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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: NY
Posts: 15
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36mm 39mm 41mm, dressy vs sporty
I have a few trendy bigger 42mm "sporty" watches.
I'm looking for something a bit dressier, and smaller. A few newer Oyster Perpetuals have caught my eye, as well as 41mm DJs. Haven't tried any on yet, just looking around. At what point does a watch become too big to be considered "dressy"? Kinda struggling a bit, will visit some watch stores soon to try a few on.. |
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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: North America
Posts: 2,304
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The DJs are really closer to 39 and change. If Patek can do a calatrava 6119 at 39, then a DJ holds its own just fine at that size.
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#3 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 29
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Quote:
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 924
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DJ should be 36mm on my opinion. I’m close to seriously looking for one with the green dial and on jubilee. Honestly, I would’ve never thought I’d end up going that route.
But it is kind of a dress watch but doubles as casual and not worry about it for any daily activity either. If you’re strictly looking for dress watch I wouldn’t go Rolex. There are other classy options - even for a lot less money. I like Blancpain, IWC or JLC for that. But, yes smaller is better - and clearly making a comeback after years of bigger, more blingy and gaudy. |
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#5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Traffic
Watch: DW-5600BB
Posts: 2,801
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DJ 36mm would be my choice.
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Cali
Posts: 1,692
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I think DJ36 is a perfect size, fits perfectly under a dress sleeve.
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#7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: NY
Posts: 15
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My wrist is 7.5".
Tried on a 36mm OP, as well as an older DJ 36mm just now. The OP seemed "bigger", kinda weird.. |
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#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: UK
Watch: GP Laureato
Posts: 193
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If you want dressy, OP is not your watch.
I prescribe a dose of 36mm DJ with a fluted bezel. Should sort you right out ![]() |
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#9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Northern Europe
Posts: 61
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All though not a dress watch by members standards I find my 124270 pairs nicely as understated alternative with a suit / dinner jacket giving a modern look.
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#10 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Florida
Watch: Sub, DJ41, GMT
Posts: 7,165
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36mm 39mm 41mm, dressy vs sporty
When I was looking for something a bit more dressy, I ultimately decided on a DJ41, fluted bezel, jubilee bracelet, and silver dial.
I looked at some dress watches: JLC Reverso, JLC Master Ultra Thin, Cartier Tank, Cartier Santos, a few models from Nomos, and maybe some others. DJ41 was the clear winner. I just like it a lot more. In terms of size, I have 7.5” wrists, and when I first tried it on, I thought it was a 36. I didn’t believe the sales woman when she told me it was a 41. It felt diminutive compared to my 42mm Seamaster and even my Submariner. People on this forum say it’s only 39mm, not 41, and that’s totally believable based on my experience. If I got a 36 instead, I’d have a serious case of buyers remorse right now. YMMV. ![]() Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#11 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Real Name: Travis
Location: FL / NYC
Watch: Yes..
Posts: 32,340
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I'd be comfortable with any of those sizes for a dress watch. Likely on the smaller size though. The JLC Reverso is a great option.
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#12 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
Posts: 45,059
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It depends on how you define dressy. No metal bracelet watch is considered a dress watch. Nor is a watch with a date or any complications beyond the hour, no second hand either. If you go extreme then you should not be wearing a watch on your wrist you should be carrying a pocket watch on a decorative chain inside of a specifically tailored watch pocket in your waist coat. That's right, no dressy wear without a waist coat. Now, with all that silliness set aside, I would define a dress watch as one that can be worn is both dress, suit/tie/etc. and casual, slacks/sport shirts/shorts/etc. Typically not an extreme functional watch, DSSD or Panerai Submersible as an example. I like the basic Submariner or the DJ in either 36mm or the 41mm version. Metal bracelet and highly functional but still not extreme. Someone will come along and say wear what you want and I agree to an extent but if that was the case you would not have asked.
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#13 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2023
Real Name: Mark
Location: NJ
Watch: SD43
Posts: 331
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I think Krash's DJ in the photo is a perfect example and I was really close to doing that ( or perhaps with black dial) . I ultimately did a Cartier Tank.
__________________
Sea Dweller 43, Omega 300M blue, Omega Moonwatch Hesalite ( new addition), Cartier Tank XL with bracelet, Gold Zodiac Moon complication(dads) , assorted G-Shock, Apple Ultra Wife- 36 Datejust mint smooth bezel, oyster |
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#14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 117
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Have you ever thought about the Rolex 1908?
A magnificent watch in yellow gold on a leather strap with a white dial. https://www.rolex.com/fr/watches/1908/m52508-0006 |
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#15 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: United States
Watch: Rolex and Patek
Posts: 10,663
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A dressy watch to me is 37mm or smaller. The DD or DJ at 36mm is perfect. A lot of the elegance from a dressy watch is the look of the strap or bracelet which is lost on a head large watch designed to be read easily in working conditions.
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#16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 1,493
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Dressy used to equal smaller ~34mm
Watch styles are now bigger, and Dress Watch sizes have increased also … PP Calatrava at 39mm Rolex Cellini at 39mm Rolex 1908 at 39mm My Breguet is 38.5 (true to size) For my 7 1/8” wrist, 38-39mm is a perfect fit for a Dress Watch. My DateJust 41mm (actual measurement?) feels / looks a little too big for a dress watch, and my 36mm feels a little too small … especially for today’s size style. |
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#17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Real Name: Frank
Location: Dallas,NY,Colo.
Watch: Patek 5168, 5170P
Posts: 2,429
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I like Patek dress watches, eg a Calatrava at 37-39mm. Leather strap. Can often find a nice preowned at a good price.
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#18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: NY
Posts: 15
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Lotsa good fodder, more to mull over!
Really liked that OP I tried on last night, blue sunburst dial really popped! |
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#19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Austin Tx
Posts: 426
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IMHO, my YG Day-Date 36, white dial with romans is a perfect dress watch & I can wear it 24/7. I also have an OP 41, blue dial that I wear at nights & for more casual. I wear my 1999 AK when I'm doing yard work....I wore that one 24/7 from 1999-2022, when I got the DD.
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#20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: US
Posts: 589
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Explorer 1 36mm
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#21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2024
Real Name: Kid
Location: Here and there
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 20
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39mm is the answer. Next question.
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#22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2024
Location: VA
Posts: 2
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I feel like any size can be sporty or dressy depending on the watch. A datejust can be sporty or dressy in 36 as it is in 41
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#23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 2
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I use DJ 41 fluted on jubilee with a silver dial as my dress watch.
It’s actually 39mm so hides well under the sleeve. |
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#24 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: planet earth
Watch: Variety
Posts: 315
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Quote:
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#25 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 1,260
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I’ve just got this and it’s perfect (36mm)
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Instagram @scurfawatches |
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#26 | |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Real Name: Richard
Location: GA
Watch: YTBD
Posts: 22,626
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Quote:
Although the lines / rules have blurred and relaxed in the last few decades certainly. From what I see nowadays…wear what you like and are comfortable with….to hell with the “old school” rules. |
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#27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: planet earth
Watch: Variety
Posts: 315
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