Explorer 1 desirable?

[Super Dave]

Hi,

Do the Explorer 1 models go up in value over time like the other sport models?

Thanks,
Dave

[Old Expat Beast]

Depends which model you mean. The 1016 has shot up in recent years.

[Super Dave]

Thanks, which model do you suggest that you would not be afraid to wear...but could also cover your investment plus some in a few years.
Thanks,
Dave

[sea-dweller]

Hard to project how much, or if a watch would appreciate, but the 114270 and 214270 Explorer 1's are fine watches. I have a 114270 and just love it!

[CDNWatchNut]

The Explorer is desirable to some and not to others, just like anything else. No one really knows what watches, if any, will be valuable in a monetary sense in years or decades from now. The best approach is to buy the watch(es) you like and invest money in real investments.

[jshepard]

Probably in like 50 years when the cheapest Rolex will be like $30,000 and a gallon of milk is $25. The price of the vintage Rolex will increase in proportion to the inflation of prices. But then again $8000 in 50 years isn't like $8000 today...

[Old Expat Beast]

It's hard to say, but the 114270 was the last of the 'classic' 36mm Explorers, and had the best movement of any 36mm, too. They'll never be rare but if I was buying one as a daily wearer with an eye to recouping my costs (not investing) five years down the road, this would be my choice. If you bought a brand new 214270 from an AD, you might get your money back 20 years from now.

[Super Dave]

Thanks for the info guys. That's helpful.

After making a healthy return on a Sub I can't help but seeing a Rolex as an enjoyable investment. It's a great reason to buy. I realize the Explorer 1 is not a Sub but I'm hoping for a better return than a Datejust.

Thanks,
Dave

[waspy1]

1016 or 6610 gilt dials. These are the ones to chase. Condition is everything.


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[Nobody.Move]

As Adam said, the 1016 is highly desirable now. The 36mm 114270 is no longer manufactured, and while still pretty easy to land on the secondary market, I've been seeing evidence of buyers snapping up the barely used/basically "new" specimens. It would follow that in the near future prices for the 114270 will be higher than they are today, although the percentage increase won't be as parabolic as the truly vintage sports models.

FWIW: I currently own both the 114270 and the larger 39mm 214270; they're both fantastic watches. But like I'm sure you'll hear a lot here: Buy what speaks to you and what suits your needs, not what you think might go up in value in the future.

[clock]

The 21470 was a disappointment because the 3,6 and 9 numerals don't have luminous material like its predecessor. For me, the dial just doesn't have the same pleasing aesthetics, not as easy to read during the day and doesn't light up as much. The 39mm case is a plus.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by clock

The 21470 was a disappointment because the 3,6 and 9 numerals don't have luminous material like its predecessor. For me, the dial just doesn't have the same pleasing aesthetics, not as easy to read during the day and doesn't light up as much. The 39mm case is a plus.

The 114270 doesn't have luminous 3/6/9 either.

[rollerball]

Whether it will go up in value is more of a gamble. Not necessary but good if it becomes collectible after many years. Some factors I feel that the 214270 will be an important watch is that it is a major upgrade for the Explorer line and not just a mere face lift of the older 36 mm models. You can't really say the the 214270 is the same watch as the 114270. If you don't need the money, consider buy one and gamble on it. Likewise for the Deep Sea, I don't like it, I don't wear it, I just buy one anyway cos it's a major upgrade from the late SD4000.

[Dr. Robert]

My 114270 is my go to watch.....I wear it to work 5 days a week, it's precise, comfy & low key....only the cognoscenti know it.

[Super Dave]

I'm liking the under the radar look. 36mm is plenty big for my taste.

Later,
Dave

[roklee]

Very desirable.

[CKL1213]

Desirable on how you want to perceive it.

It may not have the huge fans base like the sub, but to me Explorer is special in its own way.

For example, Explorer does not have any other variant model, it is just by itself (if you look thru the catalog or website, Explorer stand alone, just like Everest.

