Explorer II spotted for sale in U.K.

[spikester31]

If anybody is looking for one, both the white and black faced model for sale in Goldsmiths in Birminghams Bullring. Both in the window this afternoon.

[Nairn1980]

Exp 2 are in virtually every AD in the country's window.

Not trying to take away from your nice gesture but they are about the most available Rolex model at an AD and most UK ADs have black and white dials in stock. I think you'd even get a nice 0% deal or a token gesture discount If you showed any interest in one.

The models to advise people of if you spot them are :

Deepsea Blue
BLNR GMT
GMT SS
Sub SS Date and Non Date
SS Daytona Steel
Submariner LV Hulk.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

Exp 2 are in virtually every AD in the country's window.

Not trying to take away from your nice gesture but they are about the most available Rolex model at an AD and most UK ADs have black and white dials in stock. I think you'd even get a nice 0% deal or a token gesture discount If you showed any interest in one.

The models to advise people of if you spot them are :

Deepsea Blue
BLNR GMT
GMT SS
Sub SS Date and Non Date
SS Daytona Steel
Submariner LV Hulk.

I love the explorer II and its one of my favorites, but if they are on display in the UK, they are really, really, really, really not popular. I see them all the time too in London.

Why you can find an explorer II but not an air king on a regular basis is beyond me.

[Stevec14]

The air kings are starting to show up a bit more often. But you are right. The exp2 seems to lack popularity and I'm not sure why really as I think it's a great watch and wears beautifully.

You will probably find they are getting subs, gmt's etc but because of waiting lists most don't make it to the window....

[Busyboy]

Sub's and gmts seem to be cropping up a bit. Well presumably they are as the grey price is more like rrp than it has been for a while

[GMT Aviator]

I imagine most people only purchase the one Rolex.

If its a sport model it will likely have a ceramic bezel.....thats what the masses are attracted to, otherwise it'll likely be a datejust.

I picked up an Exp2 recently and have to say was even more taken with it after purchase than I was before, which seems to be most peoples reactions, but I already had a few GMT's and a DJ.

I don't think the Exp 2 is unpopular, I already know I'll never sell or flip mine. Those that have seem to regret it afterwards. It's just the Exp 2 is likely a lesser known model to the masses who want pride of ownership by flashing some ceramic or a fluted bezel.

The Exp 2 really does have a lot to offer, very under the radar Rolex, (I like that mine barely gets noticed unlike the DJ or GMT), but being under that radar is exactly what a lot of first time Rolex buyers don't want, so the EXP 2 gets overlooked. Shame.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

I love the explorer II and its one of my favorites, but if they are on display in the UK, they are really, really, really, really not popular. I see them all the time too in London.

Why you can find an explorer II but not an air king on a regular basis is beyond me.

I actually bought a new Air-King and think it's a gorgeous watch. Keep in mind it's £4,550 vs £5,950 so for the price point, the AK has a huge amount to offer.

I do really like the EXP2 as well, but never been tempted enough to come close to buying one despite trying both colours on recently. Long term I see it getting a ceramic bezel as per previous mock ups and then I think it will become much more desireable.

Just my opinion :)

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

I actually bought a new Air-King and think it's a gorgeous watch. Keep in mind it's £4,550 vs £5,950 so for the price point, the AK has a huge amount to offer.

I do really like the EXP2 as well, but never been tempted enough to come close to buying one despite trying both colours on recently. Long term I see it getting a ceramic bezel as per previous mock ups and then I think it will become much more desireable.

Just my opinion :)

FWIW i don't dislike the AK, i just think objectively its way more of a niche market than even the explorer ii. I have always been stunned that the only SS Rolex you can always find in the UK is the explorer II. That is what i don't get, not why anyone would buy an AK.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

FWIW i don't dislike the AK, i just think objectively its way more of a niche market than even the explorer ii. I have always been stunned that the only SS Rolex you can always find in the UK is the explorer II. That is what i don't get, not why anyone would buy an AK.

EXP2 isnt the only unpopular one. Every AD has at least a few Milgauss models and normally always the steel Yacht Master with a Rhodium dial.

Price wise for the EXP2 at only £500 more than a sub ND it's decent value. I've seen plenty of preowned ones with terribly damaged bezels, and that would put me off.

[wb55]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

The Exp 2 really does have a lot to offer, very under the radar Rolex, (I like that mine barely gets noticed unlike the DJ or GMT), but being under that radar is exactly what a lot of first time Rolex buyers don't want, so the EXP 2 gets overlooked. Shame.

