Rolex Datejust - does the 41 hold its value better?

[Gab27]

The 41 is a large watch and the 36 often looks much better on smaller wrists, IMHO.

41 and 36 are both unisex sizes. You'll find men wearing 36 and women wearing 41+, and vice versa.

In terms of what holds value better, it's not a topic that is generally smiled upon on this forum, but from what I've seen, it is completely impossible to predict. What is hot now could be cold tomorrow and what is so cold now that it doesn't even get discussed could be in the midst of a craze next week. Right now the 41 may be a bit hotter, but the industry seems to be moving towards smaller watches.

[Parapraxis]

He's right on both accounts. But doesn't mean you should go with the 41. Go with the one you will wear and enjoy.

[SaintMickey]

Originally Posted by SaintMickey

Got to wear what fits your wrist but at this point yes the 41 seems be "more popular" at this point.

If a 36mm works on your wrist enjoy and buy 2.

Meant to add...but don't get the 36mm to save money if you have over a 6.5" wrist...

[Bestdj777]

I have a buddy with a 41mm DJ. It looks great on him. A 41mm DJ is not a good fit for me—I have 2 36mm DJs and a 34 mm Oyster Precision and I love them. The 34 felt a little small till I replaced the leather strap with an aftermarket jubilee band. You just have to buy whatever makes you happy. Short term, the 41mm will probably bring a stronger price on the secondary market given that there are far fewer preowned ones out there. But you need to get what you like and what you feel comfortable with based on your personal preferences. Your friend should focus on what he likes.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by Notepad12

The 36mm Datejust was my first Rolex, perfectly proportioned and balanced. Can be taken anywhere and worn with anything.

Is it a female only watch? Absolutely not.

Value retention? I wouldn't know. I bought mine to wear and enjoy and to pass down the family line.


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I have the exact same configuration and agree 100%. A classic watch and size that an be worn anywhere with anything and is going to my son or daughter one of these days.

[thenewrick]

Measure your wrist where you’d wear the watch then add 1 centimeter for comfort. If it’s 7 inch total or less, go with the 36 if it’s over 7 inch get the 41. That’s my word Dog.

[1995akcoop]

The 41 is a new classic… the 36mm is small but still a classic. I own both sizes and enjoy both. Get what looks BEST TO YOU. Dont worry about resale, enjoy wearing first and foremost.
Also, Im not waiting 12 months for a 36mm, there’s gotta be another way.


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[SaintMickey]

Originally Posted by Notepad12

The 36mm Datejust was my first Rolex, perfectly proportioned and balanced. Can be taken anywhere and worn with anything.

Is it a female only watch? Absolutely not.

Value retention? I wouldn't know. I bought mine to wear and enjoy and to pass down the family line.


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What size wrist do you have?

[Auto16610]

If your wrist is 6.5 you did the right thing.

[afmars]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. My opinion is that the 41mm datejust looks out of proportion. Professional watches are great in 40-42mm, but Datejusts, daydates, and OPs belong in the 36-38 range IMHO.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by SleepyDave

I suppose that is a good indicator of value in the future.

It’s a crystal ball. Nobody can predict.
Look what happened with the Sub Date 116610LV. For years they could not give them away, been offered to me many times with a hefty discount. Never liked them but the market proved me wrong and they go for crazy prices now.

If you are considering the 36 you might have a look on the blue fluted dial.
I think it’s very interesting and will stand the test of time. My personal favourite combined with fluted bezel and jubilee.

Happy hunting

[nollie85]

Your mate is actually right to majority of ppl in the watch game these days.

36mm these days is leaning towards a womans size. Yes everyone will come and say "traditionally" it was a man size. The word there is "WAS". Times have changed and a 36mm these days mostly attracts women. Heck most women I've see are wearing DJ41s these days. Rolex also agrees it seems with all the 36mm dials mostly leaning towards a feminine demographic.

Regarding the 41mm holding better value your mate is 1000000% correct. It holds much better value than a 36mm. You can learn it yourself the hard way and try sell your 36mm and see what the gray dealers offer you. It will be very evident.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by SleepyDave

t my wrist is 6,5 (ish, 16,6cm)

Same as mine. I prefer something on the larger size and I can comfortably wear a Sky Dweller. I can also comfortably wear an OP 36 and it looks just fine. When all is said and done, if you think something suits you, it does. Enjoy your DJ.

[henrylee]

I have seen women wear the DJ41. I prefer the DJ36 over the DJ41. But what you want.

