first rolex - 116000 Oyster Perpetual vs 214270 Explorer 1

[MCO1]

With one shot...the Explorer.

[Schneeflocke]

Originally Posted by busytimmy

Respectfully disagree.


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Sure you are free to disagree, but the Oyster Perpetual was the watch on Mount Everest, not the Explorer. That came later, as a tribute to the OP.

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Hi Richard

Thanks for that advice. Good to hear from another 6.1" experience with the new explorer.. I'm trying to find a place to try on the 39mm exp, but none of the local ad has it in stock... I phones one AD on the Thursday, they said it's in stock... But by the time I visit them on Saturday, it was sold!! So I have to wait till they get another one to try... But I agree, I must try both watches before deciding...

And I'm pretty sure after you try them out you'll see the 36mm is really kind of small. I have a Tudor Submariner 75190 I bought new 20+ years ago and I hardly wear it anymore. It's so small it looks like a "boy's watch"...but it looks great when my daughter wears it. :)

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[turboawd]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

And I'm pretty sure after you try them out you'll see the 36mm is really kind of small. I have a Tudor Submariner 75190 I bought new 20+ years ago and I hardly wear it anymore. It's so small it looks like a "boy's watch"...but it looks great when my daughter wears it. :)

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Yes, you could well be correct. I do have other watches that are 38mm and even 42mm that do fit well, albeit with different lug design. I must find an AD where I can try the 214270 on.

[SamSam168]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Thanks guys for all the feedback... It really gives me a lot to consider. You know what happened to me today?? My Subaru overheated and it's gonna need an engine replacement. Damn! Can u believe it. Gonna cost at least $2500 for a used engine. Not sure how this impacts my watch plans... Have to discuss with wife.

Hopefully can still swing the op, as it's the lowest priced option. Feels like I got the wind knocked out of me ...

Enjoy the OP then!! This is a great watch!!

[turboawd]

Actually located a y serial 114270 in Canada... At the Bay of all places... They want cad$5k plus tax, non negotiable, no box or papers. That's a little to much I think for that watch, especially with no b+p...

[rusty427]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Actually located a y serial 114270 in Canada... At the Bay of all places... They want cad$5k plus tax, non negotiable, no box or papers. That's a little to much I think for that watch, especially with no b+p...

There is one on the sales forum with box and papers for a better price.

[turboawd]

Went to try on the used 114270 today. I gotta admit, when I first saw it in person I was kind of shocked at how tiny it seemed. In person it seems smaller than the op (probably due to the more slender lugs), and smaller than it appears in photos. I think nowadays we are conditioned to think that larger watches are "normal"... But it is a great watch and a great size for my wrist. 36mm probably is the best size for a Rolex on me. Nice and light, very comfortable. Bracelet is nice enough too. Really like the sharp slender lugs and the more coarse brushing on them, compared to the newer style lugs.

Here are some pics (watch looks so much bigger in these pics than in real life):

[Jack T]

I've had a 39mm Explorer for over two years and I love it, the look and the fit. I was very seriously considering the 36mm 116000 in a silver 369 dial, which doesn't seem to be available now, too bad. For a first Rolex, new from an AD can have its benefits.

The picture of the blue dial OP on your wrist looked fantastic, I also have a DJ and it looks great on my 7.25" wrist. Comfort, how the case sits on your wrist are very important, keep trying them on, don't worry about it being big enough. They are both beautiful watches.

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by Schneeflocke

The OP is the icon. The Explorer is a tribute to that icon.

Actually I think the Explorer is a tribute to the experimental model Hillary and Norgay wore to the Summit? Which was the beginning of the "professional series" that had the triangle at 12:00 and the mercedes hands...

The OP series always had and still has the Rolex coronet at 12:00 and stick hands instead?

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[luvsub]

Blue dial looks nice.

[russellnyc]

Interesting! I'd probably choose the Explorer because it's more meaningful and collectible. But in terms of sheer looks in your arm, the blue OP wins, hands down.


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[HogwldFLTR]

I think the OP is a knock out truthfully. The Explorer is a Rolex icon. About a year ago I traded my 116000 in on a 214270 and at the last moment decided to get a 114060 instead. It took a bit of time and I realized how much I missed the 116000. I've been looking for one at a price l liked for half a year and finally found one this week. Mine isn't the same dial as the blue but it to me is a beauty. I find them more attractive potentially than the Explorers. FWIW, this week I also tried on a DJII in basically the same dial as the 116000 you're interested in. The 41mm just seemed big for my 6.5 inch wrist. Here's my variant on the 116000. I'm psyched to have one back again.

[croce]

If you have blue eyes. Go for the OP with blue - your wife will agree. If eyes not blue, then get the Exp. See how easy that was?

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by croce

If you have blue eyes. Go for the OP with blue - your wife will agree. If eyes not blue, then get the Exp. See how easy that was?

Exp it is then!! That really was easy!

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I think the OP is a knock out truthfully. The Explorer is a Rolex icon. About a year ago I traded my 116000 in on a 214270 and at the last moment decided to get a 114060 instead. It took a bit of time and I realized how much I missed the 116000. I've been looking for one at a price l liked for half a year and finally found one this week. Mine isn't the same dial as the blue but it to me is a beauty. I find them more attractive potentially than the Explorers. FWIW, this week I also tried on a DJII in basically the same dial as the 116000 you're interested in. The 41mm just seemed big for my 6.5 inch wrist. Here's my variant on the 116000. I'm psyched to have one back again.

