Every day Rolex... OP? Explorer?

[Tallbark]

I have this romantic idea of a Rolex that will be on my wrist every day, year after year. I like the Explorer 2 that I currently own (the latest generation), but I just don't think it is the year-after-year-Rolex that I described. A little too big and maybe a bit on the heavy side. I have tried all types of DJs. Too elegant for me, and the oyster-non flueted bezel variants look wrong to me.

So what is left?

Options;

1. Seadweller (5 digit generation) - many good things, but too top heavy
2. Submariner (5 digit generation) - Well.... Nothing really wrong with this option but maybe a bit boring. Just not warming up to it
3. Explorer II, prev generation. I never liked this one - too plain an cheap looking
4. Explorer I 36 or 39 - 36 too small (I used to own one) and 39 wrong proportions
5. OP - with the new 41 and maybe in green or blue - might be an option? Will I get bored with it?
6. GMT - I own the Pepsi (latest gen on jubilee). Love it but not as a daily
7. Millgaus - no, no, no

I guess all of this boils down to

1. Look at the 41 OP
2. Keep the EXP 2 Polar, learn to live with it and let it be the daily companion

Any other options? What do you think - should I give the OP some consideration?

Best
Erik

[wigdog63]

Maybe time to look at another brand?

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[Marcjvr]

Maybe you are overthinking it too much. A watch can’t be anything more than just that.

Find something that is comfortable on your wrist and that’s all that matters really

[Heady Topper]

Explorer 39 with wrong proportions? Don’t let the internet get to you.

[Tallbark]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Maybe you are overthinking it too much. A watch can’t be anything more than just that.

Find something that is comfortable on your wrist and that’s all that matters really

Yep - I think you are right. Thats why I'm thinking maybe an OP would be a comfortable no nonsense watch what just works.

[Adamj79]

The reasons you have stated are why I will be going with a bright blue OP!

[kxux]

Really depends on what you prioritize in your daily. The watches you list are so different (no date, date, GMT function).

What I found in my daily wear I often switch to more complicated watch for a few days or weeks, but I usually return to one of the simple no date watches. I know it’s not on your list and it’s an oddball watch, but I have been lately enjoying the Air-King. It’s not as popular as say Sub or GMT, but it disappears on the wrist for me when I wear it. And it’s not boring by any means.

[Tallbark]

Originally Posted by Adamj79

The reasons you have stated are why I will be going with a bright blue OP!

Interesting... I have never really tried an OP before, but I'm thinking green or yellow...

[pearson1995]

If you want a slightly smaller perfect every day watch, which you may not have considered, omega Seamaster mid size.

[SaintMickey]

Originally Posted by wigdog63

maybe time to look at another brand?

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+1

[karleone]

I think you will get bored of a coloured OP for a daily. I used to wear my submariner 16610 as a daily then my gmt 16710 pepsi and now my Daytona 116500.

[GST15]

For a watch that you can use as an everyday, but will also dress up nicely, you might consider the OP 41 in silver or black. The bright colors are great, but are not as versatile as the silver.

I chose the silver for precisely that reason and am very happy with it. Good luck

IMG_3999.jpeg

[heljestrand]

In my line of work, Director at a prestigious Golf & Country Club, I run into a ton of daily Rolex wearing gentlemen. The majority wear Submariners, Datejust, and Day Date. Recently I even saw a member wearing a well worn 36mm Explorer as well but it’s the only one I’ve seen in the wild besides my own.

I’d just choose a Rolex and wear it everyday. Probably no need to venture past your current one unless the heft of it is bothering you. In my mind any Rolex would be appropriate. Here’s my daily although I’d love to upgrade to a Day Date myself as I approach 61 and retirement soon.



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[RollinMoses]

I am also not sure what is wrong with the proportions of the Explorer 39.

Also on the sub being boring - then surely both the Explorer and OP are equally dull, if not more so? But for an every day wear I think being a bit on the less flamboyant side is actually what you need.

I would take a 116710LN if you value the GMT function, smaller on the wrist than explorer 2 and more subtle than Pepsi, etc.

