Why buy a Sub (vs an Explorer)? Opinions wanted!

[chriscol]

Hi all, first-time poster here!

I’ll soon be collecting a new Rolex Explorer 39mm from my AD - very excited (it’s my first Rolex sports model)!

Now, I was reading the “ultimate men’s sports watch” thread on here, and it got me thinking. See, in that thread, the Sub has a pretty convincing lead over the other models, with far and away the most votes. No surprise there, right?

The Explorer appeals to me for many reasons - not least because I don’t go diving, so I don’t feel I need or want a dive watch. But reading the posts, it just made me wonder, what might I be missing by choosing an Explorer over a Sub...

Hence this thread :-) I thought it might be fun/interesting to ask Sub aficionados to give me reasons I should go for a Sub instead of the Explorer.

I know, I know! It ultimately boils down to personal preference! You should choose the watch that speaks to you. And for me, that’s the Explorer. And that’s what I plan to get. But I guess I just want to “stress test” my preference, if that makes sense :-)

So - assuming I’m never going to use it for diving - why is the Sub the “ultimate men’s sports watch”? What else would I ever use the rotating bezel for, if I’m not using the watch as a diving aid? And what am I missing out on if I stick with my choice of the Explorer?

Keen to know your thoughts!

[JWD531]

I don’t think you’ll find too many on this forum to tell you to choose other than what sings to you. If that’s the Explorer then that’s better than the Sub.

I have the sub and Expii. I love them both. I do find myself sometimes looking down at the Expii and saying to myself “dangit, I can’t rotate the bezel.”

I love the Explorer 1 too, but I don’t need it in my collection (and I hope I never see one or I might want to add it too!).


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[sco]

I’ve never gone diving with my sub, but I use the timer all the time for things like grilling, bike riding, etc. If I order food and they say about 20 minutes, it’s easy enough to turn the bezel and now I’m timing.

There is nothing wrong with questioning your choice, I will say the Explorer is a great watch.

[Meyrin]

I´m a neophyte here and only have 360 posts but never mind...welcome to the forum! If you have the money to spend on a new Rolex (or any other watch for that matter!) then buy what YOU want, what YOU like and to hell with what other people think or tell you what to buy! After all, it´s going to be on YOUR wrist! Having said all that I´m a die-hard Sub fan myself and would sorely miss the timing bezel...I´ve been using it daily for all sorts of things (not just the classic boiled egg timing!) for more than 24 years now. But...enjoy your new Explorer when you get it and wear it in good health...it´s a great watch!

[Ranger67]

Sub will always be the most popular choice, I would get the explorer as it must have been your original choice and is obviously available, it’s easy to be swayed by others opinions, if after time you change your mind you can always trade or add, also very difficult to get a Sub in the UK unless going grey and paying over £2.5k premium.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by chriscol

Hi all, first-time poster here!

I’ll soon be collecting a new Rolex Explorer 39mm from my AD - very excited (it’s my first Rolex sports model)!

Now, I was reading the “ultimate men’s sports watch” thread on here, and it got me thinking. See, in that thread, the Sub has a pretty convincing lead over the other models, with far and away the most votes. No surprise there, right?

The Explorer appeals to me for many reasons - not least because I don’t go diving, so I don’t feel I need or want a dive watch. But reading the posts, it just made me wonder, what might I be missing by choosing an Explorer over a Sub...

Hence this thread :-) I thought it might be fun/interesting to ask Sub aficionados to give me reasons I should go for a Sub instead of the Explorer.

I know, I know! It ultimately boils down to personal preference! You should choose the watch that speaks to you. And for me, that’s the Explorer. And that’s what I plan to get. But I guess I just want to “stress test” my preference, if that makes sense :-)

So - assuming I’m never going to use it for diving - why is the Sub the “ultimate men’s sports watch”? What else would I ever use the rotating bezel for, if I’m not using the watch as a diving aid? And what am I missing out on if I stick with my choice of the Explorer?

Keen to know your thoughts!

Well its very doubtful that 95% of all dive type watches Rolex included ever see water other than perhaps a dip in the pool or shower.Are you the sort of person who only buys what others consider the top watch,or have you a mind of your own and buy the watch you want to own and wear.

[Xenon]

Get a GMT instead

[JRell]

Comes down to what you like. I just like the look of the sub the best. Rolex does a great job with changes over the years, but keeps it close to the iconic look. Hence it is timeless and recognizable. It has a design that draws the masses. Doesn’t mean everyone will say it is the ultimate sports watch, but it does bring the majority to the table. Welcome to the group!

