My 40mm Explorer has arrived!

[R3-D9]

Here is the new 40mm Explorer ref. 224270

This is the Explorer I’ve been waiting for… perfect for my wrist (~7 inches) and as nicely proportioned as the 124270, which I owned, but could never warm up to the size. I also have the 114270 (pictured) and used to own the 214270, so I have a pretty good idea as to how they all wear, relative to one another.

For anyone as curious as I was about the lug-to-lug measurement… Unfortunately, I can’t find my digital callipers, but using a measuring tape, it looks to be 46.5mm… maybe 47mm, but no more than that.

Also, again with a grain of salt given my lack of a precision measurement device, I get 39mm as the true case size. I wish I had a 214270 to compare with it side-by-side, but as a former owner of that watch, I’d say this wears about the same, from a footprint perspective.

I’m still not 100% this has actually just happened… awesome day! Feel free to ask any questions and I’ll answer them as best as I can.

[Hemdog]

Congrats- she’s a beauty!

[gwang414]

Originally Posted by hemdog

congrats- she’s a beauty!

11

[Wcdhtwn]

Congrats! Looks great!

[dannyp]

Personally still prefer the 36, but agree w/you on the proportions. Overall aesthetic looks much better than the previous 39.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Overall aesthetic looks much better than the previous 39.

Can you show me what looks better aesthetically? Only difference I see is the placement of the Explorer text.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Can you show me what looks better aesthetically? Only difference I see is the placement of the Explorer text.

Is there some way to look better other than aesthetically? No idea ??? I don't think a 39/40mm watch needs a 21mm bracelet but I don't think it hurts it either.

[Stickboy]

I have a question that may not apply to most people. But, I had the recent 36mm model. I have smaller wrists and 2 links removed. When putting the watch on, I could barely get my hand through the bracelet with the clasp open. So, my question is, is the clasp larger on the new 40mm when opened, compared to the recent 36mm? I hope I explained this well enough.

[R3-D9]

Originally Posted by Stickboy

I have a question that may not apply to most people. But, I had the recent 36mm model. I have smaller wrists and 2 links removed. When putting the watch on, I could barely get my hand through the bracelet with the clasp open. So, my question is, is the clasp larger on the new 40mm when opened, compared to the recent 36mm? I hope I explained this well enough.

Unfortunately I don’t have the 124270 to compare, but from memory, I would say the clasps seem to be of similar length, but no way to know for sure. The clasp is definitely thicker at 18.5 (using a sewing kit’s tape measure). Sorry I can’t be of more help on that one.

[R3-D9]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Can you show me what looks better aesthetically? Only difference I see is the placement of the Explorer text.

I don’t think one is better than the other… I enjoyed my 39mm for quite a few years. Some differences off the top that I’ve noticed are:

-Matte dial vs glossy
-Because of the extra width of the bracelet, the lugs on the 39mm look a bit fatter.
-the crown on the 40 is larger and the knurling is more pronounced… not an aesthetic quality, as much as a tactile one. The new 40 crown feels great to operate.
-I think the numerals are a bit smaller on the 40, relative to the dial… although I don’t have the 39 handy to directly compare, but I always felt my 39 felt a tiny bit off in the ratio of bezel to dial to indices and numerals. Looking at the 40 on the wrist, the visual balance feels improved, but that just a personal opinion and also from memory.

[R3-D9]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Can you show me what looks better aesthetically? Only difference I see is the placement of the Explorer text.

Here is my wrist shot from today next to an old picture of me wearing my 39mm

I tried to line them up as best as I can… both shot with an iPhone, but the 39 was shot at a 28mm equivalent and an iPhone 10 and the 40 was shot at 24mm equivalent on my iPhone 14 pro

[Brich436]

Originally Posted by R3-D9

Here is my wrist shot from today next to an old picture of me wearing my 39mm

I tried to line them up as best as I can… both shot with an iPhone, but the 39 was shot at a 28mm equivalent and an iPhone 10 and the 40 was shot at 24mm equivalent on my iPhone 14 pro

Great comparison photo. The 40mm def looks dramatically better to my eye than the 39 but I do prefer the OG 36mm model. I tried on the 39mm model back in the day and passed on it. I do have a smaller wrist though.

[R3-D9]

Originally Posted by Brich436

Great comparison photo. The 40mm def looks dramatically better to my eye than the 39 but I do prefer the OG 36mm model. I tried on the 39mm model back in the day and passed on it. I do have a smaller wrist though.

If the 36 worked for my overall frame, it would definitely be my choice… specifically the 124270… but the 114270 is also great and obviously the 1016 is an icon. The 36 looks fine when I’m wearing a shirt with cuffs, but in a t-shirt it just looks off on me.

In terms of the larger sizes, I think if you prefer a matte dial, the 39mm is the way to go. 40mm if you prefer glossy.

