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Conan435 · 10 May 2014, 04:23 PM

I would say the 39mm. I actually like the dial and proportions of the 36mm a little better, but for my tastes it's just too small on my wrist.

klewny · 10 May 2014, 04:31 PM

I have both. 39mm is my favorite.

HogwldFLTR · 12 May 2014, 05:33 AM

I don't know what it is but the model has me in a fatal attraction for it. Maybe it's the lume or the heritage. Now I've got a 39mm one incoming. This thread had some to do with it for certain.

Jack T · 12 May 2014, 06:53 AM

Consider when each watch was designed and introduced. Over 60 years ago the sports watch category had not been so well defined or marketed. Nonetheless, Rolex capitalized on the Mt. Everest expedition and came out with the 36mm version, certain sporty for its time.

Today, that segment is chock full of sporty watches, with complications and robust cases. Keeping true to the model's legacy, with a nod to modern tastes, voila, the 39mm Explorer. No disrespect to those who are nostalgic about the vintage models, but they represent an insignificant portion of Rolex's target consumers for this and other watches in their lineup. And with an updated movement and the new clasp and bracelet, the 39mm sets itself well apart from the older model, in my opinion.

Old Expat Beast · 12 May 2014, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I don't know what it is but the model has me in a fatal attraction for it. Maybe it's the lume or the heritage. Now I've got a 39mm one incoming. This thread had some to do with it for certain.

Again?! I thought you were done buying for now. You've got it bad, my friend

cop414 · 12 May 2014, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I don't know what it is but the model has me in a fatal attraction for it. Maybe it's the lume or the heritage. Now I've got a 39mm one incoming. This thread had some to do with it for certain.

Congrats in advance Lee, can't wait to see this!

drjfc62 · 12 May 2014, 10:47 AM

To me, sportier conveys more presence on the wrist, so I'd favor the 39. I've tried on my wife's 36 mm DJ and as beautiful as it is, it just seems awfully small on my 7 1/2" wrist.

eightbore · 13 May 2014, 01:27 AM

Tried on a 39 today at my AD and owned a 36 a decade ago. I have to say that, while the new bracelet is nice, I was not at all happy about how it was proportioned to the case. WAY too much taper down to the clasp (as nice as that clasp is). I felt the same way about the new 42mm EXII....bracelet was not sufficiently sized up to the new case. I am a bit biased though as I think the 36mm EXI is one of the coolest watches in the entire Rolex line.

HogwldFLTR · 13 May 2014, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Again?! I thought you were done buying for now. You've got it bad, my friend

It's a birthday present from my wife so technically I didn't buy it. Also my orange and black OP is part of the deal. Consider it an upgrade (dependent on POV of course).

Quote:

Congrats in advance Lee, can't wait to see this!

Mucho gracias; thanks, too. Sorry about the hijacking.

"Denial isn't only a river in Egypt."

m1911a1 · 6 March 2016, 09:40 PM

I think the 39mm Explorer is the coolest watch available....next to my pair of 42mm Explorer-II's.
If Rolex made it in 42mm, or I had smaller wrists, I would own a pair of them....

Anytime I see someone with an Explorer-1 in public.....I think he's the coolest guy on the bus....
Very sharp, smart, discreet, CLASSIC!

Mick P · 6 March 2016, 10:30 PM

Chaps

There is no right answer to this question, it is all down to personal taste.

Mick

Mick P · 6 March 2016, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1911a1

I think the 39mm Explorer is the coolest watch available....next to my pair of 42mm Explorer-II's.
If Rolex made it in 42mm, or I had smaller wrists, I would own a pair of them....

Anytime I see someone with an Explorer-1 in public.....I think he's the coolest guy on the bus....
Very sharp, smart, discreet, CLASSIC!

I think I like you

Regards

Mick - coolest guy on the bus

Dirt · 6 March 2016, 11:13 PM

36 looks more sporty.

1William · 6 March 2016, 11:19 PM

39 for me.

Star Ferry · 6 March 2016, 11:31 PM

Proportions of the 39mm did not work on my thin wrist. It's probably sportier due to being larger, but I would rather have a brand new 36mm or maybe a 37mm.