[gilb69uk]

I've had an explorer for 2 years and it's easily had the most wrist time out of my GMT and blackbay 58. I love the dimesnsions and how clean everything is. I think it can be worn for pretty much any occasion. I never really intending on getting it. It was in the window and once I tried it on I had to have it. You cant go wrong.

However last week I pick up a green Submariner and I have a feeling that this will be my go to piece. But I've wanted it for about 9 years. I've used the bezel for timing things etc.. But don't dive and probably never will.

I'd get the explorer and then when the time is right add a sub date.

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[Rori]

Originally Posted by chriscol

Hi all, first-time poster here!

I’ll soon be collecting a new Rolex Explorer 39mm from my AD - very excited (it’s my first Rolex sports model)!

Now, I was reading the “ultimate men’s sports watch” thread on here, and it got me thinking. See, in that thread, the Sub has a pretty convincing lead over the other models, with far and away the most votes. No surprise there, right?

The Explorer appeals to me for many reasons - not least because I don’t go diving, so I don’t feel I need or want a dive watch. But reading the posts, it just made me wonder, what might I be missing by choosing an Explorer over a Sub...

Hence this thread :-) I thought it might be fun/interesting to ask Sub aficionados to give me reasons I should go for a Sub instead of the Explorer.

I know, I know! It ultimately boils down to personal preference! You should choose the watch that speaks to you. And for me, that’s the Explorer. And that’s what I plan to get. But I guess I just want to “stress test” my preference, if that makes sense :-)

So - assuming I’m never going to use it for diving - why is the Sub the “ultimate men’s sports watch”? What else would I ever use the rotating bezel for, if I’m not using the watch as a diving aid? And what am I missing out on if I stick with my choice of the Explorer?

Keen to know your thoughts!

Besides personal taste and preference there’s is tangible reasons why the sub is the most voted. The answer simply is Design.
The design language of the sub or of Rolex divers to be precise are close to perfection. The monochromatic appeal, the timeless cues and with the modern models we got the ceramic bezel that shimmers in all sort of anthracite glows possible.
Design when nailed it becomes an icon. Role. Nailed the diver design, the rest is history.


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[csaltphoto]

I find the timing bezel on the sub insanely useful. You can use it as either elapsed time or countdown. I know that whenever the pip is not centered on the 12 I am timing something and I don't have to dig my phone out of my pocket to check it. I rarely need zulu time or the time in another country but parking meters and other day to day stuff need to be tracked.

[Verdi]

I had both, I kept the Explorer.

Sub is more iconic and recognisable. Sub has the best clasp.

Explorer is more stealth and sits better on my wrist......because it is not as thick as the Sub and the lugs are slimmer. With the Explorer I never worry about the possibility of braking the bezel.

Both are amazing watches, makes no mistake. Maybe, one day I ll buy a Sub again but it might be a 5 digit ref.

[StillTrying]

I will be the first to recommend an Explorer over a 6 digit sub. (I had a 114060 and it did not wear well on my wrist, where the Exp wears perfect.)...BUT I really miss the timing bezel. I used it so so much; never for diving but for many other things in life. Should you go for the sub over an Exp for the timing bezel? Probably not, but I sorely miss that tool on my watch. Just my thoughts.


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[JRell]

Put them both on as well. I have both the 114060 and datejust 41. When I have the datejust on, I can’t wait to put the sub back on. Feels more substantial on the wrist, which I liked. The explorer I am sure wears more like the datejust. Always want both but would never choice the datejust over the sub.

[scousejames]

I have a SubC date and I would choose it over an Explorer 1 for these reasons:

1. The sub is one of the most iconic Rolex watches and it's always the one I think of when I think Rolex (and wanted)
2. The date is useful to me as is the timing function
3. I prefer the black bezel over a smooth polished bezel, I also like the coin edge of the bezel and the way it catches light
4. Glidelock

Also, I'm not a diver and don't plan to any time soon

[Harry-57]

It's pretty simple when you think about it.

You need both.

[JRell]

I see a lot of the stealth vs iconic posts. Interesting. OP - ask yourself, would it bother you if people know you have a Rolex on, or would you wear with pride? If it bothers you, go explorer, if you like the fact others might know it is a Rolex and proud of the accomplishment, go sub.