I think every Explorer is great, but then again, it’s my favourite watch of all time, so I’m a little biased. Ultimately, which one you prefer comes down to your body and wrist sized and/or personal preference. Choice is a good thing :-)

[Drew.g.l]

Originally Posted by R3-D9

Here is my wrist shot from today next to an old picture of me wearing my 39mm

I tried to line them up as best as I can… both shot with an iPhone, but the 39 was shot at a 28mm equivalent and an iPhone 10 and the 40 was shot at 24mm equivalent on my iPhone 14 pro

Thanks - this confirms to me the 214270 is one of the best looking sports watches Rolex has made. Way more interesting looking watch for what’s an admittedly no-nonsense design.

The matte dial and explorer text below the handset do just enough to make the piece interesting (matte dial) and unique amongst the rest of the line (text position). Also I think the smaller bracelet works better to help the watch itself pop on the wrists.

Both a beautiful and you can’t go wrong with any explorer

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Can you show me what looks better aesthetically? Only difference I see is the placement of the Explorer text.

Dial: For one reason or another, the 39 dial appears to have more blank space

Bezel: 39 bezel always looked too thick for my liking

Lug/bracelet alignment: Probably the most profound difference, the taper of the lugs lines up way, way better with the taper of the bracelet to give it the same "integrated bracelet silhouette" of the new 36

Lug shape: The lugs on the 39 appear too thick and the curvature looks too rounded (like the old cushion-style OP/DJ case)

[Drew.g.l]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Dial: For one reason or another, the 39 dial appears to have more blank space

Bezel: 39 bezel always looked too thick for my liking

Lug/bracelet alignment: Probably the most profound difference, the taper of the lugs lines up way, way better with the taper of the bracelet to give it the same "integrated bracelet silhouette" of the new 36

Lug shape: The lugs on the 39 appear too thick and the curvature looks too rounded (like the old cushion-style OP/DJ case)

I disagree with a few of these points

- having the text below is much better balance at this size, to me the 40mm looks like it has more blank space especially under the handset. Neither look bad

- lug shapes are identical and the difference is due to the 21mm vs 20mm bracelet. The 40mm lugs are shorter and stubbier than the 39mm.

- the lugs taper differently, the 39mm’s bracelet appears more like a compliment to the watch and less integrated as the 36/40. This is all preference and I don’t think either is objectively better looking

- I like the larger crown on the 40mm but think the smaller hour hand on the 39mm looks way, way better than the maxi handset they put on the 40mm.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Drew.g.l

I disagree with a few of these points

- having the text below is much better balance at this size, to me the 40mm looks like it has more blank space especially under the handset. Neither look bad

- lug shapes are identical and the difference is due to the 21mm vs 20mm bracelet. The 40mm lugs are shorter and stubbier than the 39mm.

- the lugs taper differently, the 39mm’s bracelet appears more like a compliment to the watch and less integrated as the 36/40. This is all preference and I don’t think either is objectively better looking

- I like the larger crown on the 40mm but think the smaller hour hand on the 39mm looks way, way better than the maxi handset they put on the 40mm.

I don't think it's the text placement so much as something about the hour markers that makes it look like the 39 has too much blank space. Maybe it's the matte vs. glossy?

It could easily be an illusion, but the lugs look like they curve outward slightly (lending a rounder looking shape to the whole watch) vs the 36/40, which appear straight if not curved slightly inward near the tips. The wide appearance of the lug tips were my primary turn-off from the 11 series Sub/GMT/SD

In the end, the thicker bezel and lugs just make it look a bit bloated to me. You're right about the effect of the narrower bracelet, and I find myself preferring the more integrated look, with some taper continuity between lugs and bracelet.

[whybrge]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Can you show me what looks better aesthetically? Only difference I see is the placement of the Explorer text.

Thinner bezel
Better proportioned hands (instead of a repurposed sub-hour)
Better proportioned numerals
"Swiss Made" not crowding the 6

I do wish they reatained a thicker marker at each 5 min interval

[Cru Jones]

Many congrats, looks great!

[Parapraxis]

Wow so new releases are out in the wild? May I ask which AD?
Congrats btw!

[enjoythemusic]

Perfect fit!

[Athlone27]

Wow looks great, I didn't expect to see one until the summer.
Good to know they are starting to arrive, need to bug by SA again.

[BlakeA]

So glad (not!) that Rolex is now making the 40mm but I still can’t get a 36mm that I’ve been on the list for at the AD since it came out.

[Dr. Robert]

Congratulations!
Is the lug width 21 or 20mm?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[R3-D9]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Congratulations!
Is the lug width 21 or 20mm?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you! It’s 21mm. If it wears at all larger than the 39mm, that would be the reason. It feels correct for the size of the watch, though.

[Cassian739]

Congrats, looks great!

[cydesai]

Looks spectacular!

[pavinc]

Congratulations picking up this beauty. Glad to see the new releases starting to come into the store. Hopefully this means mine is on the way too.


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[RogerOP]

WoS in UK are still figuring out from head office about how they'll distribute the new models. Smh

[JTL31]

Congratulations! Enjoy wearing it.