Explorer Vs North Flag - Todays Tool Watch?

[Friar]

Originally Posted by ExpSubGMT

Fantastic! Thank You!

If I had to cut one loose, it would be the Explorer.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Friar

Attachment 882768

Cool collection! I'm a big explorer fan and I love the NF as well.

[sager]

Definitely explorer


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[ExpSubGMT]

Originally Posted by Friar

If I had to cut one loose, it would be the Explorer.

Very interesting, Friar has Tudors North Flag and Ranger, also Explorer and Explorer II.

If he had to give up one it'd be the Explorer...

Hey now!

[beshannon]

Both but I prefer the Explorer II Polar

[Friar]

Originally Posted by ExpSubGMT

Very interesting, Friar has Tudors North Flag and Ranger, also Explorer and Explorer II.

If he had to give up one it'd be the Explorer...

Hey now!

--

I wear the Ranger much more than the Explorer--it's easier to read with the generous lume on the hands--and has a more rugged look. In fact, the Explorer is now worn more as a dress watch, and being retired, I don't "dress" as much as before.

[ExpSubGMT]

Originally Posted by Friar

--

I wear the Ranger much more than the Explorer--it's easier to read with the generous lume on the hands--and has a more rugged look. In fact, the Explorer is now worn more as a dress watch, and being retired, I don't "dress" as much as before.

I hear ya. For legibility, btwn 214270 & Ranger, Ranger wins, hands down (no pun intended).

That being said, the NF (IMHO) beats Ranger in legibility. The hands on NF are a HUGE reason to love it - meets field watch requirement of easy to read at a glance.

Still, for me (7+" wrist) the Ranger is TOO BIG. Tudor makes the Ranger in 38mm and I'm all over it. As it is now, it's like the Explorer II - too bloated, better suited for larger wristed men.

Love your collection, Friar. You've got GREAT taste.

[Bob the brush]

I visited a nearby AD on a Saturday money in hand, to buy a North Flag, I had wanted one since they started advertising them a few years back, tried one on, and it just wasn't for me, too big and just didn't sit right on my wrist. Tried on other Tudor's Black Bags, Rangers, and I really loved the Ranger, and as I didn't go in to buy a Ranger I didn't commit, and left leaving myself some thinking time, I also have a 1016 explorer, however, that's been retired, and I don't wear that much other than high days and holidays, so that wasn't a factor in a my decision. On Monday morning, I got the call from another AD, they had an Air King for me if I wanted it, ( I had asked to look at one previously when taking my TOG in for warranty work)and I went and tried it for size, and it ticked all the boxes for me and I walked out with it. That NF just wasn't to be, and I am so happy with the AK

[ExpSubGMT]

Originally Posted by Bob the brush

I visited a nearby AD on a Saturday money in hand, to buy a North Flag, I had wanted one since they started advertising them a few years back, tried one on, and it just wasn't for me, too big and just didn't sit right on my wrist. Tried on other Tudor's Black Bags, Rangers, and I really loved the Ranger, and as I didn't go in to buy a Ranger I didn't commit, and left leaving myself some thinking time, I also have a 1016 explorer, however, that's been retired, and I don't wear that much other than high days and holidays, so that wasn't a factor in a my decision. On Monday morning, I got the call from another AD, they had an Air King for me if I wanted it, ( I had asked to look at one previously when taking my TOG in for warranty work)and I went and tried it for size, and it ticked all the boxes for me and I walked out with it. That NF just wasn't to be, and I am so happy with the AK

Interesting experience... I've been there, walking into the AD thinking it was gonna be that one watch, then it sat on my wrist and it was "meh"

I really WANTED to love the Ranger, but it's just too big. The North Flag was a surprise - didn't jump out at me online, but on my wrist I really liked it. Especially with the leather band (they had both, bracelet and leather).

Interesting you went with the AK as it prob sits as high as the NF and maybe even wears bigger even though they are both 40mm

Curious about the 1016 - do you baby it b/c it's fragile? Have you ever had it serviced? Could it go in the water? Would you consider having it serviced so it can go in the water and live like a tool watch?

Or is some of it that you're bored with it? Is the 36mm too small for you at times?

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by dnpina

In what world is explorer 1 dressy or blingy?

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Damn straight! I don't think the Explorer would ever be described as, or mistaken for "blingy".

[ExpSubGMT]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Damn straight! I don't think the Explorer would ever be described as, or mistaken for "blingy".

I've addressed this many times, but I'll address it again;

Compared to the North Flag, or even the Ranger, or even the (current) Explorer II, the Explorer is the SHINIEST of them all with the polished bezel, white gold and reflective sapphire glass...

Doesn't make the Explorer BLINGY, per se, but compared to those listed above, the 214270 is the flashiest/shiniest/blingiest.

Disagree with me all you want. Brushed finishes are not as shiny as polished.

[dnpina]

That matte dial screams bling.

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[MGWT]

The North Flag wears more like a 38mm. It's not a big watch. The black Bay feels big after a day of the north flag.

[ExpSubGMT]

Originally Posted by dnpina

That matte dial screams bling.

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Touched a nerve. Some people are easily ruffled.

[ExpSubGMT]

Originally Posted by MGWT

The North Flag wears more like a 38mm. It's not a big watch. The black Bay feels big after a day of the north flag.

