36mm datejust? I'd say 35.

[AlexisD]

Hi there,

I noticed that everyone now lists older DJ's (16xx & 16xxx) at 36mm.

Well, I own a X series 16220, and it is clearly seems like a 35mm watch. (44mm lug to lug, everybody agrees on that).

Is it me? Do I have a wrong ruler?

Cheers,

Alex

[R1@160@alltimes]

Never measured but I trust Rolex.

[Tools]

Watch sizes are standardized for market... there is some variation in various models..

The DJ is standardized and has always been marketed as a 36mm watch...... Nobody is going to measure all of their watches and "resize" them from the standard..

Also, depending on where you measure from, you can come up with a variety of answers.............

[AlexisD]

Guys, thanks for your inputs.

Still, I think it's kind of strange: Why would the majority of the Rolex lovers agree on such an obvious "mistake"?

[Tools]

Yours is 20 years old............. maybe it's had a mm buffed off the case over he years............

[AlexisD]

As a matter of fact Tools, I thought about it (then realized the "between lugs" are never polished, so it wouldn't "shrink" in the 12 to 6 way)

Well, I have to admit that on ebay, +/-1/3 of older DJ's are "correctly" advertised at 35mm, so I'm not totally alone.

For the rest, you're probably right: if rolex always said they're 36, why would anyone bother saying different, especially in a time where bigger watches are sought after?

Thx,

Alex

[Rags]

Rolex would not claim the datejust is 36mm if it was in fact 35mm.

[AlexisD]

Well, maybe Rolex didn't claim it at the time. I honestly have no idea.

Another interesting thing, though: Some find it sometime difficult to spot the 2mm size difference between the 34mm Airkings (+ earlier "Precision's") and the datejust's.

Well here is an idea: maybe this 2mm difference is actually 1mm! (dials: 27mm on AK, 28mm on DJ. However, lug to lug is 42 instead of 44, which is normal)

[robsteve]

Originally Posted by AlexisD

As a matter of fact Tools, I thought about it (then realized the "between lugs" are never polished, so it wouldn't "shrink" in the 12 to 6 way)

Thx,

Alex

You need to measure at the 3 to 9 area, which is a bit difficult to do with the crown in the way. It can be done with a set of vernier calipers . Even my 1953 6150 explore still measures out to 36mm this way. My OP Date is 34mm and looks noticeably smaller in width when compared to my Explorer or modern Turn-O-Graph.

Robert

[nyyankees]

Maybe it's overpolished. Easy to hack of a mm!

[smartson]

Mine is 72xxx series (1982) 16014. It measures only 35mm across without the crown. Some ebay seller would spec it as 35.5mm. Doesn't matter how I measure it, no way it is 36. I don't think it was over polished cause it never got much scratch on it. For a long time I thought the older model has a smaller case as stated by this shop:
http://clockmaker.com.au/rolex_case_size.html

I read somewhere (could be in TRF) that the Oyster Perpetual model has 34-35 case. But DJ is supposed to be 36!

I would like to know if newer DJ models actually measure 36mm.

[Shieldsy]

Originally Posted by Rags

Rolex would not claim the datejust is 36mm if it was in fact 35mm.

Wrong - the DJ 16013 is never 36mm, nor is the 1603 or the 1601 and they were all marked as 36mm. They are around 35mm at the largest. I have measured eith calipers, rulers, lasers and they are not 36mm. FACT

[AlexisD]

Good to know I'm not alone or crazy!

Here's another thought: maybe it is virtually 36mm. What if there was no crown, then no "flattened" aspect of the right side of the watch. Then, maybe the case at it's largest point would be 36mm.

Let's not forget that on the non-crown side, the case is nearly 1mm larger than the bezel. Add this 2x to a 34mm bezel, and you've got your 36mm...

But yeah, that's virtual.

