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Old Yesterday, 01:15 AM   #1
colonelpurple
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36mm vs 41mm Datejust

I have many larger watches, including a 41mm DJ.
However recently I have become aware of enjoying smaller watches, with a 37mm BB 54 being a real delight and also thinking of a 39mm BB S&G.

I was in a an AD recently, and they had a 36mm bi-metal DJ in one of my grail faces, the discontinued white motif dial. (new old stock).

I tried it on and its so comfortable.

I have to admit, particularly in the bi-metal, it looks like jewellery, even bracelet like with a smaller watch. However that is the appeal to me. It looks absolutely gorgeous. No tool or GADA pretensions, just a genuine piece of art.

I am deciding whether I should hold out for a 41mm, or just get this. The sales women says she likes a larger watch on a man, but I don't want to be dissuaded by this (I do like her though, she is remarkably relaxed and honest - even at the expense of not selling a watch!).

What do you folk think. Do you all have a watch that you just love the look, and it is not really conventional ? What do you think about 36 ??
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Old Yesterday, 01:32 AM   #2
Barada7
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It depends on your finances and risk comfort. If you can easily afford it and don’t mind losing $ on it if in a month you don’t like it, then go for it.
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Old Yesterday, 01:33 AM   #3
colonelpurple
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barada7 View Post
It depends on your finances and risk comfort. If you can easily afford it and don’t mind losing $ on it if in a month you don’t like it, then go for it.
do you think there is a different loss between 36 and 41mm ?

Not that it is a key requirement of mine, but I have looked at used prices of fluted dial pieces over the last few days and they seem to be running higher then the conventional dials!!
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Old Yesterday, 01:36 AM   #4
EverCloserUnion
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Reading between the lines of your post, I get the impression that you'd be settling for the 36 because it's available now (assuming I've understood you correctly).
Which would you choose if both were available to buy today?

Best of luck with your decision.
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Old Yesterday, 01:44 AM   #5
colonelpurple
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EverCloserUnion View Post
Reading between the lines of your post, I get the impression that you'd be settling for the 36 because it's available now (assuming I've understood you correctly).
Which would you choose if both were available to buy today?

Best of luck with your decision.
hmm

psychology

before I tried on the 36mm, probably the 41mm
I did see the white motif in a 41mm a year ago, but I never got it.
Have some regret!
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Old Yesterday, 01:49 AM   #6
EverCloserUnion
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colonelpurple View Post
hmm

psychology

before I tried on the 36mm, probably the 41mm
I did see the white motif in a 41mm a year ago, but I never got it.
Have some regret!
A little trick that can be useful in situations like this:

Toss a coin. Heads the 36, tails the 41.

If the result of the toss 'feels wrong', that's a good indication you already know what you want.

And again, best of luck - this one of life's happy decisions.
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Old Yesterday, 02:15 AM   #7
mgsooner
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The Datejust, particularly if it’s on a jubilee, I prefer the 36. The shorter lug to lug of the smaller case “shows off” more of the jubilee when you look at the watch on your wrist. The fluted bezel is also not as wide as that of the 41’s, which to me offers a more balanced overall look. Opinions will certainly vary. Wrist is 7”, perhaps slightly larger.

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Old Yesterday, 06:27 AM   #8
szabo_martin
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Really depends on your wrist size and the look you like
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Old Yesterday, 06:47 AM   #9
spellmanski
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This is exactly what I want to do - change y 41 for a 36
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Old Yesterday, 04:26 PM   #10
Gabik
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36 is a classic DJ, 41 is just a Rolex watch, released as a tribute to fashion.
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Old Yesterday, 04:34 PM   #11
996marty
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For me I’ve always liked my watches to be around the 40mm mark but that’s a personal preference. All I would say is if the 36mm sings to you and you like the feel of it buy it
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Old Yesterday, 04:59 PM   #12
Moonwatcher
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To me the 41 simply has too large of a dial to be handsome. We own 3 DJ in 36 and never felt they lacked mm’s. Some watches are, for some reason, intrinsically more handsome in a size than in another. A DJ is too subtle to be big. Imagine, the other way around, a Sub in 36…
Here are some pics… .
If I liked the watch you saw and had the disposable cash, i’d take it right away and never look back
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Old Yesterday, 05:01 PM   #13
KatGirl
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36mm vs 41mm Datejust

For years the 36 DJ was the right size for all guys. If you love it, buy it. Do you have a pic? It sounds stunning. I have a 36 bimetal Wimbledon, which is probably my favorite watch. I wear it the most. 36 is a nobrainer, for me, of course. Grab it, while you can.

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Old Yesterday, 05:02 PM   #14
WatchEater666
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I like the 36mm more.
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Old Yesterday, 05:11 PM   #15
alllexandru
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both are ok I guess
I have the 41 smooth bezel , 36 also looks nice especially on fluted
What I like is more, fluted on 36 compared with 41 fluted, looks more balanced the 36.
You cant go wrong either.
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Old Yesterday, 07:23 PM   #16
aboutime
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36mm is classic DJ, the bracelet comes more into view with this size as well.
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Old Yesterday, 07:26 PM   #17
brandrea
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Whichever suits your wearing style is the right answer. 36 is considered the classic size by many.
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Old Yesterday, 09:18 PM   #18
colonelpurple
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its this one. Rose gold, jubilee bracelet and silver motif dial. Quite unusual
Attached Images
File Type: jpg silver motif ScreenShot2023-05-12at6.28.52PM_700x.jpg (154.5 KB, 0 views)
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Old Yesterday, 09:24 PM   #19
Harry-57
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If you didn't buy it at the first opportunity it is likely that your back brain is trying to tell you something. If there is a doubt there is no doubt.
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Old Yesterday, 10:00 PM   #20
davek35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colonelpurple View Post
its this one. Rose gold, jubilee bracelet and silver motif dial. Quite unusual
Quite beautiful!!!

36mm fluted.. yes!
41mm either bezel.
Good luck.
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Old Yesterday, 10:04 PM   #21
Ashj52
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I have a 41mm two-tone Datejust, if I could go back in time I would have for sure got the 36mm!
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Old Yesterday, 10:04 PM   #22
Gmt+10
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36 vs 39
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Old Yesterday, 10:14 PM   #23
Krash
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I have a 41. If I got a 36, I’d have some serious buyer’s remorse right now. The 41 (actually 39) is not that big. It’s the smallest, lightest watch I have.


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Old Yesterday, 11:30 PM   #24
worldofoyster
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36mm is classic, but it all comes down to your figure. how tall are you and how much you weigh? do you have a big wrist?
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Old Today, 01:10 AM   #25
njlam
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I am a fan of the 36. Its proportions are perfect in both the DD and DJ.

Its strange as I think the DD40 is also well proportioned, but the DJ41 looks weird/large.

If you compare the DJ 36 and the 41, you will notice the proportions are different enough to make you prefer one over the other. Only you can tell which one is for you.
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Old Today, 01:13 AM   #26
Calatrava r
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mgsooner View Post
The Datejust, particularly if it’s on a jubilee, I prefer the 36. The shorter lug to lug of the smaller case “shows off” more of the jubilee when you look at the watch on your wrist. The fluted bezel is also not as wide as that of the 41’s, which to me offers a more balanced overall look. Opinions will certainly vary. Wrist is 7”, perhaps slightly larger.

Really nice.
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