Explorer 36 vs 40 PHOTO comparison

[Devildog]

The 40 looks smaller than the 39. Probably is, in fairness.

My wrists aren't big, although flat, and the 36 explorer I tried on recently wore smaller than an OP or DJ 36. I reckon the new 40 will be perfect for most.

[jb335]

I’m very intrigued by the new 40. Can’t wait to see how it wears.


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[Seddyspaghetti]

39, 40, 36 for me

[d.n.d.]

I would take the 40mm

[~JJ]

Love all of the new variety and you would think both camps would be happy. I’ll be sticking with my T. rex!

[cerendigit]

This topic turned out to be almost as divisive as the BLNR oyster v jubilee war of a few years ago.

[Mountain]

40mm unnecessarily large, 36mm perfect. We all have different tastes, fortunately.

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by logo

The number of men here insecure in their watch size is hilarious. Preference for 40 or more is fine if that’s your thing, but the absolute conviction some have on what constitutes a men’s watch is curious. Fortunately, these comments can’t rewrite history. Many great men have worn a 36 over the past 75+ years.

Exactly. The big ‘boys’ that state 36mm are for ladies only are clearly making up for shortages in other areas. Either mentally or physically.


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by logo

The number of men here insecure in their watch size is hilarious. Preference for 40 or more is fine if that’s your thing, but the absolute conviction some have on what constitutes a men’s watch is curious. Fortunately, these comments can’t rewrite history. Many great men have worn a 36 over the past 75+ years.

It needed to be said.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by logo

The number of men here insecure in their watch size is hilarious. Preference for 40 or more is fine if that’s your thing, but the absolute conviction some have on what constitutes a men’s watch is curious. Fortunately, these comments can’t rewrite history. Many great men have worn a 36 over the past 75+ years.

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

It needed to be said.

Hold on a minte with that thought.

Is it so hard to believe that for many its just an aesthetic preference? Nothing to do with what constitutes a "man's watch". Yes there are a few who correlate size with "manliness", but there are many more who don't.

My ideal size is probably 39mm. Which is why I my BB38, 16600 and Daytona feel perfect, to me, on my wrist. Nothing to do with insecurity

I wouldn't wear the current 36mm Explorer because it looks small on me.

You also realise that "many great men have worn a 36 over the past 75+ years" becase 36 was the only or largest size available at that time?

Not becase they had a choice of sizes and thought that 40mm was too big

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Hold on a minte with that thought.

Is it so hard to believe that for many its just an aesthetic preference? Nothing to do with what constitutes a "man's watch". Yes there are a few who correlate size with "manliness", but there are many more who don't.

My ideal size is probably 39mm. Which is why I my BB38, 16600 and Daytona feel perfect, to me, on my wrist. Nothing to do with insecurity

I wouldn't wear the current 36mm Explorer because it looks small on me.

You also realise that "many great men have worn a 36 over the past 75+ years" becase 36 was the only or largest size available at that time?

Not becase they had a choice of sizes and thought that 40mm was too big

That also needed to be said.

Personally, I think it’s great Rolex gives us a choice so that more people can be happy with their watch. Of course, some people are never happy…….

[logo]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Hold on a minte with that thought.

Is it so hard to believe that for many its just an aesthetic preference?

My ideal size is probably 39mm. Which is why I my BB38, 16600 and Daytona feel perfect, to me, on my wrist. Nothing to do with insecurity

I wouldn't wear the current 36mm Explorer because it looks small on me.

You also realise that "many great men have worn a 36 over the past 75+ years" becase 36 was the only or largest size available at that time?

Not becase they had a choice of sizes and thought that 40mm was too big

Reread my post. I specifically said preferring 40 is fine (it’s just a choice on preference). However, calling it a ladies watch is illogical on the basis of the second point bolded above. Not saying you are one, but to say that a watch size was standard for men for 75 years in the same paragraph as saying it’s a ladies size is just poor critical reasoning.

