Re-visiting the new Explorer

[Cru Jones]

So, it's been almost three weeks since the new Explorer was announced and, for such an iconic watch with such history for Rolex, I'm a little surprised by how little the watch is discussed on this board....

Thoughts as to why this might be the case?

Is it because Rolex got it "just right" and people are just waiting to see it in the flesh?

Does the radio silence indicate a general lack of interest?

IMO, I can't wait to see the watch. I think the new size will be a big improvement.

However, I have two quibbles with the watch that might still cause me to pass: (i) the small hands; and (ii) the elimination of the lume around the numbers.

The lack of lume is particularly irksome....Without the lume around the numbers, I think the dial borders on looking like a regular DJ or Air King dial....Not necessarily bad, but not right for a "sport"/explorer watch...

Any chances Rolex will make changes to the production version???

[Cru Jones]

OOOOOPS...Double post....Sorry, don't know what happened. Can a mod delete one of the threads? Thanks....

[ayres]

of course, aspects of the watch might change before distribution begins. instead of being concerned now, i'd rather wait until there is some actual substance to be discussed.

[G.J]

Like the DDII I think (MHO of course) that the Explorer is as well bit out of proportion.
The hands appear a bit tiny and the bezel too thick.
All this just my opinion of course.

I prefer the Explorer and the Day Date both in the original 36mm size...

[Gasoil4ever]

I think we need to see it in the flesh...

[Cru Jones]

The collective shrug today (and otherwise) on the new Explorer confirmed what I was afraid of, which is that this icon's update was mishandled by the powers that be.

[The GMT Master]

I think it's a great upgrade. It is my opinion that the current Explorer is a non-entity within the range, and time and time again, clients I've dealt with have questioned why they should have the Explorer when they can get the Oyster Perpetual 36mm with a better bracelet and for a lower price. However, the new Explorer has carved out a new niche - a unique size and movement will certainly help it. I'm seriously considering flipping my Datejust for it when it launches

[carlhaluss]

The changes that Rolex made to the Explorer seem to make a good move for Rolex. Prior to the changes, I saw many comments by TRF members about exaclty the changes they have made.
Personally, I am extremely satisfied with my 36mm Explorer, and for me it is the most perfect watch I have owned. I also feel very fortunate that I decided to get mine when I did, at the beginning of Feb. this year. I love this watch, and would do nothing to change it.
I am looking forward to seeing the new one in the flesh. I don't think that I will be too keen on the matte dial. I had the matte black on my Milgauss, and prefer the shiny dial on my Explorer. Give the watch just a bit on blinginess, which I like.
Having taken very close looks at the pics of the new one, I don't really understand the fuss about the size of the second hand, but we shall see.
The present model has no lume around the numbers either, and it's not a problem for me at all. It's pretty obvious when telling time in the dark, that lume deletion is right at the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock marks, and it really makes it no more difficult to tell the time. I do realize that this is a make-or-break issue with a lot of buyers though.
I also like the proportion of the current model. While the case is 36mm, the lug width is 20mm. Even though the case is larger on the new model, the lug width is still 20mm, and the proportion will change. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I prefer how it is currently. I also like how the lugs taper more into the bracelet on the current model.
I am definitely passionate about the current Explorer I, but I'm curious to see the new one.
Cheers ,
Carl

[patek5107]

People don't start discussing in detail till a person here buys one! Once they buy 1 - they will post stunning pics, stunning review and the ball will start rolling.

Personally - I was so inspired by the new Explorer 1 - I bouhgt a used 14270 (Sapphire explorer 1)... at a great price I might add also!

[Tools]

I think that it's going to be a big hit once it's on the market........

[deschen]

Honestly I think the hands being too small is just because the pictures coming out are showing the watch in such detail but when it's on your wrist instead of under 10x magnification photo lens, I doubt you can really see the difference in those couple of MILIMETERS

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

The collective shrug today (and otherwise) on the new Explorer confirmed what I was afraid of, which is that this icon's update was mishandled by the powers that be.

I take the above post back! Some interesting perspectives on the update here. Thanks for sharing, b/c I feel a little better now about the watch and am looking forward to seeing it. TRF can sometimes feel like therapy!! LOL.

[Singslinger]

I think the new Exp has been overshadowed by the release of the two new Subs - the black (which everyone expected) and the all-green (which came as a bit of a surprise).

Personally, I'm happy that Rolex have upsized the Exp, but not by too much. I would certainly consider buying one when it arrives at my AD.

