Echi
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Lots of factors at play and really varies from watch to watch..
I have a 6.75-7 inch wrist.
I’d go for a 36mm silver dial Rolex DJ versus a 41 DJ but prefer the 39mm explorer over the 36 explorer, for example, even if the 36 has better proportions. In the former scenario, dial color (lighter looks bigger), bezel thickness, dial diameter relative to case / wrist size come in to play. In the latter, i love how the exp 39 lies so flat and thin on my wrist, very comfy without the need for a micro adjust bracelet.
I’ve seen vids on the exp 40.. if you prefer an upsized exp that more or less follows the 36, the 40 might be for you. For me though, i prefer the case profile of the 39 (thinner than the 40) and the lug spacing is 20mm vs 21 on the 40..
38mm works well for my railmaster trilogy even if the dial is black because the length and design of the straight lugs as it protrudes from the case as opposed to lug to lug distance add to the overall presence on the wrist. I tried wearing it on a black strap but found it small. On the bracelet, it’s perfect.
Those straight lugs… makes the size look larger than a 38..
I think my preferences have changed over time and now prioritize comfort, balance, bracelet feel on the skin. I’m finding out that i prefer 38-40mm watches with 12mm or less thickness, somewhere between 11mm and 12 being the sweet spot. It used to be 13mm! Why the tudor black bay 58 is a compelling value prop at the moment. The white dial omega aqua terra at 38 is an interesting option as well even if it might be a little over 12mm in thickness. 13mm is still ok if it comes with micro adjust. The Tudor bb54 is also an interesting option even if at 37mm.
The 5 digit rolexes are worthy of consideration but then i’d rather go for the bb58 for a similar feel at half the price. I briefly had a 14060 but found it small only to have seller’s remorse up until recently! If funds were unlimited, we’d buy ‘em all. Ah, life 
Trying out a friend’s bb58..
One thing is for sure, these brands know how to play us and will never give us the perfect watch
💰1877 Marketplace Listings for Rolex›Omega Seamaster · 1 for sale · 7804 discussions›Tudor Black Bay 58 · 1 for sale · 420 discussions›Tudor Black Bay · 1 for sale · 1186 discussions›
How many of us can’t accept that 36mm is the right size for us?
I know for me 36mm is the right size watch for me. But how many 36mm watches do I own? A few, and not enough. Of course the issue is that most of what is produced that appeals to me (and others) is not 36mm. I recently look at some used Breguet watches. S...
I had been for long time when chasing only 42mm watches…
For me I still find 36 too small but most of my watch now are 38-40mm which is my sweet spot
Yes...and...
Just my two cents, there is 42 and then there is 42. For example, my speedy is called "42" but it's really a 39, they count the rather obscure crown guards to get to "42." In addition, lug to lug it's smaller than my 39 Explorer!
The Speedy is a good example here.
And lug to lug as many point out is really the key. I also have a Speedy and it wears very well. Much smaller than the diameter would suggest. I referenced diameter specifically because I think many do not know as easily the lug to lug measurements of wat...
I love my 36mm Explorer (114270). It could be my only watch (hahaha).
BTW that OP looks like it fits you perfectly.
I have zero problem with 36 mm watches...
Nor with 35 mm watches... Nor with 34 mm watches. Elegance is an attitude, not a matter of size... Best, Nicolas ...
Agreed. I’m increasingly appreciating the smaller sized watches that men wore in the earlier decades eg 40’s-60’s.
Those were the times of confident, respectable class, style, traditions, and manners that are all mostly gone today, IMHO.
Indeed Nicolas. What great specimens.
I think it’s hard to ask if you could have one watch what size would it be, as we all love certain watches for certain reasons and they may not be in our ideal size. The better question would perhaps be pick your favorite watch and then tell me what the i...
Personally 36 mm is too small for my taste
38.5-40 mm is my sweet spot, however I’ll make an exception for a 42 mm watch that wears closer to 40 for example
Of course, there’s an ideal size for each which is different.
