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Nor with 35 mm watches...
Nor with 34 mm watches.
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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. Several of which were in the 36mm range (maybe also 34mm but I can’t recall). I also posted a few weeks back about a visit to Kurono Tokyo where I say the new 34mm series. And, just a casual walk around trendy or fashionable places in Tokyo will make it clear than small is definitely in (of course most of these are vintage or neo vintage watches that are now getting a second coming).
And most refreshing maybe is the new Tudor, a throwback in size and style.
Here’s on of those 36mm watches, the OP36. It’s one a few 36mm Rolex I own and it’s a pleasure to wear (thinking of size and comfort only).
What do others think? Are you also in a slight denial of what really fits your wrist?
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 watches.
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 watches.
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 idea size of that watch would be for you.
One of my favorite is the Rolex GMT MASTER 6542: 38 mm, and the Tudor 7924: 38 mm, too.
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 more universally quoted).
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.
Yes, the 54 is definitely a nod to a trend smaller perhaps. I’m interested to get it on the wrist.
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 fits within the edges of my wrist bones which is how I Judge it. Below are sone pictures of watches on my wrist of various sizes, the IWC Pall Weber is 45mm, the M.A.D 1 is pretty large also…Jim
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