Explorer 1 39 mm questions…

[MeepHead]

I recently sold my 36mm explorer one. I miss it but never wore it. It had white gold indices. It shimmered in the right light.

My question: do all 39mm models have white gold on the dial? I’ve seen mark one vs mark ii dials referenced and it seems the prices wildly vary now that the 39 model is gone.

If I want a white gold 39mm indexed explorer, should I seek out a certain dial or does vpevery 39mm model have white gold. The reason I ask is a dealer told me that all the 36 mm models have white gold on the dial. Mine did and I miss it but it was just too small. I had paid 1200 for that 36 and sold it for 5700. I now see they’re selling for a crazy piece and am amused to no end. I’m fine with my profit but if I buy a 39mm and desire white gold indices, do they exist.. I actually asked the authorized dealer this yesterday and their best person is on vacation for several weeks so none of the sales people knew.

I really love white gold on a dial. I could not find this discussion anywhere within these forums. Thank you all. (And good night).

[WatchNutcase]

I'm not 100% sure but I think all modern SS Rolex uses white gold for the dial markers, prevents tarnishing and gives that extra luster.

[Jack T]

To the best of my knowledge the earlier 39mm Explorers, commonly called Mk I, have white gold numerals and the infamous short hands. I have one, the hands are a non issue for me, never even noticed them until everyone on this site got their panties in a knot over that. But the white gold numerals, a fine distinction over the dull lumed numerals on the Mk II.

By the way, did you really sell your 36mm for 57,000??

[Heady Topper]

Yes all 39mm Explorers have white gold markers. The mark 1 is solid, mark 2 is lume filled.

[MeepHead]

Originally Posted by Jack T

To the best of my knowledge the earlier 39mm Explorers, commonly called Mk I, have white gold numerals and the infamous short hands. I have one, the hands are a non issue for me, never even noticed them until everyone on this site got their panties in a knot over that. But the white gold numerals, a fine distinction over the dull lumed numerals on the Mk II.

By the way, did you really sell your 36mm for 57,000??

Thank you. No, 5700. My iPad tends to add digits and misspellings. The guy to whom I sold my explorer watch flipped it for 8300. But he takes all the risk , overhead, so I’m fine with that. So, 5700. Not 57000!

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by WatchNutcase

I'm not 100% sure but I think all modern SS Rolex uses white gold for the dial markers, prevents tarnishing and gives that extra luster.

Almost. There's the new OP silver dial, which uses YG. But every modern Rolex uses gold for the hour markers (ok, not sure whether platinum use platinum...), regardless of color. Even the black-painted markers on the Explorer II polar and some relatively recent white dial OPs and Yes were WG underneath.

Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the dials themselves all made of gold?

[chloebear]

The mk1 39mm Explorers get a bad rap. The white gold (non-lume) 3,6,9 really look great. I've had both the mk1 and mk2. I prefer the mk2, but the mk1 is a fantastic watch and they are a little less expensive.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with any Explorer!

[chloebear]

Here are a few pics of my old mk1.





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[Tools]

Originally Posted by dannyp

. . .

Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the dials themselves all made of gold?

Dials are usually brass.

One notable exception is the original YM platinum dial.

[Mifune]

OP.... :facepalm:

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by chloebear

Great pic..shows the beauty of the dial with white gold 369.

[WatchGuy1966]

all 214270 have WG indices

[Peter Toronto]

When the light hits those full white gold 3-6-9’s, that’s when this dial just makes my day. Good luck on the hunt.


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[subtona]

Originally Posted by Heady Topper

Yes all 39mm Explorers have white gold markers. The mark 1 is solid, mark 2 is lume filled.

this



plus the minute hands are different lengths

[LA_LEC]

The mark 2 had a shorter production run from 2016 to 2021. So there are a more limited number of them. The pricing reflects this.

[173rdabn]

I had a MK1 and the numerals were white gold, no lume. MK2 also has white gold numerals, but lumed.

[VegasMilgauss]

I love the mk2, I’ve heard it said it’s the perfect watch and it’s hard to argue.

[mikebike]

IMO the MK2 is THE most quintessential, no-nonsense, perfectly sized Rolex steel watch ever built. I had the option to buy the MK2 and the Sub at 10% discount from an AD and went with the MK2 hands down. Been wearing it every day and love it more each time.

A lot of people are now regretting not noticing the simplicity and beauty of the Explorer I MK2 while it was hiding in plain sight at ADs for several years.

[MoosicPa]

The MK2 and MK1.... both are excellent watches. If you like the white gold on the dial go with the MK1.

009 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/150333170@N07/]

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by MoosicPa

The MK2 and MK1.... both are excellent watches. If you like the white gold on the dial go with the MK1.

009 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/150333170@N07/]

Great pic! I sort of think of the mk1 as a bit flashier and the mk2 a bit sportier. Agreed, both are fantastic!

[tjantheman]

Originally Posted by LA_LEC

The mark 2 had a shorter production run from 2016 to 2021. So there are a more limited number of them. The pricing reflects this.

That’s debatable. People were criticizing the Mark 1 bc of the short hands, and Rolex fever hadn’t yet begun. Just bc the Mark 1 was available for a longer period of time doesn’t mean more of them were purchased. It’s possible that more Mark 2s were sold bc people got excited about the longer hands (and the lumed numbers) and bc Rolex fever began to kick in.

Current grey market pricing just reflects the supply of those Explorers that people are selling to the greys.

[RealMadrid1988]

Originally Posted by tjantheman

That’s debatable. People were criticizing the Mark 1 bc of the short hands, and Rolex fever hadn’t yet begun. Just bc the Mark 1 was available for a longer period of time doesn’t mean more of them were purchased. It’s possible that more Mark 2s were sold bc people got excited about the longer hands (and the lumed numbers) and bc Rolex fever began to kick in.

Current grey market pricing just reflects the supply of those Explorers that people are selling to the greys.

In addition to the MK2 having a shorter production run overall, one of the production years was during COVID, where Rolex production took a significant dive overall. The MK2 is almost certainly in shorter circulation than the Mk1.

[Ketler]

Could be the perfect piece...???

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