34mm or 36mm...how do you feel?

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!

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.

Only if vintage and a 36mm jumbo preferred.

The runts of my litter 😁

Love the Rolex

My favorite 36mm 1013, back from a fresh service.

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..

Definitely agree on the lug width.

34-36mm absolutely fine in my opinion

Preferable in my opinion

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?????