Opinions welcomed on the Explorer II

[Bluehinder]

HI,

What is the general opinion of the desireability of the Exp II? It seems like it plays second fiddle to the other professional watches, like the Sub and the GMT.

There is something striking to me with the white face, not so much the black face. It has a easy casualness, and looks like it could pass in some dressy situations.

I'm torn between the Sub and the ExpII for my first Rolex. I've been promised a white face Daytona by my AD later this year.

I only dive at my desk, and want these for daily wear, weekends, driving, and general screwing around and travel.

The Sub seems so iconic that I wonder if I should start there.

Sorry for rambling, thanks in advance for any replies.

[Tools]

Explorer II's are popular watches and many members here have one..

Watch popularity goes in cycles with the latest releases getting all the ink for a year or two before things balance out..

I'm wearing mine right now and it was the perfect watch this past weekend where I spent three days in the mountains of Utah biking, climbing, and hiking.. (plus I changed timezones going there and coming back)

[johnflorida]

My first two Rolexes were both Explorer IIs (which I still have.)

I have a white face one and a black face one.

I, personally, love the Explorer II because it's like something in the middle of a sub and a DJ. It's sporty, yet still very classy looking. It goes well with a suit or more casual clothing.

[jmsrolls]

A few months back, I was looking for a replacement for my white dialed Omega GMT (case too thick for my wrist). I paid a visit to a local AD and saw the Sea Dweller date without the Cyclops. The black dial/white markers were stunning but it lacked the "fourth hand".

So rather than going with the white dial again, I went with the black and removed the "bubble":

It is a great all-around wearer and as comfortable as any watch I have ever worn.

Fr. John+

[SLS]

Given the choice of the Sub or Exp II, I would choose the Sub just based its good looks and long history....careful though, if you hang around here long enough, you will probably end up with both! Try each on and proceed from there, good luck!
~Scott

[at7724]

i have an Explorer II. i love this watch for several reasons:
1. Looks good--casual, business, work or at play it fits all occasions. it is a beautiful watch.
2. Fit--just like a glove.
3. Durable--i destroy watches and the Explorer II takes a beating and keeps on ticking.
4. Scarcity--you don't see to many of these around--unlike the sub, but it is a Rolex and has all the pedigree.

[scottschoe]

Had one for a few days...couldn't get myself to wear it for more than a few minutes at a time (and subsequently sold it). Not the watch for me, although many on the forum do love it.

[sea-dweller]

I own an Explorer 1, but have never owned an Explorer II before. I've seen both the black dial and while dial 'in the wild', and think the black dial one has a bit of a nicer appeal. I've considered buying one in the past, but have never 'pulled the trigger' on one. The silver bezel somehow does not 'talk' to me, perhaps that will change someday.

[chevycorvette]

big case, light weight. very comfortable, super accuracy. i wear this explorer 2 often than my gmt c

was thinking to sell it, but it is a keeper right now.

[NDT III]

Stealthy, versatile, available, and cool.

Where's the downside? White face will strike an excellent balance with that future GMT or Sub acquisition.

Uh, oh. Think you just talked me into one. Thanks.

[DSJ]

Love them.

[Z-Sub]

I have both, Sub and Expy II White.
Love them both. I started with the Sub but would not part myself with Expy II

[daytona1]

good workhorse!!!!

[tinstar]

It was my second Rolex right behind the GMT.

I wear it when I'm not flying and LOVE it!

[valentine]

I own both as well. WHITE is the dial option I would recommend on the expy II....That is what I own and I love it....Majority of the time....I will be seen with my 16610 Subby on..but when I must travel to conventions throughout the country and keep track of time changes...the explorer II is VERY useful...not many will dive to 1000 ft, but we ALL will need to keep track of two time zones at one point or another...so something to consider if "function" is a deciding factor when it comes to spending almost 6 grand on a watch....BUT the sub will hold its value whereas the explorer II...well....they can be found for rather cheap in the "pre-loved" market...so I'd suggest going for the Sub..and then finding a "pre-loved" expy II in the white dial....so you get the best of both worlds!!!!!!

