Considering to replace Explorer with Datejust 36

[NLYogi]

Ok so I love my Explorer but I really need a date. One watch guy so I have to sell off my 2016 Explorer first boohoo.

41 mm is a bit too big for my taste (tried it on) so 36 is the size of choice (did not try it on).

How does the DJ36 compare sizewise to the 39 mm Explorer? I prefer fluted and that sure has some punch to it, does that actually increase its 36mm size I mean visually? Or is it over all really considerably smaller than the Explorer’s 39 mm? If anyone has a comparison pic with actual measurements would be really great, thanks for any advice!

[J.W.S]

The DJ41 is a fraction bigger than your explorer.

It measures about 39.5 mm... Should have been called the DJ40 tbh...

I think you'll find the 36 too small, especially if you're use to your 39mm Explorer.

[opawlows]

I find the 6 digit DJs to wear a little larger. Closer to a 38 IMO.

[dubins930]

36 is classic... it’s a bit smaller than the 39 explorer but it wears nicely

[Brew]

I have an OP39 and a new DJ36 (TT, fluted, champagne w/ diamonds). They are equally comfortable, but the DJ is noticeably (to me) smaller. The fluted bezel makes the watch appear bigger, or have more "presence" perhaps, without making the dial appear bigger (which I think a smooth bezel does).

I'm not sure how I would pick one, if forced to choose between the two. I guess based on my lifestyle and which I think "looks" that part.

[Melvin Udall]

I have an Explorer and the new OP 36 116000 with white face. OP feels much more natural on my average size wrist. Its subtle and discrete due to the small size. I like it better than the Explorer which feels big and heavy.
Granted OP has no date but the same size as DJ 36 To me personally 36 mm is a gentlemen size watch and since DJ is an iconic watch I would have it only in size 36

[Rolex Essex]

DJ41 looks like a blown up DJ36, it looks good if you have large wrist. I consider my tt DJ36 to be a dress watch so 36mm is the perfect size IMO.

[Maiden]

The 36mm visually wears like a 38mm with the fluted bezel and a light coloured dial. Try it on for sure.

[zjd168]

I wear from 32 cellini to 44 dssd deep blue. size is not an issue at all.

36 dj and dd look great if you like the models.

[GradyPhilpott]

The 36mm DJ is 3mm smaller than the 39mm Explorer.

The 36mm DJ is just about perfect in my humble judgement.

[acfcheung]

I think the DJ36 is really classic. Choose a light colour dial if size is a concern to you. I chose silver which makes the watch look bigger on wrist and the silver dial also flow seemlessly into the watch ;)

Sent from my LYA-L29 using Tapatalk

[Brny11]

The issue to me is not the 36 size but the stick watch face has thin markers which to me gives it a very feminine look on my wrist at least.

I want to love the DJ36 (especially with the roulette date wheel) but everytime I try it on, my wife tells me that it looks way too small.

The explorer is a great size. The dj41 is absolutely perfect size IMO.

[Largoshark]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

The 36mm DJ is 3mm smaller than the 39mm Explorer.

The 36mm DJ is just about perfect in my humble judgement.

Generally I prefer the fluted bezel, however I absolutely love your DJ!

[breitlings]

I would not do this.

[Chute]

Keep the explorer and figure out the date some other way

[Carrera_2]

Explorer is nice, the Datejust 36 is an absolute classic. I would not selling the 39mm Explorer to buy a Datejust 36. You can easily picking up a reasonable priced Datejust 36 since they are not as popular as the sport model. The best thing is to added the Datejust to your collection.

[NLYogi]

Originally Posted by J.W.S

The DJ41 is a fraction bigger than your explorer.

It measures about 39.5 mm... Should have been called the DJ40 tbh...

I think you'll find the 36 too small, especially if you're use to your 39mm Explorer.

Thanks for the measurements! Indeed I tried a MoP DJ41 and it was not much bigger. But still bigger... Diameter increases the area to the second power so it is a (much) bigger dial area... On the other hand it was much lighter in weight and less bulky than the Explorer. Which might compensate things, it is difficult...

Originally Posted by Maiden

The 36mm visually wears like a 38mm with the fluted bezel and a light coloured dial. Try it on for sure.

Sure, I will try it on on next occassion, next week when I pass by at Amsterdam Airport will try it out.

Originally Posted by acfcheung

I think the DJ36 is really classic. Choose a light colour dial if size is a concern to you. I chose silver which makes the watch look bigger on wrist and the silver dial also flow seemlessly into the watch ;)

Sent from my LYA-L29 using Tapatalk

Will check this one out on the Rolex site, thanks! I like silver dials.

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

The 36mm DJ is 3mm smaller than the 39mm Explorer.

The 36mm DJ is just about perfect in my humble judgement.

