36mm 39mm 41mm, dressy vs sporty

[BigJim67]

I have a few trendy bigger 42mm "sporty" watches.

I'm looking for something a bit dressier, and smaller.

A few newer Oyster Perpetuals have caught my eye, as well as 41mm DJs. Haven't tried any on yet, just looking around.

At what point does a watch become too big to be considered "dressy"?

Kinda struggling a bit, will visit some watch stores soon to try a few on..

[logo]

The DJs are really closer to 39 and change. If Patek can do a calatrava 6119 at 39, then a DJ holds its own just fine at that size.

[rjohnston713]

Originally Posted by BigJim67

I have a few trendy bigger 42mm "sporty" watches.

I'm looking for something a bit dressier, and smaller.

A few newer Oyster Perpetuals have caught my eye, as well as 41mm DJs. Haven't tried any on yet, just looking around.

At what point does a watch become too big to be considered "dressy"?

Kinda struggling a bit, will visit some watch stores soon to try a few on..

I'm in suits and casual clothes for work throughout the week. Once you start hybriding sports watches and dress watches for both occasions you realize how normal it feels after a while. I'd now wear a dress watch on a strap out in shorts and a t shirt and think nothing of it. I have smaller wrists so everything I wear is 36-39mm for the most part.

[7enderbender]

DJ should be 36mm on my opinion. I’m close to seriously looking for one with the green dial and on jubilee. Honestly, I would’ve never thought I’d end up going that route.
But it is kind of a dress watch but doubles as casual and not worry about it for any daily activity either.
If you’re strictly looking for dress watch I wouldn’t go Rolex. There are other classy options - even for a lot less money. I like Blancpain, IWC or JLC for that.
But, yes smaller is better - and clearly making a comeback after years of bigger, more blingy and gaudy.

[Ny325]

DJ 36mm would be my choice.

[Watchsprings]

I think DJ36 is a perfect size, fits perfectly under a dress sleeve.

[BigJim67]

My wrist is 7.5".

Tried on a 36mm OP, as well as an older DJ 36mm just now.

The OP seemed "bigger", kinda weird..

[Scottyboy]

If you want dressy, OP is not your watch.

I prescribe a dose of 36mm DJ with a fluted bezel. Should sort you right out

[Tedwood]

All though not a dress watch by members standards I find my 124270 pairs nicely as understated alternative with a suit / dinner jacket giving a modern look.

[Krash]

When I was looking for something a bit more dressy, I ultimately decided on a DJ41, fluted bezel, jubilee bracelet, and silver dial.

I looked at some dress watches: JLC Reverso, JLC Master Ultra Thin, Cartier Tank, Cartier Santos, a few models from Nomos, and maybe some others.

DJ41 was the clear winner. I just like it a lot more.

In terms of size, I have 7.5” wrists, and when I first tried it on, I thought it was a 36. I didn’t believe the sales woman when she told me it was a 41. It felt diminutive compared to my 42mm Seamaster and even my Submariner. People on this forum say it’s only 39mm, not 41, and that’s totally believable based on my experience. If I got a 36 instead, I’d have a serious case of buyers remorse right now. YMMV.





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[travisb]

I'd be comfortable with any of those sizes for a dress watch. Likely on the smaller size though. The JLC Reverso is a great option.

[1William]

It depends on how you define dressy. No metal bracelet watch is considered a dress watch. Nor is a watch with a date or any complications beyond the hour, no second hand either. If you go extreme then you should not be wearing a watch on your wrist you should be carrying a pocket watch on a decorative chain inside of a specifically tailored watch pocket in your waist coat. That's right, no dressy wear without a waist coat. Now, with all that silliness set aside, I would define a dress watch as one that can be worn is both dress, suit/tie/etc. and casual, slacks/sport shirts/shorts/etc. Typically not an extreme functional watch, DSSD or Panerai Submersible as an example. I like the basic Submariner or the DJ in either 36mm or the 41mm version. Metal bracelet and highly functional but still not extreme. Someone will come along and say wear what you want and I agree to an extent but if that was the case you would not have asked.

