OP 36 vs OP41

[Madison1]

So a weird thing happened to me at the weekend. I was able to try on a couple of OPs (sorry - didn't take pics). I tried on a green in 41 and a turquoise in 36. I usually wear a CHNR or SD43 so not a stranger to 40+.

Maybe it's an optical illusion but the green at 41 seemed vacant. Lots of space. Like a blown up version of the 36 and out of proportion in a way. The 36 (and I have never liked a watch at this size) felt perfect. Just wondered if anyone else experienced similar thoughts?

Just to make matters stranger. I also tried on a yellow 36 that looked really small (how I usually think about 36). AD said it's because the batons merge in to the yellow but pop on the turqoise giving it a different look and feel.

The only other explanation I have is that I am getting toward 40 years old so maybe I have started to appreciate the timeless elegance of a small size.

[Mr Biggles]

OP41 is bit too big for the average wrist. Unless you have a 8+ inch wrist
The reason OP41 wears bigger then the CHNR and SD43 is because these 2 are sport watches with a bezel. Dial becomes smaller because of this
OP41 is all dial, and hence you're correct observation that it looks bloated.

[DC116710LN]

The lack of a bezel makes the OP41 wear larger than listed. I turned down a 39mm Explorer for the same reason

[blada4life]

i just got the OP41 in red. i was surprised too. i dispute that it feels "too big". it has a case similar to that of the explorer line and in fact, i dont even think its much bigger than the op36 case (there are online videos of measurements). the difference is the dial/bezel combo, which is larger on the 41 v 36, but the actual case is a much smaller difference. i agree it looks large and its a lot of dial, but if you get a nice color, you will enjoy it. get the 41mm... it sits like a 39/40mm.

[thenewrick]

I have an OP41 on a 7.5 inch wrist and it feels small to me and I don't even like large watches. The case measures close to 39mm. The lug to lug is short as well and the bracelet drops directly down with the curved lugs.

[dannyp]

I tend to find that watches which have been inflated, or shrunk, from their original size tend to look out of proportion (though the latter usually works slightly better than the former).

[Madison1]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I tend to find that watches which have been inflated, or shrunk, from their original size tend to look out of proportion (though the latter usually works slightly better than the former).

I agree. It seems a little lazy to "zoom in" vs resize. Interestingly it's why I like the SD43 as it seems to be well proportioned.

[Mendota]

The OP41 indeed looks strange in my eyes. The dial size of the OP36 is the same size as the dials on the sub and other classic 40mm sport models, so that's why the proportions appear "correct" visually. It just works. Those larger sized DJ and OPs just look "off" with those big dials.

[Madison1]

Originally Posted by Mendota

The OP41 indeed looks strange in my eyes. The dial size of the OP36 is the same size as the dials on the sub and other classic 40mm sport models, so that's why the proportions appear "correct" visually. It just works. Those larger sized DJ and OPs just look "off" with those big dials.

Wow..Didn't know that but makes so much sense with the bezel taking up much of the wrist presence.

[foxytimes]

Originally Posted by Mendota

The OP41 indeed looks strange in my eyes. The dial size of the OP36 is the same size as the dials on the sub and other classic 40mm sport models, so that's why the proportions appear "correct" visually. It just works. Those larger sized DJ and OPs just look "off" with those big dials.

THIS! Wrist size is individual, the right proportions are universal.

Please note: OP41 is not a bigger OP36, it's a different watch. The coronet isn't bigger in proportion, the same for the text on the dial, the hands are out of proportion too.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by foxytimes

THIS! Wrist size is individual, the right proportions are universal.

Please note: OP41 is not a bigger OP36, it's a different watch. The coronet isn't bigger in proportion, the same for the text on the dial, the hands are out of proportion too.

That's so true. Remember the mistake Rolex made with the very first edition of the 39mm Explorer? It was almost as if they just took the hands from the 36mm and put it on the 39. The hands were so short that the minutes and seconds hands didn't even get close to the markers!!! What a stupid look that was.

[thenewrick]

Originally Posted by foxytimes

THIS! Wrist size is individual, the right proportions are universal.

Please note: OP41 is not a bigger OP36, it's a different watch. The coronet isn't bigger in proportion, the same for the text on the dial, the hands are out of proportion too.

Everything on the dial is unique for the 41 and upsized to fit. Looks great!

Many have said the old OP39 was the best OP proportionally and the new OP41 is the same watch in sizes and proportion

[phillyEagles]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Everything on the dial is unique for the 41 and upsized to fit. Looks great!

Many have said the old OP39 was the best OP proportionally and the new OP41 is the same watch in sizes and proportion

Perfectly proportioned OP39? You mean this little baby right here?



