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gparham · 17 March 2010, 01:48 PM

Definitely one of my favorites. Classy and understated.

gelshocker · 17 March 2010, 02:11 PM

Nice watch, I like the white ExpII. However I prefer the 'non-diver dial configuration' version, the 1655. The current one is basically a GMT without the iconic Rolex rotating bezel, which is why it's not that popular on the market.

The AD show windows are always filled with ExpIIs, the grey market even more. I hope the Basel 2010 Explorer will show more individual character. Cheers,

Warnsboy · 17 March 2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gelshocker

Nice watch, I like the white ExpII. However I prefer the 'non-diver dial configuration' version, the 1655. The current one is basically a GMT without the iconic Rolex rotating bezel, which is why it's not that popular on the market.

The AD show windows are always filled with ExpIIs, the grey market even more. I hope the Basel 2010 Explorer will show more individual character. Cheers,

For some unknown reasoning, Rolex decided 30+ years ago to take the ExpII to the Sub-GMT-Deep Sea style dial with round hour markers that makes the Exp II look like what was selling well at the time. I believe the Steve McQeen dial from the early 70's is what the Exp II should look like and hope that their designers are seeing the beauty, demand and prices that this short lived model has generated over the last 20 years. It would be a great turn-back that could revive the model.

dwr · 17 March 2010, 02:31 PM

I see a lot of ladies wearing the small ym, it is a good looking watch!!

Black Bay Dan · 17 March 2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14060man

Actually, no he didn't. No one has been able to cough up a single photo confirming the urban legend that McQueen wore a 1655. He did wear a 5512 Sub though from 1970-1980.

Sorry - I was being ironic

Dan

davestan · 17 March 2010, 09:35 PM

The "Criticism" of the Explorer II has been overemphasised and overreacted to! Its almost in the myth category. People comment on its supposed unpopularity but then no one really justifies this!
Its a great watch albeit with some design crossover, but has a strong identity and history in its own right! Wear it well!!!

Colnago · 17 March 2010, 09:40 PM

Here's a wrist shot a couple of days ago......offshore on BP Central Azeri Production Platform....Caspian Sea....off Baku, Azerbaijan........not really "Exploring" but on another "interesting" voyage....notice 24 hour hand set to UK time.......we are 4 hours ahead here....these watches fit in anywhere....really....anywhere...

Warnsboy · 17 March 2010, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Here's a wrist shot a couple of days ago......offshore on BP Central Azeri Production Platform....Caspian Sea....off Baku, Azerbaijan........not really "Exploring" but on another "interesting" voyage....notice 24 hour hand set to UK time.......we are 4 hours ahead here....these watches fit in anywhere....really....anywhere...

Great Pic Bill!

Colnago · 17 March 2010, 11:10 PM

Thanks Michael....stuck off here on a survey.....nightmare...high winds..no boats allowed in and no choppers available.....stuck 'til at least Friday and I am all finished!!!!....if you know anything about offshore drilling you can just about see in through the Vee Door to all the racked up drill pipe.....

AstroBoy · 17 March 2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colnago

Here's a wrist shot a couple of days ago......offshore on BP Central Azeri Production Platform....Caspian Sea....off Baku, Azerbaijan........not really "Exploring" but on another "interesting" voyage....notice 24 hour hand set to UK time.......we are 4 hours ahead here....these watches fit in anywhere....really....anywhere...

Bill, Thank you so much for the picture of your Exp-II. I want it so bad last year but hung up on the dials. I've been looked at hundreds of Epx-II pictures and tried them on both at my AD but still can't decide! But, now the debate is overed, and Black dail won! I'm holding my breath on the update of it from the Basel world, if they (Rolex ) messed up, then I will go with the current model (with black dail, of course! ).

Thannks again.

Thai.

Colnago · 17 March 2010, 11:34 PM

Hey Thai....no problem......I've had mine for maybe 6 months now, but for most of that it was away at Bexley (UK RSC) getting the once over......I have worn it almost continuously since getting it back....a truly brilliant totally versatile watch

AstroBoy · 17 March 2010, 11:41 PM

Bill,

You wear most of your watch on the "Right" hand? or just for the Exp-II?

jchampton · 18 March 2010, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstroBoy

Can't disagree with you here. EXP-II will be my next watch too. the hard part will be choosing black or white dail!

