Is Rolex confused about what is the ideal size?

[ral]

In 2008 Rolex released the Day-Date II in 41mm, and the following year the Datejust in the same 41mm size. I always wonder why they did not just release these watches in 40mm to match their professional series (Explorer/GMT Master/Submariner/Daytona). When the new Explorer II came out this year, it is now in 39mm.

This makes the Rolex sports dress watches bigger than Rolex's sports watches (except for the Yatchmaster II and DeepSEA). Most watch companies will have their sports dress watches smaller than their pure sports watches (sorry for lack of a better term).

[SCD]

No. Rolex is not confused. There is no one ideal size of wristwatch any more than there is one ideal size of wrist.

[Tek]

Rolex confused? I don't think so.

[Singslinger]

I don't think there's one size that fits all. I believe Rolex is simply offering its customers various options to choose from.

[StarSovereign]

Who know for sure.... 41mm for the DDII and DJII is pretty big though - the bezels seem out of proportion. They should have made them 39mm in my opinion...

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Singslinger

I don't think there's one size that fits all. I believe Rolex is simply offering its customers various options to choose from.

X2

I think they provide a number of different options for a diverse group of people while sticking as close to their history as possible.

[Rags]

Originally Posted by StarSovereign

Who know for sure.... 41mm for the DDII and DJII is pretty big though - the bezels seem out of proportion. They should have made them 39mm in my opinion...

x2

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by StarSovereign

Who know for sure.... 41mm for the DDII and DJII is pretty big though - the bezels seem out of proportion. They should have made them 39mm in my opinion...

I enjoy my DJ11, and I don't think it is out of proportion. The size works for me as the DJ was just a bit too small.

[Chris B]

Originally Posted by Singslinger

I don't think there's one size that fits all. I believe Rolex is simply offering its customers various options to choose from.

[dsio]

Differing lines wear biggest or small too, the explorer with it's thin bezel wears bigger than its size would suggest while the larger fluted bezel of the DD2 and DJ2s does seam to offset that a bit. I think the older 36mm models with the thinner engine turned and fluted bezels wear bigger than the thicker bezel ones.

[vukotab]

Well, who knows?
I was little confused when I first saw new DJ II. I mean, it`s beautiful watch, but I kinda think that it should`ve been smaller. It doesn`t seem logical to have dress watch that is essentially bigger than Sub, GMT or EXP II.
I think that size of DD II and DJ II should be 38-39mm, something like old Tudor Jumbo cases and new Explorer I.

[The GMT Master]

People complained that Rolexes were too small, so they made them bigger. Now they're bigger, people complain about them too! I think Rolex are being clever, they're offering a size for everyone. They now have watches in:

26mm
31mm
34mm
36mm
39mm
40mm
41mm
43mm

That satisfies the demands of the vast majority, and is transforming the image of Rolex as a rather dated brand, to something new, fresh and exciting again. It's attracting a whole new generation to Rolex

[buckblue]

eventhough the DJI is 41mm and the sub-c and gmtII-c are 40mm perhaps the 40mm still look bigger/bulkier on the wrist! NO?

[HL65]

Everyone has their own taste--Rolex caters to more than one type of buyer. Something tells me Rolex knows what they are doing!!

[therolexguy]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I enjoy my DJ11, and I don't think it is out of proportion. The size works for me as the DJ was just a bit too small.

x10 I wouldn't have considered the last model, but the new one?....

[NMS75]

If you take Omega as an example of a main rival to Rolex do they not do the same? They have watches in different sizes. No confusion, they are just giving their customers more choice.

40mm watches are perfect for me but some like bigger and others smaller.

M

[Danand]

Also keep in mind that the 40 mm watches with crown guards appear larger than a 40 mm watch without, so the subc gmt2c etc wear beefier than 40 mm. If they were larger they would appeal to some people but likely would turn off the majority of their purchasers.

[rolex222]

Originally Posted by ral

In 2008 Rolex released the Day-Date II in 41mm, and the following year the Datejust in the same 41mm size. I always wonder why they did not just release these watches in 40mm to match their professional series (Explorer/GMT Master/Submariner/Daytona). When the new Explorer II came out this year, it is now in 39mm.

This makes the Rolex sports dress watches bigger than Rolex's sports watches (except for the Yatchmaster II and DeepSEA). Most watch companies will have their sports dress watches smaller than their pure sports watches (sorry for lack of a better term).

