Help me decide between 31mm or 36mm datejust

[LadyMuck]

Hi, I’m based in UK & about to buy my 1st (possibly only) Rolex. I’m a 50yr old female looking at a brand new datejust in TT yellow gold jubilee bracelet, fluted bezel, diamond dot markers, in either silver dial (31mm & 36mm) or white dial (36mm only). My wrist size is 7 1/4 inches (or 18.4cms). I’m 5’8 tall & UK dress size 14 (or US size 12). I’m quite classic/conservative dressed & not in the slightest bit sporty! I always dress smart/casual. You’ll never see me in sportswear/yoga pants etc.

My issue is I don’t know what size to buy. I’ve been into AD here in UK to try both on. I’m still torn! My husband & SA say the 36mm looks the best on my wrist “as it has more presence”. I’m wanting a classic looking watch as I’m not at all sporty.
The Rolex will be worn daily to my work as a receptionist in an office, as well as socially. The 36mm dial/lugs covers more or less my entire top of wrist with very little of the TT jubilee bracelet showing (if looking from above). The 31mm doesn’t fill up my entire wrist hence you can see more of the jubilee bracelet.

I already own a Michael Kors fashion watch which is a 39mm & that feels ginormous on my wrist. I’m wanting the Rolex to be daintier for when I’m wearing dresses or sleeveless tops.

I’m going back next week to decide which watch I’m buying. Please help me decide.

Thanks

[aasubo]

Hi and welcome to the Forum:

My wife has similar wrists to you and she adores her 36mm Datejusts. 31mm was too smallish for her.

Can you post pics of you trying these on. As every wrist has a different shape, we can only judge the size with seeing them.

You should use Tapatalk in order to upload pics sooner than having 10 posts.

BR
Torsten

[ppalasthira]

I would go with the 36mm.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lol-x]

36 will be easier to read and for 7 and 1/4 inches it is perfectly sized.
Nothing worse than buying an expensive watch and struggling to read the time.
If you already own a 39mm then 36mm is definitely the minimum you should be considering.

[abozz]

36mm

[NWNL]

Most people will say 36, but I think 31 is a very lovely size and a bit more feminine

[amh]

31mm middle, 36mm right.

31mm is more feminine (IMO you should get this), but sounds like you would be able to pull off the 36mm as well.

[DLRIDES]

With a 7.25, definitely the 36mm.

IMO, the far right photo above looks much better.

[1William]

My wife is slightly taller than you and has slightly smaller wrists and wears a 36 mm DJ. She loves it and she got rid of her 26 mm Ladies President. She is also the same age and several of her friends have switched over to the 36 mm DJ. She got the salmon dial with batons and the smooth bezel on a jubilee bracelet. Go 36mm, it will be more proportionate and will look great. Good luck.

[leo1998]

I would go 31 mm at most. Then again, men's sizes on women are not my thing. Doesn't look feminine, and it makes the watch look cheap. Honest opinion.

[Brew]

I think the DJ was meant to show some bracelet. I would recommend the 31mm.

[brandrea]

You really need to go try them on if possible.
Initially my wife thought she wanted a 28 mm DJ. She ended up with a 34.

You’re lucky as it sounds like you could where just about any size of Rolex

[365DAS]

My wife is smaller and she’s got a 31mm which is tends to use for “dressier” occasions but also wears a 37mm YM and a 40mm Daytona. Yesterday we picked up the following in 36mm and she’s chuffed with how it fits.

Ultimately it comes down to what you feel comfortable with. If you want it to be discreet and dainty then a 31mm is a good shout!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[aasubo]

Originally Posted by amh

31mm middle, 36mm right.

31mm is more feminine (IMO you should get this), but sounds like you would be able to pull off the 36mm as well.

Is it just me, but I don’t see any watch in these pics....

[R G]

What about the 34mm?

Problem solved.

Also, the watch isn’t supposed to fill up your entire wrist area. That’s a more recent look.

Saying that, on a 7” plus wrist, the 36 should fit well.

Should be at least ‘some’ negative space either side of the case.

