Date 34 vs DJ36 vs OP34 vs OP36 - substantial differences?

[R332]

I am shopping for a classic and timeless daily wear stainless Rolex for my wife that is mid-sized with a smooth bezel on the Oyster bracelet. I would prefer if it had a slight sporty edge to it since she already owns a formal attire watch. If R made a 36mm Sub I would buy that but they don't and she finds the YM too flashy.

Looking over the men's and ladies options there are four models that seem appropriate.

OP34
OP36
Date34
DJ36

Other than the later two having the date feature and the obvious (small) size difference are there any major reasons to choose one model over the other? Resale value isn't a consideration because she will own the watch forever.

I understand the DJ36 and OP36 are probably the newest members of this group and until today I wasn't even aware of the Date34.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[EDL7]

34mm is way lighter..about 120 gms..

[Spoonage]

Just throwing it out there... but if you're looking for sporty and a smaller sub, Tudor made a 36mm Sub I believe.

Of your choices though I would suggest the DJ36. My wife had one, looks good on her (when she decides to wear it).

[R332]

Originally Posted by EDL7

34mm is way lighter..about 120 gms..

Are you saying the Date34 is much lighter weight compared to the DJ36?

[HogwldFLTR]

FWIW, the OP34 is newest as up until a couple of years ago it was an Air King. Pricing increases by size and complication. Dates are more expensive that no dates. If it doesn't matter which complication than look for the one with the dial she'll like the best!!! Maybe have her help choose!!

[fskywalker]

The OP 36 is a great choice, specially the Arabic dial versions (black with violet markers, sliver or the blue)

[Blingtone]

My wife's 34 and one of my 36s....
not a massive difference in size, in my opinion

[Malak]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

the op 36 is a great choice, specially the arabic dial versions (black with violet markers, sliver or the blue)

+1

[LittleRobin]

the blue OP 36 has arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9, the rest have batons i believe.

[Blingtone]

Originally Posted by LittleRobin

the blue OP 36 has arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9, the rest have batons i believe.

ROLEX service catalogue page from 2011, showing the available dials for the new OP 116000 (the matte black / white marker dial was quickly dropped, as it was deemed too similar to the new, larger Explorer 214270 which had just also been announced at the same Basel show), I plumped for the blue as the black was impossible to get in the UK and I already had a couple of Explorers (14270 & 114270)

When the Red Grape, White Grape or Steel dials with batons became the standard dial along with 'thicker' hands from 2016, the blue and silver 3-6-9s were (and I think are) still available to order.....