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Old 5 March 2011, 02:31 AM   #31
Roley
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Clean, simple, go anywhere watch!!.... Brilliant!!
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Old 1 April 2011, 02:37 AM   #32
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Good choice ! New 904L steel bracelet and 39mm (old had 36mm) - thanks for review !
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Old 1 April 2011, 12:56 PM   #33
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I want one of these so bad...
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Old 1 April 2011, 01:06 PM   #34
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Can you replace the hour & minute hands? From a MILLIE? Then , PERFECT!
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Old 1 April 2011, 03:19 PM   #35
hy12
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its a beautiful watch, soooo rolex. but i would miss the date...
explorer I with date 39mm....would be perfect
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Old 4 April 2011, 03:15 PM   #36
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went to store to see a EXP II white and was attracted to the new Exp in 39mmm whatever anyone tells you, this is a great watch and even better Rolex. Plain, big enough and with the new clasp. date not needed , hands are fine-- I am torn between the two now. Like the ExpII white face like the Exp with new bracelet and simplicity... a Yacht master in gold it is not. Now if only it had 20-30 diamonds..lol
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Old 4 April 2011, 07:53 PM   #37
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Great choice. The 39mm Explorer is a beautiful watch. Don't worry about paying full retail as quality is never cheap. I think the hands look fine and the bracelet is a big improvement on the 36mm version that it replaced.
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Old 15 June 2011, 08:00 PM   #38
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Nice watch . I like the shape.
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Old 16 June 2011, 03:04 PM   #39
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Good read. Got the same watch. It is awesome
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Old 22 July 2011, 08:09 PM   #40
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Hmmm...now I am thinking Explorer I bc of your review. What have you done?! haha. jk. great review and great watch.

I dont think I will be able to own 2 rolexes at the same time so I am in the works for one that can do it all.

Great watch!
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Old 23 July 2011, 04:58 AM   #41
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My personal favorite. Superb watch, underrated amongst the Sub Dates, Seadwellers and GMTIIs. It is the watch that I find comes closest to what is the 'classic' Rolex.
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Old 23 July 2011, 02:17 PM   #42
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Having owned or own all those models, I completely agree with you.

I think it's an incredibly cool great looking watch. Love the fact that it's relatively uncommon and has such a strong history.

To the OP: Nice review!

Quote:
Originally Posted by JoolsW View Post
My personal favorite. Superb watch, underrated amongst the Sub Dates, Seadwellers and GMTIIs. It is the watch that I find comes closest to what is the 'classic' Rolex.
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Old 10 August 2011, 09:51 AM   #43
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What's the difference between the bracelets? I'm looking between the 36mm and 39mm. Haven't seen the 36mm in person but tried on the oyster perpetual 36 so I know the size.
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Old 10 August 2011, 02:24 PM   #44
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The bracelet on the 39MM is one of the best I've ever worn on a Rolex. It's much better IMO than the 36MM. Much more solid--from the solid links to the robust clasp that clicks into place. Really comfortable, smooth, light...yet not in the least bit flimsy. Though the 36MM bracelet is fine and will do the trick it feels quite flimsy. The new bracelet on the 39 MM is in a different league IMO.
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What's the difference between the bracelets? I'm looking between the 36mm and 39mm. Haven't seen the 36mm in person but tried on the oyster perpetual 36 so I know the size.
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Old 17 August 2011, 11:06 PM   #45
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Nice review.
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Old 18 August 2011, 03:05 AM   #46
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A very persuasive review, thanks
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Old 31 August 2011, 09:09 AM   #47
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I just picked up a 2011 Explorer 1 as well and I have to say it is by far my favorite watch. I own a 2003 Rolex Air-King, 1992 Omega Speedmaster Professional and now the 2011 39mm Explorer. What attracted me most was the non-cluttered plainness of the dial. Similar to the Air-King except much larger, I do have to say I love this especially the rich history behind it.