Very nice piece!

[Mak2013]

Explorer


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[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Exp it is then!! That really was easy!

All right then, end of thread. Thanks for the complement on my 116000. Hope you like the Exp.

[Schneeflocke]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

Actually I think the Explorer is a tribute to the experimental model Hillary and Norgay wore to the Summit? Which was the beginning of the "professional series" that had the triangle at 12:00 and the mercedes hands...

The OP series always had and still has the Rolex coronet at 12:00 and stick hands instead?

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This is the watch that was worn at the summit:

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by Schneeflocke

This is the watch that was worn at the summit:

Seriously? Wow!

Looks nothing like the explorer with the dial and hands.

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by Schneeflocke

This is the watch that was worn at the summit:

Yes, then again Rolex back then all had "Oyster Perpetual" on the dial to signify the oyster case design and the automatic "perpetual" movement. It's not really a designation of any particular style no? In fact those text are still on all Rolex sans the Cellini collection, no?

The way you're saying it almost means all subsequent Rolex styles (Submariner, GMT Master, Milgauss) "pays tribute" to the style "Oyster Perpetual"...but fact is they are all oyster perpetuals?

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[Schneeflocke]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

Yes, then again Rolex back then all had "Oyster Perpetual" on the dial to signify the oyster case design and the automatic "perpetual" movement. It's not really a designation of any particular style no? In fact those text are still on all Rolex sans the Cellini collection, no?

The way you're saying it almost means all subsequent Rolex styles (Submariner, GMT Master, Milgauss) "pays tribute" to the style "Oyster Perpetual"...but fact is they are all oyster perpetuals?

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I'm not quite sure what you are on about, but do some research, and you will understand exactly what I'm talking about. Rolex SA did in fact manufacture the Explorer, to tribute the 1950 Oyster Perpetual that was worn at Everest. The models you are mentioning were not on the market when this took place in 1953 (The Submariner was shown at Basel first in 1954 together with the GMT Master, and the Milgauss came in 1956).

For some further reading, e.g. http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/found-t...e-pics-details

[mui.richard]

I do apologize if my choice of wording gave you any sense that I'm doubting you at all. I did read most online info available on the origins of the Rolex Explorer, and quite a bit on the Submariner for that matter, before I decided to buy my own 214270.

I'm just asking if the "Oyster Perpetual" line of watches, which the 116000 belongs and is discussed here, came later than the original Explorer announced in 1953?

As far as I can tell the oyster perpetual line of watches all developed from the first Rolex Oyster Perpetual model that came out in 1926?

And please don't take this the wrong way I'm just trying to understand the history and the relationship between them all.

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[Jake B]

Get a Sea-Dweller. They're much sexier.

[Schneeflocke]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Get a Sea-Dweller. They're much sexier.

You didn't care to read OP's post, starting this thread, did you?!

[tomcorkery]

Would go with that op. Im waiting on the 39mm

[ragingcao]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Went to try on the used 114270 today. I gotta admit, when I first saw it in person I was kind of shocked at how tiny it seemed. In person it seems smaller than the op (probably due to the more slender lugs), and smaller than it appears in photos. I think nowadays we are conditioned to think that larger watches are "normal"... But it is a great watch and a great size for my wrist. 36mm probably is the best size for a Rolex on me. Nice and light, very comfortable. Bracelet is nice enough too. Really like the sharp slender lugs and the more coarse brushing on them, compared to the newer style lugs.

Here are some pics (watch looks so much bigger in these pics than in real life):

Doesn't look small at all on your wrist. It's a match!
Can't really go wrong either way that's why I had to get both for my daily rotation

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by ragingcao

Doesn't look small at all on your wrist. It's a match!
Can't really go wrong either way that's why I had to get both for my daily rotation

Nice duo!! I've pretty much decided on the 36mm exp1. I remember in university that was always the watch i had my eye on (probably was the 14270 back then).

Now it's just a matter of deciding which trusted dealer to get it from... There are a few available now on the forum. The price seems to get lower the older the piece...m serial (2007) and later seem to be around $4500 or higher, while older years seem to be cheaper. Would you guys suggest getting the newest one possible, or going for the best price as long as the condition is excellent? The year ranges I'm looking start at 2005 and get newer from there...

Thx guys!!

Originally Posted by ragingcao

Doesn't look small at all on your wrist. It's a match!
Can't really go wrong either way that's why I had to get both for my daily rotation

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by ragingcao

Doesn't look small at all on your wrist. It's a match!
Can't really go wrong either way that's why I had to get both for my daily rotation

Hi ragingcao

I wanted to ask you, does your oyster perpetual 116000 have the easy link extension? When I went to one AD to see the 116000, they showed me one with the concentric rings dial, and it has easylink. But then when i went to another AD to try the blue 369 dial 116000, it did not have easy link. I thought that was strange.

I wonder if there was a date where they started to introduce easy link on the 116000...

[ragingcao]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Hi ragingcao

I wanted to ask you, does your oyster perpetual 116000 have the easy link extension? When I went to one AD to see the 116000, they showed me one with the concentric rings dial, and it has easylink. But then when i went to another AD to try the blue 369 dial 116000, it did not have easy link. I thought that was strange.

I wonder if there was a date where they started to introduce easy link on the 116000...

Perhaps certain (older) OP models come with easylink but the 2014 116000 don't seem to have it. It's really an entry level, no-gimmick-everyday watch.

I'm curious to hear from other OP experts in here.