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WatchSmith · 14 September 2018, 09:29 PM

2010 Explorer MKI with dial and hands upgraded to MKII. Took 3+ months for Rolex to ship parts to my watchmaker.

I liked the white gold numerals on the MKI, but prefer the MKII. Easier to read at night and maybe looks slightly less dressy which is my preference.

New dial and hands around $500. Superb watch and bloody accurate as hell.

GBD · 14 September 2018, 10:34 PM

Thanks for that info; I like both the MKI and MKII versions. Were you able to keep your original dial and hands?

watchwatcher · 14 September 2018, 10:50 PM

WatchSmith · 14 September 2018, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GBD

Thanks for that info; I like both the MKI and MKII versions. Were you able to keep your original dial and hands?

Of course not! LOL only with a dial and hands swap. I would have liked to though.

037 · 15 September 2018, 12:59 AM

Nice! Is your watchmaker independent with a parts account or does he/she work at an AD?

bkatx · 15 September 2018, 01:10 AM

Very cool. I'd like to do that with mine.

WatchSmith · 15 September 2018, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 037

Nice! Is your watchmaker independent with a parts account or does he/she work at an AD?

He works for an AD.

WatchSmith · 15 September 2018, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkatx

Very cool. I'd like to do that with mine.

I dropped it of late May and the new dial was estimated at 2-3 weeks. Rolex kept saying backordered, so it ended up taking over 3 months. No big deal though and I'm really happy with the upgrade.

037 · 15 September 2018, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triplock

He works for an AD.

Ok, that explains how he was able to get a dial. Rolex cut independents off from certain parts, even with trade-in and a parts account.

Watch looks great. I'm a big fan of the updated dial and hands.

Undefeatable · 15 September 2018, 02:19 AM

Very cool! Any reason you did the swap instead of selling the MKI and buying a MKII?

F1polesitter · 15 September 2018, 02:28 AM

So this should put to rest the question whether Rolex will allow MK1 to be turned to MK2 with new dial and hands. Very cool.

WatchSmith · 15 September 2018, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undefeatable

Very cool! Any reason you did the swap instead of selling the MKI and buying a MKII?

I thought it would be quick and easy. Wasn’t so quick though.

WatchSmith · 15 September 2018, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triplock

I thought it would be quick and easy. Wasn’t so quick though.

Indeed it does.

Colin G · 15 September 2018, 03:47 AM

How much longer are the new hands. A couple MM maybe?

WatchSmith · 15 September 2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin G

How much longer are the new hands. A couple MM maybe?

Maybe. The shorter ones didn’t bother me. I really wanted lumed numerals though.

GradyPhilpott · 15 September 2018, 01:55 PM

bbressler · 15 September 2018, 02:17 PM

Nice. I keep going back and forth about whether I want to do this or not. Today, I do haha

Onikage · 15 September 2018, 02:20 PM

Very nice.

stoo14 · 16 September 2018, 05:10 PM

Interesting post, but I’m happy with my mk1 dial. I feel I don’t need lumed Arabics to tell the time in low light and I prefer how the WGs catch the light. The shorter hands also don’t bother me. The Explorer is vastly overlooked and more understated than other models. The fact the mk1 is seen by most as an ugly duckling/mistake, to me, makes it even more appealing to me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cru Jones · 16 September 2018, 05:13 PM

WatchSmith · 16 September 2018, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoo14

Interesting post, but I’m happy with my mk1 dial. I feel I don’t need lumed Arabics to tell the time in low light and I prefer how the WGs catch the light. The shorter hands also don’t bother me. The Explorer is vastly overlooked and more understated than other models. The fact the mk1 is seen by most as an ugly duckling/mistake, to me, makes it even more appealing to me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think they’re quite nice and very far from ugly!

doramas · 17 September 2018, 04:09 AM

Very nice, but for me, unnecessary

polaris72 · 17 September 2018, 05:38 AM

Looks good, but not for me. I am happy with my MK I.

alphasports · 17 September 2018, 05:59 AM

I'm tempted...may ask my AD.

stoo14 · 17 September 2018, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triplock

I think they’re quite nice and very far from ugly!

