Why isn't a Rolex Explorer 1 your grail watch?

[Frosty]

If I go no date, it will be my Sub or GV, I just like them better.

[Pringle]

I tried the Explorer on at my local AD and very much admired it but in the end I was pulled to the Submariner Date with its glidelock and date function. I still love the clean lines of the Explorer though.

[roosvelt]

Just to simple for my tastes, looks like a timex. coming from a owner of a serti sub lol. I want a date and a rotating bezel to time various activities.

[JonaG]

The fact that it was the first Rolex I was drawn to. I saw one pre-owned and bought it. The time frame between choosing the Explorer and buying was like a week...i’d expect my grail watch to be that more unobtainable. If I’d had double the budget, I may have gone GMT. That said, what would be considered a “grail” watch for someone where money was absolutely no object? I guess that’s why Picasso’s etc keep breaking records, because it must be a one-of-a-kind artifact.

A bit of a ramble there

[RHJ]

I'm a daily wearer of the 214270 Mk1 and it's my preferred watch. Not a grail, but a trusted companion. In platinum it would be my grail..

[Jdjung]

It's not a grail watch because it's not nearly impossible to get for most people, i.e. my Grail is the Van Cleef and Arpels Midnight Constellation.

However, the Explorer may be a near perfect watch for this day and age as an everyday watch. You can wear it with a suit or with jeans without having to take it off it's bracelet. A Date Just with the bevels, to match a casual outfit, in my opinion, needs to be moved to an informal strap or it looks out of place.

In terms of date windows, I always refer to my phone due to the possibility that I did not set the date correctly because dates are very important in my field. The date also forces you to unscrew your crown and fiddle around to engage the date leading to a higher chance of mucking things up. For a tool watch a date window could be a liability.

The comments that you need a date window for a submariner is interesting. I've never used a date window when I go diving unless it's the desk variety. Additionally, wearing a sub with a tux can be difficult if you tailor your dress shirts with a tight cuff, and if it's a white tie affair you really shouldn't wear a sub. Additionally the teeth can damage the fabric of your dress shirt if you wear a tight cuff. My AD says he no longer wears his GMT Batman because of this.

IMHO the no date Sub is one of the best sports watches out there. To say the Sub is better then the Explorer to play double duty as a dress watch is generally not correct, in my opinion. The Sub is however a better sports watch then an Explorer. As the GMT is better for travelers or people doing business in more than one time zone.

Ian Fleming's variety of James Bond most likely wore an Explorer. I choose the Explorer T Rex for my next Rolex.T Rex is the perfect name btw. T Rex had short arms, the R stands for Rolex and the EX for Explorer. My T Rex will be buried with me. The hands are elegant and I'm my opinion perfect with the Rhodium plated white gold 3, 6 and 9. Excuse my typos. I'm writing this on my phone at a crazy hour.

[Brew]

I was going to get an Exp1, until I saw the OP.

[Time4aRolex]

couple of reasons for me ....

I echo the date comment - since my watch has the date - I never have to remember it.

Second - I liked the look of a fluted jubilee DJ first and the look of a Sub C as my second Rolex - the Explorer model just never made the radar.

[marcopolo05]

I love the Exp 1 but it would not fit my rotation.

I find it too boring for a Sports watch yet it is too sporty to wear in dressier occasions. Just mho

A shame because it is lovely

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[dreyep]

Originally Posted by rnordby

Hello,
I was curious, any thoughts on why the Explorer 1 does not receive much praise or interest on this site?

Simply not the case; for example, "Ode to the last 36mm Explorer", posted just over a week ago:
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=624932

That it looks like a Timex is one of its greatest virtues.

[Strummer25]

Lovely reference, love its simplicity but prefer my DJ

[1William]

Great watch but when most people say grail watch they are referring to a higher priced or more expensive model. The term grail also for many is a moving target. When we get what we want many time we then move to another grail.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by zaratsu

It's pretty simple in my case. The look of it doesn't appeal to me, that's all.

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Originally Posted by kangajack

“Grail”, to me represents the unobtainable, or the dream. I see many posts of people picking one up, and it’s certainly a timepiece to be proud of. It’s just not a typical “grail” watch like an AP, Patek, ALS or some hard to source Rolex watches.


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Agreed on both counts

[AK797]

I find it a bit too simple a watch.

[kinggiamma]

I think the Rolex Explorer is a connoissuer watch.

It is a difficult watch to digest as it is not blinky, do not scream Rolex and do not scream in the face of other people " expensive watch".

In my personal opinion is The Watch, personally after a long journey through submariner date, panerai, montblanc, longines, Tudor I felt like I satisfied the personal need to show up to the rest the world and started to appreciate this "less is more" kind of watch at my wrist.

This summertime among tons and tons of GMTs and Submariner that everybody was wearing at the seaside here in Italy. I appreciated the mindfulness calm of wearing my trusty Explorer and go for a walk without being noticed.

Said that my personal grail watch will be the JLC Master calendar, but that is another story..

[LHBullock91]

Originally Posted by kinggiamma

The Watch, personally after a long journey through submariner date, panerai, montblanc, longines, Tudor I felt like I satisfied the personal need to show up to the rest the world and started to appreciate this "less is more" kind of watch at my wrist.

I think this sums it up perfectly. I personally don't view it as a grail because it is more affordable and one I know I will get eventually.

It's a beautiful watch with an excellent wrist presence only a real watch person would notice and appreciate, either from the wearer's standpoint or the onlooker.

I danced with the idea very hard. I just find myself using and appreciating a date function too much to want to plunge right now. I like the look of the date magnifier too.

I want one definitely, just once I've completed my journey and built my collection. I see it being a daily wearer at that point.

[MichaelT123]

Love The Explorer!

[jsausley]

I love my Explorer!

[rolexinfl]

I love the old Explorer II 16570 over the Explorer I

Date function and 39mm case. Still sleek with SS bezel and classic looks. Tool watch.

Explorer I was never for me.

[Rags]

I love my Explorer I & I wear it in rotation with my other watches.

[acfcheung]

Simply because it isn't very difficult to buy. If it was produced in limited numbers, it'll be a different story.

Think about it, even a useless but limited Supreme brick is sought after

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[123Blueface]

The appearance

[Scapegoat]

Need the date. Went with the 114060, realised I could not do without the date.

[Harry-57]

OP looks more balanced to me. We're all different. My grail is the 16610LV.

[sunnygps]

I always thought that Explorer I will be one of the watches that I will keep forever. However, lack of date bothers me. And to compensate for that, I ended up buying Explorer II polar.

The Explorer I gets very little wrist time and worn only when I have to dress formally and want to keep a low profile...

To me, it is an elegant watch that can go from boardroom to the beach...

I am seriously thinking of trading it for a DJ41.

[soundwave]

Because it’s too plain and boring


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[brandrea]

I'd own one if they came out with a larger size.

Love the aesthetics and the history of this reference

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[cardiel]

Originally Posted by Mephist

First of all I use Date function several times a day. :

I've re-read this several times and still don't understand what you mean.

On the subject of grails.....one mans grail is another mans beater...it just depends on how deep your pockets are. My grail is a Rolex Commando. However I will be purchasing an Explorer soon......you gotta scratch that itch.

[Doc Savage]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I'd own one if they came out with a larger size.

Love the aesthetics and the history of this reference

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This.

E1 is just a bit too small. Otherwise I'd own one. I love the classic layout.

[adawil2002]

I prefer a date & 24 hour hand on my Explorer.