Thinking of adding a preloved 24mm or 26mm Rolex, super outdated or okay for my wrist size?

[c.cook]

I know the 24 and 26 are discontinued, my friend had the 26 but thought it was dated and went for a 40, but loves the oversized look currently.

I tried on a 28mm in store and it felt too big, clunky, just overall not me. I know Rolex tends to be sportier than let’s say Cartier, but I was thinking that I’d I go down to 26 or even 24 I would find the right fit.

My favorites are a mini and small Panthere (on my list, soon) which is all I have to compare to on my wrist

I am not a huge watch person, so I honestly don’t know what looks silly or not. When I mentioned a 24mm or all gold OP the AD told me it’s matronly and doesn’t look good. Kept pushing a 31.
I’d appreciate opinions! I guess what I’m looking for is my one and done with Rolex

 

[Swanky]

Get what YOU love! I don't like smaller watches but my DD loves them, she's 22 so I wouldn't consider small watches matronly, they're just not for me! I also don't love huge and chunky watches for me personally as I have a very small wrist, but I enjoy them on others.
My personal sweet spot is the midsize/31mm.

 

[c.cook]

Get what YOU love! I don't like smaller watches but my DD loves them, she's 22 so I wouldn't consider small watches matronly, they're just not for me! I also don't love huge and chunky watches for me personally as I have a very small wrist, but I enjoy them on others.
My personal sweet spot is the midsize/31mm.

Yea I think I’ve always gravitated towards petite watches. I do love seeing chunky watches on others.

A lot of people told me I can’t go wrong with the 31mm but the 28 just felt off to me. I might not be a Rolex person just by the style and shape even though I really admire them on others.

I’m visiting a second hand dealer in NYC after the holidays to see how the smaller ones look in person. I just always struggle with watches compared to jewelry that I instantly know I love once I try on.

 

[Swanky]

Yea I think I’ve always gravitated towards petite watches. I do love seeing chunky watches on others.

A lot of people told me I can’t go wrong with the 31mm but the 28 just felt off to me. I might not be a Rolex person just by the style and shape even though I really admire them on others.

I’m visiting a second hand dealer in NYC after the holidays to see how the smaller ones look in person. I just always struggle with watches compared to jewelry that I instantly know I love once I try on.

They're not for everyone! I seem to be the only one who doesn't like Cartier watches despite my arms being covered in their bracelets lol! I typically only like round faces, until I tried on an Hublot Spirit this week
If the 28 felt like too much, the 31mm really will imo, it'll get heavier as the size increases.

 

[c.cook]

Oh is that the barrel shaped face? All of those are lovely!

I’d love to see your 31mm if you have a wrist picture handy! My wrist is 14cm but thicker instead of wider if that makes sense? I was fitted as a size 16 love in Cartier.

 

[CoastalCouture]

You don't have to get a Rolex. It may not be the look for you. Go with what you love.

 

[Swanky]

Oh is that the barrel shaped face? All of those are lovely!

I’d love to see your 31mm if you have a wrist picture handy! My wrist is 14cm but thicker instead of wider if that makes sense? I was fitted as a size 16 love in Cartier.

My wrist is just under 14, if you search my posts you can see a 31mm Rolex on me. I wear 16cm loves, hth

 

[Cosmopolitan]

Small watches came majorly back in style recently. If you google “Tiny Watch Trend” or “Small Watches 2023,” you’ll find numerous articles about it. Even though I’m a woman who wore big 36mm watches for most of the past 20 yrs, I feel like that look is outdated now. (My current watch is a Cartier Tank Must small and I have an average size wrist.) Regardless, putting trends aside, you should wear the watch that feels right on your wrist. Don’t listen to clueless SAs with agendas and limited inventory to move.

I love the mini Panthere on you and that’s one I’ve been eyeing myself!

 

[**Chanel**]

Go for what you love and makes your heart sing. Whether it is Cartier, Rolex or another brand. As long as you love it, that's most important. I have watches in several sizes, one of my smallest watches is a Cartier Ballon Bleu 28mm and I love it! To me, it's a forever piece/size. I can still see myself wearing it when I'm old and grey .
If you would love a small size, just browse around and see if you have the option to try some of the models on your wrist. Perhaps make some pictures and take your time to decide for a watch/size which works for you. I would be open minded about different models, you might be pleasantly surprised when you try a model that wasn't on your wishlist before .

 

[lill_canele]

Agree with @Swanky and @**Chanel** , go with what you love and makes you happy.

