Explorer 36m too small?

[deansot53]

I have recently had a first world dilemma when I was offered an Explorer from my AD who I have a lot of time for (pardon the pun!)
I had been in two minds as it looks a classic however felt too small on the wrist as I am used to wearing 41m and above. I did decline after a lot of deliberation but still have second thoughts and regret in a way that I turned down the opportunity to purchase the Icon.
I am interested to get the forums thoughts on the recent new Explorer and do you feel its on the small side in todays market for a man to wear.

[TheWatchmen]

Personal preference and taste. True you’d get used to whatever…and modern sizing aside, I found it to be too small when I tried on one. I have 7.25” wrists.

That said, I wear a 36mm DayDate most of the time and imo the Explorer wears a bit small, particularly with that 19mm bracelet.

I had a 39mm Explorer and absolutely loved that watch…

[S.Explorer]

Really depends on your wrist size and shape.

For me it's great.

[JDA0779]

19mm bracelet is a but tiny, watch dial is pretty standard at 36mm
39mm explorer was the best !

[Seddyspaghetti]

For me yes, too small. I have no issues with 36mm watches but i wouldn’t spend my own money on a 36mm explorer. It doesn’t align with the look i’m going for. For the explorer i prefer 39mm.

[johnorpheus]

You tried it on and felt it was too small, and rightly passed. Nothing for us to add. Definitely don’t try to go back and get one, as you will certainly regret the purchase if you initially found it too small.

[Spartyfan6262]

Originally Posted by deansot53

I have recently had a first world dilemma when I was offered an Explorer from my AD who I have a lot of time for (pardon the pun!)
I had been in two minds as it looks a classic however felt too small on the wrist as I am used to wearing 41m and above. I did decline after a lot of deliberation but still have second thoughts and regret in a way that I turned down the opportunity to purchase the Icon.
I am interested to get the forums thoughts on the recent new Explorer and do you feel its on the small side in todays market for a man to wear.

My daily is a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, at 45mm, but I also own a 114270 and the 36mm size still feels very good and not too small to me. I'd say go for it if you've tried it on and like the feel of it.

[omar-rye]

Some find the 39mm to be too big and some find it perfect
Some find the 36mm to be too small and some find it perfect
Some like to wear tight jeans and some like to wear no jeans
Some like sapphire on their Speedmasters and some like the hesalite
Etc, etc, etc

You do you

[Scholar]

Not at all. And the 39mm Explorer wore terribly, probably because of the incoherent dial with gold markers, etc.

If you’d like a larger alternative, I think the Tudor Ranger 39mm is a good one. It’s very much like “What if a classic Explorer/Ranger were slightly bigger” whereas the 39mm Explorer felt half-assed.

[ashall]

I have a 7.25" wrist and had the opportunity to try it on about a month ago. The 36mm explorer seemed to small for my wrist. They had a SS version as exhibition and the two tone available for purchase. I turned it down, but I like the way the 36mm fluted datejust looks and expressed my interest.

[javier]

I had the Rolex Ex 36mm and I sold it because of the size. My wrist is 6,5 mm size. I dont know why, but I felt it smaller than the common Datejust 36 mm.

[vitadine]

I love my 36mm 126200 Datejust, but the 124270 Explorer wears smaller due to the smaller bracelet and the lesser domed bezel.
For the Explorer the 39mm 214270 MK2 was perfect… glad I got one in 2019.

[Mendota]

It's all personal preference. I have a 7" wrist and it's perfect for me. I have the OP36 with the Explorer dial, so for all practical purposes it's pretty much like a blue dial Explorer.

My wrist shape is more of a round shape vs flat, so watches always have a tendency to look like they are gravitating to the outside when I view them from my perspective, but if seen from the side it looks perfect for anyone else since with a round wrist there's still a lot of wrist viewable underneath even when I happen to think it's leaning to the outside (if that makes sense). The ceramic subs and GMTs are also perfect fitting, and I also like the fit of the Omega Speedmaster (42mm with the pushers) and I've been eyeing the Longines Spirit Zulu Time GMT which is also 42mm. I also like some of the vintage hand wind Rolexes which are 34mm.

You do you. Wear what is comfortable and don't let someone else's dumb definition of what is acceptable for a "MAN" dictate what you like.

[espanol]

It's the PERFECT size IMO.