My thought was more do we all tend to think larger watches look better on our wrists than they actually do. For me, that’s 40mm looks OK but in reality I need smaller like 36mm. (Again, lug to lug is the key measurement but I’m talking diameter as it’s mo...
40mm is my largest but I hardly wear it…
I stick mostly to 36/37 and have 34mm as well. The diameter of the dial also makes a difference which isn’t talked about as often as the overall diameter of a watch. Funny you mention Tudor, the black bay 54 has seriously piqued my interest.
36mm for 'sporty' timepieces was the norm when i started enjoying horology. In fact a ~33mm for tux was very acceptable as well.
Here's my original tux timepiece, a bit vintage by today's standards. Reference 3820 rg ...
I entered a little later, but a 5 digit Sub was the reference point for sporty then.
Admittedly my wrist was larger at that time and so the 5 digit looked pretty good. Todays Sub, not so much even though I do own one modern Sub.
Most of my watches are 36mm and under
I own only one watch over 40mm, I strongly believe that 90% of modern watches are oversized.
Mark Cho’s survey from a few years back, 1000 respondents, showed the average preference was 37.77mm.
For you and I it seems that sounds about right.
Hi Jay
Interesting question and a good one. What is your wrist size if you don’t mind me asking? Mine is 6.75 inches and for me 36mm-38mm look small on me, I do have maybe (6) 39mm like the FPJ Bleu which fit me perfectly, my size range is 39mm-44mm and 44mm fit...
Thank you Ed
I haven’t been posting lately and I miss the interaction. I’ve been fortunate enough to garnered quite a few new watches in recent months but wanted to show how different sizes and shapes can fit an average wrist…Jim
Thank you TeutonicCarFan
I have honed my collection to more independents and watches that I will collect forever. I will post some more of them soon…Jim
My counter to this...
...I have a 7.25" wrist and love 38mm watches...especially of the dress variety...
Jim, phenomenal additions, on top of some phenomenal previous watches in your collection.
My wrist is smaller than yours, 6.25 inches. But I think you got my point. You say 39mm fit is perfect but you can go up to 44mm. For me, 36mm is perfect but I can go up to 42mm (even 44mm). In recent years however for anything of any significant value or...
Well said Jay…
Like you, I have some “bigger” watches because I want the complications or style, of course lug placement, like in the 45mm IWC Pall Weber I wear makes a big difference…Jim
Of course, but not many people know the lug to lug mm, or use it as a comparison or guide.
It’s easier to think about diameter. A great example of the lugs is Breguet. I was looking a several watches this last week and for those that were 37-40mm the lugs resulted in a much larger watch on the wrist.
For me 38-41
My two exceptions are iwc pilot chrono in 42mm as it fits with the pilot feel to wear bigger. The other is my 43.5mm montblanc minerva collection villeret chronograph, here my heart won out with the enamel dial, huge movement and balance wheel, finishing,...
To me, both look pretty good actually.
Also, re the Montblanc you highlighted the big dilemma. We know a watch is likely too big, or beyond the size that ideally suits our wrists, but other factors come in. The draw of the watches features were just too strong and so we compromise. I think we ...
Good point
I have been musing about adding a patek, and I'm drawn to the pilot travel time (for many reasons, not as dressy, sweep seconds, unique look), but the 37.5mm "womens" not the 42mm ! The 42 is too big with all the pushers, etc.
Hah ! I’ve looked at the “women’s” version several times.
I did really want to get it, as it’s one of the few Pateks I actually like as a casual watch. The smaller watch, when there is a choice like this, is likely better on most wrists. My issue with the smaller pilot was at that time there was only the rose go...
Funny you were looking at the same watch.
You are correct, the smaller version is 4N gold which is not as red as 5N. I actually think the 4N pairs well with the brown dial. A Tiffany branded one would be cool 👍
Of course size preference is in the eye of the beholder/wearer. :))
36 is for me a perfect size, certainly for certain models! There was a time when I did prefer much larger models going as high as a 44 at one point! 😆 But always favoured the 36-40 (approx) sizes, though certain models are exceptions where the size is par...
I’m in the same boat really.
Optimal size is always smaller, but a range can work depending on things other than just diameter.
