I think I need a new Rolex

[Commandopat]

Several years ago I bought a DSSD (grey) and loved it.
I’m a 5’8” 225lb Marine so the larger watch seemed to fit me well.
I then purchased a blue dial YM and while it was nice, it just always seemed too small, so it more or less got sidelined and rarely worn.
Eventually I moved out to Japan and got lucky with an AP SA and was offered a 43mm ROO. The ROO was lighter than the DSSD but similar in size so it too was worn a lot.
Fast forward 12 months and I was allocated a ROC and a RO (both 41mm but they wear closer to a 42) which have been worn constantly. I sold the ROO and the YM to justify buying the RO.
Anyway - here we are months later and I switch between the RO and the ROC and never really look at my DSSD anymore. Today I wore it again and it just felt incredibly too heavy and unbalanced - it’s also considerably thicker which now bothers me far more.

I still want a Rolex because of their durability and the ease with which I could take it in the ocean or bang it around and care less than I would the AP’s.

The issue is that I didn’t bond well with the 40mm YM in part because it felt like a baby watch and looked too small on me.

I’m not a huge fan of the cyclops, which I avoid with the DSSD. I could probably be ok with the cyclops though on a great watch - it isn’t what bothered me the most about the YM.

So, I guess I’m curious what the recommendations are.
I love the look of the Meteor GMT although I’ve never seen it in person.
The sky dweller seems like a natural fit at 42mm but I haven’t seen that in person either.

I do not have a relationship with a Rolex AD yet so that’s worth keeping in mind as I’d probably have to go grey (I could always ask an AD but there are plenty of threads on how those conversations go).

Open to recommendations.
Here are some pics for context.

Thank you,
~Pat

[Commandopat]

Second pic is the YM

[Tbenti514]

Love the YM Colors! Looks Great!

[brandrea]

Hi Pat, nice collection, you wear them well.

I think the AP RO looks great on you FWIW

If you’re into larger watches, specifically Rolex and you don’t like the cyclops, I’d consider an EXP2 polar, or maybe a YM2.

Otherwise, if you’re willing to branch out a bit … you’re wrist has Panerai written all over it

[Commandopat]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Hi Pat, nice collection, you wear them well.

I think the AP RO looks great on you FWIW

If you’re into larger watches, specifically Rolex and you don’t like the cyclops, I’d consider an EXP2 polar, or maybe a YM2.

Otherwise, if you’re willing to branch out a bit … you’re wrist has Panerai written all over it

Thank you! I love them!
I actually came from Panerai and got rid of them after I bought my Rolex because they felt much cheaper in comparison.

I’m not convinced it must be a bigger Rolex - I may now be ok with a 40mm since I’ve been getting used to the AP’s.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Commandopat

Thank you! I love them!
I actually came from Panerai and got rid of them after I bought my Rolex because they felt much cheaper in comparison.

I’m not convinced it must be a bigger Rolex - I may now be ok with a 40mm since I’ve been getting used to the AP’s.

If that’s the case, a 41 mm Submariner would also be a great choice.

Happy hunting

[ELLimon]

Originally Posted by brandrea

If that’s the case, a 41 mm Submariner would also be a great choice.

Happy hunting

+1 on the sub.

[Guppydriver]

The new YM in titanium might be ideal for you! It's a perfect 42mm for your larger wrists but you will get the cyclops.

[faimag]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

The new YM in titanium might be ideal for you! It's a perfect 42mm for your larger wrists but you will get the cyclops.

I also vote for this

[gnardex]

I though the same: the new YM titanium
big like a SD43, but with less than the half of the weight!
It seems perfect for you!!!
Congrats for the other watches!

[1William]

Great watches. I would look at the SD43 as an alternative to the DSSD and as you mentioned the Sky-Dweller. Both the SD43 and the Sky-Dweller are some what larger watches but the proportions and wear, for me, is very good. I also own a DSSD JC and it get the least wear of my SD43 and Sky-Dwellers. Go try them on and you will know. I might lean toward the SD43 as a rough and wearable watch with the Glide lock clasp. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[sportsmaven20]

THANK YOU for your service Pat!

Great watches!

