Can someone tell me how to measure a watch case to figure what size watch it holds?

From the front? the back? on the rim? inside it?

I have a few that I would like to get some of my watches in, and have no idea what size they actually are.

Thank you!

Sheila,
Not sure how everyone else does it here but I always measure the inside diameter under the bezel. So take the bezel off and see what size movement you can fit in there. When I sell movements on eBay I always measure the diameter dial side.
Samuel

Samuel,
Thank you!

That is what I thought, because I knew that the dial side is usually larger than the movement side, but wanted to be sure.

I have also read in here, that you can't count on everything being equal, so if I run into more questions, I will come back in.

I also need a lesson about cases and the space for a lever set movement, and some of the glitches that go with them.

Now I can get to measuring. Thanks again.

Honestly I think measuring watches or cases is the most annoying part of selling them online. Too many variables between sizes. If I call a watch a 16 size it could be off by 1-2mm. Rare but does happen. I posted awhile back about an 8 size movement from Elgin that was the exact same model and plate pattern of a 6 size and PWATCH shows it as a 6. So I get people emailing me telling me I must be wrong. But the absolute worst is when I post the exact measurements in MM and I get emails telling me to please put it in Inches!!! I always reply back with the measurement in inches but what I really want to do is tell them to turn their ruler over it probably has MM on it!!!
Samuel