36mm - how can it be so polarizing?

[Daniel23456]

I wanted to discuss something with you...

I always see that 36mm watches create a lot of polarizing reactions.
Some can swear that these are made for women and some say that it's their favorite most wearable watch ever.

In my eyes, the 40mm sports models from Rolex are those 36mm Rolex watches with the added bezel that adds the extra bulk and thus requires a bigger case to fit all of that. If you want a bigger Datejust, Explorers, Daydates you need to make the dial bigger in order to compensate. That creates an artificially bigger watch to fit the desire for bigger watches.

Now, I am not gonna argue... Some people can't pull off 36mm Rolexes gracefully. My dad and I share the same wrist size and my 36mm Explorer looks as if it was specially tailored for me while on him it looks ridiculous. A Sub looks great on him, while on me it looks a little out of place (even though I have a 16660 from 84’ which I love ).

It's different styles... Not everyone is wearing the same kind of clothes, some wear sportier ones and some are more classy. I can't understand why people can't mention it when they comment about their preference and instead just swear on how small a 36mm watch was when they tried it on.

I have a 6.8 flat wrist and I can pull off both theoretically. IMO and my style chooses 36mm every time.

Some watches are just meant to be worn by certain people just like cars, clothes and other pieces of jewelry… stop hating on the size and make comments that are not applicable to someone else but you.


Sorry if I wasted your time.

Have a nice weekend!

[Barada7]

Depends so much on perspective and what you’re used to. My favorite is the difference between looking down on a watch versus seeing it in a reflection when the forearm is turned. One angle makes it looks monstrous, the other makes it look tiny. So much depends on your personal comfort wearing it.

That stated, big watches on small wrists almost always look ridiculous.

[Mendota]

I think it's all personal preference and a lot of that comes from the shape of someone's wrist. My wrist is 7" and it is rounded, not flat, so for me watches will often look like they are not centered.

Maybe that's the same for everyone, but it's really pronounced for me. It's kind of funny as the poster above mentioned. From the top it can look centered and from the side it can look way off kilter.

I have a nice Hamilton that is 34 and that now seems a little on the small side as my tastes have changed. I have a summer water watch that is 36 with the bezel factored in. Probably a little on the smaller side by today's standards but 30 years ago it wasn't and it's still very comfortable.

I really like the weight and fit of my 36mm Oyster Perpetual. It's so comfortable and for me I can forget that I am even wearing a watch. It just blends in. I also like the 40mm sizing and the new 41mm sub also feels perfect for me. I'll always keep my OP36 and when I get my sub I will comfortably move back and forth between the two.

In the end, I firmly believe that everyone should freely experiment and have fun with it. Life is too short for me to even concern myself with how other people choose to express themselves. Shoes, socks, and watches are a really fun way to express yourself and there are great watches that are smaller, and great watches that are larger. I think we should just enjoy the journey.

[28mm]

Right, it really is perspective and what you are used to. I picked up a Santos Medium and it's gorgeous. My wrist is not big 6.5-6.75" but it just seems too small to me.

I haven't worn it as I don't have confidence I am going to get used to it and decided that I'm going to let it go.

I think it's what you are used to and switching from 40mm to 36mm just doesn't feel comfortable to me.

Again, it's just what I am used to as well as what we are surrounded by with what we see.

I do believe the trend has started back toward more classic sizes and we are all influenced whether we acknowledge it or not by trends.

36mm is totally fine and appropriate for my wrist yet I just can't do it and i keep trying!

Gave my 36mm to my female cousin as a gift..and when i see her i try it on and it just looks like it's her watch haha

[sgarrity]

Here's another polarizing opinion....wrist shots are basically worthless. How a watch works with your entire body shape, look, and style is much more important.

[m j b]

I have the same wrist size as the OP, and I'd buy and wear a 36mm if it wasn't for the fact that I swap (I'm not a flipper, just like to change it up) watches often, and resale on the smaller watches isn't as good as the large ones.

.

[28mm]

Originally Posted by sgarrity

Here's another polarizing opinion....wrist shots are basically worthless. How a watch works with your entire body shape, look, and style is much more important.

Thank you for saying that the close up and some lenses exaggerate the width and are very deceiving.

[Avs Fan]

Originally Posted by sgarrity

Here's another polarizing opinion....wrist shots are basically worthless. How a watch works with your entire body shape, look, and style is much more important.

Completely agree with this.. Much more to it beyond the wrist

[Annan]

My wrist is 6.75". Over the years I've had a 40mm GMTII, a 41mm DJ and a 42mm EXPII. Of those, the GMT looked and felt best to me. But, my current DJ36 is best suited and most comfortable for my wrist size and shape IMO. Everyone is different and you just have to go with what works best for you.

[allen993]

Interesting timing on this post. My only Rolex is a 40mm Sub. I love the watch, and it feels great on my wrist, but I sometimes feel self conscience wearing because it kinda "stands out"...being 40mm, the bezel, etc. I have been looking at the Oyster Perpetual with comes in 41mm and 36mm. It think it is a little more subdued. I really think I might like the 36mm over the 41mm. Trying each of these sizes on is not an easy thing to accomplish in these times.

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by sgarrity

Here's another polarizing opinion....wrist shots are basically worthless. How a watch works with your entire body shape, look, and style is much more important.

100% agree with this statement. I know in general watches like a Big Pilot (to the extreme) is large for my wrist, but when I try it on in person it isn't as dramatic as the wrist shot I snap immediately after... which puzzles me.