Cheers!
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Old 31 August 2011, 09:13 AM   #48
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I have a short clip on YouTube as well comparing the Speedmaster sweeping to the Explorer's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDh0RqDrXA8
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Old 31 August 2011, 11:57 AM   #49
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Two classic watches
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Originally Posted by skimpydave View Post
I have a short clip on YouTube as well comparing the Speedmaster sweeping to the Explorer's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDh0RqDrXA8
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Old 31 August 2011, 01:25 PM   #50
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Oh yeah, I've been doing some testing. According to WatchTime magazine (April 2011, pg. 107):


Deviations in seconds per 24 hrs:

Dial up: +7
Dial down: +6
Crown up +5
Crown down 0
Crown left +4
Crown right 0

My findings:
Crown down is 0 and I don't know how to place the 'crown right'.... but crown down is definitely 0 and I've tested this for the past 3 days
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Old 7 September 2011, 05:49 AM   #51
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I love the smaller rolexes.
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Old 22 September 2011, 09:46 AM   #52
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day two and I'm still floored at the Exp 39's style and design
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Old 19 October 2011, 12:13 PM   #53
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Looks great on yours wrist. I want one. Congratulations!!
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Old 29 October 2011, 02:16 PM   #54
Lew Archer
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A wonderful watch...
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Old 30 September 2012, 08:25 PM   #55
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The 36mm Explorer and the 39mm Explorer are different products altogether. I think we can't really judge a new product based on past product's specs. Well, you may think of it as the 39mm having about the same hands as the 36mm but the 39mm having a 3mm "advantage" over the 36mm! :) Bigger case size seems to be more trendy.

I think the 39mm is a really nice Rolex.
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Old 30 September 2012, 09:55 PM   #56
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so far this has been my easiest to wear rolex! i love it!!
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Old 30 September 2012, 10:07 PM   #57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hy12 View Post
its a beautiful watch, soooo rolex. but i would miss the date...
explorer I with date 39mm....would be perfect
The date is spot on every third day of the month
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Old 19 October 2012, 09:42 PM   #58
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Beautiful watch.
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Old 22 October 2012, 01:35 PM   #59
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I like the watch and the dog. :-). Enjoy them both.
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Old 25 November 2012, 08:04 PM   #60
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Yes the Explorer has for some decades been considered an iconic elegant all-rounder.

There is something so brilliant about its understated elegance and simplicity.

What has really impressed me so much about the 39mm version is that Rolex - to its credit - has resisted all temptations of current fads and trends to go the route of the "big watch" and "bling is good".

When I buy a luxury watch, I like to be sure that when I look down at it in 20 years time, I don't find myself saying: "what on earth possessed me to buy this watch?"

Now nearly 40 years after I bought my first luxury watch - a new Omega Speedmaster "moon watch" - I'm always delighted that I spent my AU$71.00 savings on it (I was a young teenager) very well. That was when the AU$ bought 3 Singapore dollars and was a big % more valuable than the US$.

ABOUT THIS HANDS SIZE issue.
Over the many hours I spent researching the Explorer 39mm on the web and in stores, I never noticed that they might be a bit short. Until, that was, I read commentaries about the length of the hands on this site!

Yes, the minute hand IMO should come closer to reaching the markings, if not actually touch them. That would make setting the minute hand precisely much easier.

Yes, if the hour hand was 1mm or so longer at the tip it would have enabled a little more luminous material too. But its length does no adversely affect reading the time accuratley IMO.

Maybe, even the width of the hands could have been very slightly increased in line with the 36mm to 39mm proportional case size increase.

But, do we really believe that Rolex's design team ignored all those design factors?

And, maybe Rolex could have even left some luminous material in the centre lines of the Arabic numerals as in its predecessor. This would help avoid a "blackout" of the numerals in certain light.

But every time I look at the 39mm Explorer, I still marvel at its truly great design.

And all the same, I finally bought the Rolex I have lusted after for 2 decades. Here, down under, since the mid 1990s new Explorers' were very rare and sold at a big premium. Used ones were the same. But just in the last couple of years they have settled down. I was even able to negotiate a good discount on a new watch (making the price less than a used version would cost me!).

Finally, FYI and regarding the hands issue, I have now looked closely at a number of premium brand watches like IWC, Omega, etc. and the likes of Bell & Ross and Sinn. All have various versions where a number of "tool watches" have minute hands a few millimeters short of the markings like the 39mm Explorer.

Now I will cease obsessing over this gorgeous watch's hands and enjoy its overall brilliance.

I'll post a review in a month or so.
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