Why is the New Explorer II 42mm not more popular?

[rolex75216]

My understanding is that the Explorer II 42mm is one of the best built watches that Rolex produces and is very popular. What I have learned over the past several months of research is that it is not necessarily the first piece to start a collection with, as that would be the Submariner. The Explorer II is a great watch and a great choice.

[xxthe_remedyxx]

Originally Posted by HongNinja

You traded your GMTc away for this didn't you???

Any regrets????

Thinking of putting a plan in motion to get me the same watch for my SubC ND.

I did sir. The GMT is a beauty, but way too much going on for me. The busy dial, large font bezel, PCL's... I just didn't warm up to it.

This is more my style, the brushed bracelet, simple but functional chamfered bezel, and just a little bit of pop with the orange hand. It's an awesome, awesome watch, I'm really loving it. Plus I have big wrists, so the 42mm size and flat back feels more comfortable on my wrist.

No regrets at all :) you should get one!!

[jbsmith]

I like the ExpII42mm Polar so much, I'm considering buying it next over a SS White Daytona. Am I crazy? My next one needs to be white dial SS sport model, so I'm between the two at the moment. I think I would enjoy the ExpII42mm more.

[rohardi]

Originally Posted by jbsmith

I like the ExpII42mm Polar so much, I'm considering buying it next over a SS White Daytona. Am I crazy? My next one needs to be white dial SS sport model, so I'm between the two at the moment. I think I would enjoy the ExpII42mm more.

I turned down a black SS Daytona a few months ago to go with my black 216570

[Boardman]

I like that its more subdued and doesn't scream Rolex.

I've only seen one other in the wild here in Houston, where the subs are the "TX timex"

Love the sub too, this one just fits my desires.

[Bugsy]

I love mine!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[Submarin3r]

I find the hour and minute hands are too fat.

[TimeOnMyHands]

Well IMHO I find:
- the orange GMT hand is overwhelming
- the Big Pie hour markers are a little overdone
- as others have stated the hour and minute hands are way too fat
- shiny black finish on hands (BF version) while the face of the dial is a matt black...why? matching them would be preferable
- thin ROLEX font on the white version while a bold ROLEX font on the black version?

[Eric5964]

Originally Posted by TimeOnMyHands

Well IMHO I find:
- the orange GMT hand is overwhelming
- the Big Pie hour markers are a little overdone
- as others have stated the hour and minute hands are way too fat
- shiny black finish on hands (BF version) while the face of the dial is a matt black...why? matching them would be preferable
- thin ROLEX font on the white version while a bold ROLEX font on the black version?

Most of your reasons are why I like it!!

EricE

[Culley22]

Originally Posted by Eric5964

Most of your reasons are why I like it!!

EricE

Yup. Bought the 16570 and 216570 to see which I liked better. And the new won out. The size of the hands, lume, orange hand (different than the "normal" GMT hand). All made it the winner for me!

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by afoll

The submariner (black) is great but everyone has one. Especially if you add the "knock offs"!

This is the opinion that I would challenge just as strongly as I would challenge the idea that the Explorer II is not a popular watch.

Among Rolex aficionados, I don't think there has been a more anticipated watch in the Rolex line for a very long time, especially after a picture of it was leaked a few years ago.

As for the Submariner, it just isn't true that everyone has one and no, you cannot count knock-offs.

You are somewhat given to hyperbole, but I think under the circumstances, you can be forgiven.

Congratulations on your new acquisition.

[Castor]

I have one: the Polar.
When I was looking around and checking the watch out the ADs I had talked to said it was the most anticipated Rolex in years and were hard to keep in stock, or even obtain.
My understanding is that it is a very popular watch.

[mvmbles]

My observation is that the 216570 is very popular with members of this forum and WIS in general, but not so much with the average Rolex wearer (non-enthusiast) you encounter in the wild.

[Blue Owl]

If you love this beauty polar, why care about the popularity?

[themast]

Let me tell you my story.

A while ago I decided to get my first high-end watch. I have always wanted a Submariner but when I have started to do more research I fell in love with the GMT II. Then, while I was gaining more and more experience and familiarity with the Rolex lineup I started to have mixed feelings toward the Exp II. Somehow it looked dull to me...