Wrist shots are only 2D snapshots of the watch really close-up. And more often than not the camera exaggerates the proportions to your actual wrists.

Not saying a Big Pilot now works for me, but it certainly doesn't look out of place in person. However, I'm more geared towards overall comfort during an extended period of time. Depending on the watch, thickness, weight, materials, etc. anywhere from 36-42mm works perfectly fine. Straps vs. bracelets also play a factor as well.

[S.Explorer]

Originally Posted by Daniel23456

Some can swear that these are made for women

I think it's polarising because people who say it's a woman's size wind people up.

I can wear a 40mm or 36mm and still look manly.

[28mm]

Originally Posted by allen993

Interesting timing on this post. My only Rolex is a 40mm Sub. I love the watch, and it feels great on my wrist, but I sometimes feel self conscience wearing because it kinda "stands out"...being 40mm, the bezel, etc. I have been looking at the Oyster Perpetual with comes in 41mm and 36mm. It think it is a little more subdued. I really think I might like the 36mm over the 41mm. Trying each of these sizes on is not an easy thing to accomplish in these times.

so true, the last 4 Rolexes I've bought I had not seen or tried on.

I'd like you to try a Explorer 214270,at 39mm just perfect size and most agree to be the most comfortable and versatile,

[Vesper Lynd]

As Craig's Bond would say. "Well, it's all a matter of perspective.
I like 36mm Rolexes a lot, although I also have 40mm.

[seabreeze60]

It’s true that 36mm is polarizing if you’re looking for consensus. In truth women are now wearing 40mm on a regular basis so men now are moving to 41MM+.

In my case I have a 6.75” wrist and owned Rolexes from 31mm to 40mm. You are also correct that the crystal size of the Explorer 36 is the same as a GMT, Submariner, etc. The difference is as you noted the bezel.

I don’t think anyone can change the bias towards 36mm. However, I enjoy my new Explorer 36 more than any Rolex I have owned. I am fortunate to have the right sized wrist and the opportunity to have tried a number of different options in order to find my sweet spot at MSRP!

[Denver Dick]

Well, I own two high end watches, a 36mm TT DateJust (1987) and 39mm Omega Railmaster (2010). My wrist measures 8 1/4". I had to add links to the bracelet of both watches when I bought them. I have owned other Rolex watches in the past, another TT DateJust, a SS DateJust and a President's Date-Date with bark finish bracelet. The TT DateJust I am wearing in the photo is still, to me, the best-looking Rolex watch. I have owned other Omega watches in the past, a GMT and Speedmaster, but the Railmaster I am wearing in the photo is still, to me, the best-looking Omega watch. Which is why they are the only high end watches I presently own. I'm 70 years old now and when I first held a TT DateJust in 1974 at 23 years of age, I fell in love with it. I bought it and than sold it 5 years later. I corrected that mistake in 1987 when I bought the watch you see below.

To me, both watches below look fine on my wrist. I know there's a trend out there toward bigger and bigger watches so you may think different. I've learned as I've gotten older, to each his own. Of course, that doesn't mean when you turn your back I won't roll my eyes at that 41mm+ watch on your wrist and whisper to myself geez:

[Rebel]

I am a petite framed man. Small wrists and all. The 36mm is the sweet spot for me.

[dpt.calvin]

Love my 36mm Date Day.

[zengineer]

My size 9.5 EEE shoes are polarizing. Not sure why some like 11 D.

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[spellmanski]

36 all the way. It's just a little more classic.

[George58]

talking DD 36 for man over 50 yoa 40 just does not look right on an older gentleman age is a big factor to me

[Lamontsanders]

I have a 7.5” flat wrist and I’m 6’3. 36mm still looks fine but I prefer 40-44mm. Wear what you like.

[amh]

Nowadays it's a ladies watch, that's all. Times have changed. For men, 40 is the new 36.

I personally like 40+, 40 (or worse, 39mm) feels small.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Mendota

I think it's all personal preference and a lot of that comes from the shape of someone's wrist. My wrist is 7" and it is rounded, not flat, so for me watches will often look like they are not centered.

This! My wrist is also 7 inch rounded and would avoid anything beyond 48 mm lug to lug size (unless has curved lugs) as would not get the fit would prefer.


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[srmatth82]

I have a smaller wrist, approx. 6.5”, and I’ve personally always looked at 40mm being the perfect size for my wrist. That was all before I received a 37mm JLC for an anniversary gift and before I purchased my 36mm Explorer 124270. It takes a little time for your eyes to adjust to the difference but once it does, it looks like the correct size. I enjoy being able to see more bracelet if looking directly down versus looking at all dial,bezel, and lugs with maybe a link in view on each side. I still enjoy all of my 40mm Rolexes, but the adjustment with my eyes have to take place again when I put them on as all of a sudden they look like too much watch on my wrist.

[Wee-Willie]

I'm 67, have had 3 Rolex & all have been 36..including the YG Day Date I bought in January.

You youngsters may love Big Watches, but this old codger loves the classic size

[agsstructures]

Love the 36, old gold DD is my daily driver

[rmagoo57]

I hear ya Willie. I’m only 65 and wore a 36 for 30 years. Now my smallest is 39. My plan is to exit this planet in a couple decades wearing a TT DJ 36 so I’ll have to pick one up at some point!

[Kowaco]

[/QUOTE]

I have to say those look perfectly sized.

[dlrolex]

Depends on wrist siz e &. Prerrnfrrbten. Preference