One week review - Explorer 39mm

[nicked]

So here are my thoughts after one full week of wearing my new Explorer.

First thing first, the size is great. I started my watch collection a few years ago with bigger, heavier models from different brands, and it now seems that every new watch is smaller that the preceding one. Last purchase was a Speedmaster two years ago (42mm), and the downsizing to 39mm is great. My next could very well be a 36mm, something I wouldn't have imagined a few years back.

Bracelet so far is very comfortable, but the clasp is a bit bulky. It's almost as thick as the watch itself. On the plus side, the new design makes it easy to extend the bracelet by a few mm when it gets hot. Very practical.



Dial is beautiful, being not completely black, but nowhere close to grey. It's a strange color that varies a lot depending on the light conditions. Flat, fixed bezel is superbly crafted, but will probably pick up some scratches in the future. I also like the plain caseback, which is the complete opposite of the busy Speedmaster caseback.

Lume is OK, but not blinding. I can still read time after 6-7 hours in complete darkness, which is fine. Blue is a nice touch, and I appreciate that the 3-6-9 have no lume. The opposite would be terribly bling-bling.

Hands are nice, but they have their own downsides... Some say they are too short, but I would say instead that they are too narrow. This is particularly true in direct sunlight (or any direct light, as a matter of fact). Under these lighting conditions, the white gold seems to "fade" and becomes kind of invisible, blending with the dial, making the hands look even narrower. It's then a little trickier to see time at a quick look. This photo shows what I mean.



The numerals are particularly affected by this phenomenon. On the previous photo they almost completely disappear from view. The hands seem to shrink, showing only they luminescent material. Notice how the second hand simply disappears. Combine this with sapphire cristal without AR coating and legibility sometimes suffer. But I admit that my reference for legibility is the Speedmaster, which is without question one of the most legible timepiece ever created. Period.

The next photo shows a better light angle, at which time is way easier to read.



This is something I believe is specific to the "new" Explorer, as opposed to the original that had painted numerals along with smaller dial. The white on black contrast is a lot better, IMHO. My guess: this is the unfortunate result of the Explorer becoming more a jewel and less a tool watch, as it was intended to be when it was created decades ago. On this aspect, kudos to Omega for keeping a great design (the Speedmaster) almost intact even after almost 60 years in the catalogue. On that, Omega 1 Rolex 0.

Accuracy-wise, I admit that out-of-the-box performance was beyond lame: +20spd; it had to go to RSC to get fixed. I don't know how it got out of Rolex SA running so out of COSC specs. However, since it's back, it gained two seconds in the two first days, and now is stable at +/-0. I'm amazed. On that, Rolex 1 Omega 0 (since my Speedy is not COSC and gains +7spd, unregulated).

I appreciate fine details such as the ROLEXROLEXROLEX engraving on the flange, and the laser-etched crown at 6 o'clock. These are simple details that make all the difference between a nice watch and a very nice watch.

So far, these are my thoughts. At first I was hesitating between a Sub No date and the Explorer, and I'm happy at my choice. Design is very minimalist, watch sits low on the wrist, doesn't look expensive, yet doesn't look cheap either. Most people won't notice it or will think it's just another regular daily watch, and that suits me well.

Overall, it is a keeper for me.

That's it for now, I'll edit if additionnal details come to mind.

Thanks for reading.

[cop414]

Excellent review Nick, the Explorer is next on my list.

[FTX I]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[~JJ]

Congrats! I've been an owner for 3yr and agree with your feedback... I love the low profile of this piece, yet an interesting overall design.

[Naz737]

Great review! Thanks for sharing!

[crfsocal]

Nice review!

Got my 39mm Explorer last month and its a great daily wear watch.

[nathaniel]

Great watch, thanks for sharing!

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

[SemperFi]

Great comprehensive write up Nick. Thanks for your thoughts on this classic piece.
I've been considering the Sub as my first Rolex but the Explorer has never left my mind. Your review has given me more to think about.

[watchwatcher]

Great watch. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

[cab56]

Nice review. A good balance of general observations and details.

[sickened1]

Great write up. Thanks for sharing. It's one of my favorite piece.

[Steel28]

Like the review a lot. Thanks for taking your time.

[1AP]

It's very funny that I feel the exact same way as you.

Started the collection with a 40mm tag then got a 45mm breitling than a 48mm And now all I have are 40's except for my sinn u1 at 44

My next watch is a 36mm turn o graph

[Brucie D]

Great review. Recommend DJ 36mm if you want to try that size. Wears very well.


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[tkerrmd]

Great watch and review

[wmh2]

Thanks for such a thoughtful review. Great piece!

[wisguy]

I also went from a speedy to the Exp for my daily driver.

I miss the comfort of the Speedy (with 1/2 link added to the mix) and I feel I lost on the legibility front.

I also sometimes find the watch a bit dull... I miss the Speedy!

[nicked]

Originally Posted by wisguy

I also went from a speedy to the Exp for my daily driver.

I miss the comfort of the Speedy (with 1/2 link added to the mix) and I feel I lost on the legibility front.

I also sometimes find the watch a bit dull... I miss the Speedy!

This is why I'm keeping the Speedy, whenever I'll need to take a break from the Exp it will be handy and ready to rock.

[Jaycnyp]

My favorite watch!! Went into an AD looking to decide among the 216570, 116610, and 114060, but walked out with my explorer! It is currently my "not working" watch but can't wait until I can wear it more (all I do is work in one form or another)!

[Punishher7]

Beautiful. congrats!

[RogerF]

Thanks for the review. I'm 3 days in and loving it.

[zapokee]

Beautiful. Congrats!

It also looks good on a variety of NATOs and on leather if you're the kind to take it off the bracelet.

[nicked]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Beautiful. Congrats!

It also looks good on a variety of NATOs and on leather if you're the kind to take it off the bracelet.

I did buy tons of different straps for the Speedy, but honestly, I got bored of them. So, for a while, I'll stick with the standard bracelet. But never say never... I figure it would look very good on my Admiralty Gray Nato.

[ThaiKhun]

Great review Nick.
I think I want one too, except for:

Lume is OK, but not blinding. I can still read time after 6-7 hours in complete darkness, which is fine. Blue is a nice touch, and I appreciate that the 3-6-9 have no lume. The opposite would be terribly bling-bling.

Interesting. Why would that be? I think it would simply be easier to read since as you say, the lume is just OK.

I wish the 3, 6 and 9 had lume.

Me too.

Anyway, Thanks again. Maybe a new reference with the above changes and "meatier hands" will be released someday soon. (My eyes aren't getting any younger.)

[nicked]

Originally Posted by ThaiKhun

Great review Nick.
I think I want one too, except for:

Interesting. Why would that be? I think it would simply be easier to read since as you say, the lume is just OK.

Me too.

Anyway, Thanks again. Maybe a new reference with the above changes and "meatier hands" will be released someday soon. (My eyes aren't getting any younger.)

I don't think I would like a big series of colored numbers that glow in the dark like neon signs... wouldn't look nice, imho. That's just me.

[stillsane]

Going to look at a G series tomorrow morning. Thanks for the review!!!!

[Matt748]

Excellent review.
Thanks, it's a great watch and I love mine.
Only had it a week but really enjoying the difference from my 42mm watches I normally wear.

[Jakx]

Great review,especially about the narrowness of the minute hand, which is a legitimate flaw IMHO ( more than its length). A great watch for which I almost traded my 114060. But at the end I couldn't part with a sub as my daily wearer. Looking forward to more reviews!

[travisb]

Nice review!

[Lrlx]

No worries, the clap will help balance the weight of the case for a perfect feel and fit.