36MM Explorer vs Black Bay 54

[Eagles4133]

I have been heavily researching the Black Bay 54 and there are people in two camps, it's too small or it's perfect. Why are there so many "it's too small" threads/comments for the BB54 when people are in love with the 36MM Explorer which is 1MM smaller with a smaller L2L? Is it because of the bezel? They also weigh about 119g. Same thing with 36MM DJ and DD, nobody seems to have issues with them either.

I own a Mark 1 39MM explorer and find it just about perfect. That watch along with my sub 14060 get a lot of wrist time.

I want a BB54 but am on the fence due to having a relatively flat 7" wrist. Can anyone share some wrist shots?

[watchmakers4]

Hi, I think the answer is the bezel and "purpose" of the watch. The 36mm Explorer is lightweight and all dial with a thin, steel bezel whereas the BB54 is basically the same size but with a dive timer bezel. This may sacrifice legibility due to smaller dial size as well as seeming a bit backwards in regards to the purpose of a dive watch - a larger tool watch that can be handled underwater. If I was in the market for a "smaller" dive watch in 2023 I would go for a Pelagos 39 or the recently released Seiko SJE093 (which I really think is a home run if you can get past spending $3500 on a Seiko).

As for me, I'm waiting on a blue Pelagos 39 to be released, but the new Seiko is really tempting.

[Guppydriver]

Originally Posted by watchmakers4

Hi, I think the answer is the bezel and "purpose" of the watch. The 36mm Explorer is lightweight and all dial with a thin, steel bezel whereas the BB54 is basically the same size but with a dive timer bezel. This may sacrifice legibility due to smaller dial size as well as seeming a bit backwards in regards to the purpose of a dive watch - a larger tool watch that can be handled underwater. If I was in the market for a "smaller" dive watch in 2023 I would go for a Pelagos 39 or the recently released Seiko SJE093 (which I really think is a home run if you can get past spending $3500 on a Seiko).

As for me, I'm waiting on a blue Pelagos 39 to be released, but the new Seiko is really tempting.

Really good take, I couldn't agree more.

[OG1982]

I am also in the process of trading a 42mm Panerai for the new BB54. It's an impressive little watch that wears tremendously well on my 7.25 inch wrist IMO.

[dannyp]

I don't think that the 54 has smaller lug-to-lug than the 124270. In fact, its lugs appear quite long to me. I think it wears a tad bigger than its 37mm diameter suggests. However, the day I tried it I was wearing an OP34, so by comparison it was significantly larger.

[Mountain]

Very hard to beat the 36mm explorer. Such a perfectly designed watch!

[KatGirl]

Have you tried on the BB58? They have very similar aesthetics.

Kat


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[Jawnz]

Explorer and not even close though both great for the value (biased 36EXP owner)


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[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Jawnz

Explorer and not even close though both great for the value (biased 36EXP owner)


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This thread is about him wanting more info on the BB54. He has a 39:mm Explorer.

Kat


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[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Eagles4133

Why are there so many "it's too small" threads/comments for the BB54 when people are in love with the 36MM Explorer which is 1MM smaller with a smaller L2L?

Because 1 says Rolex on the dial

[PT_91]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Because 1 says Rolex on the dial

I agree

[Oyster Sauce]

Originally Posted by Eagles4133

I have been heavily researching the Black Bay 54 and there are people in two camps, it's too small or it's perfect. Why are there so many "it's too small" threads/comments for the BB54 when people are in love with the 36MM Explorer which is 1MM smaller with a smaller L2L? Is it because of the bezel? They also weigh about 119g. Same thing with 36MM DJ and DD, nobody seems to have issues with them either.

I own a Mark 1 39MM explorer and find it just about perfect. That watch along with my sub 14060 get a lot of wrist time.

I want a BB54 but am on the fence due to having a relatively flat 7" wrist. Can anyone share some wrist shots?

Two thoughts:
1) I would guess that the majority of the people who say the BB54 is too small would also say that 36 mm fixed bezel watches from Rolex are also too small. I don't think that people who like the 36 mm Explorer, for example, have too much of a problem with the BB54. Different demographics, if that makes sense.
2) For that small slice of people who like 36 mm Explorer/DJ/DD/OP but dislike the size of the BB54, it probably has to do with the bezel. The classic size for fixed bezel watches was 34-36 mm, while it was 39-40 for rotating bezel watches, it this is the proportional difference that many are accustomed to.

I know you're enjoying your 39 mm Explorer -- what is your opinion of the 36 mm Explorer. If you think it looks wrong, then you may not like the BB54. Your 5-digit sub has similar on-wrist presence as a BB58. Trying these difference models on wrist is probably your best approach.

This dynamic aside, we're living in a wonderful era when you can get a similar-styled and built Black Bay from Tudor at three different sizes -- BB54, BB58, and BB41. There's a great Tudor diver for any wrist size/case preference.