After wearing a 214270, the NF wears about the same. Sits higher.

And the 214270 wears more like a 40 with the lugs. So... NF as 38? I disagree.

But thanks for your thoughts.

[MGWT]

Originally Posted by ExpSubGMT

After wearing a 214270, the NF wears about the same. Sits higher.

And the 214270 wears more like a 40 with the lugs. So... NF as 38? I disagree.

But thanks for your thoughts.

Comparing it to a 38.5 Aqua Terra it's nearly identical in fit.

[ExpSubGMT]

Originally Posted by MGWT

Comparing it to a 38.5 Aqua Terra it's nearly identical in fit.

Both 214270 and NF (39mm and 40mm, respectively), have lug to lug width of 48mm.

The Acqua Terra 38.5mm has smaller lug to lug ratio - fraction over 45mm.

So the NF wears larger than a 38.5 acqua terra. It's math.

But thanks again.

[50hz]

I was gonna ask if a 114270 was of any interest but I guess if you're considering a 214270 anyway I don't suppose the size difference is any more appealing to you.

[ExpSubGMT]

I like the 114270's, the 14270's... the 1016's...

I love 'em all.

But the 214270 at 39mm is more my size.

Thanks 50hz

[MGWT]

Originally Posted by ExpSubGMT

Both 214270 and NF (39mm and 40mm, respectively), have lug to lug width of 48mm.

The Acqua Terra 38.5mm has smaller lug to lug ratio - fraction over 45mm.

So the NF wears larger than a 38.5 acqua terra. It's math.

But thanks again.

I don't care about this math as the final answer. I disagree. It really depends on the size and more importantly your wrist shape not to mention the shape of the case. It's the shape.

[ExpSubGMT]

Originally Posted by MGWT

I don't care about this math as the final answer. I disagree. It really depends on the size and more importantly your wrist shape not to mention the shape of the case. It's the shape.

Post a picture of the acqua terra on your wrist, and another with the North Flag. Let the people decide if they sit the same.

Let's reject math and go with shape.

[Friar]

My wrist is barely 7" and both the Ranger and NF seem to wear identically...

IMG_1957.JPG

[ExpSubGMT]

Originally Posted by Friar

My wrist is barely 7" and both the Ranger and NF seem to wear identically...

Attachment 883088

Interesting. Though you'd have to take a pic of each one sitting on your wrist ALONE, I think...

I tried on both of those watches last week at the AD. There was NO DOUBT the Ranger is a bigger watch.

Also, if you're saying the NF wears as large as the Ranger, than that other fellow who claims a 38.5 acqua terra wears like a NF... That would mean the Ranger wears like a 38.5 acqua terra.

And I'm not buying that for a second.

Post a pic of each watch on your wrist, one watch at a time. I think the difference will be clear.

Thanks Friar

[ExpSubGMT]

Originally Posted by Friar

My wrist is barely 7" and both the Ranger and NF seem to wear identically...

Attachment 883088

****Also...

The Ranger is on a NATO. On a bracelet it would wear bigger.

I tried on the NF with bracelet and with leather strap. It wears considerably smaller on leather strap.

Ranger on NATO will look smaller next to NF on bracelet.

Just sayin

[MGWT]

The Ranger wears smaller than 40mm look at the shape of the lugs. The NF looks a tad smaller than the ranger even in this pic above. Either way the NF is a 40mm watch that doesn't feel overly bloated. The differences between a 38.5 and 40mm is not that huge of a gap. Iphone wrist shots don't tell the whole story-especially with the distorted lens. The story is told through wearing for a length of time. Also my NF has the bracelet and strap and on the strap it seems slightly more comfortable than the bracelet as the integrated bracelet wraps to the wrist less. Which is obvious.

[ExpSubGMT]

Originally Posted by MGWT

The Ranger wears smaller than 40mm look at the shape of the lugs. The NF looks a tad smaller than the ranger even in this pic above. Either way the NF is a 40mm watch that doesn't feel overly bloated. The differences between a 38.5 and 40mm is not that huge of a gap. Iphone wrist shots don't tell the whole story-especially with the distorted lens. The story is told through wearing for a length of time. Also my NF has the bracelet and strap and on the strap it seems slightly more comfortable than the bracelet as the integrated bracelet wraps to the wrist less. Which is obvious.

The Ranger is 41mm and wears like 41.

Agree that NF is not a "bloated" 40. The 214270 is a bloated 39, which is why the NF and 214270 wear similar.

I've compared the 214270 to the acqua terra, and the 214270 is definitely larger.

Post some pics of your NF!

Thanks for posts

[MGWT]

Originally Posted by ExpSubGMT

The Ranger is 41mm and wears like 41.

Agree that NF is not a "bloated" 40. The 214270 is a bloated 39, which is why the NF and 214270 wear similar.

I've compared the 214270 to the acqua terra, and the 214270 is definitely larger.

Post some pics of your NF!

Thanks for posts

[ExpSubGMT]

Says pic has been moved or deleted...

[MGWT]

Originally Posted by ExpSubGMT

Says pic has been moved or deleted...

Yes I know something is off with all the photo hosting sites right now.

[ExpSubGMT]

Cool. Appreciate you trying!