The Explorer II Enigma. Historical Thread

[volvo]

Originally Posted by Atomant

Love mine too. Amazing how a simple looking watch can be so stunning.

look at that white dial!! amazing!

[Dylan Wade]

Originally Posted by Tools

I think that the bezel is far from cheap looking................

100% agree, it’s actually a piece of art and very unique in itself. My only wish would be that the watch case/face was maybe a few mm bigger with profile as is....

[newmontsg]

does explorer 2 comes with a dateless option?

also, can the bezel be turned?

[Clogger]

I like the Exp II, infact I think it's a great choice.

Perhaps the black face is not as popular because;

It is filling a gap that doesn't really exist?
I would say that some folk will get the white face for the completly different look but when you look at the black face Exp2 the GMT enters the equation and if the GMT function isn't really required then the Sub date is there. It kinda leaves the Black face Exp2 out in the cold a bit.

Just my 2 cents.

[Clogger]

Originally Posted by newmontsg

does explorer 2 comes with a dateless option?

also, can the bezel be turned?

The dateless version is the Exp 1 but it does not look the same.

No the bezel does not rotate on the Exp 2.

[DDG]

As for the plain Explorer, I like a watch with the protective lugs around the crown, and a date. (I always wanted a President, and had an old one once, but to me it just doesn't look right with nothing around the crown). So, That's one reason I wear an Explorer II. The case just looks better to me. White dial, of course.

[RandyB]

I have always enjoyed my GMT II. But I have to agree that the white dial Explorer II is a great looking watch. Just due to the value, I think it will have to be my next sport watch purchase.

[realest145]

I just purchased a Explorer II white face and it should be here on Tuesday. I can't wait. IMO it is one of the most practical watches that Rolex makes. You could run it over with your car, smash it with a hammer and it would just smile back at you and wait for the day that you hand it down to your children.

[Atomant]

Originally Posted by realest145

I just purchased a Explorer II white face and it should be here on Tuesday. I can't wait. IMO it is one of the most practical watches that Rolex makes. You could run it over with your car, smash it with a hammer and it would just smile back at you and wait for the day that you hand it down to your children.

Maybe not run it over with a car but you will find that it is a very well balanced watch! My wrist size is 7 1/4 inches but it just loves the EXP II! I'm sure you'll like it as well. The white dial and black lined indices is a very beautiful contrast.

This watch is one of Rolex's simplest modelsin the professional line with non rotatable bezel and a twinlock crown but it looks so much more stunning than the rest!!!

[volvo]

Originally Posted by Tools

I think that the bezel is far from cheap looking................

That's one heal of a beauty Larry

You have to own one to appreciate one!

[DOUBLE 0 SE7EN]

Originally Posted by AWATCH

I have had mine since new and have really used and abused it, she has never let me down...


Attachment 108259

What a shiny bezel! what do you use to make it shine like that?
2 days later I will get mine too..The white dial explorer2..

[Mockingbird]

Ok... I own an Exp dos (who is currently in for service), and honestly you can't beat the feeling of knowing you're wearing an amazing horological timepiece, and have no one else recognize it for what it is.

I don't actually wear the SS bracelet with it though, nylon and nato all the way!

[Skippy]

Nice Mockingbird. Make sure to take some cool pictures when it get back on some nylon and nato straps. Im wearing this one today:

[gmh1013]

I have a GMT pepsi and always liked the EX2 Polar BUT my brother had a black face one about 10 years ago and the bezel was a scratch magnet....and since Im so anal about scratches anyway it kept me from buying one.
The prices are SO good now I may buy one anyway....I Like the polar because very few have a white dial plus my GMT has black.

[Skippy]

Originally Posted by gmh1013

I have a GMT pepsi and always liked the EX2 Polar BUT my brother had a black face one about 10 years ago and the bezel was a scratch magnet....and since Im so anal about scratches anyway it kept me from buying one.
The prices are SO good now I may buy one anyway....I Like the polar because very few have a white dial plus my GMT has black.

Personally I don't considder the Explorer II to be mutch of a scratch magnet at all. The glass is raised way above the bezel zo this takes most of the knoks and scrapes when you hit something I guess. That said a GMT IIc is virtualy scratch proof with the ceramic but this probably has other downsides(high price if it does get chipped or broken compared to the stainless steel bezel of the Explorer II) and the old GMT's probably scratch just as hard but have the big plus of a fairly cheap and easely replaceble bezel inlay. But at the price you can find Explorer II's compared to GMT's you can probably afford to have a bezel change once in a while with the added bonus of owning a watch that looks mutch better on many occasions then a GMT and that looks absolutely killer on a NATO(witch most GMT's certainly do not).

So just go for that Polar I would say, you won't regret it.

[Skippy]

Just another picture:

[SLRdude]

I have not read all the threads, so if this has been said already... Well you just have to read it again lol.

