Can be personalised
- Has weight tracking
- Predicts start date
- Tracks water intake
- Has period notifications
- Has temperature tracking
- Doesn’t require account
- Provides activity reports
- Displays fertile window notifications
- Counts how many calories you've burned
Activity tracking
- Measures pace
- Tracks distance
- Tracks elevation
- Designed for golf
- Tracks your sleep
- Tracks steps taken
- Has a route tracker
- Has exercise tagging
- Has multi-sport mode
- Tracks calorie intake
- Provides sleep reports
- Detects activities automatically
- Has a stroke counter for swimming
Alternatives to the Approach S42
Watches that cover a similar amount of wrist, with the measurements that separate them.

Garmin
Vivoactive 3
- Width
- 43.4mm
- Thick
- 11.7mm
- Weight
- 43g

Garmin
Approach® S40
- Width
- 43.4mm
- Thick
- 11.7mm
- Weight
- 43g

Garmin
Venu
- Width
- 43.2mm
- Thick
- 12.4mm
- Weight
- 46.3g

Garmin
D2™ Air
- Width
- 43.2mm
- Thick
- 12.4mm
- Weight
- 46.3g

Garmin
Venu 2 Plus
- Width
- 43.6mm
- Thick
- 12.6mm
- Weight
- 51g

Garmin
D2™ Air X10
- Width
- 43.6mm
- Thick
- 12.6mm
- Weight
- 51g
Approach S42 — Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Garmin Approach S42 fit my wrist?
The Garmin Approach S42 looks balanced on flat wrist widths of roughly 46–62mm (about 12.3–16.6cm circumference). Drag the slider above to check it against your own measurement.
How long does the Garmin Approach S42 battery last?
Between 15 hours and 10 days per charge, depending on the power mode. Garmin rates Smartwatch at 10 days and GPS at 15 hours; the chart above lists all 2 modes.
How does the Garmin Approach S42 battery compare with other Garmin watches?
At 10 days in everyday use it ranks #179 of the 257 Garmin watches in our database — below the middle of the range. The full ranking, including GPS and power-saving figures, is on our Garmin battery life comparison.
Is the Garmin Approach S42 thick for a 43mm watch?
At 11.7mm, thinner than 87% of 43mm watches, so it slides under a cuff more easily than most of its size. Thickness, not case width, is what decides whether a watch catches on a shirt cuff.
What other watches are the same size as the Garmin Approach S42?
OnePlus Watch 3 43mm, Oppo Watch X2 Mini, Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Stainless Steel / Black Meteorite / Bracelet, Zenith Defy Extreme Diver Shadow / Bracelet all sit within half a millimetre of the Garmin Approach S42's 43.4mm case, so they cover the same amount of wrist.
