DD36 vs 40

[JSolution]

I wore a 36 for 10-12 years almost solely. It was the normal size then. It looks tiny on me now.

I think alot of people have nostalgia attached to 36mm for this reason they like to stick to it but a 40 looks so much more modern. 36 is more suited to a woman in modern times in my opinion.

Price difference is pretty big so if you’re happy with the 36mm when you try it on then go for it, don’t buy a 36 to save money when you really prefer the 40 though because you’ll end up buying the 40 anyway.

[AlbionJackal]

36mm in YG or RG but 40mm in Platinum.

I have similar sized wrists to you... anything flashy on a President needs to be a little more discreet, in my book. I just sold a 1994 12834 36mm... absolutely gorgeous watch and bracelet.

Fair enough if you've 8 inch wrists plus, go for the 40mm but that's a hell of a lot of gold to be flexing.

Plus the fact the 36mm is cheaper... spend what you save on something else?

[myc ritz]

Proportions on 36mm are perfect and make it an all time classic. Also, the bracelet has some serious mass.

[KathleenL]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

It just depends on your style. Ryan Gosling isn’t tiny, and he wears a vintage 34mm. I personally wear a 37.5mm at 6’2”, but I’ve enjoyed 36mm, also.

In my opinion, THIS is what a watch should look like on a wrist. I honestly do not understand why so many people want the dial/case to cover their entire wrist, so that you can't see the bracelet unless you look at the side of someone's wrist.

[MichelleP]

I think you should get the 36mm if that is what feels and looks best to you.

[Daytonaman799]

Originally Posted by Jack T

I have a 7.25” wrist, this classic 36 feels perfect to me..

That watch looks amazing!

[DAC2]

Originally Posted by Daytonaman799

I am a bigger guy but like the 36. It just seems like the real thing to me like Coca Cola Classic vs New Coke. Obviously the 40 has stuck more than New a coke but I just feel like the DD of LBJ was 36 and when you think of the DD it’s really of the 36.

KILLER stone dials ! Love them !

[rolex16]

Originally Posted by AlbionJackal

36mm in YG or RG but 40mm in Platinum.

I have similar sized wrists to you... anything flashy on a President needs to be a little more discreet, in my book. I just sold a 1994 12834 36mm... absolutely gorgeous watch and bracelet.

Fair enough if you've 8 inch wrists plus, go for the 40mm but that's a hell of a lot of gold to be flexing.

Plus the fact the 36mm is cheaper... spend what you save on something else?

Nice watch! That’s what I’m talking about, just looks right to my eyes.

[Ensign]

I wonder if fewer 36mm DDs are being made. They are certainly not in the AD trays and I don’t see new 36mm DD on grey sites.

If the day ever comes where I can walk into an AD and buy one or get one at a discount from a grey, I’m going 36mm.

[17noir]

I had the same decision on deciding 36 vs 40mm, but ultimately went with 40mm for my 7" wrist. It just feels a bit more modern, and right on my wrist.

[Awaken]

36 mm for the Day Date is the best size. Next is 128239 Classic. The only 40mm I like is Submariners and Daytonas.


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[Alex369]

Originally Posted by rolex16

Despite being a bigger guy with wrists just a bit above 7 inches, I am continuously drawn to the DD36 for some reason. I don’t know if it’s the dial size being the same as the 40mm sport models I am used to or what. Is the 36 size still a popular purchase with men? I see some incomings here and there, but wonder if I’d regret going 36. Has anyone bought a 36 recently and regretted it? Anyone buying the 40 and deciding to go back to 36?

36 is: THE WAY.

Brother...go for the 36!

The only issue for me is the lack of dial choices sans diamonds.

Yellow gold, champagne dial = 36 all day long.

Things get a bit more difficult if you want rose gold...all the best dials are only offered in 40mm...

[JParm]

Originally Posted by KathleenL

In my opinion, THIS is what a watch should look like on a wrist. I honestly do not understand why so many people want the dial/case to cover their entire wrist, so that you can't see the bracelet unless you look at the side of someone's wrist.

Funny you should say that - I think it looks tiny on his wrist and wrong. But hey, that's why we all have our own opinions!

I'm a smaller guy with a 6.75" wrist and whenever I've tried on a 36, it just doesn't look or feel right. I feel MUCH more comfortable with my DD40, and my sweet spot is 38-42mm for watches.

[Innocenti]

My wrist is 7.5+ inches.
I went from wearing large watches to a 36mm datejust. It looked small when I first put it on after a day of wearing it felt perfect, because is is.
Your eye will adjust to the size.
To me the 40mm datejust looks out of proportion almost like a fake watch .