[2thdock]

I think Krash's DJ in the photo is a perfect example and I was really close to doing that ( or perhaps with black dial) . I ultimately did a Cartier Tank.

[plaj]

Have you ever thought about the Rolex 1908?
A magnificent watch in yellow gold on a leather strap with a white dial.
https://www.rolex.com/fr/watches/1908/m52508-0006

[Calatrava r]

A dressy watch to me is 37mm or smaller. The DD or DJ at 36mm is perfect. A lot of the elegance from a dressy watch is the look of the strap or bracelet which is lost on a head large watch designed to be read easily in working conditions.

[Big Tex Rolex]

Dressy used to equal smaller ~34mm

Watch styles are now bigger, and Dress Watch sizes have increased also …

PP Calatrava at 39mm
Rolex Cellini at 39mm
Rolex 1908 at 39mm
My Breguet is 38.5 (true to size)

For my 7 1/8” wrist, 38-39mm is a perfect fit for a Dress Watch.
My DateJust 41mm (actual measurement?) feels / looks a little too big for a dress watch, and my 36mm feels a little too small … especially for today’s size style.

[fsprow]

I like Patek dress watches, eg a Calatrava at 37-39mm. Leather strap. Can often find a nice preowned at a good price.

[BigJim67]

Lotsa good fodder, more to mull over!

Really liked that OP I tried on last night, blue sunburst dial really popped!

[Wee-Willie]

IMHO, my YG Day-Date 36, white dial with romans is a perfect dress watch & I can wear it 24/7. I also have an OP 41, blue dial that I wear at nights & for more casual. I wear my 1999 AK when I'm doing yard work....I wore that one 24/7 from 1999-2022, when I got the DD.

[John Doyle]

Explorer 1 36mm

[Metro]

39mm is the answer. Next question.

[Eyeshield25]

I feel like any size can be sporty or dressy depending on the watch. A datejust can be sporty or dressy in 36 as it is in 41

[vanwedphotog]

I use DJ 41 fluted on jubilee with a silver dial as my dress watch.
It’s actually 39mm so hides well under the sleeve.

[belutak]

Originally Posted by BigJim67

I have a few trendy bigger 42mm "sporty" watches.

I'm looking for something a bit dressier, and smaller.

A few newer Oyster Perpetuals have caught my eye, as well as 41mm DJs. Haven't tried any on yet, just looking around.

At what point does a watch become too big to be considered "dressy"?

Kinda struggling a bit, will visit some watch stores soon to try a few on..

Dressy watches must be on a leather strap to start with

[scurfa]

I’ve just got this and it’s perfect (36mm)



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[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by 1William

It depends on how you define dressy. No metal bracelet watch is considered a dress watch. Nor is a watch with a date or any complications beyond the hour, no second hand either. If you go extreme then you should not be wearing a watch on your wrist you should be carrying a pocket watch on a decorative chain inside of a specifically tailored watch pocket in your waist coat. That's right, no dressy wear without a waist coat. Now, with all that silliness set aside, I would define a dress watch as one that can be worn is both dress, suit/tie/etc. and casual, slacks/sport shirts/shorts/etc. Typically not an extreme functional watch, DSSD or Panerai Submersible as an example. I like the basic Submariner or the DJ in either 36mm or the 41mm version. Metal bracelet and highly functional but still not extreme. Someone will come along and say wear what you want and I agree to an extent but if that was the case you would not have asked.

⬆️⬆️⬆️ agreed!
Although the lines / rules have blurred and relaxed in the last few decades certainly.
From what I see nowadays…wear what you like and are comfortable with….to hell with the “old school” rules.

[belutak]

Originally Posted by scurfa

I’ve just got this and it’s perfect (36mm)



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It is perfect indeed - but the sports watch not the dressy one