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ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: L.A., Calif.
Watch: Rolex Submariner
Posts: 2,218
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The Explorer Has Landed!
About ten years ago, I looked at a 36mm Explorer at an AD in Santa Barbara. The model had just been discontinued and could be had for a little over $5,000.00. I tried it on, but its overall look seemed too small to my eye, which was accustomed to a GMT Master II or Submariner Date.
I passed on that watch. Around that time, I started reading about the Explorer and its lineage on this forum. A trip to a Rolex boutique in Los Angeles provided the chance to check out the then new model, in 39mm. Eventually, I bought that 39mm Explorer, with its matte dial and white gold “3-6-9”. I still have that watch and it remains a wonderful reference. Yes, even with its “short hands”. However, I often regretted passing on that 36mm. I later discovered that the 36mm was quite a good size for me, after I bought a humble Oyster Perpetual in 36mm. So, when I read on the forum that Rolex had just restored the Explorer to 36mm, I went straight to a trusted sales associate at an AD I've utilized for almost ten years and expressed interest. That was a few months ago. Given the current Rolex situation, I figured it would be a long wait, at best. The sales associate predicted Christmas, at the earliest. Flash to last Saturday. I took my teenage daughter to the mall, a spur of the moment trip, where she met up with friends. Naturally, she wanted me to stay well away, and so I dropped by that AD. I was chatting watches with the sales associates, including the one I’d originally spoken to, who has come through for me before. I asked about the Explorer. The sales associate I usually work with said she still hadn't seen one yet. Her colleague, though, suddenly asked, “wait, which model were you interested in?” When I replied, “the new Explorer, the stainless one, not the two tone”, she nodded and disappeared to the stock room. I continued chatting with the first associate...and then the second sales associate returned, and asked to speak with the first. The two disappeared into the stockroom. Killing time, I looked over the display case. Empty, but for two precious metal 31mm Datejust models. No surprise there, exactly what I’d expected, given all the threads about the shortage. The two sales ladies reappeared after a moment. And they were smiling. And, they were not empty handed. ![]() It turns out, the Explorer had arrived that same day. Only one of the associates was aware of that, but she was unaware of my interest. When she heard me bring it up, she went to double check, to make sure it was the right one. It was. Still in the shipping box, with stickers, bezel protector, et al. So, thanks to very fortunate timing and a very considerate AD staff, I finally have that 36mm Explorer. It’s a beauty. Well worth the wait. Simply a great, all around reference. The size won't work for everyone, of course. It wears a little smaller than a 36mm Datejust or Oyster Perpetual, to my eye, perhaps because of the taper of the case. And, the markings on the dial seem to take up more real estate, which makes the dial appear ever so slightly smaller than my 36mm DJ and OP. But, if it's a good fit for you, you can be assured it's a winner. Unquestionably, it is an iconic model, returned to its classic proportions, worthy of any collection. ![]() |
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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: USA
Watch: GMT Master 16750
Posts: 794
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Wow. Congrats. 36mm looks great. I currently have a 114270 Exp and have thought about trying to get the new version. The main thing stopping me is the stupid AD games.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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#3 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Real Name: Richie
Location: "Nowhere Man"
Watch: out now,take care!
Posts: 28,931
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Very nice fit. Congratulations
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"I love to work at nothing all day" TRF #139960 |
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: L.A., Calif.
Watch: Rolex Submariner
Posts: 2,218
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#5 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Real Name: Francisco
Location: San Juan, PR
Watch: Is Ticking !
Posts: 24,964
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Congrats!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________
Francisco ♛ 16610 / 116264 Ω 168.022 / 2535.80.00 / 310.30.42.50.01.002 Zenith 02.480.405 2FA security enabled |
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Singapore
Posts: 27
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Congrats and it looks great on you! I am waiting on one too.
![]() Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 6,545
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Nice - congratulations!