[Rollied]

Never thought how how useful the date function is till I got my no date sub. My vote is for the sub

[JRell]

Originally Posted by Rollied

Never thought how how useful the date function is till I got my no date sub. My vote is for the sub

By sub, you mean 114060, or date sub?

[JWD531]

Originally Posted by Rollied

Never thought how how useful the date function is till I got my no date sub. My vote is for the sub

I started using the bezel as a date function. If I time something, I just move it back to today’s date after I’m done timing. Gives me an excuse to use the bezel each day even if I don’t need to time something.


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[Xenon]

One wears comfortable with classic proportions, the other not quite so much. I will let you decide which one.

[zen123]

Between the two my choice would be the Explorer as its just as cool as the Submariner but much more versatile.

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[Burlington]

The exp1 would be my choice as well as I have the dive watch covered.

If you’re not going to be diving with it or at least doing some serious water based activities then the sub is over engineered vs. what you need.

If you really want to make it cool, try it on a rubber strap. There are a few posts about that knocking around. That makes an awesome watch.

[Deep18]

So I had a Sub Date and moved on from it to a SD43. Outside of it being slightly thicker (not an issue to me) I think it wears better than the Sub because of the much more attractive lug taper and the bracelet width being more balanced with the case size. If you’re looking for the ultimate sports watch, for me, the SD43 is it. Of the two Explorers I’m a huge fan of the Explorer 2 (polar) which is the next piece on my list.

[Golfpaul66]

Take the time and understand the features of each watch then make your decision based on those features. Can't go wrong with this method. Don't worry about what other people view as the more appropriate watch for you.

[Deep18]

Originally Posted by Golfpaul66

Take the time and understand the features of each watch then make your decision based on those features. Can't go wrong with this method. Don't worry about what other people view as the more appropriate watch for you.

This is a really good post and very true no matter what model you’re looking at.

[XBMX]

I wore a 42mm Explorer for almost a year. Comfortable to wear has no faults other than no one realizes it's a Rolex.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by XBMX

I wore a 42mm Explorer for almost a year. Comfortable to wear has no faults other than no one realizes it's a Rolex.

I would see this as a huge selling feature.

[Tim Houser]

Both the Sub and Explorer I are iconic, and both were first introduced around 1953.

The Explorer I is less expensive, more obtainable and much less common to see in the wild.

The Subs are more expensive, harder to buy new from an AD, and much more common to see on the wrists of others.

Considering function, the Explorer's screw down double seal crown and 100m water resistance is sufficient for most any use in and around water excepting actual scuba activity, but the Sub is obviously superior for the water with it's triple seal crown and added pressure rating.

The plain bezel on the Explorer 1 is more susceptible to showing scratches and wear, and the time lapse bezel on the Sub can be very useful for timing things other than bottom time. There is also a date option with a Sub if that is desired.

I have owned both and still own a 5 digit Sub Date, but always have another Explorer 1 on my list to buy before most other Rolex's (including 6 digit maxi case subs) just because I like them better for their comfort, less flash, and they better suit my outdoor recreational interests. If I was under 40, I'd probably want a Sub for the prestige and possibly more underwater use than I enjoy these days, especially if it was my first Rolex, but more likely for my youthful ego than any practical reason over the Explorer 1.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by chriscol

Hi all, first-time poster here!

I’ll soon be collecting a new Rolex Explorer 39mm from my AD - very excited (it’s my first Rolex sports model)!

Now, I was reading the “ultimate men’s sports watch” thread on here, and it got me thinking. See, in that thread, the Sub has a pretty convincing lead over the other models, with far and away the most votes. No surprise there, right?

The Explorer appeals to me for many reasons - not least because I don’t go diving, so I don’t feel I need or want a dive watch. But reading the posts, it just made me wonder, what might I be missing by choosing an Explorer over a Sub...

Hence this thread :-) I thought it might be fun/interesting to ask Sub aficionados to give me reasons I should go for a Sub instead of the Explorer.

I know, I know! It ultimately boils down to personal preference! You should choose the watch that speaks to you. And for me, that’s the Explorer. And that’s what I plan to get. But I guess I just want to “stress test” my preference, if that makes sense :-)

So - assuming I’m never going to use it for diving - why is the Sub the “ultimate men’s sports watch”? What else would I ever use the rotating bezel for, if I’m not using the watch as a diving aid? And what am I missing out on if I stick with my choice of the Explorer?

Keen to know your thoughts!

Endorphins are a great thing.