[javier]

36 mm

[MCO1]

My wife actually has a 28mm Oyster Perpetual and loves the versatility of the smaller watch. It works for all occasions really. She has considered 31mm but would go no bigger as she is not overly sporty either. The smaller one as your one and only and then add a 36mm down the road for those other occasions.

[fsprow]

My wife, who has much better taste than I do, says the 31mm will look better and fit your lifestyle.

[Juicemt]

Men tend to size watches so that they fill up their wrist. Women don't need to do that. 31mm or 34mm (Date model) IMO.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by fsprow

My wife, who has much better taste than I do, says the 31mm will look better and fit your lifestyle.

I totally agree.
On a Jubilee, the 31 should be ample watch And the most versatile.
Perhaps down the track for more casual wear a 34-36 on an oyster for another option if desired.

[RolexEDC]

My wife 6" wrist, she rocks a 36mm DJTT

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by amh

31mm middle, 36mm right.

31mm is more feminine (IMO you should get this), but sounds like you would be able to pull off the 36mm as well.

I have a feeling that the lady pictured has more of a "notice me!" style, in general, than the OP. Hence, what works with her overall style won't necessarily be appealing to the OP.

Originally Posted by aasubo

Is it just me, but I don’t see any watch in these pics....

I rest my case.

Originally Posted by R G

What about the 34mm?

Problem solved.

Also, the watch isn’t supposed to fill up your entire wrist area. That’s a more recent look.

Saying that, on a 7” plus wrist, the 36 should fit well.

Should be at least ‘some’ negative space either side of the case.

Unfortunately the 34mm models are available exclusively in stainless/Oyster bracelet (Date) or gold/platinum (Pearlmaster).

FWIW, I think that 31mm is going to be more to the OP's liking overall. Trendiness seems of little concern, and until about 15-20 years ago, 31 would have been considered "large" for a ladies' watch (back in the day, I believe Rolex marketed 31mm as "midsize").

My wife wears a 34mm Oyster Perpetual at 5'9, and thought 36mm looked way too big on her. It's also worth noting that a TT Jubilee bracelet and light colored dial will wear a bit larger and more noticeable than many similarly sized counterparts.

For ladies, 31 may or may not be a trendy size, but there is virtually zero risk of it ever looking dated.

[Gladiat0r]

31mm is ideal for a woman today, IMO. My wife actually likes larger 36mm+ watches but I think it doesn’t look right. My dad and brother both wear 36mm and it looks fine on them. I am a big guy and wear 40mm. I think 31 is just right on a lady. But again, women tend to like the larger sizes and get away with it. I think small-mid is classier and timeless but what do I know?

[Louislove29]

I’m shorter 5’2” and have smaller wrists and still went with the 36mm. It’s not that the 31mm looked bad I just felt like I wasn’t 100% in love but in the end it’s up to your personal preference. I also feel like smaller watches look dated as the style right now is more oversized for women. Just my 2 cents

[Nairn1980]

My wife is smaller with smaller wrists yet loves her midsize YM.

She’s tried on 36mm DJs and they look great. My 39mm Explorer 1 actually looks great too.

I’d go for 36mm all day long.

[Beckster]

My wife has a 31mm DJ and I love it on her. So that’s my vote.

[timvbs]

Just another guy from the internet's opinion, but I like larger watches on women. My fiancee however completely disagrees. I let her try on my Explorer I (39mm) and she said it looked gaudy, but I thought it looked fantastic.

[Wobbly]

I had a similar problem, choosing a suprise Birthday present for the Mrs, who has a small wrist.
The SA was great, trying on different sizes, she also had a smaller wrist. I eventually settled on a 31mm, which I think is more feminine and classy and will stand the test of time.

She was very pleased and think it suits her.

[jec3]

I see so many people buying that new green dial two tone


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FrontHeadlock]

Originally Posted by amh

31mm middle, 36mm right.

31mm is more feminine (IMO you should get this), but sounds like you would be able to pull off the 36mm as well.

The watches on the left and the middle look INFINITELY better than the one on the right. Like, it's not even close.