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Old 26 July 2022, 12:21 PM   #1
Ny325
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Black OP in 41mm or 36MM

I currently have my request in for a 36mm, and the 41mm OP with black dial.
I have a 7 1/2 wrist, and my 36mm white dial DateJust gets more wrist time than my SS Submarine Date.

I read the 41mm OP is actually 39mm. Some watch videos say the 36mm OP actually doesn’t look small, and say “ It’s the perfect size for that design model.” And the dial of the 36mm OP is the same size as a Submariner.

I would like to know if anyone has tried both sizes on, and there opinion. Thank you.
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Old 26 July 2022, 01:41 PM   #2
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I have the same size wrist and chose the 41.

The 36 looks small on my wrist and even smaller when I look in the mirror, but it looks good. More like a bracelet with a dial.

The 41 (it’s actually 39.6) is more imposing in the mirror and certainly looks bigger when looking down but depending on what dial you get, can help with legibility. As you’re getting black that is a moot point.

The OP is my GADA watch so I feel the 41 is more flexible
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Old 26 July 2022, 01:45 PM   #3
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You need to see and try both to pick what's best for you. IMO: I would pick the OP41 if I were you, without hesitation.

Is your DJ36 from the previous generation?? (11-series, such as 116200). Those cases wear larger due to thicker lugs and little more generous lug-to-lug. I would argue a 116200 wears closer to a 38 mm. Especially with a light dial.

The black dial 126000 will wear true to 36 and visual impact will be minimized by the black dial.
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Old 26 July 2022, 01:53 PM   #4
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I don’t understand why some folks will buy a particular size watch based on what other people think. Two people, both with 7.5 inch wrists, won’t necessarily have identical wrists. One can have a narrow wrist side to side measurement with a thick top to bottom measurement, with the other guy having a wide side to side measurement and thin top to bottom measurement. The same watch will look, and feel, different for both. What you need to do is try both on and then get honest, real-life opinions about which looks better on you, and, importantly, which feels better and more comfortable. Buy the one YOU think is best.
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Old 26 July 2022, 04:42 PM   #5
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I don’t understand why some folks will buy a particular size watch based on what other people think. Two people, both with 7.5 inch wrists, won’t necessarily have identical wrists. One can have a narrow wrist side to side measurement with a thick top to bottom measurement, with the other guy having a wide side to side measurement and thin top to bottom measurement. The same watch will look, and feel, different for both. What you need to do is try both on and then get honest, real-life opinions about which looks better on you, and, importantly, which feels better and more comfortable. Buy the one YOU think is best.
It's helpful for some people to get other people's take on the same decision. It doesn't mean the OP is going to blindly follow anyone's opinion but he might gain some insight into the thinking.

OP, I'd go for the 41mm. My wrist is about 6.75" and while for my wrist it's slightly large, it wears great! Just got mine about two weeks ago.

You'll be happy with whatever you choose I am sure.

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Old 27 July 2022, 01:21 AM   #6
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I think the 41 looks too big in general - too much dial, regardless of wrist size. The watch looks best at 36 and below, IMO. Note, whether that looks right on your wrist is a different matter.
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Old 27 July 2022, 01:38 AM   #7
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I don't know if its an option, but OP39 black prices have fallen to ~9k. The dial alone is ls worth it unless you prefer the double batons.
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Old 27 July 2022, 01:43 AM   #8
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My honest opinion is that 41mm rolexes with no dive bezel don’t look… it is too much dial for nothing that is really going on and it is very obvious. The watch can look even bigger than your submariner even though they are both 41mm. If you can’t work out with the 36mm because it doesn’t look good on you, I think that that style of a watch is not really for you.

For instance, I have been wearing a 36mm Explorer for years (previous model in the past and the newer one for a year) and on me it looks absolutely perfect. Put it on my dad who has the same wrist size as me, we don’t need to add or take any links (both of us have flat wrists) and it looks ridiculous on him. Put my sea dweller on him and suddenly it all fits. Put my sea dweller on me, while loving it and not hating it in any way, the Explorer just looks more at home on my wrist.

We all have different styles and I think the watch should reflects that.

If you are happy with your 36mm DJ, I see no reason to go with a 41mm since the proportions on the 36mm OP are very good.

Good luck!
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Old 27 July 2022, 01:53 AM   #9
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My honest opinion is that 41mm rolexes with no dive bezel don’t look… it is too much dial for nothing that is really going on and it is very obvious. The watch can look even bigger than your submariner even though they are both 41mm. If you can’t work out with the 36mm because it doesn’t look good on you, I think that that style of a watch is not really for you.

