DJ Story

[R G]

Hello forum,

There always seems to be a thread knocking around about 36 vs 41. I thought I’d share my DJ experience as it seems I’ve done a whole 360.

I always wanted a 116610 and a 116200. Those were my two Rolex references I had always wanted within my collection.

The Sub was my first in 2013 and then in 2015 I got married and my wife said she wanted to buy me the DJ.

When we went around the AD’s, I couldn’t decide for ages whether to go for the classic DJ I had always longed for, or the DJ2 which had at that time just recently been launched.

I’d wanted the 36mm for literally years, however I ended up going for the DJ2 as it was the newer version but I also think that it had a bit more wrist presence, which I thought might be good.

During the 3 years of wearing it within my usual rotation, every time I put it on I just couldn’t help but feel that the watch was too large for my liking and wished I went for the 36mm. I was always telling my wife I felt it was too big.

It fitted my wrist fine, but just for my own preference I wasn’t ever totally there with it. Then, last year my wife had seen me looking at the more refined DJ41’s and she said that to keep the sentimental element of it, I should sell the DJ2 and then she would pay the difference to upgrade it to a DJ41 so it was still a watch that was 100% from her.

I got a good price from a used watch dealer, then on the following day my wife bought me the new DJ41.

I went from a 116300 to a 126300, exactly the same configuration.

I’ve had the watch 4 months and honestly, I have worn it about 3 times. It is indeed more refined overall and I’m aware that the case is more of a 40mm watch, but again, for my own personal preference I feel like it’s too large, despite it looking absolutely fine. When I put a smaller watch on after wearing something larger, it’s almost like a relief and I just love the feeling of a slightly smaller watch of this style. I thought the DJ41 would make a difference, but upon owning it, have realised it hasn’t.

I think I just wanted the 36mm version all along but just kept going with the larger models. A large part of my reason was based on what I was reading here on TRF and what I had longed for for years wasn’t what I chose, twice in a row. Again, because I thought I would going against the ‘modern’ grain with a 36mm.

Also, just an observation, I think that a lot of our American friends prefer larger pieces, however here in the UK there are just as many men still wearing smaller watches - maybe it’s a European thing.

I have the Sub and other models all around 40mm and I have no problems with those. I think it’s because in my mind, sports watches I.e. divers, look fine as larger watches.

When it comes to slightly smarter watches like the DJ, I think they look better in its original size of 36mm. I certainly don’t think smarter watches should be any larger than 38mm. Again, my own opinion and preference.

Anyway, I’ve enquired through a number of dealers and have obviously been offered crap money on my new DJ41 as it’s so new, so I’ll lose a lot on it.

My wife has not been impressed.

Last week I decided to email the AD who sold it to me and explained my dilemma asking him if he could help me out, knowing that they bought used watches too.

He emailed me back and said he’d call me on Saturday after he had spoken to their pre-owned department, to discuss what they could do for me.

He called as he said he would and said that they would normally offer ‘such and such’ a price - which actually happened to be a fair amount more than anyone else would offer.

However, he said that because they know the watch is still mint, if I did a trade-in with them, they would offer me full value back on my DJ41 so I could purchase the DJ36 I wanted and I’d be left with approx £350 left over, which would need to be used in-store either to buy something else or as a store credit.

I was, over the moon!!

He is currently sourcing a DJ36 116200 and I’m going in next weekend so they can make sure the DJ41 is all in tact and everything is there as I told them.

I’m going for the 116200 as not only has it always been the DJ I wanted, but also the newer version that’s likely to come out at Basel this year has slimmer lugs/profile and I wouldn’t want it to ‘appear’ any smaller, despite knowing it will also house the newer movement.

My wife has always said to get the 36mm. I always wanted the 36mm version however I felt like I should follow the current trend and go for larger impact with the larger model.

It’s strange because when I would go in to an AD, every time I have them side by side and would spend ages looking at the 36mm and not the 41, and then eventually when it came to the day of buying it, I suddenly went for the larger version, again.

