New Explorer II, Is 42MM instead of 40, a Big Deal?

[Ceramic]

Hi guys,

I liked the look of the new Exlorer II from official Rolex website, only point that put me off was the diameter.

Why they use bigger deal with a white dial watch I really do not understand.

So, will 42mm diameter case Exlorer II be noticable bigger than 40mm ones? Or will it be nearly impossible to notice the bigger size comparing to 40mm ones?

Best thing is to wait and visit the AD for a try and see how it goes, but I like to see your ideas as it will be a long wait to see new Explorer II around.

Cheers.

[CWL]

40mm and 42mm do make a difference. i prefer a 40mm because of my Asian size wrist.

[Dr. Robert]

I wonder what the case length(measured lug to lug) will be?????
If it's over 48mm, too long for me.

[tomchicago]

42 is very big for a rolex. Will have to try this one in person. I am concerned it will not be wearable to the office without looking punkish.

[CWL]

Originally Posted by tomchicago

42 is very big for a rolex. Will have to try this one in person. I am concerned it will not be wearable to the office without looking punkish.

i share your concern. Also i have concern over its thickness.

[DCgator]

Originally Posted by tomchicago

42 is very big for a rolex. Will have to try this one in person. I am concerned it will not be wearable to the office without looking punkish.

I own a Deepsea, which is 43mm, and it's not that big at all. I think the new EXPII in 42mm is good and would set it apart from the GMTc imo. And having that clean white dial makes it all the more desirable. I am buying one in the next two years. :D

[Roxas]

I prefer 40 mm. I'm not comfortable to wear a watch larger than 40 mm.

[JJG]

When the Milgauss 116400 came out, I had been dormant in my Rolex hobby for a few years and didn't even know it existed. One day on impulse, I stopped by my old AD and he brought out a GV from the back. Here is the catch... I didn't even realize by looking at it and handling it that it was 40mm. The AD said nothing about the new diameter. I just took for granted that it was another 36mm watch When I got home and searched the web for info, I was amazed to learn it was 40mm.

In short - if you hadn't known before hand that the new Exp2 was 42mm, you might not notice the diameter difference at first glance. (But those fat hands are another story )

[mike]

It's been reported--over and over--the reason for the increase in size is the larger 3187 movement.

We still HAVE to believe Rolex did it just to make them bigger.

[MrCowboy99]

Originally Posted by mike

It's been reported--over and over--the reason for the increase in size is the larger 3187 movement.

We still HAVE to believe Rolex did it just to make them bigger.

If they made it larger for the 3187 and the GMTIIC has a 3186 like the old Explorer, does that mean the new GMTIIc will get to 42mm soon?

[Andad]

Originally Posted by mike

It's been reported--over and over--the reason for the increase in size is the larger 3187 movement.

We still HAVE to believe Rolex did it just to make them bigger.

Bigger is better and in this case I think the dial will be bigger much like my Milgauss dial (and crown).

[Ceramic]

Sorry, I did not follow the movement update reason.

If they can not make new movement in same size, so why are they changing the movement unnecessarily? I really do not understand.

Actually I like DeepSea but it is also too big. If they made the Deepsea with 40mm diameter, I bet it would be most selling Rolex since it s release.

I will wait this Explorer II and see. Thanks for all of your help even in this short time.

Old series look really old, new series too big, it is really very hard to buy something from Rolex.

Hope that Rolex read these threads and make an effort to produce smaller and nicer watches with more varieties.

[mike]

Reported by James Dowling for Bazel during his meetings with Rolex.

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...5587519&rid=15

[rolexertion]

Originally Posted by Ceramic

Actually I like DeepSea but it is also too big. If they made the Deepsea with 40mm diameter, I bet it would be most selling Rolex since it s release.

The DS is 18mm high, due to the 'need' for crush-resistance at its rated depth. It would look even more ungainly at 40mm. The older SD had a diameter of 40mm, and it looked great, but it was only 14mm thick.

[train-time]

Absolutely it does make a difference to me. I have owned dozens of watches of all sizes and have sold off all the bigger sizes. I won't buy a Panerai because of their size; same for most Breitling models. I have settled on 40mm as being the perfect size for me. The first thing I do when I am browsing through a watch magazine looking at new models is to look to see what the size the watch is to determine my interest.

I had planned on picking up an ExpII down the road and was planning on getting the new model with the new bracelet and clasp, but as soon as I saw it was going to be 42mm, I redirected my attention on the current model. It's just my preference.

[swish77]

Judge the watch, not just the size. Some 36mm watches look like they're 40mm, some 40mm look like they're 38mm. It often depends on the dial design, bezel, case, feel, etc .... Can't wait to see this new one in person. I was excited to see the new Explorer I and it's new 39mm size, but I ended up being disappointed because I don't think it works with the 3,6,9 design. Reminded me of a wall clock at the bigger size. But the new Explorer II has a lot more going on, including the date and the big orange GMT hand, so I suspect the bigger size won't be that noticeable. We'll see.

[travellingbrit]

Personaly I quite like the look of the new II ....but 42 mil just goes a couple of mil too far for my taste. If it's also thicker/heavier then it will detract from the practicalities of day to day wear.....

Will have to try one on though...

[petespendthrift]

Likewise 40mm is my maximum. Rolex seem to be straying away from practicality and are becoming slaves to fashion.