I have watches in varying sizes. All of which I love. Some very small to others as large as the distance of my wrist (IWC in profile pic lol).

Really it's all based on your preference and how you feel wearing the watch of your choice.

My current favorite (and probably all time love) is my medium panthere TT. I wear a size 16 for my love bracelet.
Since you mentioned your interest in the panthere, here's some eye candy of various Cartier watches I've tried on: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/cartier-watch-photo-comparisons-panthere-and-tanks.1057434/

 

[c.cook]

My wrist is just under 14, if you search my posts you can see a 31mm Rolex on me. I wear 16cm loves, hth

Thank you!

 

[c.cook]

Small watches came majorly back in style recently. If you google “Tiny Watch Trend” or “Small Watches 2023,” you’ll find numerous articles about it. Even though I’m a woman who wore big 36mm watches for most of the past 20 yrs, I feel like that look is outdated now. (My current watch is a Cartier Tank Must small and I have an average size wrist.) Regardless, putting trends aside, you should wear the watch that feels right on your wrist. Don’t listen to clueless SAs with agendas and limited inventory to move.

I love the mini Panthere on you and that’s one I’ve been eyeing myself!

Thank you! I agree, trends come and go. I definitely know that I myself can’t do a large watch. I guess it’s also more uncertainty of the watch world in general, I view it as jewelry while my SO is a watch guy so I’m kinda stuck in the grey area of deciding what I want.

I’ll be going to see some after market dealers after Xmas so until then

 

[c.cook]

Agree with @Swanky and @**Chanel** , go with what you love and makes you happy.

I have watches in varying sizes. All of which I love. Some very small to others as large as the distance of my wrist (IWC in profile pic lol).

Really it's all based on your preference and how you feel wearing the watch of your choice.

My current favorite (and probably all time love) is my medium panthere TT. I wear a size 16 for my love bracelet.
Since you mentioned your interest in the panthere, here's some eye candy of various Cartier watches I've tried on: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/cartier-watch-photo-comparisons-panthere-and-tanks.1057434/

Those look great!

The mini Panthere is definitely soon on my Cartier list, I’m tempted by the small with diamonds but love the mini 😍

My SO is a watch person so my watch journey is relatively new, but it’s been something I’ve been trying to bond with him with and would love to give Rolex a chance since I’ve seen so may I love on others!
I think I managed to convince my SO to at least add a large Tank to his collection from Cartier though 😂

 

[lalame]

I echo to go with what you love first and foremost.

For me, I think very small and very large are trendy sizes and can look great or dated depending on whether it's in style or not. 28 or 31 are safe, classic "midsized" sizes. If you'll get the Panthere one day, I think you should get the 31 Rolex so then at least you have both a small and a midsize option. There may come a time when you no longer like small watches and, if you get 24 and Panthere, that's all you'll have. If you have some variation you'll be covered no matter what the trend is.

I have the 28 Rolex but regretted not buying a 31 and felt really dated wearing it for several years. Now it doesn't feel so dated per se but still doesn't feel quite as versatile as a 31.

 

[c.cook]

I echo to go with what you love first and foremost.

For me, I think very small and very large are trendy sizes and can look great or dated depending on whether it's in style or not. 28 or 31 are safe, classic "midsized" sizes. If you'll get the Panthere one day, I think you should get the 31 Rolex so then at least you have both a small and a midsize option. There may come a time when you no longer like small watches and, if you get 24 and Panthere, that's all you'll have. If you have some variation you'll be covered no matter what the trend is.

I have the 28 Rolex but regretted not buying a 31 and felt really dated wearing it for several years. Now it doesn't feel so dated per se but still doesn't feel quite as versatile as a 31.

I would definitely agree with that, it’s good to have variety in sizes.
Although, after giving it some thought today I think I’m content with something in the 26 size regardless of trend.
I just don’t think 28mm and up looks good on me or feels good on (felt too chunky).

I’ll have to decide if maybe Rolex watches aren’t for me, or if it’s the sizes I’ve tried on. My SO got me into watches, so it might be that I haven’t really gotten use to watches yet either.
I haven’t seen 24 or 26 in person yet.
I didn’t vibe well with a lot of Cartier watches either- I loved the Ballon Bleu but didn’t like it on. Same with Tank. Hated the medium Panthere but loved the small and mini on.

I LOVE watches on other people, but I’ve gotten into the habit of wanting x watch, researching it, and then getting discouraged with how it looks and end up getting jewelry instead 😂

I know I probably sound confusing at this point and I guess I am confused 😂
I think I just need to go in and try more on and see how I feel and what speaks to me