This is probably such an old discussion I don't think many will remember having it. And I'm sure much of our responses will just be the result of our first watches and what we became comfortable with. That certainly fits me. My first Rolex was a DateJust, and that cast the dye for what would feel best on my wrist (and look best to my eye). 36mm was and still is, it. I dabbled in some very nice 34mm Rolexes but they never satisfied me the way a 36mm does. Until recently, when I ventured into the world of Omega watches. 34mm seems to have been the dominent size in their vintage Seamasters and Constellations. Yes, they have other models (I've left both Rolex and Omega chronographs out of this discussion), but in my recent experiences, 34mm Omegas seem the standard. And, in Omegas, that is the size that appeals to me the most. I have a 36mm bumper movement Seamaster, and a 38mm Jumbo case manual wind...and they are lovely. But 34mm seems the most organic size for their watches. While a 34mm OP might feel and look under size to me, a Constellation of the same size does not. I've been looking lately at perhaps buying a couple of 34mm OPs...yet I keep resisting because every time I put on my 36mm 1013 or 1018, they just feel right. All this said, I was looking at a lovely early 1950s 18k Patek Calatrava...but then I got to the part where the listing said it was 32.5mm. The pictures look great, but imagining that size on my wrist and I walked away. Love to hear your opinions on the subject...and how you feel about a watch's size when you glance down and see it on your wrist.
My answer is probably an unpopular one but I have very small wrists and the 32mm midsize Omega watches fit me perfectly. I have a 30mm Rolex Speedking as well that doesn't feel too small on me but at the same time my 36mm watches doesn't feel oversized. I try to stay in the 30-36mm range but this all depends on your wrist size in my opinion.
Personally I feel the 34mm "beefy lug" Seamasters have a wonderful mid-century look that is just right; in other words, it's not just the size but the entire look and feel. Having said that, I have military 32mm and vintage 36mm Seamasters I love, 37mm jumbos, and even larger versions that I regularly wear. All have different looks that I choose based on what I'm doing for the day. Finally, I thought 40mm was my maximum size (important birthday GMT Master II) until I tried on the new 3861 Speedie, which wears smaller and more comfortably than it's nominal size. Don't discount anything based on size. Try it out!
I think the reason the 34mm Omega watches look comparable to the 36mm Rolex cases is the size of the bezel and dial. Rolex bezels are just a little bit wider, but the dials are comparable to the 34mm Seamaster. It really comes down to the dial width, IMO, which no one ever focuses on. I have a 36mm Explorer, a 39mm Speedmaster, and a 41mm Seamaster. The dial widths are all within a mm of each other, and that’s why I like them all. I tried on a 39mm explorer and hated it — even though the case is the same size as the Speedmaster and smaller than the Seamaster, the dial was too big.
My smallest - 30 mm with the right strap. My largest. 42 mm. I would not go any bigger. In between… 33 mm. Given the choice between 34 and 36 I would try the 36. I don’t have that size. Conclusion for me. No discrimination. My wrist size 7 1/4.
Some of the great vintage watches are 34-36mm. I'll wear that size all week and twice on Sunday! My wrist is 7.75 and anything over 30mm is fine with me.
34mm-40mm with an exception or two either way Bulova Mil-Ships Bulova Lunar Gallet Commander Above all.........Design, Beauty, Symmetry
I was in NYC in March and May and hip people in the art and food scene are all wearing small watches. Also many that aren’t round. This is all not news though if you read about watches online. I like 34-36 and have many by Rolex, Tudor and IWC. It really depends on a couple factors as to how thy wear: thickness, dial size, lug thickness, bracelet or strap. For example, a 1018 wears way differently than a datejust and a OG ranger way differently than an Air King.
I have that range…. UG (Outdoorsman(2), Tri-Compax(3), Uni Compax, Polerouter (2)and Aero Compax, Longines(13.33z), Omega (Pie Pan 2), Timex Marlin, Eterna (kontiki) even as a guy with a big wrist, one realizes how darned comfortable they are. Its all about design and wrist presence. Some are gold, most are SS. The brand that simply does not work in this size? Rolex..On my wrist they look like women’s watches.
Of the many watches I have owned I have only ever had 33mm - 36mm. I find the trend for big watches a bit irritating as so many times I have fancied a watch to find out it’s 40mm. Max 36mm for me. These are the current collection; 33mm 1949 omega bumper, 35mm 1952 Alpina automatic, 34mm 1967 Zenith 2542 pc chronometer automatic, 34mm 1940’ JLC P478 and a 2014 DateJust 36mm. I’m on the list for a 34mm oyster perpetual and when I said it at the ad the guy gave me a side eyed look, which amused me.
36, please. I’d definitely own a vintage Air-King or OP by now if they were 36mm. (Thanks to the recent ‘Gym watch’ thread, I now know the 1018, rare bird that it is, provides me with hope) My wrists are 7.25” and I find most 34’s look too wee. I have a few vintage Omegas, a Certina Blue Ribbon and my Dad’s old Gruen that are all 34’s; the long, sharp lugs, minimal bezel and large dial are key to them wearing larger than their size would imply. Still, daily wearers are 38-41mm.
I have 6 half inch wrists and can comfortably wear anything from 34 to 44mm - depends on the watch, but the key is the lug to lug distance being under 50mm...and what strap bracelet you were..
Look, if you have small wrists then it is ok. If you have large wrists and purchased in 1980s or 90s it is ok. BUT if you have large wrists why would you buy modern 36mm in 2022?? Just an opinion. Thoughts?????