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#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LA<>NY
Watch: Rolex♠Lange
Posts: 2,277
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Congrats it looks great on you. It's almost even better you passed on the first from 10 yrs ago if it means you got the even better one now. If I remember correctly that first 36mm generation had the embarrassing issue with movement finishing. These new ones are a whole different level, I'm also a fan of the last 39mm version.
You mentioned two sales ladies was this Ben Bridge by any chance? |
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#9 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Real Name: Richard
Location: GA
Watch: YTBD
Posts: 23,038
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Congratulations!
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#10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: États-Unis
Watch: Patek, Rolex, Sinn
Posts: 888
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Congratulations!
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#11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Real Name: David
Location: here and there
Watch: too many!
Posts: 3,552
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Big congrats!
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#12 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: US
Posts: 3,810
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It is a great looking piece for a small watch.
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 1,790
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Congrats! An Explorer of either size is to be admired
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#14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 318
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Congrats! Great timing. Gorgeous simplicity…still has my vote as the best all-arounder.
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#15 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
Posts: 46,362
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Congratulations.
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#16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Brian
Location: East Coast
Watch: 124270
Posts: 978
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Congrats!
Vintage sized with all the modern features. I had to have one the minute I saw they came out!
__________________
ROLEX: 16234-Datejust / 16570-Explorer 2 / 116610LN-Submariner / 124270-Explorer 1 / 126710BLNR-GMT-Master 2 TUDOR: M79030-B Black Bay 58 |
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#17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Real Name: Justin
Location: FL
Watch: PO/EXPL
Posts: 3,371
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Love it! Congrats
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//////////////////////////////// Member of The Nylon Nation Does it do anything? It tells the time. |
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#18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: US
Posts: 1,057
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Very fortuitous - congrats! Looks wonderful on your wrist. I am patiently waiting for the call myself
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#19 | |
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: usa
Posts: 6,765
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Quote:
What I later realized was a) It wasn't that it was too small, it was just too narrow relative to the 20mm bracelet and b) I like smaller watches. |
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#20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Dr Mark R Nail
Location: New Albany
Watch: Tudor Sub 75090
Posts: 8,139
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__________________
------------------------------- Member of the Nylon Nation |
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#21 | |
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: usa
Posts: 6,765
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Quote:
My wife has a 11 generation OP34 w/silver 3-6-9 dial and it actually appears at least as large as my Explorer. |
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#22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 1,526
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I'm not a small watch guy in general but the fit looks absolutely perfect. What size wrist do you have?
Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk |
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#23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 3,318
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Congrats! I would love to try on (wishful thinking) the new 36mm to see if I can live with the size.
That last time I tried on the 36mm DJ it felt a touch small to me, but I came in wearing the Seiko SKX...so it's a matter of perspective. The first time I tried on the 36mm DJ I was wearing a vintage 36mm Seiko and it was less of a contrast. I really need to see the Explorer, especially if it wears even smaller than the DJ or OP. I want to Love it, in theory, it's perfect. |
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#24 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Real Name: Travis
Location: FL / NYC
Watch: Yes..
Posts: 32,911
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Congratulations!!
Did you thank your daughter for wanting to go to the mall? ![]() |
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#25 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Real Name: Mike
Location: New York
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 21,981
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Congrats!
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#26 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South Florida
Posts: 1,056
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Congrats!!!..looks fantastic!…you owe your daughter big time! Enjoy!
__________________
Rolex 1500,1504,116233,(2)116234,116238 116334,118138, 126610LN,126710BLRO,126719BLRO,126718GRNR |
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#27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Uranus
Watch: 116500LN
Posts: 4,760
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Congrats
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#28 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Real Name: Janet
Location: USA
Posts: 3,148
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Looks fantastic on you. Wear it in good health! Be thankful for your teenage daughter!!
Always nice to see another Lefty here… ![]() |
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#29 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Northeast
Posts: 446
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Congratulations , it looks very good on you.
I have the 39 mm first version, that I like a lot, it’s my daily one. However I would be interested to see the new one in person. |
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#30 |
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2020
Real Name: Richard
Location: Canada
Posts: 141
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Congrats
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