I have the same problem. LOVE the Expy II, and it will definitely be my next watch, but can't decide on the dial. Leaning toward the polar because it's just so 'pure' looking and you don't see the white faced sports Rollies very often (I've never actually seen one on anyone's wrist in the flesh) but every time I pass the black one in a window I have second thoughts.

What to do? What to do? Oh well, looks like I'll just have to get both and then move into a cardboard box.

Colnago · 18 March 2010, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstroBoy

Bill,

You wear most of your watch on the "Right" hand? or just for the Exp-II?

Always wear on the right....long story.....my brother and all my sons do it.....comes from my Dad.....my brother and I copied him thinking it was right.....my sons copied me......then would you believe it my Dad switched back!

journey · 18 March 2010, 04:21 PM

I like this watch, where can I get it? thanks

Sex · 18 March 2010, 04:29 PM

And you can change the color of the face and so have a new watch.

Sex · 18 March 2010, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchampton

I have the same problem. LOVE the Expy II, and it will definitely be my next watch, but can't decide on the dial. Leaning toward the polar because it's just so 'pure' looking and you don't see the white faced sports Rollies very often (I've never actually seen one on anyone's wrist in the flesh) but every time I pass the black one in a window I have second thoughts.

What to do? What to do? Oh well, looks like I'll just have to get both and then move into a cardboard box.

I have tried both in a shop and the white dial looks empty, larger.

But yesterday in a window shop I was both and the white looked better than on the wrist.

So buy the black and change the dial if you want some change after some time.

Colnago · 18 March 2010, 04:51 PM

filling in my time doing some extra surveys.......there are a couple of choppers today (they use them eventually here after a few boats have been cancelled) to do crew changes for guys who have been here for over their 28 days.....I am not important enough to get a seat so I have to sit tight 'til the next boat coms out......managed to sneak a couple of macros of my Explorer II in the Mud Pit Room......surveying problems with some knife gate valves......nightmare...

Andad · 18 March 2010, 04:57 PM

Nice pix Bill.

You might have had better luck with the chopper if you were wearing a gmt.

Colnago · 18 March 2010, 05:00 PM

Ha ha....cheers Eddie.....you've got to be kidding...I am just an Engineer....when they get us out here we are bottom of the pecking order.....unless we recently designed a great job for them.....honestly though, these guys do 28 days straight, 12 hour shift minimum every one of those days......no bar or anything like that....just some TV and maybe pool (8 ball I mean not swimming) if they are lucky....sometimes (like now) I get stuck for a week when it should have only been three days (two nights).......I don't mind the other lads getting off instead of me.....28 days would drive most folk mad.....

Oh...and by the way....Thommo (you know who you are) if you are reading this....YES...I did have a permit for the camera, and a gas detector...all above board

Psmith · 18 March 2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ral

Maybe this thread should be merged with the long running Explorer Enigma thread. Keeping that thread alive is best homage I can of for the Explorer II. It has been running since May 20, 2008. Maybe the longest running thread on this forum?

This Exp II thread has been running even longer (since 7th July 2007) ...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=19204

Cheers

slcbbrown · 19 March 2010, 01:41 AM

I agree with every point. I would add that the fixed bezel is tougher than the other versions, and therefore, a purer sport model.

I've had or have a GMT, Sub ND, TOG, and DJ's, but I bought two black face Exp II's for kids in the service. Super watch.

bamseladin · 19 March 2010, 01:47 AM

nice watch! i like it a lot. good look whit your new rolex. thanks Patrick!

Seattlerf · 27 September 2017, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air King Dan

Didn't Steve McQueen used to wear one of these ;-)

Dan

Hahahaha! I’m guessing McQueen had every rolex imaginable, and would go through so many what if’s, only to leave with his trusty sub....every time!