For instance, I have been wearing a 36mm Explorer for years (previous model in the past and the newer one for a year) and on me it looks absolutely perfect. Put it on my dad who has the same wrist size as me, we don’t need to add or take any links (both of us have flat wrists) and it looks ridiculous on him. Put my sea dweller on him and suddenly it all fits. Put my sea dweller on me, while loving it and not hating it in any way, the Explorer just looks more at home on my wrist.

We all have different styles and I think the watch should reflects that.

If you are happy with your 36mm DJ, I see no reason to go with a 41mm since the proportions on the 36mm OP are very good.

Good luck!
Yeah, even though case diameter and lug-to-lug distance is always talked about, the crystal/dial size matters. The classic Exp, DJ, DD, SubDate, GMT and Exp II crystal size is ~30.5mm, and all of those watches work for me. The ~32mm crystal on some of the newer watches changes the proportions.

(The old Sub and SeaDweller had crystals even smaller than 30.5mm, which which was also good, IMO.)
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Old 27 July 2022, 01:59 AM   #10
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41 without any hesitation. The bracelet with a dial comment is how I feel about the 36 OP.
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Old 27 July 2022, 02:06 AM   #11
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41 without any hesitation. The bracelet with a dial comment is how I feel about the 36 OP.
Yeah, that’s exactly why I like the classic 36mm w/ 20mm bracelet. Those are the unique Rolex proportions. The 39/41mm plain-bezel Rolex watches with 20mm bracelets have the standard proportions of lots of watches on the market from different brands.

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Old 27 July 2022, 02:16 AM   #12
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Yeah, even though case diameter and lug-to-lug distance is always talked about, the crystal/dial size matters. The classic Exp, DJ, DD, SubDate, GMT and Exp II crystal size is ~30.5mm, and all of those watches work for me. The ~32mm crystal on some of the newer watches changes the proportions.

(The old Sub and SeaDweller had crystals even smaller than 30.5mm, which which was also good, IMO.)
Correct, hence when I wear my 16660 and then change to the 124270 a day later, for a second the 124270 feels bigger than the dweller. Having had and still have other watches with bigger crystals, they feel bigger than my 40mm Dweller.
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Old 27 July 2022, 02:19 AM   #13
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The "41" should wear perfect on you given your wrist size.
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Old 27 July 2022, 02:54 AM   #14
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The 36 would be a be too small inmo, I think you would want to go with the 41mm. I have the 41mm but green dial and I tried the blue 36mm its just too small for my liking & i have a 6.5" wrist. Better lume and more legibility on the 41 besides the watch is 39.5mm.... the dial is only ever so slightly larger then previous model. If you were going with the silver dial you may get away with it

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Old 27 July 2022, 05:48 AM   #15
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A Black dial will make the watch "appear" smaller. Go with the 41.
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Old 27 July 2022, 06:04 AM   #16
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A Black dial will make the watch "appear" smaller. Go with the 41.
This
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Old 27 July 2022, 08:17 AM   #17
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my feeling was that my sport rolexes are atleast 40mm might as well get something different.
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Old 27 July 2022, 09:27 AM   #18
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36mm
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Old 27 July 2022, 09:32 AM   #19
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Yeah, that’s exactly why I like the classic 36mm w/ 20mm bracelet. Those are the unique Rolex proportions. The 39/41mm plain-bezel Rolex watches with 20mm bracelets have the standard proportions of lots of watches on the market from different brands.

I don’t know why people keep quoting this image like it’s gospel.

I just think that looks like a tiny watch.

Just because it’s from the 70s doesn’t mean it still applies to today.
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Old 27 July 2022, 10:15 AM   #20
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I don’t know why people keep quoting this image like it’s gospel.

I just think that looks like a tiny watch.

Just because it’s from the 70s doesn’t mean it still applies to today.
Oh, c'mon! Like you wouldn't buy one for $180?!?!?! I don't know you that well, but I'm willing to bet you'd even spring for the extra $15 for the "authentic Rolex bracelet" wouldn't you?

Key takeaways:

1. It used to be only $180
2. It used to be available without a bracelet (just watch head or on strap?)
3. The concept of the "Official Rolex Jeweler" must be newer, as there's no reference to any kind of AD
4. It used to be only $180
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Old 27 July 2022, 11:33 AM   #21
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You need to see and try both to pick what's best for you. IMO: I would pick the OP41 if I were you, without hesitation.

