124200 OP34 vs 114200 OP34 - Size Does Matter

[dannyp]

RE: Easylink, see post #7 here

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=516994

[stevecv]

Modern Rolex 34 OP/DJ absolutely wears like a 36. Good comparison pics.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by stevecv

Modern Rolex 34 OP/DJ absolutely wears like a 36. Good comparison pics.

The last generation OP/OPD ("11" series) definitely do. The latest ("12" series; only OP, no Date version) are said to wear more like vintage 34. Definitely seems the case to me.

[stevecv]

Originally Posted by dannyp

The last generation OP/OPD ("11" series) definitely do. The latest ("12" series; only OP, no Date version) are said to wear more like vintage 34. Definitely seems the case to me.

That’s right I remember now they trimmed them back down. They did the right thing certainly

[danicasi2002]

Just got the 124 series OP34 in blue for my wife and it gave me the impression that there is still room for her to go to a 36. … but she will keep the piece.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by danicasi2002

Just got the 124 series OP34 in blue for my wife and it gave me the impression that there is still room for her to go to a 36. … but she will keep the piece.

That was definitely my impression of the blue OP34 (but for me and my 7in wrist, lol). If I were going blue, I'd have gone with the 36, but went with the 34 in silver instead.

[danicasi2002]

Originally Posted by dannyp

That was definitely my impression of the blue OP34 (but for me and my 7in wrist, lol). If I were going blue, I'd have gone with the 36, but went with the 34 in silver instead.

How does the OP34 look on a 7 in wrist? My wife’s 6.2”.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by danicasi2002

How does the OP34 look on a 7 in wrist? My wife’s 6.2”.

I found the OP34 in sunburst blue to wear small. Wasn't a fan. Then I tried (and bought) the 34 in silver and love it. It wears larger due to the lighter dial/more monochromatic look, but also looks better as a smaller watch because it has a distinct vintage aesthetic (what with the YG markers/hands). It's a relatively small watch, but doesn't look petite or dainty, just looks like a smaller watch.

The new Explorer also made me appreciate not only miller cases, but narrower bracelets, too (which this has).

[rmblnboy]

Wow, I've been trying to find out the difference on the size of OP/Air King 34. When I heard the Explorer 36 was 35.1 I thought, I wonder about this. I want a blue 369 and would love a close to 36. Anyone know the size of the 14000? I have the chance to buy one, but the dealer doesn't have it with him.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by rmblnboy

Wow, I've been trying to find out the difference on the size of OP/Air King 34. When I heard the Explorer 36 was 35.1 I thought, I wonder about this. I want a blue 369 and would love a close to 36. Anyone know the size of the 14000? I have the chance to buy one, but the dealer doesn't have it with him.

See if you can find an 116000 OP36 with the blue 3-6-9 dial. It looks and wears larger than 36mm and I think you'll be happy with it. Or try to find a blue 11 series Air King, which will be closer to 35mm as stated. The 12 series are indeed smaller case sizes than their names suggest.

Here's mine and then here it is again next to my wife's new 12 series blue 34mm. Look at the difference.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[dannyp]

I don’t know that the new Explorer is below 36; just perhaps it is measuring 3-9, but someone, I think Faz, posted detailed measurements and it’s a 36. Now, as to the others…

I consider the five-digits to all be “true” to size. The “11” series are each probably 1mm larger, while the “12” series 36s are all true and the 34 is 1mm under, around 33.

[rmblnboy]

So looking for this info, I'm looking at buying a OP 34, 369. Looking at a 114200 and 14000 and figured they must be bigger than 34mm, but have no one to ask. I saw the Explorer I 36 is actually 34.9 or 35.1 so maybe I'll get one.

[dannyp]

I would go by this for Explorer I measurements: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=803695

As far as an OP34 3-6-9, the 114200 (first known as the Air King, then the OP) measures about 35mm from what I've heard, and wears large due to its chunkier case.

I've never seen measurements on the 14000 (only ever branded as AK), but was under the impression it was a true 34.

Do you care about color/age? Those would be the deciding factors for me, personally. You can find barely used 114200 watches still out there, but any 14000 will be at least 15-20 years old.

[rmblnboy]

Age isn't a huge deal, but I would like a blue 369, but also in the $5K range, I really like the 36 OP 369 but it's a little over my budget. I've noticed my GMT gets a lot of attention lately, meaning 6 people in the last many years have noticed my watch and 6 of them were in the last 18 months, I wanted a more low key watch and something more elegant in the 34-36 range. I thought if I can get a 34 that's more of a 36 I'd do it, I have a 7 inch wrist. I've asked so many places about the 14000 and everyone I've asked has sold it, and not a watch I can try on anywhere. Might I ask your wrist size? Your OPs look great! Thanks so much for the help.

