Modern Rolex too big?

[LesserBlackDog]

Re: average wrist size, I think there is a misperception that the average wrist size is bigger than it actually is. There was a wrist size poll on WatchUSeek a while back that got hundreds of results. The results showed a bell curve centered around 6.75" or a little higher. Yet when you see people talk about wrist size, most with 6.75" wrists (including my brother, who incidentally is about 6'5" and probably 225 lbs if not more) describe themselves as having small wrists. I think watches have become so large these days that many people with average or even above-average wrists perceive themselves as having small wrists....

[The Libertine]

Not necessarily bigger, but certain models are “bulkier”.

[LesserBlackDog]

Fritz1980 - If I wore my watches tighter they would leave red marks and indentations on my wrist. I wear my watches just loose enough that I can (barely) slip a finger between the bracelet and my wrist - allowing the watch to slide up and down my wrist slightly when worn. With a watch the size, shape, and weight of a modern Rolex sports watch, being able to slide even slightly results in the heavy watch sitting on top of my hand and causing a painful red mark with the crown.

I wear my 34mm OP and 40mm 16570 bracelets the same way and they do not cause the same problem. The variable is not the tightness or looseness of the bracelet. It is the size, shape, and weight of the watch that is the issue.

[glamorama]

Smaller lugs (like SD4K, Daytona, YM is appreciated) but mostly thinner watches please. They could make the yachtmaster a thin watch and more elegant, something to compete with nautilus or royal oak (sort of).

[Dr. Robert]

I prefer a watch to be an extension of my arm, not an anchor weight!
I do not like the heavyosity of the new watches.
To paraphrase an old Beatles tune....I don’t want it (it’s too heavy)

[fania123]

5 digit all the way!

[Pauln]

36mm to 39mm is most comfortable to me. 40mm is ok but I’m really aware of the watch at that size. I’m a fan of, “Wear the watch, don’t let the watch wear you.”

[dr.fiddy]

It's like with shoes. Some fit smaller ones better, others need larger...

[Yobber76]

I don't think they are too large (at least up to 40mm) with one exception.
To me the 36mm Day-Date is classier looking than the 40mm

[mgsooner]

Personally I think people (including myself) sometimes form opinions on the size of watches based on viewing massive high res photos, YouTube videos or maybe even how we perceive it looks on our own wrist.

Example: I had the opportunity to purchase a no date Sub from an AD out of state sight unseen but declined as I had convinced myself that the current Sub is "too big" and the bezel is "too shiny." I had never actually seen the watch but in photos and videos. Oh I'm sure I had seen a Sub in the wild before, but was not yet into watches so I paid it no mind. Anyway, recently at a holiday party I noticed one of the attendees wearing the current date Sub and was instantly struck by how it did not look big at all and in general how attractive of a piece it is. This was viewing it on someone else's wrist, which is how the entire world is going to view your watch.

I ended up with the Explorer which I am still confident was the right choice for me, but this moment was a good reminder to me to not form such a strong opinion on a piece until I've seen it in a natural setting.

[Innocenti]

I’d be happy if they just built the current explorer as a 36mm watch.
Oh and move the explorer text back up the dial

[GolfPunk]

I have 8” plus wrists and the Daytona is perfect for me, especially in white gold.

[rolexpatek363]

I agree, the fat lugs on the Subs and GMTs aren't for me. But the OP range is good, also 36mm DD, and the Daytona looks OK.

[GradyPhilpott]

I'm wearing my smaller watches a lot more these days than I am my larger watches.

[Rashid.bk]

The size is fine. Too much staring at our watches and threads like this that plant seeds of doubt in the minds of many.
40-42mm is internationally the sweet spot for sports watches.
Need to be in a tux, then 36-40mm is prefered imo.
The two watches named in the op are just fine sizewise. Also Rolex makes such great and durable watches that you can find full set 36 and 40mm Explorer range in the second hand narket for very reasonable prices.

[AK DeepSea]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

The size is fine. Too much staring at our watches and threads like this that plant seeds of doubt in the minds of many.
40-42mm is internationally the sweet spot for sports watches.
Need to be in a tux, then 36-40mm is prefered imo.
The two watches named in the op are just fine sizewise. Also Rolex makes such great and durable watches that you can find full set 36 and 40mm Explorer range in the second hand narket for very reasonable prices.

