Explorer II facts and opinion

[Solar]

Interesting reading your responses, seems from the poll and the comments that many of you, like myself, are somewhat conflicted on this.

I still haven't formed my own opinion yet. I'll be interested to see how the poll runs out over the next day or so.

Keep posting your views!

Thanks,

Chris

[Chunky]

If it were a choice of only one, I too would go with the submariner

[Trurolexer]

Both GREAT!!!
But I sold my Expy II to bought my Sub ND COSC. So, yes Sub for me...

[FrankinCA]

it's my favorite Rolex. If I want a watch to trach a second timezone, the GMT would be my choice.

[CPTL]

As to durability and ruggedness:
I'd have to say they're the same. The issue is really about shock, and both movements have the same shock protection design (KIF). The cases and crystals will be equally resilient: nothing short of a sledghammer will damage the case, and any direct impact to the crystal will cause damage.

Clearly, the Sub has greater water protection. However, that doesn't add anything in terms of shock protection. Less than one-tenth of 1% of us will ever exceed the Explorer-II's depth rating.

In terms of comfort:
I find the Explorer to be much more comfortable. I have worn both for outdoor activities such as running, fishing, hiking, etc. The Sub was heavy, and when my wrist would sweat, the Sub would slide around, so I was constantly adjusting its position on my wrist. Expy stays in place better. Ultimately, when you're running, hiking, etc, comfort is king--and the Explorer wins hands down. (I now keep my Sub on a NATO, which is very good for outdoors/activities. Subby and I went surfing a few weeks ago, and the NATO held up brilliantly and it didn't move around. The NATO makes the Sub comfortable enough to wear for any activity, but it's a pain to keep changing the bracelet out all the time.)

Versatility:
This is purely subjective, but I find the Expy to be much better for wear with casual-to-weekend dressy attire (I have a DJ that I wear as a true dress watch). Expy goes well with business casual or jeans and a dress shirt (either are good with shorts, etc). It's light and comfortable. I much prefer the simple brushed steel bezel on the Expy to the giant black bezel on the Sub (Sub bezel won't fit under my shirt cuffs). Once again this is purely subjective, but to me the Sub screams Rolex; the Expy is much more subtle.

Functionality: My opinion, they're a draw. The sub bezel is handy for timing things (parking meters, flipping the steaks, etc). The quickset hour of the Explorer-II is brilliant while traveling, and tracking a second time zone comes in handy. I end up vacationing with my Sub more simply because I keep it on the NATO, and usually when I'm on vacation I'm fishing, surfing, out at the ranch, etc. However, when I travel with work, I'm wearing the Explorer-II.

Overall: Having owned both, if I were picking ONE and ONLY ONE, I'd pick the black dial Explorer-II. It is extremely rugged and durable. It's very versatile aesthetically, fitting (snugly) under a dress shirt cuff while clearly going well with sports attire. I can't say enough about how much more comfortable the Explorer-II is than the Sub. Ultimately, the Explorer wins out because of comfort.

[Tools]

This is tough...

I voted a couple of days ago, and I can't really remember what I voted...

When the going gets tough, I usually grab the EXP II, and it sees the most wrist time...

However, If I had to go to only one........The Sub was my first Rolex, so it gets the sentimentality nod....and those classic looks.. As Mike said, today I pick the Sub...but tomorrow I might change my mind...

(or maybe I've already changed it....)

[Solar]

Its tricky.

I'm looking for maximum comfort, so I can see how the Exp II would win there.

I have a SD and the GMT II, and would likely sell the SD for the purchase of either a Sub or a Exp II.

I think I would go for the white dial Exp II since its different than the GMT, but what opinions do people have on the white Exp II? Is the dial bland, or do you find in wearing it it has character?

So many thoughts, so little time.........

C

[CPTL]

I love the white dial. It's striking, and very readable during the day. It is tougher to read at night, as the white dial reflects light which competes with the luminous material for the attention of your eyes.

I only recommended the black dial because if you're only going to have one Rollie, I prefer the black. If you're going to have two, the white dial is fantastic.

[veefour]

After 22 years with a sub on my wrist every day, I think I'll be glad to go for a black face Explorer. (anyone?)