If GMT function is not for you, then Explorer 39 is perfect choice.

[AndyS]

Personally from my experience It’s the 214270 39 Explorer. I went from a 36 DJ 116234 to a DJ II - I kept an open mind as an every day daily but was never quite on board with either one. Was able to procure the Explorer mk2 a few years back and it’s a perfect everyday daily for me regardless of what I happen to be doing. However I’m going to have to make decisions soon as I’ve been saving for a Batman for several years and I hope to source one shortly.


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[Rollie Guy]

+2 on the other brand. I personally wear a older Omega Seamaster (Pierce Brosnan 41MM) on a shark mesh Planet Ocean bracelet. Most comfortable combo I have found taking into account several brands and bracelets / strap options. Best advice I'd say is buy what you and like try it. After all that is the best part about exploring the watch brands / models. Good luck

[TimeAZ]

Originally Posted by GST15

For a watch that you can use as an everyday, but will also dress up nicely, you might consider the OP 41 in silver or black. The bright colors are great, but are not as versatile as the silver.

I chose the silver for precisely that reason and am very happy with it. Good luck

Attachment 1260205

Great choice and beautiful piece, I think this is the perfect introduction to Rolex and possibly one of the best daily pieces you can ask for.

[dannyp]

Try the OP36 w/silver dial. It wears larger than the others (light color dial and lack of dial-bezel contrast) and the YG markers/hands look good on it. Might be a good compromise in terms of size/proportionality.

[Santiago32]

BB58 for me is the watch that you are describing.

[rkny]

OP39 in black is my all time favorite GADA daily wearer.

[Stan Cooper]

For every day wear I really like my DJ 36 Turn-O-Graph. The bezel makes it look larger than 36.

[Recondope]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

For every day wear I really like my DJ 36 Turn-O-Graph. The bezel makes it look larger than 36.

Nice TOG! These are really cool.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Tallbark

Yep - I think you are right. Thats why I'm thinking maybe an OP would be a comfortable no nonsense watch what just works.

This.

[SaintMickey]

Originally Posted by Rollie Guy

+2 on the other brand. I personally wear a older Omega Seamaster (Pierce Brosnan 41MM) on a shark mesh Planet Ocean bracelet. Most comfortable combo I have found taking into account several brands and bracelets / strap options. Best advice I'd say is buy what you and like try it. After all that is the best part about exploring the watch brands / models. Good luck

There is always one...

[Tools]

Every Rolex is, and can be, worn every day, day-in and day-out.

I've been wearing Exp II's, GMT's, and Subs for decades and don't see any reason why I should think about anything else.

I find that a Day Date, or even the Daytona, only scratch the itch for a few days and I'm back to one of the others.

My Father in law wore a Datejust all of the time. When it wore out, he put it away and went down and got another.

[Harry-57]

All my Rolex watches are daily watches. I buy them for comfort and user friendliness. None disappoint. One Rolex in my collection for everyday wear is far too narrow a concept for me to entertain but speaking hypothetically, my Explorer 2 Polar 42mm would be perfect for me in that role, although a SS Sky Dweller (blue or black) would also be a strong contender. But only as the one Rolex in my collection. If it had to be a one watch collection there isn't a Rolex that could fulfil that need for me.

[Crunchie]

It’s not a theoretical problem you can solve on paper, through a screen, or by buying what other people tell you to buy.

Try some watches, then buy and wear the one you like the most.

I don’t see the reason for limiting it to Rolex, either. There are some great Speedmasters, Seamasters, IWCs, Oris, just as examples.

[LA_LEC]

Originally Posted by Heady Topper

Explorer 39 with wrong proportions? Don’t let the internet get to you.

I agree - that is 100% rubbish!

[1lastone]

Based on your criteria and preference sounds like you’re after an OP 39. That or why not check out bb58 navy

[key]

Originally Posted by rkny

OP39 in black is my all time favorite GADA daily wearer.

+1. It is very comfortable, under the radar and can easily be dressed up or down.

IMO the perfect proportions, the sunburst black dial and bar indexes give off a pretty sophisticated look while being plenty rugged with the brushed finishing and the 3132 movement.