[jb335]

Plenty of people here say the Exp 36 is too small. They’re wrong but they say it.

Exp over Tudor BB all day and twice on Sunday


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[Notepad12]

I honestly love my Black Bay 54, very similar to my Datejust 36.

I was in the market for a smaller Dive watch and was struggling because most of them feel bloated (to me at least).

As Kat suggested try on the 58 also.

If you want more pictures just ask



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[Eagles4133]

Thanks everyone, I’ve had a 58 and sold it when I got my 114060 as it came only a month or two after I purchased the 58. Couldn’t get over the terrible bracelet on the BB58. My thread was more of a question regarding size. As many of you have mentioned plenty day the 36MM explorer is too small but not at all what I read compared to the BB54.

[GradyPhilpott]

You already have a great dive watch.

Why not take a look at the BB36 or BB41.

I like the BB36, because I grew up in a time that people didn't wear watches the size of a dinner plate, unless they were a navigator in a B-17 or something.

One more thing, stop worrying about what other people think. Your quality of life will improve exponentially.

[PT_91]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

One more thing, stop worrying about what other people think. Your quality of life will improve exponentially.

[derAlchemist]

I absolutely love mine. I barely wear anything else since I got this one.


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[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Eagles4133

I have been heavily researching the Black Bay 54 and there are people in two camps, it's too small or it's perfect. Why are there so many "it's too small" threads/comments for the BB54 when people are in love with the 36MM Explorer which is 1MM smaller with a smaller L2L? Is it because of the bezel? They also weigh about 119g. Same thing with 36MM DJ and DD, nobody seems to have issues with them either.

I own a Mark 1 39MM explorer and find it just about perfect. That watch along with my sub 14060 get a lot of wrist time.

I want a BB54 but am on the fence due to having a relatively flat 7" wrist. Can anyone share some wrist shots?

BB54 should fit you well


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[the dark knight]

I've owned the 124270 in the past, currently own the BB54 and 214270.

I generally like smaller watches, but I did feel like the 124270 was a tad too small. It definitely wears smaller than 36mm imo, probably because it actually is. The BB54 otoh feels like it wears slightly larger than a 37mm.

The 214270 fwiw wears much bigger than the BB54. It's closer in feel to my 126710BLNR than it is the BB54.

I personally think the BB54 is perfect, it's my favorite watch based purely on dimensions and weight, but I do like smaller watches.

[JCam1993]

Can’t speak on the BB54 but as an owner of the 124270 i think it is more of 35mm than a true 36.. but it wears smaller i think due to the aggressive taper of the bracelet from 19 down to 14 at the clasp. I believe that plays a optical trick on your eyes for it appearing to wear a lot smaller. But I think it looks absolutely great on my 7’ wrist.


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[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by JCam1993

Can’t speak on the BB54 but as an owner of the 124270 i think it is more of 35mm than a true 36.. but it wears smaller i think due to the aggressive taper of the bracelet from 19 down to 14 at the clasp. I believe that plays a optical trick on your eyes for it appearing to wear a lot smaller. But I think it looks absolutely great on my 7’ wrist.


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That's a really good point about the taper. Just another measurement I have to keep in mind now.

I recently had a chance to try on the 226570 and I thought it wore bigger than the 216570 despite the slimmer lugs due to the wider bracelet.

[JCam1993]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

That's a really good point about the taper. Just another measurement I have to keep in mind now.

I recently had a chance to try on the 226570 and I thought it wore bigger than the 216570 despite the slimmer lugs due to the wider bracelet.

It’s hard to tell from photos online.. you would be better on visiting a boutique or your local jewelers and trying in on the 54. Didn’t see if you had already

I’ve never tried on the Explorer II but those I’m sure wear alot different from the current 36 Explorer 1 . Are you interested in the Explorer II as well ?


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[John Doyle]

Explorer is the winner in this matchup.

[Eagles4133]

I haven’t had a chance to try on a 54 yet due to being away on the weekends, hoping to make some time soon.

I see someone mentioned a 216570, it’s a larger watch at 42mm with 50 L2L but it would be nice just a different watch all together.

[JCam1993]

Originally Posted by Eagles4133

I haven’t had a chance to try on a 54 yet due to being away on the weekends, hoping to make some time soon.

I see someone mentioned a 216570, it’s a larger watch at 42mm with 50 L2L but it would be nice just a different watch all together.

Yeah for sure mate. I like the look of them as well. I might try to add one to my collection. I’m not sure if I would opt for the newer 42mm case sizes or the older 40mm.. I tend to like the smaller sizes despite my wrist size.


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[Ascari_2]

Wear what feels good and who cares what others say.

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[douglasf13]

The BB54 may be the best looking watch Tudor/Rolex has made in a long time...because it more or less looks just like a 50's Sub. I recently sold a 114270, and the BB54 is very tempting.