It’s time for a 38mm Datejust

[Rags]

I believe the time has come for Rolex to up the size of the 36mm DJ to 38mm. IMO the 41mm is just too big for a classic dress watch. Let’s hear everyone’s thoughts.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by Rags

I believe the time has come for Rolex to up the size of the 36mm DJ to 38mm. IMO the 41mm is just too big for a classic dress watch. Let’s hear everyone’s thoughts.

Why? The Datejust 41 is in reality only 39.xx mm

[Rags]

Originally Posted by ronricks

Why? The Datejust 41 is in reality only 39.xx mm

So why isn’t is called the 39mm DJ?

[Jmbarrack]

Originally Posted by Rags

So why isn’t is called the 39mm DJ?

No one really knows. But that is true, there are several youtube videos out there where they show using calipers the measurement of the bezel being around 39.xx mm wide. Rolex also lists the Daytona, YachtMaster and GMT-Master as 40mm and neither of them are the same.

I think the 36mm DJ is pretty well proportioned. The 41mm is a little too bloated for me.

Pearlmaster's are 39mm FWIW.

[Lu..]

Originally Posted by Jmbarrack

No one really knows. But that is true, there are several youtube videos out there where they show using calipers the measurement of the bezel being around 39.xx mm wide. Rolex also lists the Daytona, YachtMaster and GMT-Master as 40mm and neither of them are the same.

I think the 36mm DJ is pretty well proportioned. The 41mm is a little too bloated for me.

Pearlmaster's are 39mm FWIW.

agreed....the DJ41, OP41 are both 39.Xmm.....the 41 in the name is a marketing ploy....I've seen the DJ41 and not a fan of the flat bloated bezel....as you say, it is out of proportion....if only they can take the domed bezel and case of the OP41 and put a DJ41 dial...now that would look phenomenal...and perfect....

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Lu..

agreed....the DJ41, OP41 are both 39.Xmm.....the 41 in the name is a marketing ploy....I've seen the DJ41 and not a fan of the flat bloated bezel....as you say, it is out of proportion....if only they can take the domed bezel and case of the OP41 and put a DJ41 dial...now that would look phenomenal...and perfect....

Flat bloated bezel? Never, not in a million years, a beautifully proportioned watch the DJ41, stunning.

Oh, I maybe a bit biased as I have one.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by Rags

So why isn’t is called the 39mm DJ?

Coz calling it 41mm will sell more than calling it 38mm.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Coz calling it 41mm will sell more than calling it 38mm.

Why the hammer? First of all the OP didn't say call it (the DJ41) 38mm...and secondly, it really doesn't make sense that they call it 41 if it's 39 and change... hell, call it 40... but either way, I am one potential buyer turned off by the DJ41 initially because I thought that was the size. To me, bigger is worse... but I tried it on and it definitely didn't wear like 41. Calipers confirmed.

[zewill]

Originally Posted by Rags

So why isn’t is called the 39mm DJ?

Because it wears large and looks like a 40+mm watch

Honestly I do feel 2 mm does a difference. I would vote yes for a 38mm DJ.

[bob sims]

Originally Posted by ronricks

Why? The Datejust 41 is in reality only 39.xx mm

Someone is going to get sued sometime soon over the sizes of the DJ and the OP. 39.5 is a nice size they should market it as such.
BTW-has anyone measured the 36 DJ and OP? What about the DD 40?

[Zuger]

I would buy one at 38mm

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Rags

IMO the 41mm is just too big for a classic dress watch.

Problem solved

[Rags]

Originally Posted by samson66

Problem solved

I’m sorry but 38mm would still be better and would be a best seller for Rolex.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Rags

I’m sorry but 38mm would still be better and would be a best seller for Rolex.

Respectfully disagree. They clearly want to market it as a 41 mm alternative to the 36, while at the same time keeping the actual diameter just over 39 which to my eyes is a perfect size. The 36 is always there for folks who feel the "41" is too large. I think they nailed it with the DJ41

[blufinz52]

Originally Posted by samson66

Respectfully disagree. They clearly want to market it as a 41 mm alternative to the 36, while at the same time keeping the actual diameter just over 39 which to my eyes is a perfect size. The 36 is always there for folks who feel the "41" is too large. I think they nailed it with the DJ41

This!

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by samson66

Respectfully disagree. They clearly want to market it as a 41 mm alternative to the 36, while at the same time keeping the actual diameter just over 39 which to my eyes is a perfect size. The 36 is always there for folks who feel the "41" is too large. I think they nailed it with the DJ41

Respectfully, it makes no damn sense. Clearly, it's not 41mm, it's not even 40mm... so why market it as a 41 alternative?

What about folks that feel 41 is too big and 36 is too small... hence this thread. To me (my opinion), 38mm is perfect.

The 39mm actual diameter is not too bad though, I can wear it. Not a fan of the wider bezel, but I think it's more pronounced in pictures than on wrist.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

Respectfully, it makes no damn sense. Clearly, it's not 41mm, it's not even 40mm... so why market it as a 41 alternative?

What about folks that feel 41 is too big and 36 is too small... hence this thread. To me (my opinion), 38mm is perfect.