A shame as the old Exp2 has always been the thinking man's Rolex - now no more. Once the novelty of the new one wears off, Rolex may find that if the fashion buyers don't continue to like it then there will be hardly anyone left to buy it.

Rolex did not gain their reputation by following the fashions so why start now? Worse, why pursue the big watch fashion just when a growing number of people are finally beginning to get tired of it.

[mike]

Originally Posted by petespendthrift

Likewise 40mm is my maximum. Rolex seem to be straying away from practicality and are becoming slaves to fashion.

A shame as the old Exp2 has always been the thinking man's Rolex - now no more. Once the novelty of the new one wears off, Rolex may find that if the fashion buyers don't continue to like it then there will be hardly anyone left to buy it.

Rolex did not gain their reputation by following the fashions so why start now? Worse, why pursue the big watch fashion just when a growing number of people are finally beginning to get tired of it.

Again I have to ask Why is it fashion??

A larger movement with a (supposedly) improved shock absorbing system that is too big for the 40MM case.

This in a watch whose heritage is one of testing the extremes. Seems that would be an improvement.

Is a Speedmaster fashion? It's been 42mm for a long time. Same with the PO and several others.

[travellingbrit]

Originally Posted by mike

Again I have to ask Why is it fashion??

A larger movement with a (supposedly) improved shock absorbing system that is too big for the 40MM case.

This in a watch whose heritage is one of testing the extremes. Seems that would be an improvement.

Is a Speedmaster fashion? It's been 42mm for a long time. Same with the PO and several others.

Its' because Rolex appear to be following the recent trend for ostentatious visibility in gents watches. There are brands that have always been large, Breitling/Panerai...but Rolex was historically conservative in sizing and kept the flashiness for the jewelled models.

Its a fashion and Rolex are trying to capitalise on it - perhaps they are not as confident as in previous times and are trying to appeal to a new audience ?.

[mike]

Originally Posted by travellingbrit

Its' because Rolex appear to be following the recent trend for ostentatious visibility in gents watches. There are brands that have always been large, Breitling/Panerai...but Rolex was historically conservative in sizing and kept the flashiness for the jewelled models.

Its a fashion and Rolex are trying to capitalise on it - perhaps they are not as confident as in previous times and are trying to appeal to a new audience ?.

I understand your thoughts however I think had Rolex used the 3186 in the 42MM case there might be more merit.

Since the 3187 movement is bigger (perhaps because of the shock absorption system) a bigger case is warranted.

Indeed one could argue it gives the EXP II the boost it needs to come out of the shadow of the GMT.

The history of the EXP II has been one of hard use--early Rolex adverts even refered to it as the "Hard Use" Rolex. The enhancements of the new version seem now to give it it's own arena.

Of couse all we can do is speculate untill they arrive in the system. Then the acid tests can begin.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by mike

Again I have to ask Why is it fashion??

A larger movement with a (supposedly) improved shock absorbing system that is too big for the 40MM case.

This in a watch whose heritage is one of testing the extremes. Seems that would be an improvement.

Is a Speedmaster fashion? It's been 42mm for a long time. Same with the PO and several others.

If these are such improvements, then why not apply them to the Sub and GMT IIc as well, thus increasing their size? The GMT could even use the exact same movement as the Exp. II the way it does now. This definitely feels more like an attempt to differentiate the Exp. II and try and help sluggish sales than anything else.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by dannyp

If these are such improvements, then why not apply them to the Sub and GMT IIc as well, thus increasing their size? The GMT could even use the exact same movement as the Exp. II the way it does now. This definitely feels more like an attempt to differentiate the Exp. II and try and help sluggish sales than anything else.

Of course it is. The Sub and GMT have absolutely slaughtered the Explorer II in terms of sales for the past 20 years, Rolex, by making it stand out from the rest of the range, is giving it a fighting chance

[mfer]

You really need to try on a watch to determine if it is big or not ON YOU.

The 40mm expy II wore smaller than any other 40mm Rolex sport model (at least for me). Perhaps the 42mm will make it more equal in size to the rest of the line. It is all about how the watch fits on your wrist and how the lugs go around your wrist.

I have worn 42mm watches that look stupid big on me and I've worn 45mm watches that fit like a glove. You just have to try them on.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by mfer

you really need to try on a watch to determine if it is big or not on you.

The 40mm expy ii wore smaller than any other 40mm rolex sport model (at least for me). Perhaps the 42mm will make it more equal in size to the rest of the line. It is all about how the watch fits on your wrist and how the lugs go around your wrist.

I have worn 42mm watches that look stupid big on me and i've worn 45mm watches that fit like a glove. You just have to try them on.

x2

[ArcticMoose]

Originally Posted by mfer

The 40mm expy II wore smaller than any other 40mm Rolex sport model (at least for me). Perhaps the 42mm will make it more equal in size to the rest of the line.

Exactly.

My Explorer II is the one watch that has always felt too small compared to the Sub-C, which fits me perfectly, even though they are both 40mm.

[rolexertion]

Yes, Big Deal. One can only wish the Sub and the Exp. I were 42mm. I have a 42mm Omega, and it's the ideal size.

[Speed]

My Speedy Pro is 42 mm. I think it fits well.

I'm sure we will see more side by side shots soon. Looking fwd to seeing the Expy II next to the GMTCII!

[apeogre]

Can't wait to try on the new 42 mm.

[jas55]

I think it will make a big difference to the previous model. It's now a different watch.