For me, I can easily wear a DJ41 now whilst I’m still quite young. I just can’t imagine, though, wearing a large ‘blingier’ watch when, for example, I’m in my sixties.

The 36mm is timeless, classic, and very elegant, and something I know will look (what I think, will be) appropriate for an older gentleman’s wrist when I’m older. In my opinion it has far more longevity and that’s what I want - a watch from my wife that will last me forever.

Had I of stuck to my original plan and gone with my instinct back in 2015, I could have avoided this terribly long-winded journey of selecting the larger models, only to ultimately end up back where I started.

I’m going to put it right and finally get the watch I always wanted, and what I think works best for me.

This time I’m going with my instinct rather than feeling like I should go with more modern trends.

My wrist size is 6.75.

Sorry for the length of this post.

Thank you

[SamP]

Wow that’s a long post, however - I read it in its intirity. So that for me confirms what a great post it is.
Good watches are hard to find - good wives on the other hand...

[R G]

Originally Posted by SamP

Wow that’s a long post, however - I read it in its intirity. So that for me confirms what a great post it is.
Good watches are hard to find - good wives on the other hand...

Haha thanks for reading.

[Sweetswisssteel]

Originally Posted by R G

Hello forum,

There always seems to be a thread knocking around about 36 vs 41. I thought I’d share my DJ experience as it seems I’ve done a whole 360.

I always wanted a 116610 and a 116200. Those were my two Rolex references I had always wanted within my collection.

The Sub was my first in 2013 and then in 2015 I got married and my wife said she wanted to buy me the DJ.

When we went around the AD’s, I couldn’t decide for ages whether to go for the classic DJ I had always longed for, or the DJ2 which had at that time just recently been launched.

I’d wanted the 36mm for literally years, however I ended up going for the DJ2 as it was the newer version but I also think that it had a bit more wrist presence, which I thought might be good.

During the 3 years of wearing it within my usual rotation, every time I put it on I just couldn’t help but feel that the watch was too large for my liking and wished I went for the 36mm. I was always telling my wife I felt it was too big.

It fitted my wrist fine, but just for my own preference I wasn’t ever totally there with it. Then, last year my wife had seen me looking at the more refined DJ41’s and she said that to keep the sentimental element of it, I should sell the DJ2 and then she would pay the difference to upgrade it to a DJ41 so it was still a watch that was 100% from her.

I got a good price from a used watch dealer, then on the following day my wife bought me the new DJ41.

I went from a 116300 to a 126300, exactly the same configuration.

I’ve had the watch 4 months and honestly, I have worn it about 3 times. It is indeed more refined overall and I’m aware that the case is more of a 40mm watch, but again, for my own personal preference I feel like it’s too large, despite it looking absolutely fine. When I put a smaller watch on after wearing something larger, it’s almost like a relief and I just love the feeling of a slightly smaller watch of this style. I thought the DJ41 would make a difference, but upon owning it, have realised it hasn’t.

I think I just wanted the 36mm version all along but just kept going with the larger models. A large part of my reason was based on what I was reading here on TRF and what I had longed for for years wasn’t what I chose, twice in a row. Again, because I thought I would going against the ‘modern’ grain with a 36mm.

Also, just an observation, I think that a lot of our American friends prefer larger pieces, however here in the UK there are just as many men still wearing smaller watches - maybe it’s a European thing.

I have the Sub and other models all around 40mm and I have no problems with those. I think it’s because in my mind, sports watches I.e. divers, look fine as larger watches.

When it comes to slightly smarter watches like the DJ, I think they look better in its original size of 36mm. I certainly don’t think smarter watches should be any larger than 38mm. Again, my own opinion and preference.

Anyway, I’ve enquired through a number of dealers and have obviously been offered crap money on my new DJ41 as it’s so new, so I’ll lose a lot on it.

My wife has not been impressed.

Last week I decided to email the AD who sold it to me and explained my dilemma asking him if he could help me out, knowing that they bought used watches too.

He emailed me back and said he’d call me on Saturday after he had spoken to their pre-owned department, to discuss what they could do for me.