[dannyp]

I'll be the third to recommend the new titanium YM. In fact, seems it was made to your specifications:

Rolex
Larger diameter than YM40/GMT
Lighter/thinner than DSSD
Similar black dial/bezel style to your current Rolex diver

FWIW I don't actually think the YM40 is too small on you, it just looks like the bracelet needs an extra link since it looks like it's pinching a bit.

[Little machines]

I like your collection . YM II I think would look great ! Good luck!

[Chaucer1787]

126610LN. Submariner Date. Not too big, gives (in my opinion) a vintage feeling watch on a larger wrist but is still not TOO small at 41mm. I am 6’4”, 265 and have 8 1/4” wrists. My submariner date fits perfectly. I often read of people complaining about the bulk of the glide lock but, for me, it’s a non-issue. Also, it’s a beast in saltwater.


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[Wcdhtwn]

My first thought is the SD4K, thicker and no cyclops, but still 40. The SD43 is perfect size, but cyclops. Maybe a Sub (without date) 41 but might be too small. Bigger watch, durable, no cyclops, Rolex is going to be tough if the DSSD is ruled out. Omega Plant Ocean? Fifty Fathoms? Glashutte SeaQ?

GMT with meteorite is beautiful but not a watch I’d want to bang up. YMII fits the size, but not a watch that does anything for me. SkyD is bigger, but again not a watch I’d want to risk hard knocks to.

Edit: YM Titanium is a good suggestion that others have made, just might be impossible to get.

[TBT]

I'm a big guy. 8.5" wrists a year ago, now down to 8". (360lbs, now 275lbs)

My first Rolex was the DeepSea purchased last Mar '22. I love the watch and it was my daily. I had a great relationship with my AD and I've bought 5 others since then.

In my little collection Ive got the DeepSea, OP41, TT SeaDweller, Explorer2, Rootbeer GMT, and Pepsi GMT. (The last three all purchased in Nov '22.

The Pepsi is far and above my favorite and has been my daily since I bought it. I appreciate and use the GMT function much more when I travel and I'm in the aviation field. To me, I don't think it's necessary to have a correlation between the size of the watch and the wearer.

[alphadweller]

SD43 despite the cyclops.

[watchwatcher]

You're right, you definitely need a bigger watch. I would steer clear of the GMT for that very reason.

A lot of choices, such as the SD43, EXP2, YM42, and the Sky-Dweller come to mind. Happy hunting!

[garyk]

A nice large black Casio digital would look great on you and to your buddies as well imo…

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by garyk

A nice large black Casio digital would look great on you and to your buddies as well imo…

Or a Seiko Arnie of some sort

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Or a Seiko Arnie of some sort

Agree with this one, my Arnie is the newer one and it’s a great watch!!

[MichelleP]

I suggest the Explorer II Polar. Great watch. About the same lug to lug as the Sky-Dweller but not as thick.

[GGGMT]

Pat great collection. Your answer: Panerai




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[brandrea]

You might also want to check out the Tudor brand … they have a few larger sized watches as well

[Doc Olives]

1 - Thank you for your service!

2 - You look like you could pull off any of the larger models; I would vote Sky Dweller just because it’s a stealth super complication that looks amazing.

3 - It’s all personal preference. I was convinced I couldn’t wear anything over 39-40 because I wore a 39 for years and everything else looked huge. Wore a 42 for a few weeks, the eyes and brain adjusted and now anything under 41 looks small. My point is pick whatever you like best in the 39-42 range and I bet a few days in, size will become irrelevant.

All the best!

[Duke10]

Sea dweller would be great imo. Maybe even a 12 series submariner. I too came from Panerai and the comfort and balance of Rolex is superior.


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[zi464]

Panerai and Hublot immediately comes up in mind if you consider other brands as well.
But SD43 and AP RO are fit you as well.

[WatchTimes]

Thank you for your service!
Id suggest SD 43 or 42 Ti YM

[ELLimon]

OP. I’m going to issue a challenge to you.

Try for one week to wear s 39mm watch. After one weeks of continuous usage tell me if it still feels small. Now try one or your larger watches and tell me if it looks too big for you.