Tried one on the other week and decided it was rightly unpopular (imho of course). The black is lovely but for £6k I would rather get a Sub no date/date or pay extra for a BLNR.

The issue for me was the matte black dial is contradicted by the beginning of the hands which are metallic black and meant to give the illusion of floating hands which is just too contradictory and not floating at all.

Similarly the white gold circles around the hour markers don't make sense as they again contradict the dial and shouldn't be here.

I think a reduction to £5.4k or £5.5k would boost popularity somewhat but really with a Rolex the issue is rarely price and more so a watch 'not being quite right' so price would be a short term fix only. Most ADs will discount but now they are so scared of discounting that the salesperson said they mainly sell them to people who already have a few Rolexes and want something a bit different and have enough money that perhaps price isn't really a concern. Like picking up a mars bar while you're in the queue at Tesco.

Also I'm not 100% sure on this but the date window looked a bit small for the increased 42mm. I know the DSSD is even bigger but that doesn't have a cyclops and I found the date window not the right size for the dial but that could be a load of nonsense as I didn't measure it. I had it side by side with my BLNR.

Hopefully a new one comes out at some point with a few things remedied and then I can give it another go.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by wb55

Tried one on the other week and decided it was rightly unpopular (imho of course). The black is lovely but for £6k I would rather get a Sub no date/date or pay extra for a BLNR.

The issue for me was the matte black dial is contradicted by the beginning of the hands which are metallic black and meant to give the illusion of floating hands which is just too contradictory and not floating at all.

Similarly the white gold circles around the hour markers don't make sense as they again contradict the dial and shouldn't be here.

I think a reduction to £5.4k or £5.5k would boost popularity somewhat but really with a Rolex the issue is rarely price and more so a watch 'not being quite right' so price would be a short term fix only. Most ADs will discount but now they are so scared of discounting that the salesperson said they mainly sell them to people who already have a few Rolexes and want something a bit different and have enough money that perhaps price isn't really a concern. Like picking up a mars bar while you're in the queue at Tesco.

Also I'm not 100% sure on this but the date window looked a bit small for the increased 42mm. I know the DSSD is even bigger but that doesn't have a cyclops and I found the date window not the right size for the dial but that could be a load of nonsense as I didn't measure it. I had it side by side with my BLNR.

Hopefully a new one comes out at some point with a few things remedied and then I can give it another go.

you may be right. I do really love it, but have never bought it. maybe thats the fate of the explorer ii.

Considering how many watches i have picked up since i first started to like the explorer ii, i should have it by now. It always seems like it is number 2 on my list (every time) and i end up not buying.

[tommy91]

It's a great watch and I wouldn't sell my 16750. However I wouldn't have it as a one and only, as others have said probably the majority of rolex buyers only purchase one hence its unpopularity

[Rolex fan 61]

Fraser Hart in Milton Keynes have both the polar and black face explorer 2, an explorer, and the air king in their window if anyone is interested?

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Rolex fan 61

Fraser Hart in Milton Keynes have both the polar and black face explorer 2, an explorer, and the air king in their window if anyone is interested?

As above, most ADs have both exp 2 in stock.

Someone on another post was looking for a new Air-King so that's good info.

[drm20]

Loving mine!

[GMT Aviator]

The reality of the situation is that for all we know it could be Rolex' best selling sports model, and I'd certainly say it's far from being unpopular. Unlikely, but true none the less. Not so long ago there were waiting lists for Exp 42mm like there are now for the BLNR. Since its release it's gone through the hype stage that all Rolex go through, including the Pepsi, Coke and currently the BLNR and Daytona.
It may not be a first Rolex for many, but for those of us lucky enough to have a few of the usual references already, it's a surprisingly alluring piece once it's on the wrist. My other Rolex aren't getting a look in as of late, because the Explorer is stealing the show.
It's also worth remembering that many officianods still consider the Exp to be the last of the Rolex tool watches that remains the most faithful to the Rolex tool watch heritage.
Move along, no ceramic to be seen here folks, and the reference is the better for it.

[Gary.]

All we can actually say for certain is that Rolex supplies the Submariner, BLNR, Daytona etc in numbers which are lower relative to demand. They are very careful not to saturate the market because the difficulty of finding those models is part of the mystique and the attraction for some.
The Explorer II sometimes feels like the last true tool watch in the Rolex stable and I like the fact that, if you need one, you can just go to a Rolex store and buy one. It just seems right.