Boothroyd · 7 March 2016, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatal

Actually, I didn't have a strong impression either way. I guess my impression of sporty is closer to yours: unobtrusive, utilitarian.

Same here.

10 May 2014, 04:23 PM	#61
Conan435 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Neil Location: Georgia Watch: Explorer II Posts: 684	I would say the 39mm. I actually like the dial and proportions of the 36mm a little better, but for my tastes it's just too small on my wrist. __________________ Wound For Life Reviews and stories about built-to-last timepieces woundforlife.com

12 May 2014, 05:33 AM	#63
HogwldFLTR 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Lee Location: 42.48.45N70.48.48 Watch: What's on my wrist Posts: 33,256	I don't know what it is but the model has me in a fatal attraction for it. Maybe it's the lume or the heritage. Now I've got a 39mm one incoming. This thread had some to do with it for certain. __________________ Troglodyte in residence! https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=808599

12 May 2014, 06:53 AM	#64
Jack T "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2013 Real Name: Jack Location: The Triangle Watch: Several Posts: 6,623	Consider when each watch was designed and introduced. Over 60 years ago the sports watch category had not been so well defined or marketed. Nonetheless, Rolex capitalized on the Mt. Everest expedition and came out with the 36mm version, certain sporty for its time. Today, that segment is chock full of sporty watches, with complications and robust cases. Keeping true to the model's legacy, with a nod to modern tastes, voila, the 39mm Explorer. No disrespect to those who are nostalgic about the vintage models, but they represent an insignificant portion of Rolex's target consumers for this and other watches in their lineup. And with an updated movement and the new clasp and bracelet, the 39mm sets itself well apart from the older model, in my opinion. __________________ Sub 116613 LN; GMT 116710 LN; Sinn 104R; Exp 214270; GS SBGM221; Omega AT

13 May 2014, 01:27 AM	#68
eightbore Banned Join Date: May 2014 Location: UNITED STATES Posts: 301	Jmho Tried on a 39 today at my AD and owned a 36 a decade ago. I have to say that, while the new bracelet is nice, I was not at all happy about how it was proportioned to the case. WAY too much taper down to the clasp (as nice as that clasp is). I felt the same way about the new 42mm EXII....bracelet was not sufficiently sized up to the new case. I am a bit biased though as I think the 36mm EXI is one of the coolest watches in the entire Rolex line.

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10 May 2014, 04:31 PM	#62
klewny "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: NYC Posts: 7	I have both. 39mm is my favorite.

12 May 2014, 10:47 AM	#67
drjfc62 Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Watch: DSSD, TT sub Posts: 532	To me, sportier conveys more presence on the wrist, so I'd favor the 39. I've tried on my wife's 36 mm DJ and as beautiful as it is, it just seems awfully small on my 7 1/2" wrist.

6 March 2016, 09:40 PM	#70
m1911a1 Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Real Name: Mark Location: Maine, USA Watch: 42mm Explorer-II's Posts: 489	I think the 39mm Explorer is the coolest watch available....next to my pair of 42mm Explorer-II's. If Rolex made it in 42mm, or I had smaller wrists, I would own a pair of them.... Anytime I see someone with an Explorer-1 in public.....I think he's the coolest guy on the bus.... Very sharp, smart, discreet, CLASSIC!

6 March 2016, 10:30 PM	#71
Mick P Banned Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: UK / Spain Watch: 39mm Explorer Posts: 1,990	Chaps There is no right answer to this question, it is all down to personal taste. Mick

6 March 2016, 11:13 PM	#73
Dirt "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Brisbane Watch: DSSD Posts: 7,810	36 looks more sporty.

6 March 2016, 11:19 PM	#74
1William 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North Carolina Watch: Rolex/Others Posts: 44,652	39 for me.

6 March 2016, 11:31 PM	#75
Star Ferry Banned Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: down by the river Posts: 4,926	Proportions of the 39mm did not work on my thin wrist. It's probably sportier due to being larger, but I would rather have a brand new 36mm or maybe a 37mm.

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