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by Sandpit

The 40 is perfect for exploring vast expanses of nothingness

Excellent

[natosteve]

The Explorer is an incredible watch. Whatever size you choose, 36mm, 39mm or 40mm, you're getting a fabulous storied timepiece. If I could, I’d own all three. But I own the 36mm because I like the size of this watch; IMO, it's the perfect size for this type of watch. But as the saying goes opinions are like arseholes, everyone has them and most stink :)


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[slosloslo]

Lets be honest the 36mm is too small in this day and age but i love the explorer line for a long time, especially the 39mm variant.

There is nothing wrong with the 36mm if it fits your wrist but frankly i see so many photos of people wearing the 36mm that just doesn’t look good, too small compare to their arms but hey its just my preference.

Would be happy to own the explorer 40mm in the future if i get the chance.

[SparklesMcgraw]

Anyone got a caliper reading with the new 40mm yet? Really curious how different it is to the 39.

[SS Oyster]

That 36mm looks like a toy or kids watch. I could never wear one.


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[gaheris]

Here is some guy named Ernest Hemingway looking plenty manly with his dainty 31mm bubbleback. I have always thought it is the way people carry themselves that make them look masculine or feminine amongst many other things, more so than the size of their watch.

[cerendigit]

This thread makes me want to buy my 36mm back.

[HogwldFLTR]

40mm for me. I just don't like the 36mm size when I wear it. Also, would someone please Heimlich Hemmingway?

[SAP7]

Daniel Craig wore a 36 in Layer Cake (it’s either an explorer or black DJ).
Looked superb.
Not about size it’s about style. Big watches are instantly visible as a status symbol, but smaller ones invariably convey a more subtle elegance.

[Frank McKay]

Honestly the 36 looks like a women’s watch.


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[natosteve]

Originally Posted by Frank McKay

Honestly the 36 looks like a women’s watch.


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Stupidity’s not a crime, so you’re free to go.


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[Devildog]

Originally Posted by logo

Reread my post. I specifically said preferring 40 is fine (it’s just a choice on preference). However, calling it a ladies watch is illogical on the basis of the second point bolded above. Not saying you are one, but to say that a watch size was standard for men for 75 years in the same paragraph as saying it’s a ladies size is just poor critical reasoning.

I did. Perhaps reread mine?

I was addressing your "insecurity" comment - which you specifically left out of your comment above.

Who said that 36mm was standard for men for 75 years in the same paragraph as saying its a ladies size?

I must have missed that example of poor critical reasoning?

Certainly not me (and certainly not Rolex)

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Hold on a minte with that thought.

Is it so hard to believe that for many its just an aesthetic preference? Nothing to do with what constitutes a "man's watch". Yes there are a few who correlate size with "manliness", but there are many more who don't.

My ideal size is probably 39mm. Which is why I my BB38, 16600 and Daytona feel perfect, to me, on my wrist. Nothing to do with insecurity

I wouldn't wear the current 36mm Explorer because it looks small on me.

You also realise that "many great men have worn a 36 over the past 75+ years" becase 36 was the only or largest size available at that time?

Not becase they had a choice of sizes and thought that 40mm was too big

Apologies for the ridiculously poor spelling in that post

It was 6.39 am and I was half asleep (not to mention the apparent complete lack of any spell checker on the version of Chrome I was using )

[travisb]

I look forward to trying the 40 on. Always loved the 36 but wore a bit small for me.

[brandrea]

Great to have the options of different sizes IMO.

Where I get lost is when people start talking proportions on the 36, 39 and 40 …

Honestly they all look about the same to me, except for their size

[Nav01L]

The thing I can’t unsee on these (40 more so than 36) is that the 3-6-9 indexes are just ever so slightly out of alignment with the batons (as in just a hair too fat to the outside of the dial). This watch is just so close to perfectly balanced that this last little .1 of 1% really triggers my visual sensitivity.

[John Doyle]

Went with the 36 right before W&W. The boutique manager told me his management told him to withdraw the other 36 he had from sales.

I much prefer the 36 size, suits the watch better and is a better homage to the 1953 version.

[1William]

It is all about preference when it comes to 36, 39 or 40mm. I will give the 40mm version a look when it becomes available to try on at my AD. I have a 7.5-7.75 inch wrist and find watches that are below 38-40mm some what small for my personal preference.