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Old 21 June 2021, 11:44 AM   #31
BobbyD23
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39 for sure
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Old 21 June 2021, 12:21 PM   #32
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The 36mm is a waste on anyones wrist.


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Old 21 June 2021, 12:23 PM   #33
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39mm on my 7.25 wrist. I wouldn't want a smaller watch unless it was a pure dress watch.

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Old 21 June 2021, 12:33 PM   #34
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Easy - 39. If under 7 inch wrist, you can take 36.
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Old 21 June 2021, 12:59 PM   #35
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Originally Posted by Pinchy View Post
This looks like JUMBO explorer to me. It's too big.
I have no history with or memories of the 36 so to me it just looks like a modest size watch. It's hardly TOO BIG for my wrist.

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Old 21 June 2021, 04:32 PM   #36
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It’s funny how some talk about a 39mm watch like it’s a dinner plate or a 55mm invitica watch. I personally have a 7.25 inch wrist and I would say 39mm would be the absolute smallest watch I would wear. That might change when I get older. I daily a sub 41 or a BLRO. I wear my Daytona for my dress watch and I feel it wears small if I’m honest. I wore a SkyD blue daily for 3 months and loved it. Still in rotation by the way.

My point is I couldn’t see myself happy with a 36mm watch if there was a 39 that fit better. Rolex makes different size watches for people with different size wrist or taste. Buy what you like. If you like the 36 get it. If the 39 get it. I’ll be honest 95 percent of the people won’t even know what’s on your wrist let alone a Rolex.


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Old 21 June 2021, 06:32 PM   #37
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39mm is the best choice for men. Women can rock the 36mm much easier.
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Old 21 June 2021, 07:27 PM   #38
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It’s funny how some talk about a 39mm watch like it’s a dinner plate or a 55mm invitica watch.
They're not talking about a 39mm watch like it’s a dinner plate. They're talking about an Explorer 39mm watch like it’s a dinner plate.
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Old 21 June 2021, 07:36 PM   #39
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39mm all the way
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Old 21 June 2021, 07:43 PM   #40
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Get the 39. A classic size is pointless unless it fits you!
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Old 21 June 2021, 09:02 PM   #41
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https://youtu.be/YnQCME-ynQE
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Old 21 June 2021, 09:24 PM   #42
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I also have a 7.25" wrist. Either size would be fine.
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Old 21 June 2021, 09:28 PM   #43
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39 for me, although I have a 6.5 '' wrist. It is very substantial on the wrist, but I honestly cannot see it being oversized. I have a 36 mm op for dressier occasions so I prefer this sportier watch to be a bit larger.
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Old 21 June 2021, 11:25 PM   #44
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6.75" wrist - 39mm
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Old 21 June 2021, 11:51 PM   #45
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Originally Posted by thefollandgnat View Post
They're not talking about a 39mm watch like it’s a dinner plate. They're talking about an Explorer 39mm watch like it’s a dinner plate.
Yes, it's very strange to me that the Explorer is this sort of special case when it comes to size since there was once a smaller one.

People post their Skydwellers on tiny wrists with the watch hanging on for dear life and everyine says it's just a distorted picture so it's fine...and my first thought is always the complete opposite.



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Old 22 June 2021, 12:17 AM   #46
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Yes, it's very strange to me that the Explorer is this sort of special case when it comes to size since there was once a smaller one.

People post their Skydwellers on tiny wrists with the watch hanging on for dear life and everyine says it's just a distorted picture so it's fine...and my first thought is always the complete opposite.



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In defense of the “distorted photo” explanation, wrist presence is difference when taking a “first person” photo (looking down at the watch) vs. the “public view” photo (mirror or taken by someone else). Wrist is narrower and thicker with the former.

But I agree. Sort of like how IWC’s classic pilot watches were steadily growing until the current Mk XVII and Spitfire downsized slightly. That said, the SkyD’s functions necessitate a larger case to house its complex movement. So it’s not inflated, the way I feel the Exp 39, Exp II 42 and DJ 41 are.
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Old 22 June 2021, 01:42 AM   #47
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Yes, it's very strange to me that the Explorer is this sort of special case when it comes to size since there was once a smaller one.
You misunderstand me. I'm saying that it IS a special case, in both senses. It's about proportions and that ghastly and boundless ocean of darkness on the 39mm dial (without wishing to get specially over-dramatic about it).

It's like you wouldn't want a long technical ice axe but you would want a long alpine axe. Function determines form, and since Rolex go in for this whole charade of marketing their watches in terms of function, you can see why they've made this dramatic return to the 36mm field function form (if you will). Quite what they were thinking with the TT version is another matter!
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Old 22 June 2021, 01:51 AM   #48
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To me, it looks like the 36 fits your wrist fine. People make way too big of a deal about dial sizes.
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Old 22 June 2021, 01:51 AM   #49
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7.5 - 39mm

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Originally Posted by Category_theory View Post
Hello all, quick question and want to get opinions here. I’m currently torn bw trying to pick up a 36mm older Explorer I or the 39mm version. I have a 7.25” wrist that sometimes swells up a bit. I normally wear a 40mm dead dweller and the newer 43mm SD as well as my speedy. All “largish” watches. I’ve tried for comparison my wife’s 36mm Datejust but I’m not sure it would wear the same or is a fair comparison.