Totally agree, however I would prefer the fluted bezel. Thanks!

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Largoshark

Generally I prefer the fluted bezel, however I absolutely love your DJ!

Originally Posted by NLYogi

Totally agree, however I would prefer the fluted bezel. Thanks!

In the very beginning of my Rolex romance, I looked at fluted bezels in the way that many people look at PCLs.

They look great when they are new, but time takes a heavy toll on them.

Now, I own a BLNR, and love the battered PCLs, and an OP Date 1503, and love the somewhat worn, fluted bezel.

[teabags001]

Originally Posted by NLYogi

Ok so I love my Explorer but I really need a date. One watch guy so I have to sell off my 2016 Explorer first boohoo.



41 mm is a bit too big for my taste (tried it on) so 36 is the size of choice (did not try it on).



How does the DJ36 compare sizewise to the 39 mm Explorer? I prefer fluted and that sure has some punch to it, does that actually increase its 36mm size I mean visually? Or is it over all really considerably smaller than the Explorer’s 39 mm? If anyone has a comparison pic with actual measurements would be really great, thanks for any advice!

If you have a explorer 1 39mm I would strongly suggest trying on the new DJ41. I owned it. It’s actually 39.5mm. Not 41mm. The DJll is actually 41.2mm and wears every bit as large. The jubilee band also slims down the watches id say the bezel doesn’t matter. They skimmed it down so it’s not as blingy and aDJll.


The first pic is the DJ41 vs the DJ36 vs Dj31. The second pic was my old DJ41 vs my current DJll. Hope this helps you out some.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tomas Eriksson]

I own/has owned so many different rolex the last few years, OP36, DJ36, DD36, Sub, Explorer, Explorer 2, OQ, 5-digit Sub, 6-digit sub. I just last week went a bought a new DJ36, it's one of my all time favourites. My girlfriend also agree, she don't like most of my purchases but the DJ she approves. In my opinion the DJ36 is more versatile than a sub. The DJ works with everything from suit to t-shirt.

[NLYogi]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

In the very beginning of my Rolex romance, I looked at fluted bezels in the way that many people look at PCLs.

They look great when they are new, but time takes a heavy toll on them.

Now, I own a BLNR, and love the battered PCLs, and an OP Date 1503, and love the somewhat worn, fluted bezel.

Originally Posted by teabags001

If you have a explorer 1 39mm I would strongly suggest trying on the new DJ41. I owned it. It’s actually 39.5mm. Not 41mm. The DJll is actually 41.2mm and wears every bit as large. The jubilee band also slims down the watches id say the bezel doesn’t matter. They skimmed it down so it’s not as blingy and aDJll.


The first pic is the DJ41 vs the DJ36 vs Dj31. The second pic was my old DJ41 vs my current DJll. Hope this helps you out some.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

I own/has owned so many different rolex the last few years, OP36, DJ36, DD36, Sub, Explorer, Explorer 2, OQ, 5-digit Sub, 6-digit sub. I just last week went a bought a new DJ36, it's one of my all time favourites. My girlfriend also agree, she don't like most of my purchases but the DJ she approves. In my opinion the DJ36 is more versatile than a sub. The DJ works with everything from suit to t-shirt.

Dear gentlemen, thanks for your advice. I will be able to test-drive some kind of DJ36 at Amsterdam Airport tomorrow and see for myself.

[AEC]

If your Explorer was a good fit, then I think you'll dig the way a 36mm Date-Just feels on your wrist. The two watches have bracelets that are the same width, and the DJ's case has a nice heft and thickness. Don't let the number "36" confuse your feelings about it.

[mosanman]

At the time of purchasing my DJ36 I also tried on an Explorer.
It definitely wears noticeably smaller than the Explorer, lug to lug is 44mm v 48mm on the Explorer.

During the time I had the Datejust, I switched it between the jubilee and the oyster and found it wore bigger on the oyster.

[HogwldFLTR]

36mm feels and looks small on my wrist to my (small to my eye). It does photograph larger than the way it looks in person.

[DP63]

I have an OP 39mm and the DJ 36mm (domed, white, roman, jubilee) doesnt feel or look significantly smaller on my wrist when I swap one for the other, it wears bigger than it is in my opinion. The only time I feel its smaller size (initially) is when I swap out my SD for the DJ, and thats simply down to the bezel making my eye note that there is something missing.

Also, although the case size in mm is constantly quoted ... I think the lug to lug across the watch and the solid end links is a factor that should also be taken into account as this effects how the watch sits in my experiance.

I have to add that when I owned my first DJ36, it got more attention than all of my other watches from watch and non-watch people alike.

I dont regret buying the 36 one bit, its a classic sized watch and I did that thing that seems to be recommended regularly on here ..... buy the watch you want, not the watch everyone else wants you to want.