Is your DJ36 from the previous generation?? (11-series, such as 116200). Those cases wear larger due to thicker lugs and little more generous lug-to-lug. I would argue a 116200 wears closer to a 38 mm. Especially with a light dial.

The black dial 126000 will wear true to 36 and visual impact will be minimized by the black dial.
I purchased my DJ in 1998. It’s simple and understated.

I’ve yet to try on the 36mm OP, I tried on the 41mm, and it looks good on my 7/12 wrist. However, I think there’s too much dial. It could be because I’m use to my 36mm DJ. I’ve been to several AD, and they only have a 41mm to try on.
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Old 27 July 2022, 11:49 AM   #22
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Our hands/wrist haven’t grown as much as our ego in the last fifty years. 36 is the perfect proportion!
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Old 27 July 2022, 03:48 PM   #23
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I don’t know why people keep quoting this image like it’s gospel.

I just think that looks like a tiny watch.

Just because it’s from the 70s doesn’t mean it still applies to today.
34mm/36mm was the standard Rolex size from 1945 up until about fifteen years ago or so, and things have started shifting back to normal over the past five.

The 36mm Rolex is the Levi 501, Chuck Taylor, Rayban Wayfarer, Nike AF1, etc. They’re timeless classics, no pun intended. lol
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Old 27 July 2022, 04:21 PM   #24
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Our hands/wrist haven’t grown as much as our ego in the last fifty years. 36 is the perfect proportion!
my gf agrees and likes hers!
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Old 27 July 2022, 11:19 PM   #25
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I tried on both sizes this past Friday. I have a 6.5" wrist and the 36mm works a lot better for me. The 41, while not technically too large, overwhelms my wrist too much (That's a lotta dial). I already knew this to be the case, but I needed to confirm as I had the rare chance to do so. I was actually in to my AD to look at JLC and Tudor, but I was pleasantly surprised they had exhibition models. Last time I was in in 2021... they literally had nothing in the Rolex case. Nothing.





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Old 27 July 2022, 11:26 PM   #26
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I tried on both sizes this past Friday. I have a 6.5" wrist and the 36mm works a lot better for me. The 41, while not technically too large, overwhelms my wrist too much (That's a lotta dial). I already knew this to be the case, but I needed to confirm as I had the rare chance to do so. I was actually in to my AD to look at JLC and Tudor, but I was pleasantly surprised they had exhibition models. Last time I was in in 2021... they literally had nothing in the Rolex case. Nothing.





Perfit fit as it should be. That looks REAL nice on you.
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Old 27 July 2022, 11:39 PM   #27
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I have a 7.25 wrist. I have worn 44mm Breitlings, 43 Planet oceans, several 41mm. currently my collection ranges from 37mm to 41mm. Although I wear them all, A smooth bezel 41mm DJ or Omega AT just has to much dial and appears large on my wrist shape.

Dive bezel will have a smaller dial and looks appropriate as dive watches are meant to be slightly larger. For the most part, Monday thru Friday I wear the the 37mm GS which is almost identical to the 36mm OP or DJ. It's light and very comfortable and looks just fine.

Go with what feels and looks the best on YOU. Mens wrist sizes have not changed any since the beginning of the wrist watch era. No need to wear a dinner plate that don't fit or look right just because other people do.
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Old 27 July 2022, 11:49 PM   #28
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my gf agrees and likes hers!
kewl
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Old 27 July 2022, 11:54 PM   #29
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kewl
d-a-y-u-m !
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Old 28 July 2022, 10:08 AM   #30
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I have a 7.25 wrist. I have worn 44mm Breitlings, 43 Planet oceans, several 41mm. currently my collection ranges from 37mm to 41mm. Although I wear them all, A smooth bezel 41mm DJ or Omega AT just has to much dial and appears large on my wrist shape.

Dive bezel will have a smaller dial and looks appropriate as dive watches are meant to be slightly larger. For the most part, Monday thru Friday I wear the the 37mm GS which is almost identical to the 36mm OP or DJ. It's light and very comfortable and looks just fine.

Go with what feels and looks the best on YOU. Mens wrist sizes have not changed any since the beginning of the wrist watch era. No need to wear a dinner plate that don't fit or look right just because other people do.
Beautiful GS. Love it’s simplicity.
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