Why the Obsession with 39 mm +?

[daveo5]

I have owned and worn Rolex watches for 50 years. Never did I feel emasculated with my 34 and 36 mm cases. I have a Panerai 45 mm. Nice, but not for me. My Rolex watches are with 36 mm or 40m. I wear a WG 36 mm Day-Date. My Sub is a non-date, COSC 14060M from around 2007? A I scan the topics many seem to verge on hysteria for a sea dweller 41mm or now a 43mm. How much do those puppies weigh? I realize there are those of you who will choose to jump down or on my throat. So be it, one man's opinion.

[DramaTurtle]

Man, it's all preference. Some people like wrist presence. It's the culture. I happen to not go over 40mm as I have tiny little-manlet wrists and appreciate the vintage aesthetic; the gentleman of old.

[vincent22]

Originally Posted by daveo5

I have owned and worn Rolex watches for 50 years. Never did I feel emasculated with my 34 and 36 mm cases. I have a Panerai 45 mm. Nice, but not for me. My Rolex watches are with 36 mm or 40m. I wear a WG 36 mm Day-Date. My Sub is a non-date, COSC 14060M from around 2007? A I scan the topics many seem to verge on hysteria for a sea dweller 41mm or now a 43mm. How much do those puppies weigh? I realize there are those of you who will choose to jump down or on my throat. So be it, one man's opinion.

I think it's just the wrist and hand size. That's all.

People now are both bigger and taller than before

[HogwldFLTR]

Aside from wrist and hand size there is wallet size as well. The larger watches seem to be more in demand as they are newer and generally will cost more. The smaller are less in demand and less expensive to buy but perhaps easier to take a hit on if flipping.

[c41006]

I don't understand it either

I see big guys wearing 36mm DJ and DD and they look just fine. They whole "too small" thing is fake news.

[Watch Rob]

Yeah , what is the big deal? Wear what you love, big or small, doesn't matter!

[Canook]

i think alot of it comes down to the style of the watch and how its size represents.... ive got a DD and a DJ and on my 7.5" wrists they look fine but my old Daytona looked too small on me....
My Panerai looks fine on me as ive got the wrists to pull it off
So i dont think its so much the size that is the main factor its the style of watch that suits the size

[Chadridv]

Why do we all have favorite colors, or like different cars, dress differently from one another. It's just style. I don't wear less than 39mm. I really don't get why, a. That's hard for someone else to understand, and b. Why anyone else would care.

[DramaTurtle]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Why do we all have favorite colors, or like different cars, dress differently from one another. It's just style. I don't wear less than 39mm. I really don't get why, a. That's hard for someone else to understand, and b. Why anyone else would care.

It's a sort of elitism by the "oppressed minority old-schoolers". I consider myself one of them in taste but I don't go around hating on those who like the larger sizes.

Think preachy vegans.

[eonflux]

Some guys like more fitted shirts, some like looser.
Some like slimmer suits, some with more room.
Styles change, preferences differ.

I don't think the earliest watches were sized for what would be most anatomically appropriate/acceptable or to optimize functionality.
The original wristwatches may have been arbitrarily small, with manufacturers trying to demonstrate their ability to make small movements relative to those in pocket watches.
If one considers wrist real estate and what would make a watch more legible or functional (chronographs, perpetual calendars, etc), then 34 mm or smaller may not be optimal.

On the other hand, obviously watches can be too large and heavy, compromising wearability and comfort.

I think the proliferation of smart watches which need to be larger to be legible, encase a sufficiently large battery, etc, will make more people comfortable with larger watches.

[Wingman244]

vive la différence

[faimag]

I thought it's because people want to exercise their biceps more when wearing bigger and heavier watches. no???

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by daveo5

I have owned and worn Rolex watches for 50 years. Never did I feel emasculated with my 34 and 36 mm cases. I have a Panerai 45 mm. Nice, but not for me. My Rolex watches are with 36 mm or 40m. I wear a WG 36 mm Day-Date. My Sub is a non-date, COSC 14060M from around 2007? A I scan the topics many seem to verge on hysteria for a sea dweller 41mm or now a 43mm. How much do those puppies weigh? I realize there are those of you who will choose to jump down or on my throat. So be it, one man's opinion.

Needless rant. Sorry

[al503]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Why do we all have favorite colors, or like different cars, dress differently from one another. It's just style. I don't wear less than 39mm. I really don't get why, a. That's hard for someone else to understand, and b. Why anyone else would care.

x2

Along the same train of thought, I don't understand why so many here don't seem to understand why others might prefer a different size than they do. How many times do we read that 'X is the perfect (or the right or the correct) size.' Perfect, correct, or the right size for whom? Even if everyone had the same wrist size and shape, you still have to account for personal preference.