17 March 2010, 11:10 PM	#69
Colnago "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Bill Hart Location: Richmond, NY, UK Watch: Rlx=3, Tdr=3, Om=3 Posts: 3,053	Thanks Michael....stuck off here on a survey.....nightmare...high winds..no boats allowed in and no choppers available.....stuck 'til at least Friday and I am all finished!!!!....if you know anything about offshore drilling you can just about see in through the Vee Door to all the racked up drill pipe..... __________________ Bill "There's only three kinds of people in this world....those that can count....and those that can't" TRF's "JJ's" Bar & NightClub Patron

17 March 2010, 11:34 PM	#71
Colnago "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Bill Hart Location: Richmond, NY, UK Watch: Rlx=3, Tdr=3, Om=3 Posts: 3,053	Hey Thai....no problem......I've had mine for maybe 6 months now, but for most of that it was away at Bexley (UK RSC) getting the once over......I have worn it almost continuously since getting it back....a truly brilliant totally versatile watch __________________ Bill "There's only three kinds of people in this world....those that can count....and those that can't" TRF's "JJ's" Bar & NightClub Patron

17 March 2010, 11:41 PM	#72
AstroBoy "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Lucky Location: Ohio USA Watch: TT-Tona/EXII/Tudor Posts: 696	Bill, You wear most of your watch on the "Right" hand? or just for the Exp-II? __________________ Astroboy "Life Is Not A Problem To Be Solved But A Reality To Be Experienced" "JJ - Your smile takes all my troubles away!"

18 March 2010, 04:57 PM	#79
Andad 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Eddie Location: Australia Watch: A few. Posts: 36,881	Nice pix Bill. You might have had better luck with the chopper if you were wearing a gmt. __________________ E

18 March 2010, 05:00 PM	#80
Colnago "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Bill Hart Location: Richmond, NY, UK Watch: Rlx=3, Tdr=3, Om=3 Posts: 3,053	Ha ha....cheers Eddie.....you've got to be kidding...I am just an Engineer....when they get us out here we are bottom of the pecking order.....unless we recently designed a great job for them.....honestly though, these guys do 28 days straight, 12 hour shift minimum every one of those days......no bar or anything like that....just some TV and maybe pool (8 ball I mean not swimming) if they are lucky....sometimes (like now) I get stuck for a week when it should have only been three days (two nights).......I don't mind the other lads getting off instead of me.....28 days would drive most folk mad..... Oh...and by the way....Thommo (you know who you are) if you are reading this....YES...I did have a permit for the camera, and a gas detector...all above board __________________ Bill "There's only three kinds of people in this world....those that can count....and those that can't" TRF's "JJ's" Bar & NightClub Patron

17 March 2010, 01:48 PM	#61
gparham "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Groesbeck Location: Hollywood Watch: 18k Datejust Posts: 5	Definitely one of my favorites. Classy and understated.

17 March 2010, 02:11 PM	#62
gelshocker Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 318	Nice watch, I like the white ExpII. However I prefer the 'non-diver dial configuration' version, the 1655. The current one is basically a GMT without the iconic Rolex rotating bezel, which is why it's not that popular on the market. The AD show windows are always filled with ExpIIs, the grey market even more. I hope the Basel 2010 Explorer will show more individual character. Cheers,

17 March 2010, 02:31 PM	#64
dwr "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Doug R. Location: MidWest USA Watch: Rolex Datejust Posts: 130	I see a lot of ladies wearing the small ym, it is a good looking watch!!

17 March 2010, 09:35 PM	#66
davestan "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 504	The "Criticism" of the Explorer II has been overemphasised and overreacted to! Its almost in the myth category. People comment on its supposed unpopularity but then no one really justifies this! Its a great watch albeit with some design crossover, but has a strong identity and history in its own right! Wear it well!!!

18 March 2010, 04:21 PM	#75
journey "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SZ Posts: 1	I like this watch, where can I get it? thanks

18 March 2010, 04:29 PM	#76
Sex Banned Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: France Posts: 34	And you can change the color of the face and so have a new watch.

19 March 2010, 01:41 AM	#82
slcbbrown "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: steve Location: dallas area Watch: 50's TT t-bird Posts: 3,688	I agree with every point. I would add that the fixed bezel is tougher than the other versions, and therefore, a purer sport model. I've had or have a GMT, Sub ND, TOG, and DJ's, but I bought two black face Exp II's for kids in the service. Super watch.

19 March 2010, 01:47 AM	#83
bamseladin Banned Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: John Location: Sweden Watch: Rolex Posts: 166	nice watch! i like it a lot. good look whit your new rolex. thanks Patrick!

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