It takes a pretty pretentious person in 2018 to comment on the appropriateness or style of a watch based on occasion or formalwear.

Few of any care about what watch someone may have on.

[Innocenti]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

The size is fine. Too much staring at our watches and threads like this that plant seeds of doubt in the minds of many.
40-42mm is internationally the sweet spot for sports watches.
Need to be in a tux, then 36-40mm is prefered imo.
The two watches named in the op are just fine sizewise. Also Rolex makes such great and durable watches that you can find full set 36 and 40mm Explorer range in the second hand narket for very reasonable prices.

It’s always going to be subjective.
Taste and fashion changes so I will have to wait for that change to buy either or both of the explorers

[CaliBear]

I could be way off, but it seems to me that other than the explorer line, which went up in size slightly in 2010-2011, all of the other classic professional/tool watches (GMT II, Sub, Daytona, Milgauss) ARE in their classic size. Also, the Datejust and Daydate are now available in larger sizes, but Rolex also still produces them in their classic size as well, so where's the beef?

[mgsooner]

Originally Posted by CaliBear

I could be way off, but it seems to me that other than the explorer line, which went up in size slightly in 2010-2011, all of the other classic professional/tool watches (GMT II, Sub, Daytona, Milgauss) ARE in their classic size. Also, the Datejust and Daydate are now available in larger sizes, but Rolex also still produces them in their classic size as well, so where's the beef?

The common complaint with the six digit Sub is that they made the lugs fatter, which if you compare it side by side with a photo of a five digit Sub it sure looks that way. However when looking at it in person on someone else's wrist it did not appear to be "too big" to me at all. Just my opinion.

[SilverFoxUK]

I am with the OP on this one. Something that looked and felt amazing at 38 mm would be a great option for me and those other smaller wristed blokes.

[ROLMARINER]

Originally Posted by juktagt

Interesting. I must try one!

I’m a 34mm Air-King wearer daily, and I have a 14060M which is thinner still than the 16610. Thanks for letting me know!

6-digit GMT and 5-digit Submariner, wear identically on my 7.15 inch wrist. The Jubilee bracelet makes a big difference

[tvandevelde]

They went the wrong way with the lugs. I just don't like how they didn't widen them. The bracelets are too thin on the 6 digit Subs & GMTs. I absolutely love the SD43 and the changes they made to the DSSD. Rather than cambering the lugs back in, make the bracelet wider. And give the glide lock from the DSSD to the SD43 and Sub!

[Old Geezer]

I'm OK with the available range of sizes. Perhaps I would like 6 digit sports series to have a less abrupt transition from watch case to bracelet like the SD43 but they also look purposeful as they are.

[R!$]

many peoaple are now accustomed to this heavy style so im afraid we are stuck with it

[dubins930]

I’m not a fan of the extra lug width on the 6 series Subs or GMTs, but I dont think they are too big as far as 40mm. I have a 7 1/4 wrist so I can wear most watches comfortably, but I prefer 40 and under ... generally I find 36 to be the sweet spot

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Jim Smyth

Wish they went bigger. I have a 7-3/4" wrist. 40MM is the smallest I would consider owning. My sweet spot is 42MM-43MM. Glad they make all sizes to keep the masses happy.

Agree. Anywhere from 41-43mm for sport seems good to me.

[Bazza.]

39mm is the smallish I have and wouldn't go any smaller than this

[Innocenti]

Dear Rolex
Let’s just keep this simple and re-issue the 1016

[shivayash]

Funny I raised this exact point the other day but in the name of elegance vs vulgarity.

I fully agree with you. Smaller cases are more elegant.




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[FrontHeadlock]

Originally Posted by AK DeepSea

It takes a pretty pretentious person in 2018 to comment on the appropriateness or style of a watch based on occasion or formalwear.

Few of any care about what watch someone may have on.

I totally disagree with this. Different watches have their place at different times and for different events.

In fact, one should not wear a watch at all with formalwear (black or white tie).

Rules are important for different occasions, otherwise everything is just a free for all with no rhyme or reason.