Explorer II ceramic - the next generation.

[RRP]

The photo below is a current Explorer II which I found whilst browsing eBay today, but due to the lighting in this photo the bezel is darker and if you squint a little you can see exactly what a ceramic Explorer II would look like and I must admit that it would be an absolutely gorgeous watch.

What are your thoughts on this? I personally think people would go crazy for this, waiting lists would be in line with the other ss sport models. Just what the explorer 2 needs to boost sales.

The Daytona had a 100% steel bezel and went to ceramic, with an option of black or white for the dial. So it’s not entirely unrealistic to expect the explorer to follow the same path, especially considering that it too has black and white dials.

Interested to hear your thoughts.

Richard

[bmrisko]

Thumbs down from me. Ceramic does not belong on the Explorer...if you want a GMT complication w/ a ceramic bezel, get the GMT Master II.

[JacksonStone]

Rolex Passion Report has been predicting this for the last few years. I'll believe it when I see it.

[RRP]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Rolex Passion Report has been predicting this for the last few years. I'll believe it when I see it.

Wow thanks. Those are awesome renders. To be honest the current Explorer II does nothing for me, it’s probably at the bottom of my list, a ceramic version however would be at the top of my list. Weird huh.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by RRP

Wow thanks. Those are awesome renders. To be honest the current Explorer II does nothing for me, it’s probably at the bottom of my list, a ceramic version however would be at the top of my list. Weird huh.

I don't think it's weird. I like the metal version just fine, but there has to be some reason it continues to be one of Rolex's slower movers. I also think the ceramic version could look pretty sharp, especially the contrast on the Polar. I guess that means I'm in both camps. Either way, it's one of my favorite Rolex models. Every time this topic comes up, I keep wondering why Rolex would go to the trouble of putting the new bezel on a less popular model, but you make a good point that that could be a move to make it sell better. Still...I'll believe it when I see it.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

I don't think it's weird. I like the metal version just fine, but there has to be some reason it continues to be one of Rolex's slower movers. I also think the ceramic version could look pretty sharp, especially the contrast on the Polar. I guess that means I'm in both camps. Either way, it's one of my favorite Rolex models. Every time this topic comes up, I keep wondering why Rolex would go to the trouble of putting the new bezel on a less popular model, but you make a good point that that could be a move to make it sell better. Still...I'll believe it when I see it.

I'd venture that is due to it not being a GMT Master or a Sub.

It was a watch designed for those who explore caves, or are subject to prolonged periods of darkness or daylight as I'm sure you know.

Activities which are far less glamorous than diving or flying commercial airliners.

It has also remained Rolex's proper tool watch, with every part of it still adhering to function over form.

Oversized hands, unbreakable bezel, supreme legibility, paraflex shock absorbers.

Seems quite ridiculous to think that Rolex would use what is an extremely brittle substance in comparison to steel for a key part of the watch.

24-HOUR BEZEL
The Explorer II is equipped with an additional 24-hour display; a dedicated hand circles the dial in 24 hours rather than the usual 12, pointing to a fixed bezel with 24 hour graduations. This function enables the wearer to distinguish the hours of the day from the hours of the night, an essential feature for those who venture into environments where darkness reigns supreme – such as in the depths of caves, or where the sun never sets – like the polar regions in summer.

[rominvicta]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

I don't think it's weird. I like the metal version just fine, but there has to be some reason it continues to be one of Rolex's slower movers. I also think the ceramic version could look pretty sharp, especially the contrast on the Polar. I guess that means I'm in both camps. Either way, it's one of my favorite Rolex models. Every time this topic comes up, I keep wondering why Rolex would go to the trouble of putting the new bezel on a less popular model, but you make a good point that that could be a move to make it sell better. Still...I'll believe it when I see it.

When you say it is a slow mover what do you mean? Demand and supply. Just for sake of info an AD usually gets 10 EII to each Daytona. Reliable source within AD told me that. So you may buy EII at any given time, but does it mean it is a slow mover?

[crazymcmichael]

Originally Posted by rominvicta

When you say it is a slow mover what do you mean? Demand and supply. Just for sake of info an AD usually gets 10 EII to each Daytona. Reliable source within AD told me that. So you may buy EII at any given time, but does it mean it is a slow mover?

I can not believe this sorry.. No offence but i seen quite a few daytona's out in the wild and just 1 explorer 2...……………..

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by rominvicta

When you say it is a slow mover what do you mean? Demand and supply. Just for sake of info an AD usually gets 10 EII to each Daytona. Reliable source within AD told me that. So you may buy EII at any given time, but does it mean it is a slow mover?

