ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
|
21 May 2008, 01:19 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: David
Location: USA
Watch: your step!
Posts: 7,882
|
The Explorer II Enigma. Historical Thread
I know this has been discussed before, but I thought it might be interesting to revisit.
Of all the SS Sport Rollies out there, the Explorer II (and Explorer, but the focus of this thread is on the II), particularly the black dial, seems to be the least desirable, and hence has the lowest resale value. I bought my slightly used one from my AD at a significant discount from MSRP, and it's fairly common to get TT like discounts on these, which differs from all the other SS Sporties. We see Explorer II's languish in AD's cases and on our For Sale page, often being discounted several times before they sell or are pulled. The watch is essentially the same as the legacy GMT II's, minus the rotating bezel. It has a sleek and unique profile not seen on other non-Rolex watches, except the Invicta's Rolex-inspired models. It's comfort is among the best of Sports Rollies, and it has the added complication of the 24H hand. I'd like to see a discussion about TRFers thoughts on why the Explorer II's desirability and resale is lower than that of other Sports models. The longer I own mine, the more I like it, and I can't figure out why it's not more popular
__________________
Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP |
21 May 2008, 01:40 AM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: rudolph
Location: chicago burbs
Posts: 2,026
|
i know what you mean about he resale value.i have a nib z serial that i bought 2 months ago from my il ad that i want to sell.every time i see one here for sale it just hangs around for quite a while,and the price drops over and over again.i might just post it on craigslist and see what happens.it is a cool watch but i want to use the funds for the new deep sea.
__________________
tt date circa 69' 5513 circa 81' ss sub w/date (z) pepsi gmt for dad(D) polar expy II(z) 1675 gmt circa 68' ladies datejust on jubilee for mom (z) sea dweller16600(M) SS Sub-C(g) Omega Planet Ocean,45.5 on mesh(2500D) |
21 May 2008, 02:04 AM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Sean
Location: West Florida
Posts: 2,671
|
David,
I do not own an Explorer, however I do like the 24hr hand. If I were to buy one I would buy the white face because I like the look of it better and because I already have a black dial watch with my Sea Dweller. Sean
__________________
"Life is frittered away with detail... simplify, simplify!" Henry D. Thoreau |
21 January 2017, 12:29 PM | #4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Real Name: Jim
Location: Long Island, NY
Watch: Sub,Exp1&2,YM,Milg
Posts: 429
|
That's exactly what I did when I bought my Explorer II. Since I own a Sub I went with the white dial explorer.
|
21 May 2008, 02:10 AM | #5 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,112
|
I don't understand this either..
My feeling is that most Rolex owners and buyers of today spend most of their time indoors in front of the computer, so the durability and 'ruggedness' of the watch is irrelevent, only the image.. I live in the desert, so when I go for a mountain climb, bike ride, the drag-races, or out to a off-road event..The EXP II is the right watch for the event. It doesn't have the fragile rotating bezel to get sand and grit into, and bangin' it against the rocks and dragging through the brush has little affect. Hey....if you spend your time clubbin' and posen', then strap on that blingy GMT or your Beach Daytona. But if you have a serious TT event, or your climbing the dunes in your modified VW1800, or rock climbing in the Jeep....The EXP II is the ultimate workhorse:
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member |
19 June 2011, 11:09 PM | #6 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: Josh
Location: Philadelphia
Watch: Rolex Daytona 6262
Posts: 154
|
Quote:
Love this post, best one I've seen on this site yet. The truth hurts. Last edited by Tools; 19 January 2020 at 01:43 PM.. Reason: corrupted image |
|
5 November 2011, 11:38 PM | #7 | |
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 38
|
Quote:
Last edited by Tools; 19 January 2020 at 01:50 PM.. Reason: corrupted image |
|
3 February 2012, 12:02 PM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 392
|
Maybe, but some of us don't like throw away watches.
__________________
|
24 February 2016, 06:55 AM | #9 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: tom
Location: northern ireland
Watch: my fins
Posts: 10,063
|
Quote:
Last edited by Tools; 19 January 2020 at 02:11 PM.. Reason: corrupted image |
|
29 February 2016, 09:03 AM | #10 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sofia
Watch: Corum Admirals Cup
Posts: 332
|
Quote:
I.e. : Under the surface but in my case, the cave (named Eyes of God) is collapsed and light enters in it. |
|
16 August 2016, 07:44 PM | #11 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Conshohocken
Watch: What?
Posts: 812
|
Quote:
__________________
dive deep dive long 1503 16263 16610 228238 16623 Last edited by Tools; 19 January 2020 at 02:14 PM.. Reason: corrupted image |
|
3 November 2016, 01:46 AM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: David
Location: London+Guangzhou
Watch: ing watches
Posts: 2,603
|
I don't think Tools is dismissing other watches but making the point that the Explorer II is, and has remained, the most authentic no nonsense rugged tool watch in the Rolex line up.
