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Old 15 July 2007, 04:55 AM   #31
JJ Irani
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Excellent shot.....well done!!
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Old 15 July 2007, 12:29 PM   #32
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I know a lot of folks have expresed reserve about painting the white gold black on the indicies including myself but after seeing several shots now the black has really grown on me. it looks simple, elegant and classy. If I was in the market for one it would be white all the way!
Wear em' in good health guys!
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Old 15 July 2007, 11:20 PM   #33
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Questions

This is a great review. Actually, it is the perfect review for me to be reading since I am considering this watch (and am relentless about these "small" details before making such a purchase).

That being said, I do have a couple of questions.

You mention that you've had problems in the past with a white dial - is this related to a Rolex?

When you refer to the Explorer as a "slim watch", are you referring to the height of the watch as it sits on the wrist?

When comparing the Explorer's stainless bezel to the black bezel of the Submariner, I'm wondering about durability. The brushed stainless of the Explorer can easily be refinished after a nick or scratch. Can this be said of the Submariner bezel, and if not - perhaps this translates into the Explorer being able to keep its newness longer?

Thanks for the review!
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Old 16 July 2007, 04:26 AM   #34
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This is a great review. Actually, it is the perfect review for me to be reading since I am considering this watch (and am relentless about these "small" details before making such a purchase).

That being said, I do have a couple of questions.

You mention that you've had problems in the past with a white dial - is this related to a Rolex?

When you refer to the Explorer as a "slim watch", are you referring to the height of the watch as it sits on the wrist?

When comparing the Explorer's stainless bezel to the black bezel of the Submariner, I'm wondering about durability. The brushed stainless of the Explorer can easily be refinished after a nick or scratch. Can this be said of the Submariner bezel, and if not - perhaps this translates into the Explorer being able to keep its newness longer?

Thanks for the review!
Thanks for your comments and kind words, Carolina.

My experience with a similar watch (and white dial) in the past was....after I had just purchased it from my AD, I went home and noticed a rather poor quality control bit from Rolex - a huge gash running through the black coronet on the dial.

Of course, I took it right back and had the dial replaced....but all that took almost a month and pissed me off real bad!!

The slimness of the Exp-II relates with the height of the watch - the slimmest of all the sports Rolex models out there.

As for the brushed finished bezel, yes I guess it can be buffed out. In the case of the Sub, if you damage the insert, the insert can be fully replaced.

If your hubby has no need for a rotating bezel, the Exp-II would be ideally suited for him.

Good luck in your final decision.

Cheers - JJ

PS: The good news is that the Exp-II can also be had at good discounts as it does not sell as fast as the other sports models.
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Old 18 July 2007, 05:29 PM   #35
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JJ,
excellent review and my Wht.Exp.II has been my daily wearer!
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Old 18 July 2007, 11:35 PM   #36
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Great review!

Here's my new (pre-owned) 2006 Explorer II. Sold my Yachtmaster to get this one. And never regretted it. I love my Explorer II especially with its white dial.

Took me around a dozen tries to get the laser micro-etched crown. Here it is...
GREAT JOB with the shot of the micro-etched crown Thanks for the extra effort! The white dial Explorer II was the first Rolex i ever owned. It's timeless.
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Old 24 July 2007, 12:12 PM   #37
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Nice review, JJ... I was especially interested in your suggestion on sizing the bracelet. I took my Exp II to my local small town jeweler when it came. I have knnow the repairman at this shop for several years now and think he is very skilled. Anyway, when I took him my Exp II he said it was very important to have the clasp flat on the back of my wrist and to do that he suggested the 5 link arrangement you suggested! He sized me to have 5 links on the 6 o'clock side and 7 on the twelve o'clock side. My Exp II fits my wrist perfectly and, as you say, is a very comfortable watch to wear. Thanks again for you review! Cheers, Bill P.
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Old 24 July 2007, 05:35 PM   #38
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Nice review, JJ... I was especially interested in your suggestion on sizing the bracelet. I took my Exp II to my local small town jeweler when it came. I have knnow the repairman at this shop for several years now and think he is very skilled. Anyway, when I took him my Exp II he said it was very important to have the clasp flat on the back of my wrist and to do that he suggested the 5 link arrangement you suggested! He sized me to have 5 links on the 6 o'clock side and 7 on the twelve o'clock side. My Exp II fits my wrist perfectly and, as you say, is a very comfortable watch to wear. Thanks again for you review! Cheers, Bill P.
Thanks, Bill....yes, with the Oysterlock bracelet, one should have a maximum of only FIVE links on the '6' side - no more. The remainder of the links can go on the '12' side for a good fit.