I don't think rolex is confused. Actually they knew too well that they are doing. IMHO they had no choice but to offer larger DJs and DDs to accommondate the market needs in order to hold on to their market share. However, the bottom line is that they should have kept the size of DD2 and DJ2 at a maximum size of 40mm. In my dictonary, sports models should always be larger then dress models, just my opinion.
I can sense that the next generation (say 10 years) subs, GMTs, daytonas, explorers will be All be 43mm. Just like the deep sea. This way, the 41mm dressers will suddenly become more legit.

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by rolex222

I can sense that the next generation (say 10 years) subs, GMTs, daytonas, explorers will be All be 43mm. Just like the deep sea. This way, the 41mm dressers will suddenly become more legit.

Or fashion trends could go the other way and revert back to the classic sizes.

[RoleXavier]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

People complained that Rolexes were too small, so they made them bigger. Now they're bigger, people complain about them too! I think Rolex are being clever, they're offering a size for everyone. They now have watches in:

26mm
31mm
34mm
36mm
39mm
40mm
41mm
43mm

That satisfies the demands of the vast majority, and is transforming the image of Rolex as a rather dated brand, to something new, fresh and exciting again. It's attracting a whole new generation to Rolex

X1! I think you nailed it!

[mtrunner]

I think the 41mm is a great size especially for those who have bigger wrists. Rolex is just catering to a wider ranger of buyers. Nothing wrong with that in my opinion.

[Newportkrieger]

I wonder how much, if any, the offering of the DJII and the DDII have cannibalized sales of the DJ and DD.

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by Newportkrieger

I wonder how much, if any, the offering of the DJII and the DDII have cannibalized sales of the DJ and DD.

My guess would be few. I think that different buyers would be interested in each. Just my opinion and I could be 100% wrong on this.

[Warnsboy]

After 6 months of wearing nothing but 40MM, I got out the datejust for a Xmas party last night and I'm still wearing it today. I forgot how nice it looks and feels. IMO a classic!

[Roddie]

Love that dial on your datejust

Roddie

[mkw]

Originally Posted by mtrunner

I think the 41mm is a great size especially for those who have bigger wrists. Rolex is just catering to a wider ranger of buyers. Nothing wrong with that in my opinion.

Todays' wearers have proprtionately fatter wrists - so the days of higher end makers releasing new ladies 24-29 mm and men's 34-36 mm " dressy " watch models are history , IMO. OTOH, mass is mass and whether you weigh 150 or 300 lbs, that future 40-42 + mm watch swings heavily on your wrist as you wear it all day - especially watches with more complications or water resistance requirements . Manufacturers may be forced to push greater buyer acceptance /use of titanium in the future to balance the size/weight conundrum .

[steven.veres]

26mm
31mm
34mm
36mm
39mm
40mm
41mm
43mm

Yes but not every model is available in those sizes. So how accommodating is it truly? There are many things that Rolex does that's not logical; I just don't let it bother me.

[Rolesor]

Originally Posted by BarkMaster

Or fashion trends could go the other way and revert back to the classic sizes.

Our 36mm watches will never be out of style my friend Just MORE in style at times

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by mkw

Todays' wearers have proprtionately fatter wrists - so the days of higher end makers releasing new ladies 24-29 mm and men's 34-36 mm " dressy " watch models are history , IMO. OTOH, mass is mass and whether you weigh 150 or 300 lbs, that future 40-42 + mm watch swings heavily on your wrist as you wear it all day - especially watches with more complications or water resistance requirements . Manufacturers may be forced to push greater buyer acceptance /use of titanium in the future to balance the size/weight conundrum .

I don't see it as a matter of practicality as much as one of fashion.

Relaxed jeans were in; then baggy (and the watch sizes followed). Now slim/tailored fit is back and I will venture to guess that watches will shrink back to classic sizes. The move will have nothing to do with people's BMI (which will likely still be going up): it is driven by the industry's advertising machine to generate sales.

My guess is that some day we will be looking back at the oversized watches of today like we look back at the 80's hairdos (now they are hairdon'ts, but they will return some day as well). ("OMG, did I really think that looked GOOD???" )

On a tangent.... for the health of the species, I hope we soon reverse the super-sizing of ourselves as well.

[PJS500]

The world is totally saturated with 36mm DJ's and DD's. Hard to tell a new one from a vintage. Now we all have something new to buy. Clever.