My 40mm Explorer has arrived!

[R3-D9]

Here is the new 40mm Explorer ref. 224270

This is the Explorer I’ve been waiting for… perfect for my wrist (~7 inches) and as nicely proportioned as the 124270, which I owned, but could never warm up to the size. I also have the 114270 (pictured) and used to own the 214270, so I have a pretty good idea as to how they all wear, relative to one another.

For anyone as curious as I was about the lug-to-lug measurement… Unfortunately, I can’t find my digital callipers, but using a measuring tape, it looks to be 46.5mm… maybe 47mm, but no more than that.

Also, again with a grain of salt given my lack of a precision measurement device, I get 39mm as the true case size. I wish I had a 214270 to compare with it side-by-side, but as a former owner of that watch, I’d say this wears about the same, from a footprint perspective.

I’m still not 100% this has actually just happened… awesome day! Feel free to ask any questions and I’ll answer them as best as I can.

[Hemdog]

Congrats- she’s a beauty!

[Wcdhtwn]

Congrats! Looks great!

[dannyp]

Personally still prefer the 36, but agree w/you on the proportions. Overall aesthetic looks much better than the previous 39.

[Cru Jones]

Many congrats, looks great!

[Parapraxis]

Wow so new releases are out in the wild? May I ask which AD?
Congrats btw!

[enjoythemusic]

Perfect fit!

[Athlone27]

Wow looks great, I didn't expect to see one until the summer.
Good to know they are starting to arrive, need to bug by SA again.

[BlakeA]

So glad (not!) that Rolex is now making the 40mm but I still can’t get a 36mm that I’ve been on the list for at the AD since it came out.

[Dr. Robert]

Congratulations!
Is the lug width 21 or 20mm?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cassian739]

Congrats, looks great!

[cydesai]

Looks spectacular!

[pavinc]

Congratulations picking up this beauty. Glad to see the new releases starting to come into the store. Hopefully this means mine is on the way too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RogerOP]

WoS in UK are still figuring out from head office about how they'll distribute the new models. Smh

[R3-D9]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Congratulations!
Is the lug width 21 or 20mm?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you! It’s 21mm. If it wears at all larger than the 39mm, that would be the reason. It feels correct for the size of the watch, though.

[JTL31]

Congratulations! Enjoy wearing it.

[the dark knight]

Congrats, looks amazing!

I hope this tanks the 214270 values on the secondary market, might be tempted to pick one up again.

[Nads786]

Looks amazing. How the hell did you get this watch so soon? I haven’t even seen it as an exhibition model.

[ol' Rex]

Looks fantastic, enjoy it!!!

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Overall aesthetic looks much better than the previous 39.

Can you show me what looks better aesthetically? Only difference I see is the placement of the Explorer text.

[ctmz]

Can you measure gram weight and case height?

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Can you show me what looks better aesthetically? Only difference I see is the placement of the Explorer text.

Is there some way to look better other than aesthetically? No idea ??? I don't think a 39/40mm watch needs a 21mm bracelet but I don't think it hurts it either.

[Ruvv]

Looks good congratulations

[R3-D9]

Originally Posted by ctmz

Can you measure gram weight and case height?

Difficult to measure the case height accurately without callipers, but the weight, with one link removed, is 138.4 grams.

[psv]

Way to lead - first one I've heard of!

[Stickboy]

I have a question that may not apply to most people. But, I had the recent 36mm model. I have smaller wrists and 2 links removed. When putting the watch on, I could barely get my hand through the bracelet with the clasp open. So, my question is, is the clasp larger on the new 40mm when opened, compared to the recent 36mm? I hope I explained this well enough.

[R3-D9]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Can you show me what looks better aesthetically? Only difference I see is the placement of the Explorer text.

I don’t think one is better than the other… I enjoyed my 39mm for quite a few years. Some differences off the top that I’ve noticed are:

-Matte dial vs glossy
-Because of the extra width of the bracelet, the lugs on the 39mm look a bit fatter.
-the crown on the 40 is larger and the knurling is more pronounced… not an aesthetic quality, as much as a tactile one. The new 40 crown feels great to operate.
-I think the numerals are a bit smaller on the 40, relative to the dial… although I don’t have the 39 handy to directly compare, but I always felt my 39 felt a tiny bit off in the ratio of bezel to dial to indices and numerals. Looking at the 40 on the wrist, the visual balance feels improved, but that just a personal opinion and also from memory.

[R3-D9]

Originally Posted by Stickboy

I have a question that may not apply to most people. But, I had the recent 36mm model. I have smaller wrists and 2 links removed. When putting the watch on, I could barely get my hand through the bracelet with the clasp open. So, my question is, is the clasp larger on the new 40mm when opened, compared to the recent 36mm? I hope I explained this well enough.

Unfortunately I don’t have the 124270 to compare, but from memory, I would say the clasps seem to be of similar length, but no way to know for sure. The clasp is definitely thicker at 18.5 (using a sewing kit’s tape measure). Sorry I can’t be of more help on that one.

[Stickboy]

Originally Posted by R3-D9

Unfortunately I don’t have the 124270 to compare, but from memory, I would say the clasps seem to be of similar length, but no way to know for sure. The clasp is definitely thicker at 18.5 (using a sewing kit’s tape measure). Sorry I can’t be of more help on that one.

Thanks for the reply. I ended up selling my 36mm, just didn't fit right with the bracelet. Plus, my sweet spot, are watches in the 38-40mm range. I don't have this clasp/bracelet problem with my Datejust 41, and am hoping the Explorer 40 is the same. Unfortunately, my local AD has gone through all new management and service reps, so I probably don't have much of a chance in getting the new version.

[R3-D9]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Can you show me what looks better aesthetically? Only difference I see is the placement of the Explorer text.

Here is my wrist shot from today next to an old picture of me wearing my 39mm

I tried to line them up as best as I can… both shot with an iPhone, but the 39 was shot at a 28mm equivalent and an iPhone 10 and the 40 was shot at 24mm equivalent on my iPhone 14 pro