In regards to the excitement of the new SD43. While I can't speak for anyone else, I'm excited because I have a large wrist, like the new movement/power reserve, and my aging eyes will make good use of the cyclops. Conversely, I do understand why it may not be as exciting for someone with who prefers 'smaller' watches, don't like the cyclops, etc... Good thing Rolex makes as many models as they do so (most) everyone can find something they like.

[HogwldFLTR]

The world has gone to larger watches. 36mm may still be the standard for some luxury watches but in general most look at that size as small these days. If it were for TRF I'd have never considered the 36mm size. Yes I know there are still many who where the 36s including myself. Proof that the size isn't holding its own is in the newer watches that Rolex has introduced. 39mm has become the standard man's minimum size for modern Rolexes. Why? Because larger watches sell better.

[Cru Jones]

The better question is why do you care?

The more people who can find what they like, the better, IMHO.

Honestly, I find the small watch fans to be MUCH more "obsessed" with size. Hodinkee watch nerds being the most guilty of that. ;-)

[Mick P]

Chaps

This is a WIS forum and the members range from the very sensible to the total fruitcake variety. Size is an important topic here but if you just look at what normal people are wearing in restaurants and walking the streets, you will see watches from say 34mm up to things the size of a saucer strapped onto their wrists. They all seem happy with what they are wearing.

Also back in my fathers day, it was often a case of one man - one watch, now a days most people have a watch for the office, a watch for casual wear, a watch for smart casual and one for formal. People will have different sizes and different colours, so big watches are going to be around for a long time to come.

Basically why worry - it really is no big deal unless you are an OCD WIS.

I have 8 watches from 34mm to 40mm and I am happy to wear any of them.

Regards

Mick

[padi56]

We all know that bigger heavier is always better well it is to those who have been stero typed into thinking so.

[Mick P]

Originally Posted by padi56

We all know that bigger heavier is always better well it is to those who have been stero typed into thinking so.

Yes indeed, I think the word you are looking for is "fashion victims".

Regards

Mick

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Yes indeed, I think the word you are looking for is "fashion victims".

Regards

Mick

Fashionistas...

[Thuilln]

I agree partially with OP; I think the real problem is that we keep seeing wristshots of skinny wrists wearing 40+mm watches and they look ridiculous.
I wear with pride my 36mm Explorer and I think it would look great on all wrists.

[wytrader]

Its all style right?
And its constantly evolving. I appreciate the reply that we are growing and are bigger than we used to be but I also believe there are trends. As with everything. Suit trousers getting a bit slimmer and shorter (sock colors getting popular), SUV's being popular, hair being less big than it used to and also less symetrical everything constantly evolves.

[encarter13]

Honestly, I think it is fashion and culture driven. Thanks to Michael Kors, women are wearing 36-46mm "fashion" watches, so the small face watches now look out of place on a lady's hand, much less a man's hand. On top of that, you have athletes, rappers, and entertainers wearing these huge blinged out watches. The younger generation see this all across tv and social media and try to mimic the look of their favorite celeb or fashion blogger. On top of all that, over time, things just change. For example, my grandmother has a ton of these tiny face watches that look like bracelets. People do not wear stuff like that anymore.

Ref: I am 30 and my wife is 27. She is now interested in Rolex, but it has taken lots of shopping and "Rolex Spotting" for here to realize she does not need a 40mm+ Rolex similar to her MK watches.

[1rolexowner]

My 114200 Air-King is understated and classic, I believe

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by padi56

We all know that bigger heavier is always better well it is to those who have been stero typed into thinking so.

Peter, do you have your sea dweller 50th order in yet?




Who cares. Big...small...whatever.

[Wesley Crusher]

Wear what you like and what looks good on you. Forget about measurements.

Case closed.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Peter, do you have your sea dweller 50th order in yet?




Who cares. Big...small...whatever.

I would never buy any Rolex watch with a ceramic bezel insert period, and being just over 6ft with 8.50 inch wrist my Subs or SD are a perfect size now.Both now almost 20 years old and have seen more water and had more use than many of today's Rolex wearer would see in ten life times.And would expect they will be still ticking when my ticker finally stops so 40mm is perfect for me.

[jon_jon]

We live in a culture where "bigger is better" seems to be the motto, whether it relates to watches, TVs or cars/SUVs. But this is all relative to where you live.

[Etschell]

some people like classic cars some like brand new cars. both are great. perhaps coming to grips with this will help you find nirvana.

[Dr. Robert]

I prefer 36-42mm watches on my muy macho 6.75" wrist.