He called as he said he would and said that they would normally offer ‘such and such’ a price - which actually happened to be a fair amount more than anyone else would offer.

However, he said that because they know the watch is still mint, if I did a trade-in with them, they would offer me full value back on my DJ41 so I could purchase the DJ36 I wanted and I’d be left with approx £350 left over, which would need to be used in-store either to buy something else or as a store credit.

I was, over the moon!!

He is currently sourcing a DJ36 116200 and I’m going in next weekend so they can make sure the DJ41 is all in tact and everything is there as I told them.

I’m going for the 116200 as not only has it always been the DJ I wanted, but also the newer version that’s likely to come out at Basel this year has slimmer lugs/profile and I wouldn’t want it to ‘appear’ any smaller, despite knowing it will also house the newer movement.

My wife has always said to get the 36mm. I always wanted the 36mm version however I felt like I should follow the current trend and go for larger impact with the larger model.

It’s strange because when I would go in to an AD, every time I have them side by side and would spend ages looking at the 36mm and not the 41, and then eventually when it came to the day of buying it, I suddenly went for the larger version, again.

For me, I can easily wear a DJ41 now whilst I’m still quite young. I just can’t imagine, though, wearing a large ‘blingier’ watch when, for example, I’m in my sixties.

The 36mm is timeless, classic, and very elegant, and something I know will look (what I think, will be) appropriate for an older gentleman’s wrist when I’m older. In my opinion it has far more longevity and that’s what I want - a watch from my wife that will last me forever.

Had I of stuck to my original plan and gone with my instinct back in 2015, I could have avoided this terribly long-winded journey of selecting the larger models, only to ultimately end up back where I started.

I’m going to put it right and finally get the watch I always wanted, and what I think works best for me.

This time I’m going with my instinct rather than feeling like I should go with more modern trends.

My wrist size is 6.75.

Sorry for the length of this post.

Thank you

My wife wears a DJ2 and is of average size for a woman. She wouldn't wear anything smaller now. I cannot for the life of me understand why a man would see it as too large.
Anyway, I have posted a pic of the diamond dial on her wrist. It is a great size for either sex.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[R G]

Originally Posted by Sweetswisssteel

My wife wears a DJ2 and is of average size for a woman. She wouldn't wear anything smaller now. I cannot for the life of me understand why a man would see it as too large.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

That’s exactly my point; it’s not too big, generally speaking. As I said, both the larger DJ’s were fine, but for my own preference, for me and what I think works for me - it’s the 36mm.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Originally Posted by Sweetswisssteel

My wife wears a DJ2 and is of average size for a woman. She wouldn't wear anything smaller now. I cannot for the life of me understand why a man would see it as too large.
Anyway, I have posted a pic of the diamond dial on her wrist. It is a great size for either sex.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Thank you for sharing. While I don’t mind a man sized sports watch on female I and most still prefer a more classic look. A DJ2 looks very large on most women.

This is more like it ;)

[Sweetswisssteel]

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

Thank you for sharing. While I don’t mind a man sized sports watch on female I and most still prefer a more classic look. A DJ2 looks very large on most women.

This is more like it ;)

Lol sometimes I wish she wanted the lady size DJ, then I could wear the DJ2 lol. She will never part with the DJ2 haha

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[Tomas Eriksson]

Originally Posted by Sweetswisssteel

Lol sometimes I wish she wanted the lady size DJ, then I could wear the DJ2 lol. She will never part with the DJ2 haha

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Get her one I wouldnt be surprised if the ergonomics of the smaller piece would get to her

[rootbeer7]

Great post and very well written. Hopefully it will be the right watch and great service from your AD

[R G]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Great post and very well written. Hopefully it will be the right watch and great service from your AD

Thank you for your response!

It really is an entirely different feeling this time round.

[mosanman]

Good to hear that you eventually followed your heart with the 36. Looking forward to the pics.

I went through a similar journey first going the DJII because of the bigger watch trend, and I know exactly what you mean by the watch feeling to large.
In the end, I couldn't get on with the long lugs and flipped it after less than a month.



