The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 22 January 2021, 04:31 PM   #1
illiguy
2024 Pledge Member
 
illiguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: UTC/GMT -5
Posts: 3,447
38mm ROC v 39mm ROC

Anybody have or currently own both? Is there a discernible difference in how they wear? I realize the 39mm is older ... but hoping to get people’s thoughts between the two.

Side-by-side pics even better!
illiguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 January 2021, 05:14 PM   #2
ewdi
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Japan
Posts: 163
I own the 39mm a while back and now the 38mm, the watch itself is not much of a diff, but the bracelet on 38mm tapered much smaller than 39mm, so it does make the watch looks smaller, but in reality it isnt.

Went 38mm and my wrist is 6.25" and never been happier (I also still hang on to 15400 which is 41mm but that piece barely gets wrist time)

Sorry I don't have comparison pics.
__________________
- Royal Oak 15400 (Black Dial) - Daytona OF 116518LN - SS GMT IIc 126710 BLRO - Royal Oak Offshore 26480ti - Tudor Blackbay Smiley - Daytona 116500LN
ewdi is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 23 January 2021, 12:52 AM   #3
tuan2195
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: New York
Posts: 22
I also have a similar question regarding 38mm ROC vs 15300. I was hoping to get a 38mm ROC but found a good deal for a 15300, and the 15300 is sometimes slightly too big, so I still wonder if the 38mm ROC might have been the better choice.
tuan2195 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 January 2021, 03:40 AM   #4
C_Troy242
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Zurich
Posts: 232
The old clasp sealed the deal for me. No good unfortunately for a small(er) wrist, so went with 26315.

15300 is different as it already had the butterfly, that one should wear expectedly similar.
C_Troy242 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 January 2021, 03:58 AM   #5
///armin
"TRF" Member
 
///armin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Real Name: Armin
Location: USA
Posts: 533
They wear pretty much the same. The case is definitely thicker though on the 38mm, the bracelet is thinner on the 38mm.





///armin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 January 2021, 04:00 AM   #6
Vipes
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,831
I had the 39mm ROC in the past and now have the 38mm. The 39mm felt a little chunky compared to the 38mm. Bracelet from what I can recall is a little thicker on the 39mm and the single folding clasp was too long.

The 39mm feels larger on the wrist compared to the 38mm. Probably due to width/taper of bracelet and thicker links.

I have the 15300 and I feel this has the perfect proportions for a RO especially for my small wrist.
Vipes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 January 2021, 04:01 AM   #7
Vipes
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,831
Quote:
Originally Posted by ///armin View Post
They wear pretty much the same, hard to even tell the difference on the wrist. The case is definitely thicker though on the 38mm.
Nice! Is the white part of the dials the same?
Vipes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 January 2021, 12:21 PM   #8
westoque
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Real Name: Billy
Location: NYC
Watch: Apple Watch
Posts: 155
Is it just me or does anybody else get triggered with the date not being in alignment?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
westoque is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 January 2021, 02:46 PM   #9
AG_Watches
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Dallas
Watch: 26331ST/116710BLNR
Posts: 107
Quote:
Originally Posted by westoque View Post
Is it just me or does anybody else get triggered with the date not being in alignment?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Triggered me in photos but in person, it doesnt bother me at all and I actually enjoy it and ended up purchasing it and still love it granted I got the 41mm 26331.
AG_Watches is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 January 2021, 08:08 PM   #10
illiguy
2024 Pledge Member
 
illiguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: UTC/GMT -5
Posts: 3,447
Quote:
Originally Posted by ///armin View Post
They wear pretty much the same. The case is definitely thicker though on the 38mm, the bracelet is thinner on the 38mm.





Very informative. The 38mm looks demonstrably thicker, but I know what you’re saying about the 39mm ROC bracelet. Night and day from 39mm Jumbo in terms of overall feel, though both are comfortable ... the Jumbo is just in another stratosphere.
illiguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 January 2021, 06:41 AM   #11
C_Troy242
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Zurich
Posts: 232
38mm doesnt' look thicker to me, it's just spread differently with the 39mm having a notably deeper bezel

Love that particular variant of the 26300, but jesus they could've put one or two more screws on those links, especially given the single fold clasp to make it wearable for more people. Meanwhile, the 38mm I can fit a 10yo.
C_Troy242 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 January 2021, 08:00 AM   #12
60sec
"TRF" Member
 