Cheers - JJ
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Old 25 July 2007, 12:42 AM   #39
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Nice review and pictures! Very informative, yeah, you SHOULD write!
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Old 25 July 2007, 03:47 AM   #40
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Nice review and pictures! Very informative, yeah, you SHOULD write!
Thanks, pal....maybe I should TYPE first!!
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Old 29 July 2007, 12:55 PM   #41
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I'm tempted to trade my 03 GMT-II for the Expy II, I really really like the white face. Been thinking about it everyday since I saw this thread JJ... sigh. :) :) :)

Can't swing another watch for me until I get the spouse one, so it will be a while.

Did the Expy II ever come with lug holes for the bracelet?
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Old 29 July 2007, 03:19 PM   #42
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I'm tempted to trade my 03 GMT-II for the Expy II, I really really like the white face. Been thinking about it everyday since I saw this thread JJ... sigh. :) :) :)

Can't swing another watch for me until I get the spouse one, so it will be a while.

Did the Expy II ever come with lug holes for the bracelet?
Yes, it did....here's a pic of Jocke's Exp-II on Jubilee. You can clearly see the lug holes on the sides.

JJ

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Old 29 July 2007, 03:41 PM   #43
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it looks better with the oyster band more sporty!! imo
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Old 30 July 2007, 11:33 PM   #44
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Great review JJ. I have the same watch - early Z series - and it has become my favorite. It has a unique look and is very comfortable and functional. I particularly like the hint of green lume against the brilliant white background during daylight hours.

Regards,

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Old 31 July 2007, 03:43 AM   #45
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Wow JJ! Thats the first time I have ever seen an Explorer II with a Jubilee bracelet. I actually like a lot but still prefer the classic Oyster bracelet. That jubilee does make an already fairly dressy watch even more dressier though. I can see it used for formal occasions.

I always wanted to try putting a SS Daytona bracelet on my Explorer II since it has the solid center links and improved clasp but it cannot be done in the US. Oh well...Ill try going to the UK someday to do it. Ill have myself a "Frankenstein watch!"

By the way, excellent review on the Expy JJ. Very thorough, detailed and well-written! BRAVO!!

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Old 31 July 2007, 03:50 AM   #46
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Wow JJ! Thats the first time I have ever seen an Explorer II with a Jubilee bracelet. I actually like a lot but still prefer the classic Oyster bracelet. That jubilee does make an already fairly dressy watch even more dressier though. I can see it used for formal occasions.

I always wanted to try putting a SS Daytona bracelet on my Explorer II since it has the solid center links and improved clasp but it cannot be done in the US. Oh well...Ill try going to the UK someday to do it. Ill have myself a "Frankenstein watch!"

By the way, excellent review on the Expy JJ. Very thorough, detailed and well-written! BRAVO!!

Thanks, Jerome.

Remember, that pic of the Exp-II on the Jubilee is NOT mine. Also note that the Exp-II pictured above is the older model WITH the lug holes on the sides.

It could be a problem getting the Jubilee onto the newer models WITHOUT the lug-holes.

I think I just might stick with the original Oysterlock bracelet that has come with my Expy.....and maybe some day muster up the courage to pick up a beautiful SS/WG bezel DJ on the newer Jubilee bracelet with all solid links and concealed clasp.

JJ
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Old 31 July 2007, 11:47 AM   #47
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Great review and pics JJ!

Do you have a hard time reading the dial at all regardless of the lighting condition? It doesn't appear so but just curious. Thanks.
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Old 31 July 2007, 01:37 PM   #48
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Great review and pics JJ!

Do you have a hard time reading the dial at all regardless of the lighting condition? It doesn't appear so but just curious. Thanks.

To answer your question, it is quite the contrary. The white dial EXPII in my opnion is one of the most readable dials in the Oyster line under ANY lighting conditions. I consider it to be more readable than my GMT I when both are in the same lighting conditions.

I can also see the time from a greater distance on my EXPII. I did an experiment to come up with this result:

I made both watches stand up and face me as I stood all the way across a room. The room is 12 feet by 12 feet.

EXPII: I can still make out orientation of the hands from all the way across the room and can give a pretty good guess at the time.

GMT: I cannot see the orientation of the hands as well. The hands look like they disappear into the dial looking at it from all the way across the room. I could not see the second hand moving AT ALL.