As compared to others, like Sub, you have probably 6 to 7 different variant (not bashing Sub, myself is a Sub fans too)

Explorer indeed is unique

[Singslinger]

I've never thought of watches as financial investments. Emotional maybe, but financial, no.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Super Dave

Thanks, which model do you suggest that you would not be afraid to wear...but could also cover your investment plus some in a few years.
Thanks,
Dave

I would not be afraid to wear any Rolex on a daily bases that's what Rolex are for wearing, and not thought of as any sort of investment.Now most Rolex especially the SS models if bought new will show a much better resell value in proportion to price paid than most other high end brands.But watches like the Explorer1 and the DJ range not so great proportion wise as the rest of the SS Sports line up.Now buy the watch you want to own and wear,then after owning and enjoy wearing that watch for many years.Then if you have to sell that watch and it gives you a good return considering inflation prices rises etc over those years. Just think of this as a bonus of having the enjoyment of wearing that Rolex watch in good health over those years. Thats whats buying and owning a Rolex watch its not all about £££££££$$$$$$$$$.

[DateAperture]

Not very desirable to me, nay, just totally lustworthy. Constantly scheming (legal means) on how I can get one in 2015.

[khyamboy]

Totally agree with you peter, wear and most of all enjoy. I smile every time I look at mine !

[zama]

Like most Rolex the Earlier the better with Explorers, it has had a large and long model run. 36mm will be the most collectable I suspect.

[111forza]

Love my 114270 size and balance is just perfect and wears much bigger than you would think. If I was in your shoes It's what I would be looking to pick up its so comfy and makes a great daily wearer. I would think it's value will increase if you hold onto it for many years but don't expect to get rich out of it though just enjoy it

[Super Dave]

Hey, thanks guys. I'm looking pretty hard for a nice 114270.

I'm surprised some of you don't see your Rolex as an investment. I know some of you have big collections. The way the popular models go up in value it seems like a pretty safe bet.

I have a number of hobbies and most of those toys go down in value. Most of the other watch brands I have bought have gone down in value too. I'm preaching to the choir... I'm buying another Rolex because I know it will hold its value (and the movements are better than anything else I've had.) The value thing makes it easy for me to justify another.

Anyway, take it easy.

Happy new year.

Dave

[tonyedmunds]

Hi Dave
I totally agree with you, while I've enjoyed wearing my GMT 16700 every day (work and play) for 22 years I'm also pleased it's doubled in value in that time too!

BTW, I bought myself ( as a retirement present) a mint 114270, I really love this watch and it's a spiritual successor to a 1016 which I stupidly sold 30 years ago!

Tony

[Mick P]

Chaps

I just buy a watch because I like it and hence my main watch is a 39mm Explorer bought brand new.

I agree that from an investment point of view, the 36mm model is probably a better bet but I preferred the 39mm version and hence I bought it and have never regretted it.

I think the investment angle is used by most of us to justify the purchase, mainly to our partners and secondly to ourselves.

I have no real knowledge of the price history of Rolexes but I can remember my insurance broker advising me to lower the agreed value of my Omega and JLC about twenty years ago because the market had all but crashed and that the insurance companies would only pay a fraction of what was agreed a couple of years ago.

I suspect that the market goes up and down and if you are angling for investment, you have to buy at the right time and more importantly, sell at the right time. That is a lot easier said than done.

Therefore, I just buy what I like and then hold onto it.

Regards

Mick

[Super Dave]

Right on guys. I think I'm overusing the investment word. In the scheme of things it's peanuts. To me it's just another cool toy that will hold it's value.
Take care.
Dave

[subtona]

Great watch if it's the right size for you

[clock]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The 114270 doesn't have luminous 3/6/9 either.

I stand corrected. What is the material on the 3,6,9 of the 114270 that
Makes the dial more visible and to me makes the dial more desireable?


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YgSfz5YMcI0&autoplay=1

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by clock

I stand corrected. What is the material on the 3,6,9 of the 114270 that
Makes the dial more visible and to me makes the dial more desireable?


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YgSfz5YMcI0&autoplay=1

Some kind of enamel, I believe.