Any thoughts or pics here (closer wrist shots) or longer mirror shots to get a sense of how it would wear for me? Thanks y’all!


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Personally, I think this is about as perfect size for a modern watch as you'll find. Although, 36 is a classic size. Really is your choice (obviously) but think about what you'll be happy with long-term.
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Old 22 June 2021, 01:52 AM   #50
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i dont have a huge wrist. 7. but for me personally 39 would be the smallest i would wear.
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Old 22 June 2021, 02:26 AM   #51
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You misunderstand me. I'm saying that it IS a special case, in both senses.
I think the point was that the "odd" bit was how it had been inflated, and then returned to its classic size. That's fairly uncommon with watches these days.
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Old 22 June 2021, 02:36 AM   #52
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39 would looks better on 7.25” wrist.
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Old 22 June 2021, 03:18 AM   #53
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Originally Posted by thefollandgnat View Post
You misunderstand me. I'm saying that it IS a special case, in both senses. It's about proportions and that ghastly and boundless ocean of darkness on the 39mm dial (without wishing to get specially over-dramatic about it).

It's like you wouldn't want a long technical ice axe but you would want a long alpine axe. Function determines form, and since Rolex go in for this whole charade of marketing their watches in terms of function, you can see why they've made this dramatic return to the 36mm field function form (if you will). Quite what they were thinking with the TT version is another matter!
I understand completely, really I do.

I'm just saying for me (and only me), I never knew it as a 36mm arctic cave exploring tool watch...I am just taking the 39mm at face value. I find the proportions of many watches to be awkward but just not the 39mm Explorer. I don't see it as ghastly but I am fine with others who do.

I think the ceramic Daytona design is an abomination but all that means is I won't buy one. I am not going to go on a quest to changes the minds of the masses.

I don't care what story Rolex wants to spin around the Explorer...I simply don't want a smaller watch. I don't require my watches to be historically correct.

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Old 22 June 2021, 03:43 AM   #54
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I’ve owned the 36mm and much prefer the 39mm on my wrist now and I dislike big watches.

I’ve often read that the proportions are incorrect on the 39mm. Too much open space blah blah. I liked the 36mm but found the 36mm a bit small and proportions a bit off, too cramped. Maybe the “classic” and original but that means zero to me for this watch.

I like the size and looks better on the 39mm.


Quote:
Originally Posted by thefollandgnat View Post
You misunderstand me. I'm saying that it IS a special case, in both senses. It's about proportions and that ghastly and boundless ocean of darkness on the 39mm dial (without wishing to get specially over-dramatic about it).

It's like you wouldn't want a long technical ice axe but you would want a long alpine axe. Function determines form, and since Rolex go in for this whole charade of marketing their watches in terms of function, you can see why they've made this dramatic return to the 36mm field function form (if you will). Quite what they were thinking with the TT version is another matter!
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Old 22 June 2021, 04:07 AM   #55
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I think the ceramic Daytona design is an abomination but all that means is I won't buy one. I am not going to go on a quest to changes the minds of the masses.

I don't care what story Rolex wants to spin around the Explorer...I simply don't want a smaller watch. I don't require my watches to be historically correct.
Great, then we are in agreement.
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Old 22 June 2021, 04:48 AM   #56
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anything under 7.5, zero question 36. 39 won't be ugly but the 36. ��Even up to 8" I'd say there's a choice but the right choice would still be the 36. 8+... yeah I get it... Just don't even get an explorer and daily an SD.
No question the 36 is the one for you but the 39 on me takes up less wrist so we'll have to agree to disagree about the cutoff size.



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Old 19 March 2023, 09:40 AM   #57
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So here I am…. Almost a year later, my birthday around the corner and my wife saying “are you going to make up your mind already and choose?” And here I am still wavering…. But now with, vintage 36mm, new 36mm or the 39mm mk2? I honestly secretly think that the research and obsession is part of the fun but don’t tell anyone I said that out loud :).
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Old 19 March 2023, 09:49 AM   #58
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So here I am…. Almost a year later, my birthday around the corner and my wife saying “are you going to make up your mind already and choose?” And here I am still wavering…. But now with, vintage 36mm, new 36mm or the 39mm mk2? I honestly secretly think that the research and obsession is part of the fun but don’t tell anyone I said that out loud :).
Uhh... hasn't it been almost 2 years? I wish I had your level of patience.
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Old 19 March 2023, 09:50 AM   #59
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From your wrist size and what size you normally wear, I think you would be happiest with a 39mm.
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Old 19 March 2023, 09:51 AM   #60
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Absolutely 39mm!
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