Sub or Explorer II

[Ricky Rolex]

Had a 16610 Z a few years back & sold it as hardly wore it (construction worker) and have regretted it ever since.

Wearing a DJ at the moment which I'm happy enough with but fancy moving back into the sports side of things what would you guys say is the pro's & cons of a Sub date against an Explorer II white face (red third hand)

I love both but have this niggling thought that Subs are that bit to popular. I may be wrong.

Any opinions on style, functionality etc of both?

Thanks peoples..

[Presa canary]

Subs are def more popular. I'll let you decide if that's a good thing or not. It's a hard choice, I'd lean towards the expii but you can't go wrong with either.

[JElvis]

My vote is with the Explorer II. I find the GMT hand super helpful since I travel often. The sub is beautiful, but you had it once and parted ways with it...time to try a watch you have not had....ie: Explorer. Good luck.

[Castor]

Originally Posted by jelvis

my vote is with the explorer ii. I find the gmt hand super helpful since i travel often. The sub is beautiful, but you had it once and parted ways with it...time to try a watch you have not had....ie: Explorer. Good luck.

x2

[Britexpat76]

I have both and even though my Sub is 16613 TT I wear that as my daily beater and the Exp 11 with 'smarter' attire. We are all different and everyone has an opinion - Its what matters to you that counts.

[Ricky Rolex]

Thanks guys. Really love both and yes although I've had the sub I feel I've got unfinished business with it I really like the Ex II

Food for thought. Thanks for the comments.

[jmsrolls]

I've never been a Sub fan because of all the "look-alikes" and fakes. I like to wear watches that are not so common but make a statement.

So for me, the only Rolex that "trips my trigger" is my polar 42 EXPII:



I consider it the best all purpose watch in my collection.

[Ricky Rolex]

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

I've never been a Sub fan because of all the "look-alikes" and fakes. I like to wear watches that are not so common but make a statement.

So for me, the only Rolex that "trips my trigger" is my polar 42 EXPII:



I consider it the best all purpose watch in my collection.

I hear you man! That is a beautiful piece. Slightly out of my range the new one but defo got me thinking!

[Jack T]

To me, the Explorer II is perfectly functional, the TZ feature is fine if you need it, but it awkwardly straddles the sport / dress continuum, fitting neither well. While the Sub is more definitively a sports watch, you can wear it with dressy clothes precisely because it is a Sub.

I vote for the Sub. It is the standard among dive/sport watches, so, while more common, and copied, own the real thing!

[Ricky Rolex]

More valid points! Cheers mate.

[Cc1966]

Try something new to you and get a Submariner. Very sporty and a true icon.

[Mike_Templar]

You had a sub and sold it. Get the Explorer 2 and get it in polar.
If you feel you need the black face dive watch in your collection, just pick up a used Tag Aqua Racer for that need. Just MHO. If you do decide to go sub, get a used sea dweller, not the new sea dweller. It's a little different and will only increase in value.

These are only my opinions based on my long string of flipping watches and always thinking if I only had X I would be happy. You'll never be happy, so try and get something unique and interesting that may hold it's value better or keep your interest longer.

[sea-dweller]

Subs are more popular, but I have found that the 16570's are more comfortable, at least on my wrist.

[Zorikos]

The EX II with a white dial.
If the sub was 42mm, it would influence my decision.

[Roller07]

Sub.

[AK797]

I prefer the sub.

[Ricky Rolex]

Thanks all. Still on the fence but being a lover of Rolex I'll most probably be on the fence about different pieces till the day I croak.

[sierra11b]

I flipped the gmt IIc and a sub-c for the black exp42 and haven't looked back. It's more legible, I use the gmt frequently, and I feel that despite it's larger diameter wears less cumbersome than the c-cases.

[nick c]

Easy one sub

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Ricky Rolex

Had a 16610 Z a few years back & sold it as hardly wore it (construction worker) and have regretted it ever since.