Conclusion: The Explorer II white dial is very readable, even from about 10 feet away in a room with one moderately bright ceiling light.

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Old 31 July 2007, 05:21 PM   #49
JJ Irani
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Great review and pics JJ!

Do you have a hard time reading the dial at all regardless of the lighting condition? It doesn't appear so but just curious. Thanks.
Actually a very good question.

In normal light - NEVER a problem. The white dial Exp-II is one of the easiest and quickest time readability waches out there.

But when you are sitting in a darkened movie house, it's bloody useless. No matter how hard you try.....even try and bounce the bright light off the screen onto the dial....and you see NOTHING.

On the other hand, with my TT Blue Sub, it's pretty easy to read the time against the reflecting light from the silver screen.

JJ
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Old 1 August 2007, 05:21 PM   #50
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Interesting...so how does the lume on the Explorer II compare to your Sub, is there a difference or just merely a reflect of the dials?

and thanks for your comment Jerome.
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Old 1 August 2007, 05:24 PM   #51
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Interesting...so how does the lume on the Explorer II compare to your Sub, is there a difference or just merely a reflect of the dials?
In all honesty, lume on all Rollies sucks. If you want real lume, get an OMEGA Seamaster or a SEIKO Monster.

I find that Rolex lume shows up best in PITCH darkness. If there is some outside light, then somehow the lume is useless.

All in all, there are much better watches out there for lume....much better than what Rolex offers.

JJ
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Old 1 August 2007, 05:45 PM   #52
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In all honesty, lume on all Rollies sucks. If you want real lume, get an OMEGA Seamaster or a SEIKO Monster.

I find that Rolex lume shows up best in PITCH darkness. If there is some outside light, then somehow the lume is useless.

All in all, there are much better watches out there for lume....much better than what Rolex offers.

JJ
Thanks.

Yeah, I am seriously considering the Seamaster 2254.50 for that matter; I just wanted to see if there are other Rolex models that might interest me before I make the move.
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Old 1 August 2007, 05:50 PM   #53
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Thanks.

Yeah, I am seriously considering the Seamaster 2254.50 for that matter; I just wanted to see if there are other Rolex models that might interest me before I make the move.
OMEGAs are superb watches and excellent value for money. But resale on them sucks....big time.

If you decide to buy one, then decide to keep it. Or wait until you've saved enough for a Rolex.

Don't make an impulse buy - been there, done that....and lost on such deals!!
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Old 1 August 2007, 05:53 PM   #54
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I finally saw Casino Royal tonight. It sucked.

One of the worst parts was when the hot chick asked him what kind of watch he was wearing.

Her, " Is that a Rolex?' James Bond, "Omega."


Aaaah. I wanted my money back at that point. The movie was all downhill after that.
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Old 1 August 2007, 06:01 PM   #55
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OMEGAs are superb watches and excellent value for money. But resale on them sucks....big time.

If you decide to buy one, then decide to keep it. Or wait until you've saved enough for a Rolex.

Don't make an impulse buy - been there, done that....and lost on such deals!!
Right, thanks for the advise. I'm considering a second watch as my daily wearer, I love my YG DD but just can't be sporting it all the time...or can I?

BTW, I don't plan on selling the SMP if I decide to go for it.
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Old 10 September 2007, 01:54 AM   #56
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I'm wanting an ExpII so BAD right now and this thread is just making things worse! Great posts, guys.
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Old 10 September 2007, 01:59 AM   #57
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A white faced Explorer II is going to be my next Rolex. Thanks for the review JJ.

But not this year, I already bought two.
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Old 10 September 2007, 03:41 AM   #58
JJ Irani
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I'm wanting an ExpII so BAD right now and this thread is just making things worse! Great posts, guys.
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A white faced Explorer II is going to be my next Rolex. Thanks for the review JJ.

But not this year, I already bought two.
It's a simple yet very beautiful watch. If you are NOT a "bezel fiddler", then this is the perfect watch.

The sloping, brushed finished bezel gives the watch a nice touch and that slightly smaller look - in reality it's only 39 mm as compared with the 40 mm of all other sports models.

You won't regret the purchase - also very, very comfortable on the wrist.

JJ
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Old 10 September 2007, 06:56 AM   #59
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Great review...I always learn something new on here..
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Old 10 September 2007, 07:11 AM   #60
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Nice review JJ,
I particularly like the way the dial blends with the white hair
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/JJIrani/SD035.jpg
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