[peterp]

Any OP 34 is small for men even with wrist < 7". Bought some time ago and returned same day. No doubts. 36 is absolute minimum, 37-38 would be ideal size for most.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by rmblnboy

Age isn't a huge deal, but I would like a blue 369, but also in the $5K range, I really like the 36 OP 369 but it's a little over my budget. I've noticed my GMT gets a lot of attention lately, meaning 6 people in the last many years have noticed my watch and 6 of them were in the last 18 months, I wanted a more low key watch and something more elegant in the 34-36 range. I thought if I can get a 34 that's more of a 36 I'd do it, I have a 7 inch wrist. I've asked so many places about the 14000 and everyone I've asked has sold it, and not a watch I can try on anywhere. Might I ask your wrist size? Your OPs look great! Thanks so much for the help.

Well, if you like vintage feeling watches, the 14000 would be great, but it’s bracelet and clasp will feel prehistoric compared to newer ones. Not a bad thing by any stretch, just something to be aware of. The 114200, whether branded AK or OP, wear similar to today’s 36 in terms of size but feel different due to case shape. Blue will also wear smallest of any dial, IMO.

Personally, for the 114200, I love the final AK-badged white dial. Everyone talks about “the” white dial for this reference (eggshell, similar to 39) but the one I’m talking about is 3-6-9, and what’s cool is the black outlined markers (full black 3-6-9). Only watch besides Explorer II polar that I recall doing this.

FWIW, this is the watch: https://www.jomashop.com/rolex-mens-...4200-waso.html

Looks to be new condition, and the identical blue one is available for $100 more. Also appears I was wrong, and that this version was already the "OP" and no longer the "AK" dial.

[bob sims]

Does seem that the OP 41 is really like a 39.5 which is actually perfect for me.
BUT, at the prices they are charging, someone should hit them with a class action suit. Seriously.

[rmblnboy]

Thanks so much for the info, I was shocked on the Exp 36. So I think I could pull off a 34 with a 7 inch wrist. White looks nice, but I just love blue. Before I got a Rolex I wore a Tag 37 and I really miss just how easy smaller watches wear. Blue is my fav color, but if I was looking for a white watch I'd buy this one. My dealer friend said he can get me a 14000 for 4900. I'd love to have the AK on there, but not a deal breaker. --Love that Rolex are going up, but wish some would have stayed reasonable. My perfect watch now is the 36' blue OP 369, but at $7K just seems so steep for what you get. I bought my first Rolex new in the village where Hans Wilsdorf was born, I lived there for 6 years. Well, it was the next town over, and thought I needed something to remember, always loved watches, but to me Rolex was not my style, now I love them.

[rmblnboy]

Dewey you wouldn't have a 14000 or a 14200 to measure would you? :-)

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by rmblnboy

Dewey you wouldn't have a 14000 or a 14200 to measure would you? :-)

A 15xxx should work, too. It’s the “Date” version. Same case, as far as I know, though.

[rmblnboy]

Thanks Danny! Ok, so It's either a 14000, 14200 or Splurge and go for the 36mm 116000. I went to our AD last week, and they had one watch on display some Precious Metal womans DD. 4 yrs ago they had a blue 39mm OP for $5K, I wish I bought it, but then again I wish I bought dogecoin too! :-)

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by rmblnboy

Thanks Danny! Ok, so It's either a 14000, 14200 or Splurge and go for the 36mm 116000. I went to our AD last week, and they had one watch on display some Precious Metal womans DD. 4 yrs ago they had a blue 39mm OP for $5K, I wish I bought it, but then again I wish I bought dogecoin too! :-)

Keep the 114200 in mind. In between the size of the 14000 and 116000. That’s the one that’s about 35mm in reality.

[rmblnboy]

@dannyp, Oh yes, I will, I just wish I could see the caliper measurements of the two. I mean it's a lot of money to pay for site unseen, but I know if I had caliper measurements of the two it would really help. I just sold a lot of camera gear, so thought I'd put my money in another watch. I save and invest a lot, but I do enjoy holding things I invest in from time to time.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by rmblnboy

@dannyp, Oh yes, I will, I just wish I could see the caliper measurements of the two. I mean it's a lot of money to pay for site unseen, but I know if I had caliper measurements of the two it would really help. I just sold a lot of camera gear, so thought I'd put my money in another watch. I save and invest a lot, but I do enjoy holding things I invest in from time to time.

Search for “124200 vs 14203” (or maybe it was 15203), there’sa video out there, I think from Japan, where comparative caliper measurements were done. But as I previously posted, I don’t trust the measurement set where the Explorer comes in at 35. Having seen Faz’s photos of him doing same, I trust those.

[Duey]

Originally Posted by rmblnboy

Dewey you wouldn't have a 14000 or a 14200 to measure would you? :-)

Sorry no 14000