The 34/36mm Mental Battle
I fought with this question for years, is 34 or 36mm too small for my 7.25 inch wrist. The short answer is No, but it took me years to finally become comfortable with wearing these sizes.
Because of my self imposed watch insecurities, I sold 4 “small” watches that I truly regret parting with.
Rolex Explorer 1 (114270) 36mm
Rolex DateJust (16233) 36mm
Rolex AirKing (14000M) 34mm
Rolex AirKing (114210) 34mm
I blame myself for selling these models and I want them all back. I let the online opinions, forum posts and YouTube talking heads deceive me into thinking anything smaller than 40mm was a womans watch.
If you are on the fence concerning a 34/36mm purchase please remember what really matters… what DO YOU think. Nobody gives a shit what’s on your wrist but you. Once you truly realize and understand this, you can be free of outside opinion and find a watch that will make you happy. For me, that’s my 36mm Rolex OP (116000). This one I won’t sell.
Do you have any watch regrets? Anything that makes you say “WTF was I thinking!”
Been collecting for 10 years, looking to meet fellow watch nerds and talk about my favorite hobby!
Welcome to small(ish) watch enlightenment.
Anyone else on fence, don't believe the hype.
28mm out
Let em call the small watches "ladies watches." It makes them cheaper for the people that do actually want them. For example, 36mm Seasmasters are noticeably cheaper than their 41mm counterparts and they are identical watches outside of the size difference.
36mm for explorer type watches is like 640x480 resolution for computers. Those who know, know.
Make sure you don't sever your divine light like OP did.
I love the ‘white grape’ dial and back in 2018 tried one on at an AD, it was for sale for £3900 and I passed on it! Big mistake. Totally with you on wrist sizing, for me it’s not just the diameter, the numbers, or how it sits, or how long the lugs are, or how flat it is… but how YOU wear it. I wear a 29mm Santos Galbee (the old ‘Gents’ size), many would consider too small. (It’s square case means it actually wears similarly to a 34-35mm round watch), but I love the sizing, it doesn’t get noticed, and I wear it without worrying about judgement and for that reason it works - for me!
Let em call the small watches "ladies watches." It makes them cheaper for the people that do actually want them. For example, 36mm Seasmasters are noticeably cheaper than their 41mm counterparts and they are identical watches outside of the size difference.
There’s also the Tudor mini-Sub, which is a hidden gem IMO!
I’m sorry you regret selling your watches but I’m glad you listed this. It’s important to wear what YOU like. I’m the same way but with larger watches. I get self conscious if I wear anything over 40mm because I feel my wrist is too small (6.5”).
My wrist is a hair over 8" and I'll sport an OP36 or a 25mm tank any day! Too much going on in life to not give 100% weight to my personal preferences. All of those models you listed are great. Don't listen to anyone who says otherwise!
I have a 7.25 inch wrist as well. I am just giving my opinion on it here. I don't feel because watch is a smaller sized watch is a ladies watch. My preference for what I wear is 38 mm to 42 mm. I do break have some that I wear that are smaller and larger though. I don't have any problems with others wearing whatever size they like. Watch regret would probably be impulse buying. There are some different choices I should have made, but overall really good with everything. 😎
7.25 inch here 36 is perfect, 34 is small