I agree with this and its a big part of the appeal of the Explorer II to me. I think its the least popular Rolex because of this - it flies under the radar and non-wis types who want a Rolex are more likely to go for more recognised and, lets be honest, flashier models such as the Datejust, Day-Date, Sub, GMT (and I speak as a lover of these watches). That's fine - leaves more Explorers for the cognoscenti to pick up. I love the Polar and the black. I think the black is often underrated - its a stunning watch. I would also love to have a polar 16570 with yellow tritium markers or even better, one of the creme dialed polars. These are mine -
__________________
Rolex Sea Dweller 116600, GMT Master II 16710 (Pepsi) and 116710 BLNR, Daytona 116500LN, Submariner 14060M. |
6 November 2016, 11:48 PM | #13 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Real Name: Butterfly
Location: USA
Watch: ROLEXROLEXROLEX
Posts: 637
|
Quote:
I love this watch and actually purchased the black dial for my guy because I thought it was both beautiful AND tough. He didn't think he'd wear it much so I returned it and felt rather heartbroken that he couldn't see it was a treasure. I agree that black is truly stunning. I would have kept it and worn it myself if I didn't already have a GMT IIc LN |
|
23 January 2017, 03:23 PM | #14 | |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: The Bahamas
Watch: 116610lv
Posts: 1,039
|
Quote:
what i love about it is that people don't see rolex right away, u less you have an eye like everyone on here.. but it doesn't pop out like a president or sub.. incognito..! Last edited by Tools; 19 January 2020 at 02:18 PM.. Reason: corrupted image |
|
23 April 2018, 05:48 PM | #15 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Washington State
Posts: 441
|
The Explorer II Enigma
Quote:
I’ve quoted an old post..... The newer model is (at least subjectively) more attractive, but it’s true that most Rolex buyers get a Rolex because they want it to be recognized as a symbol of success. They therefore gravitate toward the more recognizable models like the Datejust, Submariner, GMT, and Daytona. I agree that the Explorer II is just as functional as the GMT and, in its current form with the 3187 movement, likely more durable. This is surely aided by the fixed bezel. I’ve owned the GMT 16710 and should have never sold it. I’ve also owned and sold the 116710 GMTc and I don’t miss that one. In fact, I’ve sold every ceramic bezel model I’ve owned. I just don’t care for the flashy looks. While lacking a rotating bezel, the 216570 reminds me of the last generation sport models. The generation that could withstand almost anything. While the current ceramic bezel watches are surely robust, they leave me with the feeling that they are more fragile. The Explorer II is one that would suggest function over form. A working watch. Long live the Explorer II. Last edited by Tools; 21 January 2020 at 04:49 AM.. Reason: corrupted image |
|
23 April 2018, 06:23 PM | #16 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London
Watch: 124270
Posts: 535
|
Quote:
Good post. And I agree. I loved looking at my BLNR but ultimately I couldn’t shake the reality that as I walked through doorways I was forever guarding against knocking the bezel. The one that I never turned. The 16710 is a fantastic watch but I even prefer the 16750 or 16700. Two time zones is quite enough for me. But either way the ceramic dial sparkle just wore off for me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
|
14 March 2019, 06:42 AM | #17 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 146
|
Quote:
I really do like the previous model explorer 2 vs 42mm version and orange get hand. I have my eye on one, but want the engraved Rehaut. I will most likely be purchasing on as I have seen them steadily in prices. |
|
26 October 2008, 05:00 AM | #18 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Real Name: Stan
Location: Brunswick, Ohio
Watch: All of them
Posts: 967
|
Quote:
Last edited by Greenring; 26 October 2008 at 05:00 AM.. Reason: grammetical bobo |
|
26 October 2008, 05:19 AM | #19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Real Name: Christopher
Location: fort lauderdale
Watch: Bunches
Posts: 1,860
|
The exp II is defnantly on my short list..
Matter of fact i was looking at one last night Just dont know if im ready to take the plunge just yet... I would love to see a lume shot of the white exp 2 compared to the black.. So get the cameras out guys... |
27 October 2008, 01:20 PM | #20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: oklahoma city
Posts: 15,741
|
|
9 June 2010, 12:52 AM | #21 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Herbert Frank
Location: Middletown,De
Watch: President
Posts: 1,641
|
Yeh, I feel your pain
Quote:
__________________
Time and Tide wait for no man Rolex Cellini 4133 Tudor North Flag HERS: Rolex TTDJ |
|
1 May 2016, 09:06 AM | #22 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Texas/Virginia
Posts: 292
|
Quote:
White or black dial? I am interested in a white dial -- so message me if you're thinking of selling. |
|
1 May 2016, 12:03 PM | #23 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Real Name: Richard
Location: GA
Watch: YTBD
Posts: 22,636
|
Mine sports natos as well
|
1 May 2016, 12:04 PM | #24 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Real Name: Richard
Location: GA
Watch: YTBD
Posts: 22,636
|
|
8 May 2016, 10:45 PM | #25 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: Ian
Location: France
Watch: Explorer II 16570
Posts: 7
|
On Hirsch Leonardo waterproof with deployment clasp - very comfortable.
|
3 February 2017, 11:18 AM | #26 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: California
Watch: red 1680
Posts: 9
|
Quote:
|
|
21 May 2008, 02:17 AM | #27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Real Name: Lee
Location: Malaysia
Watch: 16750
Posts: 2,534
|
I work in an office, in a factory and on construction sites. I also drive a lot, here there and everywhere, and I cross timezones now and then. Apart from jumping +2secs/day after taking a whack on a table, my Explorer II Blanc is still with spec at +3.2secs/day overall, a little scratched up, but looking damn good on my wrist for it. People can't believe I wear it to sites, factories etc and I just tell them, it's what it's been made for.
|
21 May 2008, 02:40 AM | #28 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: David
Location: USA
Watch: your step!
Posts: 7,882
|
Well said, Larry and Lee. It's a great watch for Desk Diving AND REAL outdoors adventures! Of all the Rollies, I think there is no better for a soldier in the field.
__________________
Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP |
21 May 2008, 02:46 AM | #29 |
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: OC
Posts: 69
|
Love my Exp II
|
21 May 2008, 02:50 AM | #30 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Real Name: Bo
Location: Denmark
Watch: Rolex, of course!
Posts: 22,436
|
I would say the Explorer II (and regular Explorer for that matter) are both more watches that WIS would choose. And most Rolex wearers aren't necessarily WIS.
__________________
With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw... |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.