Me too. But it seems the majority of explorer lovers out there feel it should still be 36mm. The fact it was increased to 39mm with the original hands is too much for some to stomach.

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WatchSmith · 17 September 2018, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoo14

Me too. But it seems the majority of explorer lovers out there feel it should still be 36mm. The fact it was increased to 39mm with the original hands is too much for some to stomach.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I really like the 36mm as well. It's kind of small compared to watches made today since the trend is for large (some stupidly large) models. But it's a classic and I certainly wouldn't turn one down. I'd love a nice 1016.

debbs20 · 17 September 2018, 10:02 AM

Thanks for sharing, I'm also tempted.

DoctorA · 17 September 2018, 10:30 AM

Very cool! Rolex should consider making it that way!

15 September 2018, 01:55 PM	#16
GradyPhilpott 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: Seiko #SRK050 Posts: 34,449	__________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

15 September 2018, 02:20 PM	#18
Onikage "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: England Watch: 16710, 16628 Posts: 7,757	Very nice. __________________ GMT II 16710 TRADITIONAL ( D- Serial #) ROLEXFANBOY P-Club Member #4

17 September 2018, 10:30 AM	#28
DoctorA "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: USA Posts: 6,545	Very cool! Rolex should consider making it that way! __________________ Wear the watch you like, not the one they tell you to wear!

14 September 2018, 10:34 PM	#2
GBD "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Texas Posts: 442	Thanks for that info; I like both the MKI and MKII versions. Were you able to keep your original dial and hands?

14 September 2018, 10:50 PM	#3
watchwatcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Larry Location: Kentucky Watch: Yes Posts: 35,008

15 September 2018, 12:59 AM	#5
037 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: USA Posts: 6,173	Nice! Is your watchmaker independent with a parts account or does he/she work at an AD?

15 September 2018, 01:10 AM	#6
bkatx "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: TX Posts: 125	Very cool. I'd like to do that with mine.

15 September 2018, 02:19 AM	#10
Undefeatable "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Real Name: Kevin Location: Irvine, CA Watch: 124060 Posts: 496	Very cool! Any reason you did the swap instead of selling the MKI and buying a MKII?

15 September 2018, 02:28 AM	#11
F1polesitter "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Canada Posts: 204	So this should put to rest the question whether Rolex will allow MK1 to be turned to MK2 with new dial and hands. Very cool.

15 September 2018, 03:47 AM	#14
Colin G "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada Watch: 216570, 214270 Posts: 683	How much longer are the new hands. A couple MM maybe?

15 September 2018, 02:17 PM	#17
bbressler "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Texas Watch: Exp, GMTII, Sub Posts: 1,184	Nice. I keep going back and forth about whether I want to do this or not. Today, I do haha

16 September 2018, 05:10 PM	#19
stoo14 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Glasgow Posts: 158	Interesting post, but I’m happy with my mk1 dial. I feel I don’t need lumed Arabics to tell the time in low light and I prefer how the WGs catch the light. The shorter hands also don’t bother me. The Explorer is vastly overlooked and more understated than other models. The fact the mk1 is seen by most as an ugly duckling/mistake, to me, makes it even more appealing to me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

16 September 2018, 05:13 PM	#20
Cru Jones 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Paris, France Posts: 35,259

17 September 2018, 04:09 AM	#22
doramas Banned Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Gran Canaria Posts: 3,469	Very nice, but for me, unnecessary

17 September 2018, 05:38 AM	#23
polaris72 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: U.S./Vienna, AT Posts: 1,967	Looks good, but not for me. I am happy with my MK I.

17 September 2018, 05:59 AM	#24
alphasports "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Montreal CAN Posts: 454	I'm tempted...may ask my AD.

17 September 2018, 10:02 AM	#27
debbs20 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: USA Posts: 156	Thanks for sharing, I'm also tempted.

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