Wearing a DJ at the moment which I'm happy enough with but fancy moving back into the sports side of things what would you guys say is the pro's & cons of a Sub date against an Explorer II white face (red third hand)

I love both but have this niggling thought that Subs are that bit to popular. I may be wrong.

Any opinions on style, functionality etc of both?

Thanks peoples..

Interesting. You flipped the Sub because you hardly wore it due to your line of work, then bought a DJ?

Honestly, whichever one you like more is the right one. Both are great watches. Depending on the circles you travel, even though there are a lot more Subs out there you might not be running into them every day.

The Sub will probably wear a bit bigger than the E2. Other than that, take your pick.

[Ricky Rolex]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Interesting. You flipped the Sub because you hardly wore it due to your line of work, then bought a DJ?

Honestly, whichever one you like more is the right one. Both are great watches. Depending on the circles you travel, even though there are a lot more Subs out there you might not be running into them every day.

The Sub will probably wear a bit bigger than the E2. Other than that, take your pick.

I don't work in construction anymore. I did say 'a few years ago'

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Ricky Rolex

I don't work in construction anymore. I did say 'a few years ago'

Gotcha!

While the TZ function is my favorite complication on a watch, from what I read into your post it sounds like the Sub is the one for you. You said you regretted it ever since you got rid of it, so that right there says something. Sounds like you do have unfinished business with it. The Sub does have the ET complication and unfortunately because the E2 bezel does not rotate it can't be used to track elapsed time (like the GMT can).

As for the idea the Sub may be a little too popular, it depends on what your issue is with this.

If the concern is having the same watch as a lot of other people then the question is how often do you come across Subs in the circles you travel? In those terms for most people I'd guess Subs are still pretty rare.

If it's more about flying under the radar, then I'd ask do you actually prefer that no one knows you are wearing a Rolex, or is it simply more a matter that you just don't care if people know, but you aren't wearing it so others will notice? While I hear this "under the radar" thing about the E2 a lot it strikes me as not that big a deal. It just seems to me that if one really doesn't want others to see they wear a Rolex then they should get a model without a cyclops and switch out the Oyster band. Any model with these two design cues, the E2 included, signal Rolex to even the casual observer.

Resale/liquidity favor the Sub in case you decide afterwards that you made the wrong choice.

The Sub will probably wear bigger than the E2. Don't know how big a guy you are or how important that may be to you.

Best of luck.

[Armyguy03]

Having recently acquired a Polar, and owning a Sub...I say POLAR all the way. NO ONE knows I'm wearing a Rolex!!!!

[nauticajoe]

Tough choice. I give a slight edge to the Sub.


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[Bryanli88]

I would get both, starting with the Sub. I own the SubC and plan on getting the Polar later this year. Both of these watches are my favourite Rollies.

[Ricky Rolex]

Thanks mate. Good post.

Personally I'm a bit of a I don't care if people know what I'm wearing as long as I do crossed with a yes this is a Rolex & I'm damn proud of it kind of guy.

Few friends of mine have Subs maybe that's my issue I'm not sure. I do love the look of both. Will go to Hatton Garden in the week to see how an E2 sits on my wrist. I know how the sub is obviously already.

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Ricky Rolex

Will go to Hatton Garden in the week to see how an E2 sits on my wrist. I know how the sub is obviously already.

You won't find many Exp2 in the few 2nd hand jewellery shops that sell watches. I work in Hatton Garden and walk past them all each day, no Exp2's. Bi metal Daytonas, DJ's and GMT's in the shops on Greville St etc, but very few s/s Subs and no Exp2's.

You be better off just going into any high street Rolex AD and trying one on, most of them in London (Bond St/Oxford St/Old Bond St etc) have a Exp2 in stock.

[bcy2290]

I just purchased a 2013 Explorer II white dial It is a breath of fresh air on my wrist. It flies under the radar compared to my Sub and Daytona TT. I also just purchase a GMT-II Black Blue which is a beautiful watch that has many people looking Both of these watches can be worn dressy or casual

[Dr. Robert]

Get a 16610, preferably one w/ lug holes.

[7S26]

Starting today all my answers will be New SD.