Explorer - kept the 36mm, sold the 39mm

[sinkholeninja]

After a month of wearing my new 36mm Explorer, I decided to sell the previous gen. 39mm Mark II. On my 7” wrist the 36mm version feels just right. It initially took a few days to get used to the size, but once my eyes adjusted to it, I couldn’t go back to wearing the 39mm. The dial felt huge and disproportionate in comparison.

Anyone else with similar experience?

[Old Expat Beast]

Yeah, the 36 has always seemed the better option to me, not just for size (I wear a 36mm GS daily but also have a 41mm Ranger) but as you say, proportion. Maybe it's just seeing all those 36mm Explorers over the decades since 1953. The dial on the 39 just never looked right somehow, and the false start with the T-Rex hands didn't help, either.

[Gerardus]

To each his own. I would have sold the 36mm and kept the 39mm which I believe is a nicer size for an EXI.

[destrodan]

Not what I would have done as the 39 is perfect to me, but all good. Be happy and healthy.

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by destrodan

Not what I would have done as the 39 is perfect to me, but all good. Be happy and healthy.

Definitely a subjective decision

[travisb]

The proportions of the 36 do look great but I found it wears a tad small for my taste. That said, I bought a 36 for my father and it's perfect on him.

[destrodan]

Originally Posted by sinkholeninja

Definitely a subjective decision

Agreed and cheers. I'm glad Rolex gives us such options.

[charger_vital]

The 36mm is perfect for smaller wrists and looks better than the 39mm on small wrists. But 7” is not small. A 7” wrist is too big for the 36mm unless you are going for a particular look. Perhaps you want to mask its dainty size with additional bracelets or other wrist jewelry, in which case maybe it works. But for a 7” wrist its gotta be at least 39 and probably even the new 40mm.


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[brandrea]

Tough decision Zeus, but glad you landed on the one that makes you happy

I never really understood the “proportions thing”, the 39 looks great to my eye, but obviously if it’s too large the 36 is the better choice

[winst]

Originally Posted by sinkholeninja

After a month of wearing my new 36mm Explorer, I decided to sell the previous gen. 39mm Mark II. On my 7” wrist the 36mm version feels just right. It initially took a few days to get used to the size, but once my eyes adjusted to it, I couldn’t go back to wearing the 39mm. The dial felt huge and disproportionate in comparison.

Anyone else with similar experience?

Yep, I did exactly the same thing. Let’s see some pictures of your new watch!

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by winst

Yep, I did exactly the same thing. Let’s see some pictures of your new watch!

Here’s the original post when I acquired the watch, together with the pictures of it:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=896206

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by charger_vital

The 36mm is perfect for smaller wrists and looks better than the 39mm on small wrists. But 7” is not small. A 7” wrist is too big for the 36mm unless you are going for a particular look. Perhaps you want to mask its dainty size with additional bracelets or other wrist jewelry, in which case maybe it works. But for a 7” wrist its gotta be at least 39 and probably even the new 40mm.


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I respectfully disagree, but as I replied to another member, there is no right or wrong answer here, just a subjective decision.

[charger_vital]

Originally Posted by sinkholeninja

I respectfully disagree, but as I replied to another member, there is no right or wrong answer here, just a subjective decision.

Yes Of course. The call of your question was for our own personal experience. That’s what I gave. No objective right or wrong.


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[1William]

I prefer the 39 to the 36.

[Cru Jones]

I like that Rolex gives a choice with the Explorer.

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I like that Rolex gives a choice with the Explorer.

Very true

[MTdweller]

Glad you found the best fit! I also prefer the 36 to the 39.

[psv]

I kept my 36 as well (a 114270 I've had a very long time), but I don't think it is better. I think the 36mm is too small on my 7 1/4 wrist and 6'1"/185cm stature. I'm looking forward to trying on the 40. Perhaps 38-39 is perfection, it was just that the 39 design wasn't as proportionate as the 36, but hey, we are nitpicking here.

[DC116710LN]

I prefer the 36 as well

[S.Explorer]

Slim wrists so I also prefer the 36mm.

[tifosi]

You have chosen, wisely.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by sinkholeninja

After a month of wearing my new 36mm Explorer, I decided to sell the previous gen. 39mm Mark II. On my 7” wrist the 36mm version feels just right. It initially took a few days to get used to the size, but once my eyes adjusted to it, I couldn’t go back to wearing the 39mm. The dial felt huge and disproportionate in comparison.

Anyone else with similar experience?

No longer own them, but had the 214270 (MK1) and felt it was disproportionate as well, replaced it with a 114270 which later sold to fund a Daydate. Definitely would buy a 36 mm over the 39 or the new 40 mm on any of its flavors (1016 / 14270 / 114270 / 124270)





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[Pauln]

Originally Posted by sinkholeninja

After a month of wearing my new 36mm Explorer, I decided to sell the previous gen. 39mm Mark II. On my 7” wrist the 36mm version feels just right. It initially took a few days to get used to the size, but once my eyes adjusted to it, I couldn’t go back to wearing the 39mm. The dial felt huge and disproportionate in comparison.

Anyone else with similar experience?

Same experience here. 39 was just not right, IMO.

[Mountain]

Agree entirely with your decision. The 36mm feels right in every way!

[amphr1]

I don't have the 39, but the 36 feels perfect even though my eyes would prefer it to be 39. I'm very interested to put on the 40 to see if it'll change my opinion.

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[Agamemnon]

39 is perfect for me. Even better than the new 40. My wrist is 7 3/4'.

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

No longer own them, but had the 214270 (MK1) and felt it was disproportionate as well, replaced it with a 114270 which later sold to fund a Daydate. Definitely would buy a 36 mm over the 39 or the new 40 mm on any of its flavors (1016 / 14270 / 114270 / 124270)





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214270 Mark I was such and oddball that I kind of like it 😁

[Jerrocop]

Always thought the 36 was too small and wished (early 90’s) that it came in a larger size.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by charger_vital

The 36mm is perfect for smaller wrists and looks better than the 39mm on small wrists. But 7” is not small. A 7” wrist is too big for the 36mm unless you are going for a particular look. Perhaps you want to mask its dainty size with additional bracelets or other wrist jewelry, in which case maybe it works. But for a 7” wrist its gotta be at least 39 and probably even the new 40mm.


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“Dainty.”

Well aren’t you adorable. Overcompensate much?

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by charger_vital

The 36mm is perfect for smaller wrists and looks better than the 39mm on small wrists. But 7” is not small. A 7” wrist is too big for the 36mm unless you are going for a particular look. Perhaps you want to mask its dainty size with additional bracelets or other wrist jewelry, in which case maybe it works. But for a 7” wrist its gotta be at least 39 and probably even the new 40mm.


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Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

“Dainty.”

Well aren’t you adorable. Overcompensate much?

+1 a 36MM is definitely not “dainty” on most wrists unless….

given person wears “the gauntlet”?




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