I simply mean you can find them more easily at ADs, and can actually get them at or below retail at gray sellers. This indicates lower demand relative to hotter models like the Sub and GMT. (I won't even bother comparing it to a Daytona, which has always occupied its own airspace.) Whether this is due to greater production/supply from Rolex, or whether it's because they sell in lower numbers, I don't know.

For the record, I made the comment you quoted over a year ago, but I still stand by it.

[lawrence1]

Originally Posted by RRP

Wow thanks. Those are awesome renders. To be honest the current Explorer II does nothing for me, it’s probably at the bottom of my list, a ceramic version however would be at the top of my list. Weird huh.

as bad as these photoshopped examples look, i would consider one if it was offered. I like the white dial and black bezel combination. my guess is rolex will keep it as-is though, especially if they update the GMT or Sub this year.

[crazymcmichael]

Originally Posted by lawrence1

as bad as these photoshopped examples look, i would consider one if it was offered. I like the white dial and black bezel combination. my guess is rolex will keep it as-is though, especially if they update the GMT or Sub this year.

Counting nervous days to see what baselworld brings in any reference

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by crazymcmichael

Counting nervous days to see what baselworld brings in any reference

The irony here is that there is no reason to think Rolex will switch to a ceramic-bezel Exp. 2 other than the fact some bloggers who are good at Photoshop keep putting out the same mock-ups year after year, and people start anticipating it. Anything could happen, but it's not like Rolex is dropping hints about it. I wouldn't hold my breath.

I stick with something I've said for a while, which is that the 50th anniversary of the Exp. 2 is in 2021. I suspect we'll see a new version of the model then, and until then, the current versions will continue unchanged.

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by RRP

Wow thanks. Those are awesome renders. To be honest the current Explorer II does nothing for me, it’s probably at the bottom of my list, a ceramic version however would be at the top of my list. Weird huh.

Where would it rack up if Rolex offered a white dial GMT Master II like they did back in the day for Pan Am?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WJGESQ]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Rolex Passion Report has been predicting this for the last few years. I'll believe it when I see it.

If that proposed bezel rotated-it would be worthy of great consideration.

[LPan]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Rolex Passion Report has been predicting this for the last few years. I'll believe it when I see it.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day...

[Onikage]

ExpII = Always been all SS with no coloured bits, gold or anything flashy about it. So I don't see it. You want a black bezel white numeral GMT it's the GMT.

[RRP]

Originally Posted by Onikage

You want a black bezel white numeral GMT it's the GMT.

But the Explorer II isn’t even a GMT. Has nothing to do with it. The bezel doesn’t rotate and that extra hand has absolutely nothing to do with being a GMT or displaying an extra time zone. Heck, even a SkyDweller is closer to the GMT. The hand on the Explorer II is purely for telling you whether it’s A.M or P.M in your current time zone (ideally as you’re traveling through the jungle days on end and lose track of night and day) . There’s plenty of room in Rolex’s lineup for the GMT, the Sky-D and this.

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by RRP

But the Explorer II isn’t even a GMT. Has nothing to do with it. The bezel doesn’t rotate and that extra hand has absolutely nothing to do with being a GMT or displaying an extra time zone. Heck, even a SkyDweller is closer to the GMT. The hand on the Explorer II is purely for telling you whether it’s A.M or P.M in your current time zone (ideally as you’re traveling through the jungle days on end and lose track of night and day) . There’s plenty of room in Rolex’s lineup for the GMT, the Sky-D and this.

I still think they'll keep it different enough (in looks) to the GMT to warrant leaving ceramic off it altogether. ExpIIs are for bumping around in caves for God's sake.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by RRP

But the Explorer II isn’t even a GMT. Has nothing to do with it. The bezel doesn’t rotate and that extra hand has absolutely nothing to do with being a GMT or displaying an extra time zone. Heck, even a SkyDweller is closer to the GMT. The hand on the Explorer II is purely for telling you whether it’s A.M or P.M in your current time zone (ideally as you’re traveling through the jungle days on end and lose track of night and day) . There’s plenty of room in Rolex’s lineup for the GMT, the Sky-D and this.

The Explorer II initially didn't have a "GMT" hand, but it has had an independently set GMT hand for decades at this point.

Either way, using a ceramic bezel on the Exp II is against its ethos, since the entire point was to have a durable, fixed steel bezel that is sturdier for banging against rocks and whatnot.

[toolr]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

The Explorer II initially didn't have a "GMT" hand, but it has had an independently set GMT hand for decades at this point.

The GMT hand is not independently set, the hour hand is.

[RichM]

Originally Posted by crazymcmichael

Looks GREAT on you and i see it is brand spankling new(new dial) Did you found one in a AD???

Thanks. I got mine from Thanh Do. They are out there. I’m in a small state with only two AD’s. Closest is 80 miles away. It was just easier to have it delivered.