[Kokyuryoku]

Originally Posted by Shieldsy

Wrong - the DJ 16013 is never 36mm, nor is the 1603 or the 1601 and they were all marked as 36mm. They are around 35mm at the largest. I have measured eith calipers, rulers, lasers and they are not 36mm. FACT

Wrong - my DJ 1601 is 36mm, not 35mm nor 35.5mm. It is 36mm. FACT

[GradyPhilpott]

I took a digital micrometer to my Explorer some while back and it didn't measure 36mm.

I can't remember exactly what it was, but I finally decided that 36mm was nominal and not literal.

However, with the crown in place it's hard to know exactly what the dimensions really are, as you can't measure the case at its exact center.

It's nothing to lose any sleep over.

[AlexisD]

Thanks for all the extra inputs guys!

[Speed]

I would not believe much of what read about watches listed for sale on eBay!

[Shade]

Yes the older models are more likely to be somewhere around 35mm. I have two daydates about 15 years apart, the older one is a fraction smaller due to smaller lugs, and narrower bezel.

I never really measured it, but its clearly visible compared side by side..

[AlexisD]

Thank you Shade. Indeed, newer oyster cases (with rolex engraved rehaut) are obviously larger, both lugs and bezel.

[Submarino]

In all honesty, why should we care if it's 35mm or 36mm. The specs are what Rolex publishes and that should be good enough.

At the end of the day 1mm is really nothing when it comes to those lovely Datejusts.

Enjoy your watches and quit microfocusing on minutia.

My two cents.

[Kokyuryoku]

Originally Posted by AlexisD

Thank you Shade. Indeed, newer oyster cases (with rolex engraved rehaut) are obviously larger, both lugs and bezel.

But still 36mm

[smartson]

Originally Posted by Submarino

In all honesty, why should we care if it's 35mm or 36mm. The specs are what Rolex publishes and that should be good enough.

With all due respect, this sounds a bit religious to me. When I first notice the 'size problem', my immediate concern was whether i got a fake or not. I inherited the watch from my father so I had no idea where he got it from. Some crooks are know to fake a DJ with a non-date smaller case. But mine has all the right serials and markings on case and bracelet. I had the watch serviced by AD while ago and they confirmed authenticity. But I didn't get a straight answer, why mine is 35 yet official is 36?

[AlexisD]

Smartson, here is the trick:

1) Measure your bezel: you'll get something very close to 34,6.

2) If you touch the (non-crowned) left flank, you will feel that it's actually larger than the bezel, half a milimeter at least. We're already above 35.

3) if you extrapolate this 0,5 extra to the other side - which is flattened to recieve the crown - you virtually have a 36mm watch.


What do you think?

[ydna808]

Originally Posted by Shade

Yes the older models are more likely to be somewhere around 35mm. I have two daydates about 15 years apart, the older one is a fraction smaller due to smaller lugs, and narrower bezel.

I never really measured it, but its clearly visible compared side by side..

I have to agree..I had a 1601 that looked smaller in comparison to a later model datejust I purchased later on. This was driving me nuts at the time also!

[AlexisD]

Some will answer that the "total polish" look of the lugs and the center links of the bracelets make it look bigger. I just don't know

[marcosm]

Thanks for the post. I know I´m a little bit late on my reply but I really have gotten really concerned about it when I got my 1603. Mine is really a 35mm. Nice you all have shared your impressions.
Marcos

[dnagwhogas]

My DJ is 35mm, and if I choke the caliper enough, it can go as low as 34.77
Good to know that I didn't get a FUGAZI from the classifieds!
Here are the photos.....
The bottom one is really 34mm / Non DJ

[Speed]

Great shot!!!

[dsio]

Be careful of overpolishing, this Omega was buffed so much that you can now see the movement through the side! It used to be a PloProf!

[SCD]

Originally Posted by dnagwhogas

My DJ is 35mm, and if I choke the caliper enough, it can go as low as 34.77
Good to know that I didn't get a FUGAZI from the classifieds!
Here are the photos.....
The bottom one is really 34mm / Non DJ

It looks to me like you are measuring the outer diameter of the bezel. If that's so, note that the sides of the case curve outward below the bezel, so there may be additional width to be measured there.