[Tombstone]

Hard question if both cost around $3,000 each I would get both. For me costs being what they are it would be the Sub.

[JCFair]

Interesting, my only Rolex is a white face EXP II. I am a pilot so the 24 hour hand is set to GMT.

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by CPTL

As to durability and ruggedness:
I'd have to say they're the same. The issue is really about shock, and both movements have the same shock protection design (KIF). The cases and crystals will be equally resilient: nothing short of a sledghammer will damage the case, and any direct impact to the crystal will cause damage.

Clearly, the Sub has greater water protection. However, that doesn't add anything in terms of shock protection. Less than one-tenth of 1% of us will ever exceed the Explorer-II's depth rating.

In terms of comfort:
I find the Explorer to be much more comfortable. I have worn both for outdoor activities such as running, fishing, hiking, etc. The Sub was heavy, and when my wrist would sweat, the Sub would slide around, so I was constantly adjusting its position on my wrist. Expy stays in place better. Ultimately, when you're running, hiking, etc, comfort is king--and the Explorer wins hands down. (I now keep my Sub on a NATO, which is very good for outdoors/activities. Subby and I went surfing a few weeks ago, and the NATO held up brilliantly and it didn't move around. The NATO makes the Sub comfortable enough to wear for any activity, but it's a pain to keep changing the bracelet out all the time.)

Versatility:
This is purely subjective, but I find the Expy to be much better for wear with casual-to-weekend dressy attire (I have a DJ that I wear as a true dress watch). Expy goes well with business casual or jeans and a dress shirt (either are good with shorts, etc). It's light and comfortable. I much prefer the simple brushed steel bezel on the Expy to the giant black bezel on the Sub (Sub bezel won't fit under my shirt cuffs). Once again this is purely subjective, but to me the Sub screams Rolex; the Expy is much more subtle.

Functionality: My opinion, they're a draw. The sub bezel is handy for timing things (parking meters, flipping the steaks, etc). The quickset hour of the Explorer-II is brilliant while traveling, and tracking a second time zone comes in handy. I end up vacationing with my Sub more simply because I keep it on the NATO, and usually when I'm on vacation I'm fishing, surfing, out at the ranch, etc. However, when I travel with work, I'm wearing the Explorer-II.

Overall: Having owned both, if I were picking ONE and ONLY ONE, I'd pick the black dial Explorer-II. It is extremely rugged and durable. It's very versatile aesthetically, fitting (snugly) under a dress shirt cuff while clearly going well with sports attire. I can't say enough about how much more comfortable the Explorer-II is than the Sub. Ultimately, the Explorer wins out because of comfort.

Very well said, Kevin. Here's my questions to you: if you were starting over again, would you buy a black dial Expy2 and not have ever gotten a Submariner? If you were ever deployed again, which wouild you bring? The more I wear and enjoy my Explorer II, the more I realize that in many ways for me, it IS the ultimate Rolex. For YEARS I lusted after a Submariner, and now that I have mine and it truly is my favorite watch, I now realize that my lifestyle more actively supports the role of the Explorer II. It really IS an enigmatic Rolex; it has a small but loyal following that many others do not understand!

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...xplorer+enigma

Originally Posted by veefour

After 22 years with a sub on my wrist every day, I think I'll be glad to go for a black face Explorer. (anyone?)

I now think so too, Rich!

[CPTL]

[QUOTE=DSJ;680878]Very well said, Kevin. Here's my questions to you: if you were starting over again, would you buy a black dial Expy2 and not have ever gotten a Submariner? If you were ever deployed again, which wouild you bring?[QUOTE]

In a word: yes. I would have bought the black-dial Expy-II and not looked back. I would have taken it to the desert and anywhere else, for that matter. No need for another watch (though I probably still would have bought a dress watch).

Don't get me wrong, I love my sub. It's a great watch, and I bought it not just because it's an icon--I also think it's a fantastic watch. However, I like the Expy more, and I think it is much more useful because it's so much more comfortable.

The sub was my first, and for that reason I'll likely never part with it. However, if I had it to do over again, I would have just bought the Explorer.

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by JCFair

Interesting, my only Rolex is a white face EXP II. I am a pilot so the 24 hour hand is set to GMT.

Hey JC Fair, how have you been?