[toph]

honestly- i actually prefer the EXP II to the sub.

[Skippy]

The Explorer II rocks!! I started out looking for a white one but ended up buying the black one as it is more versatile to me and I love the way it looks on NATO straps. If money alowes though a white one will surely be added. Always loved the Explorer II and it was the first Rolex I realy wanted to own after seeing ads for it back in the days in Newsweek magazines.

[Eric]

Exp II white dial is my choice. I have a Sub LV and Exp II (white). I sold my exp II away some time back and i regretted it. Therefore i got it back again. Thank goodness it's still readily available and it's now on my wrist smiling at me

[mickeydainish]

Man those shots of your Expy II are awsome, Skippy...Man.... now I want one of 'em!!!!

:-)

[Skippy]

Thanks! And I hope you will forgive me..;-)

[zak98]

wonderful pics with different bands. white exp II is high on my list for next purchase.

[f16570]

It was bought as it was the one that smiled at me on the day. The fact it is less popular than the other SS Roliies adds to the attraction.
My watch has been worn solid for over 2 years and is simply outstanding.

[CPTL]

Explorer is preferable to the Sub IMO, but I understand your draw to the "Iconic" nature of the Sub. I'm wearing a Sub right now for the same reason.

Overall, based on the watch itself, I think the Explorer-II is much preferable (lighter, more comfortable, 4th hand, etc). As for white/black...I think the black is better in general, but the beauty of the Explorer-II is that it's one of the very few Rolex sports models offered in a white dial. So if this is the only opportunity you'll have to get a white dial, go for it.

[karmatp]

I love the Explorer II also, great watch. I had a white dialed one some time ago and let it go, big mistake. Now, I am 99.99% sure that my next purchase will be a M serial or V serial white Explorer II with the 3186. Their is a nasty rumor that the Explorer is next on the chopping block, time for a upgrade I guess, so I want one before the go away.

[dotcomakazee]

I wish they would offer a white dialed SS Sub. Am I crazy?

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by dotcomakazee

I wish they would offer a white dialed SS Sub. Am I crazy?

No, your not crazy. My whishes are for a white dialled Explorer (not II), with black markers, 3-6-9 with luminova and black hands from the white Explorer II... I just checked out the new Perpetual (116000), and if they only could ship that one as a white Explorer... I would be first in line.

As I write this I have the 14270 on my wrist, and after having had my white Ex II for two months non-stop (it rests now...) I must say that I am a "white dial guy" (if there is such a thing). I like black dials, and my Explorer has been a daily wearer for more than ten years. Still I always check the white dialled Rolexes out first. Same thing with the Daytona and the Milgauss, which I prefer in white...

When I'm having difficulties to decide between my two of my favourites this happens:



(A problem though is that I have more favourites...)

Best,

A

[Hatchet]

I have also been thinking about getting an Exp II. I wonder they they seem to have the lowest resale of all the sports watches?

[Skippy]

Who cares use that advantage and get a watch with the same movement as the GMT master at a way better price. And imo also mutch better looking then the GMT master. And maybe if we get lucky something will hapen that will make the Explorer II hot again(cause that's the reason why resale value's go up and down)and presto the prices go up. Ever looked at the price of a vintage orange hand explorer? They wheren't that popular in the past too(and the same goes for a lot of vintage high price watches that are being sold right now like the vintage Milgauss and the cosmograph that they even gave for free if you bought a GMT Master..).
Just don't get an Explorer II at list cause that wouldn't be a very good investment but at grey dealers they can be found over here brand new at a 30% discount.

Just buy what you like and be smart but resale values that are low don't mean you loose money on them if you buy wisely.

[Dylan Wade]

Like many I have ended up with both:

Sub Date 1st and shortly after EXP II. If I could do it again the sequence would be exactly the same.

Icinic "gotta have" Sub 1st............

EXP II White dial another great watch as a super contrast 2nd...............

Now the 3rd, thats tricky............

[DSJ]

A good read for the newbies asking about the Explorer II:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...xplorer+enigma