I later purchased a 116234 and feel this suited my wrist much better, and I prefer the proportions of the watch compared to the DJII, for example the thinner bezel and smaller markers, help make the watch look more classy imo.

[R G]

Originally Posted by mosanman

Good to hear that you eventually followed your heart with the 36. Looking forward to the pics.

I went through a similar journey first going the DJII because of the bigger watch trend, and I know exactly what you mean by the watch feeling to large.
In the end, I couldn't get on with the long lugs and flipped it after less than a month.


I later purchased a 116234 and feel this suited my wrist much better, and I prefer the proportions of the watch compared to the DJII, for example the thinner bezel and smaller markers, help make the watch look more classy imo.

Wow. You don’t need me to tell you how amazing the smaller one looks on you.

[dwjez14]

Originally Posted by mosanman

Good to hear that you eventually followed your heart with the 36. Looking forward to the pics.

I went through a similar journey first going the DJII because of the bigger watch trend, and I know exactly what you mean by the watch feeling to large.
In the end, I couldn't get on with the long lugs and flipped it after less than a month.



I later purchased a 116234 and feel this suited my wrist much better, and I prefer the proportions of the watch compared to the DJII, for example the thinner bezel and smaller markers, help make the watch look more classy imo.

Love this watch on a strap

[mr_gray]

maybe a great example of the heart being the motivator, but then the head getting involved and ruining things (looking at the 36 mm for the duration of his visit to the dealer, but then swapping to the larger one at time of purchase).

"follow your heart". so easy to say but so hard to do until you've been down the road a few times and lost some skin!

[R G]

Originally Posted by mr_gray

maybe a great example of the heart being the motivator, but then the head getting involved and ruining things (looking at the 36 mm for the duration of his visit to the dealer, but then swapping to the larger one at time of purchase).

"follow your heart". so easy to say but so hard to do until you've been down the road a few times and lost some skin!

Haha yes that’s the long and short of it.

[Auto16610]

You wrote:

"I think I just wanted the 36mm version all along but just kept going with the larger models. A large part of my reason was based on what I was reading here on TRF and what I had longed for years wasn’t what I chose, twice in a row. Again, because I thought I would going against the ‘modern’ grain with a 36mm."

Congratulations on finally getting the watch you like. But I don't understand how reading posts about DJ1 and DJ2 vs DJ 36 would sway you one way or the other. Every post I read about that subject always comes out as a tie. Just like the jubilee vs the oyster threads. And most responses are buy what you like rather than what half the people say vs the other half. I am glad you are getting what you want at a good price though! (I've lost a lot more on changing my mind, so don't feel bad!)

[R G]

Originally Posted by Auto16610

You wrote:

"I think I just wanted the 36mm version all along but just kept going with the larger models. A large part of my reason was based on what I was reading here on TRF and what I had longed for years wasn’t what I chose, twice in a row. Again, because I thought I would going against the ‘modern’ grain with a 36mm."

Congratulations on finally getting the watch you like. But I don't understand how reading posts about DJ1 and DJ2 vs DJ 36 would sway you one way or the other. Every post I read about that subject always comes out as a tie. Just like the jubilee vs the oyster threads. And most responses are buy what you like rather than what half the people say vs the other half. I am glad you are getting what you want at a good price though! (I've lost a lot more on changing my mind, so don't feel bad!)

You’re right, there are many people in each of the camps, but I think perhaps it was the way in which I personally interpreted the responses, rather than seeing that there is a balanced amount of fans for each of the models.

Even if there were more fans for the larger models, or even if the overall response was balanced accross the board, I should have listened to my own instinct all along anyway, regardless.
.

[Auto16610]

Now the question? Oyster or Jubilee? Blue dial or black? Fluted or smooth bezel?

[kcmo]

Good for you! I love the 36mm DJ....for men or women it’s a classic!

Which dial are you going for?

[R G]

Originally Posted by kcmo

Good for you! I love the 36mm DJ....for men or women it’s a classic!

Which dial are you going for?

Thank you.