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[zab]

Originally Posted by Mendota

The OP41 indeed looks strange in my eyes. The dial size of the OP36 is the same size as the dials on the sub and other classic 40mm sport models, so that's why the proportions appear "correct" visually. It just works. Those larger sized DJ and OPs just look "off" with those big dials.

My thoughts exactly.

[Amex4711]

I have the OP in coral red in 36mm and it’s the perfect size for me … the 41mm looks strange.

[Madison1]

Originally Posted by Amex4711

I have the OP in coral red in 36mm and it’s the perfect size for me … the 41mm looks strange.

Great pic. Looks very elegant and the perfect size for your wrist.

[Amex4711]

Originally Posted by Madison1

Great pic. Looks very elegant and the perfect size for your wrist.

thanks

[swish77]

Way too much dial on the 41mm OP, IMHO. Probably need at least a 7.5 inch-plus wrist to pull it off. The 36mm version is a perfect size for this design, as is the 36mm DJ.

[Mendota]

That red OP is beautiful. I would love to see this one and the green dial in person someday. My only wish would be for it to have the single batons with little Roman numerals going around the perimeter like the 34mm OP has. I don't like the double batons at 3-6-9.

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[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Mendota

That red OP is beautiful. I would love to see this one and the green dial in person someday. My only wish would be for it to have the single batons with little Roman numerals going around the perimeter like the 34mm OP has. I don't like the double batons at 3-6-9.

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Agree 100%. To the point that I’m considering an OP34 as my next watch (since I want dark blue or silver dial anyhow.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Agree 100%. To the point that I’m considering an OP34 as my next watch (since I want dark blue or silver dial anyhow.

The blue dial OP34 is beautiful in person. You will really like it. I bought it for my wife for Mother's Day and our anniversary and the blue is just fantastic. My OP36 is the previous 11series with the blue Explorer dial. I am really glad I got mine last year when I did, before they changed to the double batons style.

[R.bartlett]

Originally Posted by Mendota

That red OP is beautiful. I would love to see this one and the green dial in person someday. My only wish would be for it to have the single batons with little Roman numerals going around the perimeter like the 34mm OP has. I don't like the double batons at 3-6-9.

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Sorry but I don't like Roman numerals on any watch but I just love the double battons on the OP to me it's the finishing touch and gives it that little extra quality.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by R.bartlett

Sorry but I don't like Roman numerals on any watch but I just love the double battons on the OP to me it's the finishing touch and gives it that little extra quality.

They are so tiny that you can't even see them in real life unless you are holding the watch and looking at it closely. The OP34 has single batons going around the whole dial. The itty bitty Romans replace the little dots that some of the dials have in between the batons and the rehaut.

[Amex4711]

…. every new OP you must see live !! because the colour is really amazing and much better as every pic.

… o.k. this pic is nearly perfect.

@Madison1:
I would buy the turquoise in 36mm

[bob sims]

Originally Posted by Amex4711

…. every new OP you must see live !! because the colour is really amazing and much better as every pic.

… o.k. this pic is nearly perfect.

@Madison1:
I would buy the turquoise in 36mm

Like Tina Turner said-
Simply The Best

[dklap3]

I agree, to me the proportions of the OP41 looks wrong, unless you have a very big wrist. It’s just too much dial. When I see pictures of it, I often get the vibe of a (unmentionable) fashion watch brand.

Personally I’m wearing the new Bright Blue OP36 which I love. I think it fits my 17,5 cm wrist great.

But each to his own of course, and I understand why some would find the OP36 too small. In that case, I would find something else than the OP.

[thenewrick]

As a general rule it's better to wear a smaller watch than your wrist can accommodate. A smaller watch just looks classy and lowkey. The big-watch fad is a terrible look. It's the rummaged through your dad's clothes look. No bueno.

[R.bartlett]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

As a general rule it's better to wear a smaller watch than your wrist can accommodate. A smaller watch just looks classy and lowkey. The big-watch fad is a terrible look. It's the rummaged through your dad's clothes look. No bueno.

It actually reminds me of a woman wearing a man's watch look. Asian men tend to be fine boned and when they choose what a western Man wears, it has the same effect..
Not saying it's wrong each to their own but is a personal opinion that's all

Bigger isn't always better

[R.bartlett]

wow this very idea has been flowing round and round my brain for a few weeks. I was in the AD a few months ago and I stood there thinking "these watches look bloody ginormous. " The skydweller for example just looked way way too big. They didn't have a OP in but a datejust at 41mm was as above way too big..

I kinda get where Rolex is coming from by reducing the Exp l back to 36mm

My only problem is unlike the original poster, I haven't a AD with both available to compare and contrast so I'm stuck wanting a OP 41 but probably suit a OP 36 but n real way of knowing..

[thenewrick]

a 36mm is really the normal size for most men. I'd recommend the 41mm for 6.5 inch wrist and up