ROC 50th anniversary - 38mm vs 41mm

[Mercutio]

Dear AP experts,

I very much would appreciate your kind guidance on size, design, and caliber of the newly released 50th anniversary models.

Bit of background: I used to be fiercely in the Rolex camp, but the unreal hype, the prevalence on instagram and on the street, as well as the entirely obnoxious behavior of ADs have, I’m afraid, tarnished the brand for me for good (personally and anecdotally, I feel the brand is going back to 90s with its image, but that’s just a sad good bye note :-)).

When recently a friend lent me his Royal Oak Chronograph (2017 model), I was completely smitten & started to look into the brand, it’s history, the technology and the heritage, which got me hooked for good :-).

I had an unbelievably pleasant interaction with an AP sales assistant in person, and was actually able to try on the model I was after, being the 50th anniversary ROC with a silver dial in 41mm. Unlike the model I wore for a day, I felt with the new caliber and reworked design, the watch wear much larger, and it actually felt a bit off on my wrist. The SA more or less jumped immediately at the same conclusion and recommended a 38mm, for which I chose the grey dial (which I find more timeless, and elegant on the smaller size - while the new blue hue is marvelous, I felt the dial would be a tad too cluttered with the chrono complication and another color). Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to try the model.

Availability aside, I’m a bit undecided which would be the right dream to chase. The 41 did not click immediately, however, I’m a bit concerned of going with the 1185 caliber. Also, if I’m not mistaken, if the 38mm is more or less the same as the 2017 41mm make (as I think at that time both had the same caliber), it may conversely wear on the small side, as I found the old model to fit perfectly in 41.

Does anyone have some real life pictures of the 38mm model? What’s your experience with regard to size? Which model shall I seek to pursue, and would the quite dated caliber put you off from the watch (I’m a huge technology nerd with watches :-))?

How do you feel about the very light makeover of the 50th anniversary 38mm? I feel a new proprietary caliber would have been a dream

Thank you for your kind help!