[Joey_V]

It's never been a popular watch and the updates are not enough to polarize TRF members, hence there's not much discussion on it.

[ral]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

I think it's a great upgrade. It is my opinion that the current Explorer is a non-entity within the range, and time and time again, clients I've dealt with have questioned why they should have the Explorer when they can get the Oyster Perpetual 36mm with a better bracelet and for a lower price. However, the new Explorer has carved out a new niche - a unique size and movement will certainly help it. I'm seriously considering flipping my Datejust for it when it launches

x2

I think we are all just waiting to see the new watch. How much can be discussed till than...

This is pretty much the best picture I have seen... and I think it will look better in brighter light.

[TimeOnHand]

I am very much put off by the very small Hands and lack of lume on the 3-6-9.

[superb]

Originally Posted by Joey_V

It's never been a popular watch and the updates are not enough to polarize TRF members, hence there's not much discussion on it.

so true. what a shame though.

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by deschen

Honestly I think the hands being too small is just because the pictures coming out are showing the watch in such detail but when it's on your wrist instead of under 10x magnification photo lens, I doubt you can really see the difference in those couple of MILIMETERS

I do not agree. Since the watch itself is a fairly small object people do see and feel the differencies. If they didn't we would not have all the long discussions on size. It is about proportions, not actual millimeters.

The Explorer should have large hands for the best possible legibility. This is what the watch has always been about. Looking at the development lately from Rolex Geneva it is obvious that the markers on the dial are growing bigger and bigger, whilst the hands is not keeping up. I need the hands to tell time... not the markers.

Here is an example: I bought the new style Air-King when it came. I got it because I always (and still) wanted a white dialled Explorer, so the 3-6-9 dial on the AK was a very nice option. After just a couple of weeks I realised that the very small, thin and short hands led to misreading of time; was it five to one or five past eleven? I also disliked the distance from the minute hand to the markers, so I had the hands replaced with longer and wider hands from a Datejust model. This improved things (eventhough I have to admit that the DJ hands are sligthly too long - never happy...). Eventually the size thing as such, the watch being 34 mm, got to me and I flipped it.

Still I find it to be a very nice model, with elegant proportions with the exception of the tiny hands. I would say that Rolex use smaller hands either because they re-use them on many models or to create the appearance of a larger dial. This might be the case for the new Explorer, and I do not like it. But, I might still buy the watch...

Here is the Air-King:

Before:



A poor photoshop experiment that I used on this forum to get comments from members here (there is a member that has Mercedes hands on his AK):



And this was the end result:



That white dial is one of the best ever, and looking at the new Explorer I can see that they are using the same design elements, with no luminova on the numbers. To be fair I prefer the all luminous markers, like on the OP 116000, but Rolex have used the 3-6-9 dial layout with all solid numbers for many years on many models. So it could be refreshing to see that on the new Ex.

I am looking forward to try the new Explorer out, but I'd prefer a longer minute hand... and if they could offer a white dialled version, with black markers and hands I'd get both!

Best,

A

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by acce1999

[SNIP]

Before:



[SNIP]

And this was the end result:



[SNIP]

wow! impressive before and after shots!! the longer hands really do improve the dial, imho. while they might have been a tad too long, you're right, i definitely prefer the latter over the former.

i hope the production explorer model will have lenghtened hands. i'm now convinced that millimeters do make a difference. thanks for the pix.

[zak98]

looking forward to seeing the new explorer for sure. i do not own one, but this new one may make me "pull the trigger" on it, if i like what i see in person.

also.. love to see airking pics!!!! thanks...

[kingblackbolt]

I would'nt worry about it my friend I think that most people expressed a LOT of interest when it was fist mentioned but as with any new model to see it in the flesh and to see posts from a member that actually has one on the wrist is when the excitement truly begins!

[kyle L]

Did someone say Explorer?

I have my reasons for not liking the new one, but overall it's an under appreciated watch.

[wanasub]

Bumping up to see more opinions on the new Explorer.

[Cru Jones]

here's a link to an article in "motoring exposure" regarding the new Explorer: http://www.motoringexposure.com/1650...ednesday-watch

[phelix_da_kat]

Originally Posted by kyle L

Did someone say Explorer?

I have my reasons for not liking the new one, but overall it's an under appreciated watch.

I am with you there Kyle.. I pref the current look, exp without the rehaut.
Looks like I will have to get that Exp I before the new model comes out.. or maybe I should wait as people trade their current incarnation?