Does a Submariner make an Explorer redundant?

[mito818]

I am obsessed with two watch collections. I love the idea of having one sports watch and one dressed watch. It seems that a popular two watch combo is a rolex submariner and a rolex explorer. However I feel like these two watches are so similar. Am I wrong?

what would you believe are a better two watch combo

[Genevapics]

Submariner and OP/Datejust.

[Brew]

Neither is a dress watch.

[Calborn]

put a leather strap on one of em

[UNCLE27]

The Submariner or Submariner-Date is THE iconic sports watch. The Explorer I is probably the most versatile Rolex Watch and in my opinion can be dressed up or down.
The Explorer II is definitely a sports watch.
If you wanted something more dressy, perhaps the Datejust or Datejust 41, which can be specced as either dressy or sporty depending on your combination of jubilee or oyster bracelet and smooth or fluted bezel.

My 2 Watch choice would be Submariner and Explorer I (or Datejust 41 jubilee & smooth).

[TudorBeast]

I would do a Sub & Datejust

[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by TudorBeast

I would do a Sub & Datejust

[Junior_]

Originally Posted by TudorBeast

I would do a Sub & Datejust

This

[LooseCann0n]

Something like this; although the Daytona may not be regarded as dressy - however, with a leather strap it might get a little closer (I am looking into this)

[G M Francis]

Sub and an Explorer are fine. I have both, take out the Mercedes hands and you have two iconic dials, a ratchet bezel on one and a fixed polished on the other and a classic oyster case on the Explorer.
If that’s not enough you can always put a strap on one of them.

[SearChart]

No, I think a Sub and Explorer (Either explorer 1 or 2) would make a great 2 watch collection.

[BisonHead]

For me personally it is 5 digit Sub or SD and a vintage DJ TT.

Classic combination and covers all scenarios.

[zengineer]

Explorer I is considered by many as the ideal one watch collection.

A Submariner and a Datejust would be my picks for a two Rolex collection.

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[Finslayer83]

Maybe I'm weird.

Since getting the explorer and having some work done on it - I'm strongly considering parting with my 14060M.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Finslayer83

Maybe I'm weird.

Since getting the explorer and having some work done on it - I'm strongly considering parting with my 14060M.

Not weird at all. That project has me thinking of getting an explorer, doing the same treatment, and perhaps it would replace my 14060M as well... Not sure about it but thinking it. It's nice to have something different. Or the same treatment with a Milgauss but brush the top case and PCL's.

[Zuger]

I did feel the Sub and Explorer were redundant so I went for this combo:

[SpeakWithMichael]

Originally Posted by Zuger

I did feel the Sub and Explorer were redundant so I went for this combo:

We're on the same page.

[JayHantz]

Originally Posted by Zuger

I did feel the Sub and Explorer were redundant so I went for this combo:

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

We're on the same page.

That’s a third for the Sub and white OP club! Love this combo; clean and classic.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Zuger

I did feel the Sub and Explorer were redundant so I went for this combo:

Very nice!


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[Junior_]

Originally Posted by Zuger

I did feel the Sub and Explorer were redundant so I went for this combo:

Also a great combo.

[Harry-57]

Similar? One is a classic diver with a rotatable bezel which is painted or ceramic, with dive timing indices. The other has a fixed, metal bezel, showing a second time zone, indicated by a fourth hand. The Polar comes with a dial that isn't available on any Sub, and the black Explorer has "floating" hands.

I'd say the Sub Date is much closer to a GMT Master for looks, although they have significantly different secondary timing functions. A Milgauss is an embellished OP (looks wise) and even the very clever Sky Dweller could be mistaken for a DJ that had eaten one too many pies.

In the end, it's in the eye of the beholder. If you think they look too similar, they do. Your money, your call.

[Gimoozaabi]

Not for me.
I own 2016 Exlplorer mk2, and five and six-digits Sumbmariners. I enjoy equally all of them.

[Krash]

If you want only Rolex, I’d say a Submariner and Datejust are the perfect 2 watch combination.

If you’re open to other brands, and want a dress watch along with your Sub, you should consider a JLC Reverso,


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[Brny11]

Originally Posted by mito818

I am obsessed with two watch collections. I love the idea of having one sports watch and one dressed watch. It seems that a popular two watch combo is a rolex submariner and a rolex explorer. However I feel like these two watches are so similar. Am I wrong?



what would you believe are a better two watch combo

Might sound dumb but SubC and Explorer, I’d be wearing Sub all day every day... but SubC date and Explorer is an amazing combo.

But I do agree that for many, Explorer and Sub is a great combo. I have a SubC Date and BB58 (and consider them completely different watches), so in terms of diversity, maybe my opinion is not the best. I’d gladly own 50 subs and be happy with my diverse collection lol!


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[cfracing]

In my world I do not consider the Submariner and Explorer 1 redundant. However, in your defined 2 watch collection neither watch fulfills the dress watch requirement to my thinking so, yes, they are both sport watches and therefore redundant.

In my opinion the Explorer 1 is a " 'tweener " neither a full blown sports watch nor a full blown dress watch, but is capable of being used as either.

[GradyPhilpott]

I have a 14060M and a 114270 and don't see a problem with that.

I also have plenty of other watches in the rotation to keep things mixed up.

[IR201]

IMO, and short hands controversy aside, the MK1 214270 is a bit dressier with the white gold 3-6-9, and in that sense complements the sub better than the MK2 (which is sportier with the lumed 3-6-9).

[Dsmith1974]

GMT and DJ41.

GMT makes the explorer II redundant (or vice versa).

[Gotgolf52]

SubC and Daytona 116520 white dial

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by mito818

I am obsessed with two watch collections. I love the idea of having one sports watch and one dressed watch. It seems that a popular two watch combo is a rolex submariner and a rolex explorer. However I feel like these two watches are so similar. Am I wrong?

what would you believe are a better two watch combo

I see what you're saying, although maybe not a sports/dress watch. I think what you are saying is a professional/classic combo. Submariner/Date-Just type combo. In this case, I think a Sub/Explorer works very well.

I'm thinking pretty hard about pairing either an Explorer or DJ41 with my Explorer II.