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Opinions Sought: Datejust 36 vs Datejust 41...

Davidt
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Togri v. 2.0 Togri v. 2.0
It’s a bit weird with the 39mm Explorer. My father-in-law also have big wrists, probably also close to 8 inches, and his Explorer 39 looks right on him but is by no means a small watch. A 40mm Submariner on the other hand looks small on him.

The 39 Explorer is certainly a strange one to judge on size. When I look at my wrist (7.75”) I always think it’s too big, especially if I take a wrist shot with an iPhone.

However, when I see it in the mirror or on a random, normal photo it seems to be a perfect fit on me.
 
JwRosenthal
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It’s funny sometimes how the difference of a mm or two can make or break.

AE298CD0-D872-4AF9-A0BC-500A9E4E0933.jpeg


These two are only 1mm apart in width, but the Glycine wears large on my wrist while the SM300 is perfect
 
SC1
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Togri v. 2.0 Togri v. 2.0
It’s a bit weird with the 39mm Explorer. My father-in-law also have big wrists, probably also close to 8 inches, and his Explorer 39 looks right on him but is by no means a small watch. A 40mm Submariner on the other hand looks small on him.
Probably dial to bezel ratio.
 
JwRosenthal
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Probably dial to bezel ratio.
This^^
I have also found that the case to bezel ratio matters with divers. The Monnin case Zodiac diver I recently got is 42mm, exactly the same as the Glycine above. By specs they should fit the same way- but the bezel on the Glycine comes right to the edge of the case and on the Monnin case the bezel is smaller, around 40mm, so you get the width down low on the case and stepped to smaller bezel. It makes the whole feel of the watch smaller.
BC41183D-DDA7-4181-A379-979F52CA8E52.jpeg
 
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@JwRosenthal very nice reply -- never really considered more than dials & bezels for ways that design can play with/alter the same size watch... case, now that I see your post and think about it, is definitely another.

It's like all black clothing on a large person versus floral patterns or vertical versus horizontal stripes on a short person.
 
JwRosenthal
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@JwRosenthal very nice reply -- never really considered more than dials & bezels for ways that design can play with/alter the same size watch... case, now that I see your post and think about it, is definitely another.

It's like all black clothing on a large person versus floral patterns or vertical versus horizontal stripes on a short person.
Yup, broad tie on a skinny guy and skinny tie in a broad guy- all about proportions.
 
JwRosenthal
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I think a lot of people ignore the actual dial size when they are looking at watches- that has the biggest effect on how they appear-“wear”. A 34mm Rolex OPD looks smal compared to a 34mm Seamaster- all about dial to bezel proportions
A8CB92DA-B7EA-4079-A52F-884FA4F31319.jpeg

And same with divers- both below are 35mm, but the zodiac appears (wears) bigger because it has a larger dial to bezel ratio. Plus the zodiac bezel slightly protrudes over the edge of the case whereas the Squale is almost flush with the case.
B2531C98-9A0A-4B3B-AFA7-F1AE802EFAD6.jpeg
 
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Yup, broad tie on a skinny guy and skinny tie in a broad guy- all about proportions.

"Broad guy"... back in my days of Fatness I woulda welcomed that one more than what I usually heard.
My entire childhood was all about "husky", "large boned" and "baby fat" ~ which I most certainly did not outgrow without significant & omnipotent work.
You're a nice bloke sir.
 
SC1
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I think a lot of people ignore the actual dial size when they are looking at watches- that has the biggest effect on how they appear-“wear”. A 34mm Rolex OPD looks smal compared to a 34mm Seamaster- all about dial to bezel proportions
A8CB92DA-B7EA-4079-A52F-884FA4F31319.jpeg

And same with divers- both below are 35mm, but the zodiac appears (wears) bigger because it has a larger dial to bezel ratio. Plus the zodiac bezel slightly protrudes over the edge of the case whereas the Squale is almost flush with the case.
B2531C98-9A0A-4B3B-AFA7-F1AE802EFAD6.jpeg

So true. Another one that always comes to mind is the Seiko "Willard".
 
JwRosenthal
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"Broad guy"... back in my days of Fatness I woulda welcomed that one more than what I usually heard.
My entire childhood was all about "husky", "large boned" and "baby fat" ~ which I most certainly did not outgrow without significant & omnipotent work.
You're a nice bloke sir.
I too was relagagated to the husky section. Lots of polyester over there. Some would refer to me as “stout” these days, I just know that I haven’t fit into my 42-44R jackets since mid ‘20 and watches I haven’t worn in the last couple years need an extra link 🙁
 
Davidt
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I think a lot of people ignore the actual dial size when they are looking at watches- that has the biggest effect on how they appear-“wear”. A 34mm Rolex OPD looks smal compared to a 34mm Seamaster- all about dial to bezel proportions
A8CB92DA-B7EA-4079-A52F-884FA4F31319.jpeg

And same with divers- both below are 35mm, but the zodiac appears (wears) bigger because it has a larger dial to bezel ratio. Plus the zodiac bezel slightly protrudes over the edge of the case whereas the Squale is almost flush with the case.
B2531C98-9A0A-4B3B-AFA7-F1AE802EFAD6.jpeg

Dial size is the single most important factor imo. The dial on my 39mm Explorer is significantly larger than the dial on my 41mm Sub and it shows it how both wear on the wrist.

Also agree with you 34mm Oyster example. I find they wear far too small for me, even with the chunky case, whereas a 34mm Seamaster DeVille I can just about pull off.
 
JwRosenthal
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Davidt Davidt
Dial size is the single most important factor imo. The dial on my 39mm Explorer is significantly larger than the dial on my 41mm Sub and it shows it how both wear on the wrist.

Also agree with you 34mm Oyster example. I find they wear far too small for me, even with the chunky case, whereas a 34mm Seamaster DeVille I can just about pull off.
The chunky case is part of the problem- small dial. I personally love the 34mm Rolexes with long sleeves or sweaters- they slide under the cuff and feel perfectly sized. In the summer months with short sleeves it looks like I raided my wife’s jewelry box.
 
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Yep, small & chonky is weird seen solo (short sleeves) whereas they are very doable when a LS shirt or jacket is factored in.
 
__ryan__
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
The chunky case is part of the problem- small dial. I personally love the 34mm Rolexes with long sleeves or sweaters- they slide under the cuff and feel perfectly sized. In the summer months with short sleeves it looks like I raided my wife’s jewelry box.
I hear you guys, but still think they can work both ways.

muhammed-ali-cartier-tank-2.jpg GettyImages-930170708-crop1.jpg
 
JwRosenthal
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__ryan__ __ryan__
I hear you guys, but still think they can work both ways.

muhammed-ali-cartier-tank-2.jpg GettyImages-930170708-crop1.jpg
I’m not gonna tell him his watch looks like a girls watch!
 
Dsloan
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Another one I love with small watches
9485B59E-5343-4038-9050-279ABA0963DB.jpeg

It's funny how quickly tastes change. A 33mm watch looked totally normal on a 6' person at one time.

I bet a 19th century aristocrat who was used to jodhpurs would be disturbed by how tightly a pair of slacks hug my thighs.
 
vibe
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To me the fluted 41 looks pretty grotesque. The wider fluted bezel is just too much. The smooth bezel looks OK.
 
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