The OP36 looks absolutely perfect on your wrist, Jay.
A lot depends on the watch and its lug-to-lug measurement. Some 36mm watches wear quite large and some 42mm’s wear just fine. But I generally prefer 38-40mm. Though I have a few vintage pieces around 35mm that are terrific. I don’t own anything beyond 42m...
Yes. There’s more to it than just diameter.
But lug to lug is not widely referenced or quoted I think so most people think diameter and then perhaps adjust for visuals like longer lugs, larger pushers etc.
There are some very lovely watches in the...
...34mm to 38mm size (especially dress watches) at decent values because everyone thinks they have to wear 40mm or more.
This is very true.
I would say market dependent somewhat. As mentioned, small is definitely fashionable in certain places. But for sure there remains a lot of great watches in the smaller size range which just get passed over due to size. Good for us happy with the smaller ...
Let’s put it this way …
Better a touch small than too big. One is discrete, the other uncomfortable. I am amazed however how different sizes, depending on brand and model seem to fit. Lugs, crowns, and optically bezels a big driver.
100%.
This is where I’ve gotten to. And many watches these days my opinion of how they fit me has changed from OK to “a little too big”.
There is a lot more to it
Than just diameter. It's good that recently lug to lug has been another reported metric for sizing. But another very important stat is the dial vs bezel size. For example, I have a x-33 that's 45mm (!) listed, but it wears better than a jlc MUT at 40 mm b...
Yes indeed, there is a lot more to it.
And many folks here are more aware of the lug to lug than the average watch person (of which there are equally many of us here). You do make a great point re bezel and dial. Bezel thickness, colour or material as you say, also can be a big factor.
It all depends on the watch imho
Some 38 models wearing small and some 36 models are just perfect on the wrist. Thats why I always try the watch on the wrist before making a decision
lovely OP on your wrist
as to your comment I agree the general consensus seem to favor 39-42mm. these trends come and go, was not many decades ago most watches were 31-36mm. Do I think we will go back there? Not quite but I believe that we are looking to experiment towards small...
The discontinuation of the OP39 was odd.
But perhaps they saw a demand for a larger iteration and 42mm wasn’t going to make sense (in which case they could have had 36, 39 and 42). So the OP39 was sacrificed. I was definitely excited to hear about the Tudor, hopefully some others might follow in...
Well…
41 makes sense if you consider that there is a 34… 34, 36, 39, 41…. Yet the bulls eye still missing the OP37.5 !
36 on Rolex datejust is perfect fit
The watch wears so good. I wore 34 Patek Philippe and Blancpain dress watches and thought the fit was good. I guess the size is is specific to each watch and the design of the case and lugs etc.
36mm and 37mm have always been my favourite sizes
but I think what is more relevant is the lug to lug length of the watch. Breguets for example wear large due to their long straight lugs. That Rolex suits your wrist perfectly. In fact, that is my most important criteria when buying a watch - how it suits...
Yes, Breguet is the perfect example.
I was just looking at several this week. As much as I love the La Tradition only the smaller, and now discontinued version based on what I was told at the Boutique this week, fits my wrist due to the lug length. In fact, I found a 34 or 35mm watch that wa...
<44mm lug-to-lug works for my 6.25" wrist
36mm Breguets work for me, as does 38mm Blancpain Flyback and 39mm Speedy reduced. What they have in common is <44mm lug-lug Alas, 38mm Classique Breguets are just a bit too big and don't get wrist time.
Lots of factors at play and really varies from watch to watch..
I have a 6.75-7 inch wrist. I’d go for a 36mm silver dial Rolex DJ versus a 41 DJ but prefer the 39mm explorer over the 36 explorer, for example, even if the 36 has better proportions. In the former scenario, dial color (lighter looks bigger), bezel thick...
It really depends on the model and color here a 36 rolex vs 43mm
I think the Rolex day date wears always a bit difference, also because of the bracelet. A comparison between at 36mm watch vs 43mm, nowadays I wouldn't buy anymore watches smaller than 40-42mm and I do not have a big wrist. What I want is wrist presence C...