The key word in the top sentence is "market." Rolex has their own science in how they market their watches. The OP41 is 39mm. The 40mm Daytona is just over 38mm. Agree it makes no sense and it has bothered me for years. I don't see other watch companies overtly lying about the dimensions of their watches but Rolex sees fit to do it. Rounding up to the nearest mm is fine, but marketing a 39 mm OP as a 41 is just blatant misrepresentation IMO.

As for 38 being perfect they can't make every model in 5 or 6 different sizes. They have a 36 and they have a 39.4. So if 38 is good for you we are only talking about 1.4mm difference here. I think most people are happy with one or the other. It wasn't real long ago that 36 was the largest they offered in a Datejust so I'm thrilled that folks like me with larger wrists at least have a larger option.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

Respectfully, it makes no damn sense. Clearly, it's not 41mm, it's not even 40mm... so why market it as a 41 alternative?

What about folks that feel 41 is too big and 36 is too small... hence this thread. To me (my opinion), 38mm is perfect.

The 39mm actual diameter is not too bad though, I can wear it. Not a fan of the wider bezel, but I think it's more pronounced in pictures than on wrist.

What are the measurements from 4-10 or 2-8? Measuring along that axis will get some case/lug at the edges and probably stretch it beyond 40.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by samson66

Respectfully disagree. They clearly want to market it as a 41 mm alternative to the 36, while at the same time keeping the actual diameter just over 39 which to my eyes is a perfect size. The 36 is always there for folks who feel the "41" is too large. I think they nailed it with the DJ41

I agree with all that. For the sake of discussion do we know what the DJ36 actually measures in the same dimension that you showed? I.e. is it a true 36 or is it 34.5 or something?

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Rags

I’m sorry but 38mm would still be better and would be a best seller for Rolex.

Better than an unobtainable DJ41 which are getting as rare as any of the ‘Professional’ range?

Not sure how reducing the ‘41’ by a mere 1mm is going to make sales improve to best seller status when it is already one of the most popular in the Rolex range.

[Rags]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

Better than an unobtainable DJ41 which are getting as rare as any of the ‘Professional’ range?

Not sure how reducing the ‘41’ by a mere 1mm is going to make sales improve to best seller status when it is already one of the most popular in the Rolex range.

A 36mm & 38mm could be worn by both men & women. If a 39.4 mm DJ is the perfect size watch then why was the Explorer reduced back to 36mm from 39mm.

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Rags

A 36mm & 38mm could be worn by both men & women. If a 39.4 mm DJ is the perfect size watch then why was the Explorer reduced back to 36mm from 39mm.

36 and 41 (39.4) DJ’s are routinely worn by both men and women, size nowadays is not an automatic determining factor of whether the watch is for male or female wrists.

There are plenty of women out there wearing DJ41’s, Daytona’s, Submariners and the like, the days of small watches being just for women are long gone.

It’s all about choice, both Mrs O and myself like a large clear dial for daily wear but both have small watches down to 31 in Mrs O’s case, for when circumstances dictate a smaller dress watch should be worn.

But like you I am confused by Rolex only having the Explorer 1 at 36mm, I would have expected 36 and 39, with the 2 at 42mm. Strange decision IMHO.

[winst]

Originally Posted by Rags

A 36mm & 38mm could be worn by both men & women. If a 39.4 mm DJ is the perfect size watch then why was the Explorer reduced back to 36mm from 39mm.

Because they wanted to tap in to the Asian Market and Women’s market more with the Explorer as I don’t believe they were selling that many 39mm’s compared to what they think they can with the 36mm. I still prefer the 39mm but that’s my personal preference.

[JodyHighroller]

Originally Posted by Rags

A 36mm & 38mm could be worn by both men & women. If a 39.4 mm DJ is the perfect size watch then why was the Explorer reduced back to 36mm from 39mm.

I have a feeling a 41mm Exp I is coming to complement the 36.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Rags

I’m sorry but 38mm would still be better and would be a best seller for Rolex.

Umm, the 41mm DJs are sold out every where in every configuration, none on display in any color in the Dallas area, and most colors are allocation only.
Moral of the story, it's already a best seller. 39.5 and 38 is not much different and splitting hairs. There's a choice to be made between a 36 and 39.5, but not much in it between 36 and 38.

Rolex just gave it a name, that's all. Think like car manufacturers and their numbers, no relation to the engine or transmission or anything. The DJ41 is a 39mm watch, round up or down as necessary.

[K12123]

Originally Posted by Rags

I’m sorry but 38mm would still be better and would be a best seller for Rolex.

I think they do just fine. They can’t seem to make them fast enough.

[DJTOSUB]

Originally Posted by samson66

Problem solved

Great picture.

Does anyone know if the DJ36 is actually 36mm or is it actually less like the DJ41?

[Lu..]

Originally Posted by DJTOSUB

Great picture.

Does anyone know if the DJ36 is actually 36mm or is it actually less like the DJ41?

it's 36mm, see attached thread.....

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=626163

[dannyp]

Rolex truly owns the 36mm space and has for years. Others have come and gone but Rolex endures.

Of course, if the idea is to shrink the DJ41 to the DJ38 if the trend continues in downsizing, while keeping the DJ36 intact, then sure, why not.

[GoingPlaces]

I like the 36 DJ, classic proportions. Rolex should never change this core reference.