[bmrisko]

Originally Posted by RRP

But the Explorer II isn’t even a GMT. Has nothing to do with it. The bezel doesn’t rotate and that extra hand has absolutely nothing to do with being a GMT or displaying an extra time zone. Heck, even a SkyDweller is closer to the GMT. The hand on the Explorer II is purely for telling you whether it’s A.M or P.M in your current time zone (ideally as you’re traveling through the jungle days on end and lose track of night and day) . There’s plenty of room in Rolex’s lineup for the GMT, the Sky-D and this.

Uhhh, what? You can easily use the Explorer's GMT hand to track a 2nd time zone.

[georgekart]

Originally Posted by bmrisko

Uhhh, what? You can easily use the Explorer's GMT hand to track a 2nd time zone.

Yeah, but GMT can track 3. One with normal hand, one with 24 hand and one with bezel rotation.

Purpose of GMT is to be able to know time anywhere. You have local time on normal hand, then you have UTC set on 24h hand. If you want to know time in GMT+4 zone, rotate the bezel. It is very useful as you can track time anywhere without re-setting the watch provided you know how far away from GMT/your 24h hand it is.

Purpose of Explorer II is to track whether it is day or night wherever you are. You can make hour hand display other time zone, but if you want to know time in yet another time zone, you have to set the watch to that time zone. With GMT you don't.

E.g. I have hour hand at local time, 24h hand at GMT time, and I can rotate the bezel at any point to know local time at wherever place people I want to communicate with are in.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by RRP

But the Explorer II isn’t even a GMT. Has nothing to do with it. The bezel doesn’t rotate and that extra hand has absolutely nothing to do with being a GMT or displaying an extra time zone.

That was certainly the case with the original design, where the hour hand was not independent of the 24-hour hand. However, once Rolex allowed the hour hand to move independently, that effectively made it a watch for telling time in two different time zones, which makes it a type of GMT watch. The official brochure even lists "Second time zone" as one of the Exp. II's functions. The rotating bezel on the GMT-Master II actually allows for calculating time in a third zone.

[oldsalt]

Originally Posted by RRP

But the Explorer II isn’t even a GMT. Has nothing to do with it. The bezel doesn’t rotate and that extra hand has absolutely nothing to do with being a GMT or displaying an extra time zone. Heck, even a SkyDweller is closer to the GMT. The hand on the Explorer II is purely for telling you whether it’s A.M or P.M in your current time zone (ideally as you’re traveling through the jungle days on end and lose track of night and day) . There’s plenty of room in Rolex’s lineup for the GMT, the Sky-D and this.

I don't feel anybody was bombarding (your term) him... just pointing out the error of his statement.... I bought my Exp II because I could use it to track two time zones.... just sayin'

cheers

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by RRP

1. But the Explorer II isn’t even a GMT.

2. That extra hand has absolutely nothing to do with being a GMT or displaying an extra time zone.

3. The hand on the Explorer II is purely for telling you whether it’s A.M or P.M in your current time zone

Uhhh.....alrighty then. A lot of Explorer II owners are gonna be might disappointed.

[josephvman]

????

Stop posting, you’re embarrassing yourself...

Originally Posted by RRP

But the Explorer II isn’t even a GMT. Has nothing to do with it. The bezel doesn’t rotate and that extra hand has absolutely nothing to do with being a GMT or displaying an extra time zone. Heck, even a SkyDweller is closer to the GMT. The hand on the Explorer II is purely for telling you whether it’s A.M or P.M in your current time zone (ideally as you’re traveling through the jungle days on end and lose track of night and day) . There’s plenty of room in Rolex’s lineup for the GMT, the Sky-D and this.

[RTG]

Originally Posted by RRP

But the Explorer II isn’t even a GMT. Has nothing to do with it. The bezel doesn’t rotate and that extra hand has absolutely nothing to do with being a GMT or displaying an extra time zone. Heck, even a SkyDweller is closer to the GMT. The hand on the Explorer II is purely for telling you whether it’s A.M or P.M in your current time zone (ideally as you’re traveling through the jungle days on end and lose track of night and day) . There’s plenty of room in Rolex’s lineup for the GMT, the Sky-D and this.

You don't know what you are talking about. EXPII is a great dual time watch. I leave the GMT hand set to home time and use the jumping hour to set to whatever timezone I am in. I take it all over the world, can re-set local time in seconds. It's a dual time watch. You don't need a turny-bezel to read two time zones.

[AK797]

This might be the first year where at Basel Rolex want to issue watches that won't sell like hot cakes and make a waiting list, they have supply problems enough.

[Lemonvr6]

Originally Posted by AK797

This might be the first year where at Basel Rolex want to issue watches that won't sell like hot cakes and make a waiting list, they have supply problems enough.

We have a supply problem. Rolex doesn’t.