Are all 1930s Rolex small?

[ravenhome777]

I just purchased my first Rolex. It's a 1937 Oyster. It's a beautiful watch. It would be perfect, with the exception of how small it is.

I was wondering if all 1930s Rolex watches are this small, or if this could be a boy's size.

I measured it. From the top lug to the bottom lug, it is 39mm.

From the crown to the case it is 34.5mm.

From case edge to case edge it is 31mm.

....

To put it in perspective, I also measured my swiss army watch which I would say is an appropriate size for a man's wrist. Or, at least, my wrist.

From top lug to bottom lug it is 43mm.

From crown to case it is 41mm.

From case to case it is 38mm.

....

So is this Rolex unusually small? Or was it the style in the 1930s for men to wear small sized watches?

If this thing were only 10mms wider I would deem it to be the perfect watch!

[ravenhome777]

The one I purchased is #Rolex75 on this page:
http://www.darlor-watch.com/rolex_watches_4.html

[civic4982]

Was just the appropriate style for the era.

Ours is likely 20/30s and also is on the smaller side for today’s standards.




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[motoikkyu]

It's not enough just to say that people were smaller in those days, although that is true. All design and fashion is, in part, a reaction to the preceding designs and fashions. There was a joy in the compactness of the wristwatch in those days, a stark and stunning contrast to the big, round pocket watches of the era before. That's why so many of the watches of the 1920s and 1930s are any shape but round, to call attention to that contrast. I love my 1930s duo-dials, can't wear them because they are too small, but love them anyway.

[Peter99]

A beautiful watch! Enjoy!

[JohnTC]

Originally Posted by motoikkyu

It's not enough just to say that people were smaller in those days, although that is true. All design and fashion is, in part, a reaction to the preceding designs and fashions. There was a joy in the compactness of the wristwatch in those days, a stark and stunning contrast to the big, round pocket watches of the era before. That's why so many of the watches of the 1920s and 1930s are any shape but round, to call attention to that contrast. I love my 1930s duo-dials, can't wear them because they are too small, but love them anyway.

agreed small was beautiful back then