Expl 40 vs Sub 41

[VOT]

Dear friends!
I am wearing suits 80% of time. Thinking about the new Expl 40 vs Sub 41 as daily driver… My wrist size is about 19cm.
Help, please, with arguments in favor or against.
Thanks!

[Krash]

Submariner. I just like it a lot better. And right off the bat, I’m going to disagree with anyone that says the Exp is better with a suit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[S54Mickey]

I have the Explorer 40. Slides under the cuff very nicely. Not sure if the Sub will do the same. Doesn't look like it would. Others with both references can chime in.

[racerx]

Sub. I find the 40mm Exp proportions to be off.

[espanol]

Reminiscent of the previously heavily debated 40mm Sub vs 39mm Explorer ancestors.

As a huge Explorer fan, I'd say Sub. The new Explorer isn't as good, to me, as the prior 39mm version. I much preferred the matte dial and lower "Explorer" text location of the past.

Plus, I think at your wrist size you can handle the mile-long Sub clasp with no issues.

[Nads786]

For suit wearing I would go Exp1. It sits better under a cuff and I think looks more appropriate, which is not something I thought I would say until I had the Sub myself and went to conferences.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Neil McCauley]

Yeh, sorry, it's probably an unpopular opinion based on the above replies, but in my opinion, the Submariner isn't a great watch to wear with a suit.

Well - it's fine to wear with a suit, as per the commentary that it's a truly versatile watch, but is it optimum? It wears fairly big, it's not really subtle, in it's own right it's fine with a suit, but the Explorer 1 is better for that job on the daily.

[Dr. Robert]

Don Draper and Ian Fleming wore explorers with suits : )


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brich436]

Explorer 1 by a mile. I own both.

[brandrea]

I much prefer the Submariner as a watch, but the Explorer might slide under a cuff a bit better if you’re wearing a lot of suits

[Neil McCauley]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Don Draper and Ian Fleming wore explorers with suits : )


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Haha! Don Draper, what a dude

This guy wore a Submariner with a suit pretty well too though!


Rather different to today's model however

[Submariner868]

Here’s the thing with the suit/sub combo - the bezel can wear out your cuffs prematurely.

[Submariner868]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I much prefer the Submariner as a watch, but the Explorer might slide under a cuff a bit better if you’re wearing a lot of suits

It does.

[JLVox]

Explorer for me

[Jackie Daytona]

The Explorer in reality is the probable and logical choice, however what’s life without some flair. The Sub doesn’t go bad with anything IMO. I say just go with the Sub, worked for Bond as stated above.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by racerx

Sub. I find the 40mm Exp proportions to be off.

Here we go again with proportions

[racerx]

My opinion


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[omar-rye]

And I respect your opinion. It is a fact that any time the Explorer is discussed, the word “proportions” comes into play, whether it's the 36, 39, or 40 mm Explorer. I haven't seen this with any other reference. It seems the Explorer crowd is the most zealous about proportions. That’s just my opinion…

[Gotgolf52]

I like the Submariner better for history and just look better in my eyes

[Kenny G]

I have both…and would go with the Explorer.

Better yet, get a Datejust if you’re suited up 80% of the time.

[Seddyspaghetti]

Id prefer to wear an explorer over a sub with a suit on. But i prefer sub over exp

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I much prefer the Submariner as a watch, but the Explorer might slide under a cuff a bit better if you’re wearing a lot of suits

x2.

[SudiYunus]

Originally Posted by kenny g

i have both…and would go with the explorer.

Better yet, get a datejust if you’re suited up 80% of the time.

+1 dj

[shalashaska]

I’m not a fan of the 40mm Explorer - it has poor use of negative space, hence I would go for the 41 Sub. If one can pull it off, the 5/6-digits Sub is a GADA watch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shalashaska]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

And I respect your opinion. It is a fact that any time the Explorer is discussed, the word “proportions” comes into play, whether it's the 36, 39, or 40 mm Explorer. I haven't seen this with any other reference. It seems the Explorer crowd is the most zealous about proportions. That’s just my opinion…

I think it’s no coincidence why people talk about proportions (in a good or a bad light) when it comes to the Explorer series. The design from the get go has the intention of trying to get the proportions right. In my opinion only the 124270 has achieved close to perfection.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[london_v]

Tbh neither ideal for a suit as I’d go for a dressier option with a leather strap. Otherwise as suggested above get yourself a DJ36 (smooth + oyster to give it the dressier edge over the Explorer).

[geoach]

I like the sub for the timing bezel......I use a lot during the day

[Neil McCauley]

Originally Posted by shalashaska

I think it’s no coincidence why people talk about proportions (in a good or a bad light) when it comes to the Explorer series. The design from the get go has the intention of trying to get the proportions right. In my opinion only the 124270 has achieved close to perfection.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

While usually, I would lament at the discussion of proportions etc on watches that are essentially the same damn thing (think 116 Sub 40 vs 126 41mm discussion), I have to agree. It's the one watch that seemingly Rolex themselves can't come to an agreement on what is the right size & shape

[travisb]

I prefer the overall look of the Sub but either one makes a great daily.

[1William]

The Submariner is the one for me and if you buy your clothes to fit a certain type of watch, cuff size, then it is not an issue. If you buy fitted clothing and get a cuff that is too tight you can have an issue with almost any watch.