60sec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: US
Watch: 116500, AP RO
Posts: 227
I owned a 39mm (25860) for many years and briefly owned a 38mm (26315). The 38mm had a thinner case and bezel (vertical dimension) and a thicker case back—thus it stood up taller off the wrist. You can see that in the side photo from the previous post. The bracelet was quite a bit narrower on the 38mm where it met the case and so the case too, tapered down to meet the narrower bracelet. The crystals were roughly the same size from what I could tell, but the rehaut on the 38mm angled down to the face, creating a smaller face which added to the smaller look of the watch. I have a small (6.3”), flat wrist and a relatively large forearm. All in all, the watch had a much smaller presence than the 39mm that I could not get used to. I went for a 15500 and really prefer the way it looks on my wrist. But the bottom line is they are all beautiful and there are so many variables the continue to the look of the watch on the wrist. You really need to try them on to be sure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
60sec is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 January 2021, 08:55 AM   #13
tuan2195
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: New York
Posts: 22
Quote:
Originally Posted by C_Troy242 View Post
38mm doesnt' look thicker to me, it's just spread differently with the 39mm having a notably deeper bezel

Love that particular variant of the 26300, but jesus they could've put one or two more screws on those links, especially given the single fold clasp to make it wearable for more people. Meanwhile, the 38mm I can fit a 10yo.
Wow I was never aware that the 39mm ROC isn't comfortable for small wristed folks (like me) - makes me feel even better about my decision to get a 15300 over a 26300
tuan2195 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 January 2021, 11:49 AM   #14
wayne93117
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 97
38mm all day, I even like how the 37mm wears on my 6.75" wrist.
wayne93117 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 January 2021, 11:54 PM   #15
///armin
"TRF" Member
 
///armin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Real Name: Armin
Location: USA
Posts: 533
As 60sec noted, the 38mm stands taller on the wrist. The dial is simply beautiful on the 38mm, it's shiny and reflects light vs the 39mm has a more matte finish. It's very hard to see the many details and differences of these watches unless you have them side by side and spend time with them. The 39mm is unique in many aspects and will always be for years to come, I wouldn't necessary sell my 39mm to get a 38mm but given the choice if I didn't own either, I would purchase the 38mm because of the all of the improvements, it's really an excellent alternative to those wanting a smaller dial than the 41mm. This is an excellent review of the 38mm and points out the many details:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kly_wayE3K0
///armin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 January 2021, 05:15 AM   #16
Erin07
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Real Name: Dhananya
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Watch: Ex1,SubC, Pepsi
Posts: 29
I only have 39mm and I can tell you that personally I think 39mm is the sweet spot of AP Royal Oak. Forever classic I can't help but wonder why they discontinue 39mm on ROC.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_25012021_021017_(1060_x_720_pixel).jpg (222.7 KB, 346 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_25012021_020939_(720_x_1060_pixel).jpg (230.2 KB, 342 views)
Erin07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 January 2021, 11:24 AM   #17
cwilson13
"TRF" Member
 
cwilson13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,490
I much prefer the 39mm.

That being said, I like them so much I own two.









Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
cwilson13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 January 2021, 12:44 PM   #18
srvrf
2024 Pledge Member
 
srvrf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Real Name: Steve
Location: Indiana
Watch: PP/AP
Posts: 2,068
Quote:
Originally Posted by tuan2195 View Post
Wow I was never aware that the 39mm ROC isn't comfortable for small wristed folks (like me) - makes me feel even better about my decision to get a 15300 over a 26300
My old 25860 and current 25960 are very comfortable on my 6.5" wrist, even more so with a 1.5 link.
srvrf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 January 2021, 12:47 PM   #19
Patton250
2024 Pledge Member
 
Patton250's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Real Name: Brett
Location: Florida
Watch: 5205R
Posts: 5,158
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erin07 View Post
I only have 39mm and I can tell you that personally I think 39mm is the sweet spot of AP Royal Oak. Forever classic I can't help but wonder why they discontinue 39mm on ROC.
Absolutely stunning piece.
__________________
Morality does not derive from consensus. It only comes from one place.

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

Often times unbelief is disguised as wisdom

Instagram - patton250
Patton250 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 January 2021, 12:50 PM   #20
NYG1121
"TRF" Member
 
NYG1121's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: NE
Posts: 2,749
I have the 38 now and had a 39 before. The 39 is a better size but the 38 dials and clasp are so much better
NYG1121 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 January 2021, 01:12 PM   #21
wisguy
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Earth
Posts: 2,406
39mm any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
__________________
5230G / 5146G / 124060 / BB58 / '59 Constellation
wisguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 January 2021, 05:15 PM   #22
Brando
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: LA
Watch: 128238RBR
Posts: 12
38mm for 6.5" wrist and smaller
Brando is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 January 2021, 09:09 PM   #23
Erin07
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Real Name: Dhananya
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Watch: Ex1,SubC, Pepsi
Posts: 29
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patton250 View Post
Absolutely stunning piece.
Thank you sir! Much appreciated!
Erin07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.