If men could wear Rolex Army watches in WWII at 30mm, I think 36 is sufficiently large.

https://www.analogshift.com/products...-army-ref-3139

[mfm22]

It's all about what you feel / like ...

obviously it did not feel right !

We all should have developed a sense for what works for ourselves .

I like the ease of wear that a 36mm offers but visually it appears small on my frame .
Note - didn't say wrist - Frame . at 6'1" & 220lbs it seems off .

My wrist isn't large , rather average at about 7" so for me..39mm is a sweet spot
38 - 41mm is a range to work with ... so many other factors
lug to lug , height off wrist etc..

[SaddleSC]

The new Explorer is the perfect size (on my wrist)...your mileage may vary!

[SaddleSC]

It is also important to note that this stuff is all relative. If you rotate your watches less frequently your brain "calibrates" to the size rather quickly. If you swap watches twice a day and keep switching back and forth with your GMT or DSSD, then yes, by comparison the Explorer 36mm will appear relatively small.

[7enderbender]

Not too small. It was designed with these proportions in mind. It may feel small to those who have grown accustomed to the oversized fashion of the last several years. It’s frankly one of the few current models where the proportions are not off.

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Some find the 39mm to be too big and some find it perfect
Some find the 36mm to be too small and some find it perfect
Some like to wear tight jeans and some like to wear no jeans
Some like sapphire on their Speedmasters and some like the hesalite
Etc, etc, etc

You do you

This. If it doesn't sing to you when on your wrist, then I would pass. Don't buy just because it's an icon, buy because it appeals to your eye and is comfortable to wear.

[okplayer]

Go with your gut. You're the one who will have to live with it everyday. At the least you kind of want to enjoy it.

[Orangeface]

Too small. Near miss.

[PBJ1925]

I'm somewhere between a 7 - 7 1/4 flat wrist and felt the 36mm was a bit small for my taste. Ended up with a Tudor 39mm in its place which has the added T-Fit adjustment which I appreciated. If they ever bring back the 39mm, I'll be the first in line.

[Scholar]

Originally Posted by PBJ1925

I'm somewhere between a 7 - 7 1/4 flat wrist and felt the 36mm was a bit small for my taste. Ended up with a Tudor 39mm in its place which has the added T-Fit adjustment which I appreciated. If they ever bring back the 39mm, I'll be the first in line.

Given the painted dial of the Tudor, I prefer it over the modern Explorer dial. The sticking point (for me) is that it’s 39mm.

Shame Rolex is all in on the gold surrounds (Tudor too, except on the Ranger and Pelagos).

[D007]

I was looking at and considering it seriously for a while, and when I finally tried it on I was underwhelmed. Usually there’s a spark and for this one I just didn’t get one. For me the dial was a tad small and the bracelet a tiny bit too dainty. Coming from someone who loves the 3861’s new thinner tapered 5-link bracelet. But to each their own, onwards and upwards.

[PBJ1925]

Originally Posted by Scholar

Given the painted dial of the Tudor, I prefer it over the modern Explorer dial. The sticking point (for me) is that it’s 39mm.

Shame Rolex is all in on the gold surrounds (Tudor too, except on the Ranger and Pelagos).

Have to admit, I initially didn't warm up to the painted dial but in the spirit of a true field watch, I came to appreciate the simplicity minus the color of the hour markers. It still is a sort of odd lemon-lime gatorade yellow/green to me. Huge fan of the matte finish which should hold up well over time.

[Alvar*]

It is a great fit for smaller wrists and pure stealth rolex for moderate/bigger wrists ;) not all watches are meant to be large and flashy.

[eespi003]

It's perfect size for some and for some it's too tight, so it depends on your wrist.

[garyk]

Very nice watch. Too small for whom? Great size actually!

[alphadweller]

Agreed with other members here, it's mostly down to preference.

An average wrist could pull off 36mm, but would the wearer like this size of favour somethimg larger? Personally, I'd prefer 40+ mm on my 7in/18cm wrist.

On large wrists (8in and above), a 36mm case might look on the small side but again, some might still like that look. Who am I to tell them otherwise?

[Jster]

Too small for me. It looks great in photos but when I tried it on at the AD it was just too small. I have a 7 inch wrist that is very flat. The 39mm fits me great but I do like the proportions of the 36mm more.