When I tried one on at the AD, I was literally blown away by its comfort and look.

So what am I going to buy? A GMT II!

Why?

Because I can't afford having many high-end watches and the GMT II makes me feel "safe" with my choice.

I think this is why the Exp II is not so "popular" outside WIS. It is a beautiful watch but if one wants to buy a GMT watch from Rolex it is sometime hard not to get a GMT II.

Mmmhhhh, I know this does not really make a lot of sense but I think many of us go through a similar mental process...

[Flyjet601]

Never understood these threads

[adamlea]

Congrats on the new Exp II - wear it in good health.

[jay1988]

The 216570 is an amazing watch if you ask me. The movement in it is really special and if I had to choose a watch for spelunking then it would win hands down. Definitely the best beater in the modern Rolex collection imo.

Some reasons I could think of why people don't like it ?

1) It's big. It may be 42mm but it wears much bigger. A friend of mine says it wears just like his Panerai.
2) The Orange GMT hand is considered toyish for some. I've heard this said from 3 different people. Personally for me, it's too small for anyone to think it makes a watch look toyish.
3) It doesn't scream Rolex. A lot of Rolex owners want their watch to scream Rolex and make a statement. A lot of people don't want to spend lots of money on a watch that most people don't see as expensive. For me this could be considered a bonus, Everyone needs a stealth watch for when you're going to that dodgy part of town.

Despite my liking of the 216570, I doubt I'll ever own one. Unless I own every watch on my wishlist and then decide I want a beater watch for rough activities.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Bangel

I think the orange hand, stainless steel bezel and size are factors that polarise opinions on its appeal.

I never thought of it as unpopular, though of course I see more subs and Datejusts in the wild.

For me it is too big and akward looking. Can't work with the orange hand either.

I do own the older Exp II Black dial and found it to be the most comfortable in my line up. It is my daily wearer.

[GreatCircle]

Originally Posted by jay1988

3) It doesn't scream Rolex. A lot of Rolex owners want their watch to scream Rolex and make a statement. A lot of people don't want to spend lots of money on a watch that most people don't see as expensive. For me this could be considered a bonus,

.

Next to just liking the watch very very much THIS was for me another good reason to immediately buy it when it was available !

[Psmith]

Well, we have zero data to back up the claim that it is unpopular (Rolex do not release sales figures), so really this is just speculation & opinion. I don't see that many Subs over the course of a week, but I don't think that makes them unpopular. I'm fairly certain that Rolex would not have gone to the trouble & expensive of developing an all-new Exp II with its own movement (3187), and with two dial options, if it were likely to be a poor seller. Judging by how long they hang around the display cabinets of my local ADs, I would guess that all stainless steel sports models are popular

[travisb]

Subs are more common, but to Rolex & watch enthusiasts the ExpII gets tons of love. The redesign is prfectly executed in my opinion.
Huge following, so I would say popularity is not an issue - Especially around here.

[Spunga]

I'm a big Exp II fan.









Regarding popularity....I couldn't give a stuff about popularity. I LOVE my Exp II's.

[Vincent65]

I much prefer the original 1655. I find the 42mm size unnecessary, and the oversized hands a little clumsy. Not on my list, but variety is the spice of life, and each to their own!

[How]

Me personally, I have a SubC but I am secretly in love with the 216750. It'll be my next Rolex for sure. It's just such a beautiful piece..

[Brushpup]

Yep, it the same old Explorer II enigma.

[SeaDweller50]

Originally Posted by TimeOnMyHands

Well IMHO I find:
- the orange GMT hand is overwhelming
- the Big Pie hour markers are a little overdone
- as others have stated the hour and minute hands are way too fat
- shiny black finish on hands (BF version) while the face of the dial is a matt black...why? matching them would be preferable
- thin ROLEX font on the white version while a bold ROLEX font on the black version?

That's because you're comparing this watch to a Sub or the 16570 Explorer model which, to me, both have overly thin hands and small minute markers. IMO Rolex finally got the sizing correct.

[SeaDweller50]

Oh and the hands are both the same size, unlike the LV and SUB C which have odd sized hands.

[andyol1966]

Love mine

[andyol1966]

I don't want this to become too popular..I enjoy having something you don't see very much in the wild