[Jaypremium]

Have a 7.25 wrist owned a 36 day date before the 41mm dd was made. Immediately got rid of it when the 41mm dd was available and my fiance owns it now. Hated the 40mm because i was bias but ended up falling in love with deconstructed romans and purchased the 40mm. Imho 36 for anyone 7inch wrist in larger looks small but wear what u like ! 40mm dd proportions are literally perfect and they should never change it.


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[7enderbender]

Has nothing to do with wrist size in my view. It’s a classic dress watch and 36 has the right proportions for that.
Same with the Explorer. I don’t believe the current fashion with ever larger cases will age well.

[teabags001]

The 40mm DD40 is like 38.6mm if I’m not mistaken. On a 7 inch wrist it would look perfect. I have a 7.25 inch wrist and I would not consider a DD36. My wife who is 5’2 and 100 lbs with a wrist smaller then 5 inches wears a DD36.

I know the DD36 is classic and whatnot but with the DD40 actually being a sub 39mm watch it’s perfect for most men’s wrist IMO.

Hers is the one with the diamond bezel. The 21mm bracelet on the DD40 Does it for me as well. Just like with the new sub I think the wider bracelet really balances out the watches perfectly.



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[JBoone]

Very subjective.
I have 7.8 inch wrist and feel more comfortable with 39mm and up.

Again, highly subjective as a very small percent of people would even notice such a thing.

[Gerardus]

Still having regrets that I sold my 36mm DD118238

[Vesper Lynd]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

I have 6.6"-6.75" wrist, I feel 36mm is too small for me, so I go for 40mm Day-Date.

It would be nice to see a picture of the DD40. With that wrist, which is the same as mine, 36mm Datejust and Explorer have always looked good on me.

[Chester01]

The 36 was the standard for a long while. The DD and DJ are on the flashy end of things and the only real advantage of the 40 is for wrist presence and I don't wear watches to show off. I had a 36mm DJ once upon a time and it was the perfect proportion and the blindness factor toned down by the size. Perhaps im just old and accustomed to the older size, but the bump up in size (in all of rolex models by the way) looks off to me and out of proportion. The exception being the new sub, which proportion wise looks almost the same as my 16610, the only tell being the shiny bezel on the new versions from about 5 feet out.

[cryptowalkway]

Very interesting. How anyone with a wrist 7.5 inches and above can prefer the 36 blows my mind. Good thread!

[Daytona88]

40 every time

[Galaxy Time]

My friend has a really small wrist and wears a 50mm Breitling Hurricane. Looks a little funny to me but he loves it.

[Clockmeister]

There is no wrong answer. If you can, try both sizes and make a decision.
As far as 36 being classic, the Patek Calatrava 3919 was their flagship for many decades and it’s 33mm. Prior to that 31mm was the “classic” size.
These days it’s not a big seller, despite being the classic size Calatrava.
So, what is/was classic isn’t necessarily the answer to your question.
The tuna can 44-47mm Panerai’s was a fade based on sales.
Do yourself a favor and try the 36 and 40 and see what you prefer.

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by rolex16

40 is the logical choice for me, but for some reason, those 36s just look right
…
It would make things easier if they had several metals, dials, and sizes available to try on like back in the day, so you could see what really sings to you before buying without being able to compare on wrist.

My personal vote would be the 36mm DD, to me they look perfect on my 7.5” wrist.

But …

First, you’re in FL - There are lots of gray and vintage sellers here where you could easily try on both DD sizes. Definitely do that if you can.

Second, if the 36mm still “looks right” to you, especially after trying them both on, imo that’s your answer.

Finally, the 36mm has been the classic DD for over 60 years - It’s not going out of style. If anything, the recent overall trend seems to be slightly back down in size.
.

[2nastie]

I don't mind either, would probably prefer the 36mm; however, the dial options are really lacking compared to the 40mm.

[lord91]

In the latest video of WatchesTV, Philippe Dufour wearing a 36 Coral Red OP while his daughter Daniela is rocking a Submariner 124o6o.

So those saying 36 size is for women nowadays and going for the 4o for that reason, well... you're 1mm shy of women's size

[seabreeze60]

The DD40 weighs approximately 30 grams more than the DD36. That makes a difference for some folks.

My friend has a 7.25” wrist and wears a 36MM DD. Since he’s rich he can easily afford the DD40 but isn’t interested. Weight was one of his reasons.

[Jpccarguy]

Mr Dufour has also been seen wearing a 40 mm BLRO, for what’s it worth.