IMHO, the VAST majority of Rolex buyers are buying it to show off but have no clue of what they actually own. The vast majority of Rolex buyers want their watch to be instantly recognizable as a Rolex from across the room.
As the EXP II lacks the bezel which is so much a part of the Rolex image, it is less recognizable at a glance.
It's as simple as that, and I am willing to bet anything on this.
The same with the EXP I. No cyclops means nobody knows it's a Rolex. So why buy it?

With that being said, I have an EXP II and I like it quite a bit. The stealth factor is what attracted me to it in the first place.

[Subfiend]

The stealth factor of the Ex II cannot be underestimated. There are definitely times when you do not want to show off, especially when traveling. The Ex II is perfect for these times. Those in the know will appreciate the Ex II, while the uninformed will remain blissfully ignorant.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Subfiend

The stealth factor of the Ex II cannot be underestimated. There are definitely times when you do not want to show off, especially when traveling. The Ex II is perfect for these times. Those in the know will appreciate the Ex II, while the uninformed will remain blissfully ignorant.

Well said, David!!

How are you, buddy.........long time, no see. Trust all is well with you and your family, my friend.

Cheers - JJ

[Subfiend]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Well said, David!!

How are you, buddy.........long time, no see. Trust all is well with you and your family, my friend.

Cheers - JJ

Just great JJ. The kids are growing fast and work keeps me busy. No more watch purchases for a while, so I have not been active here, but Jake renewed my interest lately. It's nice to be back.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Subfiend

Just great JJ. The kids are growing fast and work keeps me busy. No more watch purchases for a while, so I have not been active here, but Jake renewed my interest lately. It's nice to be back.

Wonderful to have you back, David. That massive Great White looks awesome in your avatar.

I can never tire of admiring the mind-boggling power of that fish..........love to watch it on Shark Attack and similar programs on National Geographic and Animal Planet.

JJ

[Skippy]

My two most worn watches the last year(and the G-Shock is worn the most because it gets worn during the working day):

[realest145]

I love my EXP II. but to be honest I really didn't know what it was until I joined this forum.

[Warnsboy]

This thread is worth a bump!!!

BUMP!!

[Deyn Man]

really drooling on this watch!!!
i prefer the black exp II!!!

[JCirillo]

http://public.blu.livefilestore.com/...lg/exp%208.jpg

[Beef]

It's what I wear in the mountains!

[Cru Jones]

my first post!

i'm looking at new explorer 2 white dial. a stunning watch. so stunning, in fact, it inspired me to join this forum.

my questions have probably been covered before, but, here goes: is the serial number what's engraved at the 6 o'clock position? if so, and it starts with "M", does this mean the watch has the 3186 movement?

thanks.

[Skippy]

Welcome Cru. A M series could be fitted with a 3186 but it isn't always the case so can't say for sure. If it has the RolexRolex rehaut(ring around the dail engraved with the word Rolex a couple of times) the chances are bigger that it will have a 3186 movent.If you wanna be sure though buying a brand new one(with the V(?) serial from 2010 is the best option and there are plenty of super deals on explorer II's in the grey circuit here in europe(around the 3200 euro mark). If you go for a new one make sure to get one that was originally sold in the EU so you won't have problems with taxes at airports.
On this page there are some other tips to know almost absolutely sure(like the crown method). The Explorer is covered in the last part of this page.
Have fun reading.
http://www.minus4plus6.com/paracromblu16710.htm

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Skippy

Welcome Cru. A M series could be fitted with a 3186 but it isn't always the case so can't say for sure. If it has the RolexRolex rehaut(ring around the dail engraved with the word Rolex a couple of times) the chances are bigger that it will have a 3186 movent.If you wanna be sure though buying a brand new one(with the V(?) serial from 2010 is the best option and there are plenty of super deals on explorer II's in the grey circuit here in europe(around the 3200 euro mark). If you go for a new one make sure to get one that was originally sold in the EU so you won't have problems with taxes at airports.
On this page there are some other tips to know almost absolutely sure(like the crown method). The Explorer is covered in the last part of this page.
Have fun reading.
http://www.minus4plus6.com/paracromblu16710.htm

thanks for that.

what i find a tad upsetting is that the promotional e-brochures on rolex's Web site clearly state that the explorer ii currently has the parachrom hairspring. however, talking it over with the horlogy specialist at the rue de rennes AD in paris (the only direct rolex dealer in paris), he said that they have no way of controling what they get from the factory and that since 2008 rolex has been producing both 3185 and 3186 watches based on stock and production.

this is all fine and good, if the AD would have been up front about it with my wife when she bought the explorer ii on march 10, but the AD did not discuss it with her (and, it being a surprise, she didn't know to ask because she didn't talk to me and, anyway, rolex's own promotional material says that the explorer ii has the parachrom hairspring).

i'm still trying to figure out what, if anything, can be done. it's all very unsatisying and distasteful. it's not like a rolex purchase is an everyday occurrence, and it's upsetting that it's come to this.