Hahaha same configuration as the DJ2 and the DJ41 -silver dial, oyster bracelet and smooth bezel. At least that is one thing I’ve never questioned.

[mjclark32]

I had the same issues with DJII, but I also had an older style 36mm DJ that was just too small. I now have a DJ41 and it wears great. However, I never tried on the newer 36mm model. Probably would have worked too.
Good on your AD for not hosing you.
Hope you enjoy the new piece!

[R G]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

I had the same issues with DJII, but I also had an older style 36mm DJ that was just too small. I now have a DJ41 and it wears great. However, I never tried on the newer 36mm model. Probably would have worked too.
Good on your AD for not hosing you.
Hope you enjoy the new piece!

Thank you very much indeed. The DJ41 is a stunning piece. I have always wanted the 36mm but have fought against it

Yes the AD has been great so far.

[Richard Carver]

If I were you I'd take that 350 add a bunch to it and buy your long suffering, very understanding wife something nice! :)

[R G]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

If I were you I'd take that 350 add a bunch to it and buy your long suffering, very understanding wife something nice! :)

Hahahaha we are both really laughing!! I just showed her your post. She just said that at least someone has thought about her in all this.

I would actually do exactly what you’ve just suggested but she’d go mad as we are expecting our first baby - found out at the end of October and she wants all focus and spend on that from here.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by R G

Hahahaha we are both really laughing!! I just showed her your post. She just said that at least someone has thought about her in all this.

I would actually do exactly what you’ve just suggested but she’d go mad as we are expecting our first baby - found out at the end of October and she wants all focus and spend on that from here.

Great post OP

To be honest, as I read through the whole thing, I felt that you’re lucky your AD helped you out, but you’re even luckier to have found your wife!

She seems very understand and patient.

Congratulations on the incoming baby!

As mentioned somewhere above, I would try to use the store credit to buy something for your wife.

Or maybe even engrave the watch with your baby’s birthday or something

[R G]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

Great post OP

To be honest, as I read through the whole thing, I felt that you’re lucky your AD helped you out, but you’re even luckier to have found your wife!

She seems very understand and patient.

Congratulations on the incoming baby!

Thanks very much. We can’t wait for our first born.

Haha my wife is amazing and she is fully aware of how much I love her. Believe me, her patience during my whole watch fiasco is nothing in comparison to some of the stuff she’s endured with me over the 14 years we’ve been together.

Hoping that this won’t make this thread a lot cheesier than it needs to be, here’s a pic of us from a while back.

Cheers

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by R G

Thanks very much. We can’t wait for our first born.

Haha my wife is amazing and she is fully aware of how much I love her. Believe me, her patience during my whole watch fiasco is nothing in comparison to some of the stuff she’s endured with me over the 14 years we’ve been together.

Hoping that this won’t make this thread a lot cheesier than it needs to be, here’s a pic of us from a while back.

Cheers

Lovely :)

[Brew]

I enjoyed your post. The new 36s are elegant. I love mine.

[R G]

Originally Posted by Brew

I enjoyed your post. The new 36s are elegant. I love mine.

Hi, haha, you know, I did think about you as I was wrapping up the post before submitting it.

I thought I bet Brew will say told you so, or something like that.

I remember my post, knocking the smaller size and promoting the larger 41mm against your sentiments of the 36mm.

If I’m totally honest, I think i was trying to tell myself that, rather than trying to get anyone else to see my view point.

Haha thanks for going easy as you could of had a field day with this one.

[Brew]

Originally Posted by R G

Hi, haha, you know, I did think about you as I was wrapping up the post before submitting it.

I thought I bet Brew will say told you so, or something like that.

I remember my post, knocking the smaller size and promoting the larger 41mm against your sentiments of the 36mm.

If I’m totally honest, I think i was trying to tell myself that, rather than trying to get anyone else to see my view point.

Haha thanks for going easy as you could of had a field day with this one.

Hey RG, I am thrilled to read that you've finally come to your senses! , of course.

I think that the pendulum is about to swing back to smaller pieces. You and I are just a bit ahead of the curve.