[johnwigan]

36 can be worn by men and is probably more comfortable than a 41. However, I would say 41 is more the fashion today and probably is in greater demand. A lot of men will say 36 is a ladies watch, not me. I wear 34 as well as 41 watches and larger.

However, you are spending a large amount of money and you may have to wait a period of time, so get the watch you are happy with - in the long term. Don't listen to anyone else. It is ok to change your mind. You could even go back to your AD and say you're having second thoughts (which you are) and try them on again and have another think about it.

[Bobbyfat]

Bonjour, dites vous bien que la DateJust en 36mm est la plus jolie des versions DJ, le modèle 41mm est moins raffiné (taille trop imposante), Rolex ne s'y trompe pas en revenant sur cette taille!

[Notepad12]

Originally Posted by SaintMickey

What size wrist do you have?

7 inches.

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[PepsiBezel]

OP - congratulations and good luck! You have to go with what works best for you.

That said, I also have a 6.5 wrist. I do not currently have a Datejust, but I think it is worth noting that a DJ41 on jubilee (and with fluted bezel) is going to wear smaller (and appear smaller) than a DJ41 on oyster with a smooth bezel.

The jubilee bracelet’s end links do not protrude past the end of the lugs, but rather drops down fairly quickly. Thus is wraps around a smaller wrist better.

The oyster bracelet’s solid end links protrude past the end of the lugs, and add about ~1+ mm of length to each side. Additionally, the smooth bezel appears larger as it is a shiny peace of steel.

As you only tried on a DJ41 it may be worth trying to see if you can try one on a jubilee.

As someone with a 6.5 wrist, I find that the effective lug to lug length is more important towards fit that the diameter size. The diameter size if more a function of style and preference, but lug to lug more directly impacts fit.

As many threads note, the DJ41 is actually closer to 39.5mm is diameter (4 to 10 measurement).

Ultimately you should go with what you like best — best of luck!

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by huncho

your friend sounds like a flipper if he's had 25+ rolex watches. Of course he cares about what will "hold value better". Wear what you like

+1

[actionkwj]

I personally prefer the look and proportion of the 36, it just doesn't work on my 8.5" wrist. If you're at 7.5" or smaller, 36 is perfect IMHO.

Not everyone wants a dinner plate on their wrist. You don't have to be one of them!


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[DoricSpiker]

Your friend sounds like hard work! You loved 36, half the world loves 36! Enjoy the 36 when it comes.
With regards value, I don’t worry about it.if it’s an investment I want I ring my financial advisor. To put your mind at rest though, the 36’s have climbed well along with every other Rolex. Not much between them and the 41’s now.
Oh and if your friend says jump off a bridge, don’t do it. Or if you do, take the watch off please.
Cheers.


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[malba2366]

Larger watches have been in style for years, that is now starting to shift. Impossible to say where fashion trends will be when you are ready to sell. Ignore your friend and enjoy the one that fits you better. The 36 is not a "females" watch...for many years until 2015 the 36 was the mens DJ size.

[Davidt]

I’m 6’1”, over 200lbs with a 7.5” wrist and find the DJ 41 to be far too big for anyone with the slightest hint of style. Even my Explorer 1 39mm is just about ok on me.

I find the 36mm DJ to be the perfect size on most blokes.

The issue is the dial IMO. On the E1 39mm and DJ 41mm, it’s just far too big. My 41mm Sub on the other hand wears perfectly as the bezel takes up some real estate so the dial is actually very comparable to the dial size on a 36mm DJ

[zab]

Originally Posted by Davidt

I’m 6’1”, over 200lbs with a 7.5” wrist and find the DJ 41 to be far too big for anyone with the slightest hint of style. Even my Explorer 1 39mm is just about ok on me.

I find the 36mm DJ to be the perfect size on most blokes.

The issue is the dial IMO. On the E1 39mm and DJ 41mm, it’s just far too big. My 41mm Sub on the other hand wears perfectly as the bezel takes up some real estate so the dial is actually very comparable to the dial size on a 36mm DJ

+1

I might also add that the fact that Rolex now markets the DJ36 and DD36 to women makes some blokes insecure about opting for a 36mm, even if that is the size that best fits them.

I can imagine the same thing happening with the Daytona. Say for instance Rolex decided to add a larger sized 42mm Daytona to the collection and then officially include the 40mm Daytona among the choices in the women’s catalogue, the same insecurities would occur about choosing the smaller variant.

Interestingly, if you do a search with the watch finder on the Rolex website and select women’s watches, the Explorer 36 doesn’t appear.