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.
Usually 34mm is on the small side for me, but I'll make an exception for a watch I find particularly appealing. This IWC is about 33.5mm IIRC, and perhaps my smallest current watch.
I think the difference between 34mm working with Omega and not with ROLEX could be due to thickness? I have a vintage 1940s 34mm Omega (actually under 34mm, I think it's 33.8 or so) and I used to feel like this is too small when I first purchased it. But lately I've been digging smaller watches. I tried it on the other day and it felt so right. It's a thin watch at under 8mm. I think that's why it works so well. Alternatively, I have a 38mm Seiko SKX that is just so thick that I can't stand to wear it, even though technically 38mm typically works well on my wrist... probably the sweet spot. Having a bezel makes it wear even smaller.
Aside from my 3861 Speedmaster (which wears fairly big, but I just love it), my most worn watch lately is a vintage Seiko that is 36mm and 8mm thick, lug to lug of 43mm. It's all dial and wears perfectly at that size for my wrist.
I'm not sure what the thickness of the 34mm Rolex are, but I would guess they are thicker than the vintage Constellations and such. On a side note, I would LOVE to have a vintage Constellation.
I think the case thickness coupled with case diameter makes a huge difference. I have had a couple of Rolex 5500/1002s and also a couple of Tudor oysterdates the Rolex have a caseback bubble that makes it sit a little higher on the wrist than the tudors; this makes them feel a little ill proportioned in comparason. The tudors sit rally flat and wear really well. The folded oysters are also really thin and light and are comfo despite looking plenty janky at times.
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I still love the size of 36mm...and for years I just couldn't get into anything larger...GMT, Sub, Daytona...the likes. And suddenly I'm wearing a 40mm watch. I would have been happier if it had been a 38mm, but it is what it is. What it has that the sport watches don't have is a thin case, and a stunningly simple dial.
Officially it is 40mm. Perhaps an early version from ten years ago was 39. I have seen one on ebay at 36mm...didn't have the see through back, which wouldn't bother me at all, it did have a date at three o'clock and roman numerals at 6, 9, and 12. Plus lume dots at the five minute marks. Compared to mine, just a little to busy for my taste...but for under $4900 in 18k rose gold and with the very elegant clasp...it is a very good bargain.
Some watches carry off the small size so well. Maybe it has to make sense for the design and the way it is worn?
When I slip on my Granddad's 33.5mm with the sagging Speidel bracelet it looks a man's watch but feels like a dream. The feel on wrist of a smaller watch just can't be conveyed in a photo. Not so much elegant as carefree, comfortable and easy.
Variety in size helps justify a collection. It is a different attitude? A 34mm OP is not too expensive but I always balk thinking of opting for a gold Tank as my elegant dress piece. Maybe I should really be considering a 34mm as a daily wear beater, everyone else used to.
you made me get out my calipers. The chronostop I like to wear is 41mm. I think it is the black dial and leather band what make it look smaller. My new dynamic is only 30mm and the triplets I recently got are more like 22mm, the latter watches are awaiting bands (and cleaning.)
Cased the landerons will be around 35mm. If I can ever find my way out of the landeron rabbit hole...
-j
You've got to give us pictures...love to visit the landeron rabbit hole.
It is a huge thread in the watchmaking section. I have 7 or 8 what I thought were Landeron 48s. Turns out some are landeron 50s, or 70s. Thought they were 51s but there are so many variations. The difference between 13.75 ligns and 14 lingnes is subtle. The different books over the last 70 or more years also have variations as this long lived caliber (They must have made 100s of millions) evolved over time.
One of the watches actually ticking. which is the subject of the watchmaking thread. (this came as a tin of rusty parts) actually there were two watches in the box, but this will be the subject of another thread. (with photographs.)
At the moment I am sorting through hands and push pieces.
Officially it is 40mm. Perhaps an early version from ten years ago was 39. I have seen one on ebay at 36mm...didn't have the see through back, which wouldn't bother me at all, it did have a date at three o'clock and roman numerals at 6, 9, and 12. Plus lume dots at the five minute marks. Compared to mine, just a little to busy for my taste...but for under $4900 in 18k rose gold and with the very elegant clasp...it is a very good bargain.
