Five years since I bought a watch... Explorer 1 vs Milgauss

[StuartM1970]

Okay. It's been five years since I bought a watch. For me this is a big deal.

I'm toying and torn between an Explorer 1 and a blue Milgauss.

On the one hand we have understatement on the other we have blue, green and orange. I like both.

It'll be a daily wearer, it'll get a bit wet and I won't fret if there's a scratch or two ... stuff happens.

Views and reviews from long-term owners of either welcome.

Let the enablement begin.

PS: other watches of note in the box are a Mark XV pilot from IWC and a PAM372, although this latter may be the sacrifice to sanity and economics.

[TurboDiesel]

Milgauss z-blue

[dualcarb]

You already have two black dial watches. And a strap monster in the 372. A very understated classic looking watch in the IWC...I say add a little “pop” and colour in your life. Go milgauss...

[dafuture]

Echoing those above, go Milgauss. I actually own the Explorer I and am hoping to add a Z-Blue next to change things up a bit.

[Tan]

I would personally take the Explorer I over the Milgauss. That is solely on personal preference.

[AK797]

Mzb

[ferrissteve11]

Given the options presented I'd probably lean toward the Milgauss in this particular case.

[gregmoeck]

both are fantastic. The weight of a millie makes it super comfortable. If you like shiny and bling get the mill, if you are flying under the radar get the explorer

[StuartM1970]

I like the logic of the Blues here. I hadn't considered the fact that a Milgauss would make a more sensible partner to the IWC in a two watch box than an Explorer ... which is kind of from the same low-key style school. Plus the extra millimetre wouldn't do any harm.

A question for current owners: does the blue look as amazing in the metal as it does in the fancy website pictures I've been staring at for weeks?

I will of course check them out and try them on etc, but hesitate to go near a dealer before a more disciplined view has evolved.

[Arthur Daley]

Milgauss - MUCH more interesting. The Explorer I is lovely and understated, but the Milgauss "pops" without being showy.

[nigelUK]

99 times out of 100, I'd go Exp 1 but in this case I'd go Mill

It looks lovely in photos and I've been close to getting one in the past

[dr35mm]

Explorer 1

[opawlows]

Based on what is in the box and what the options are I would say get rid of the IWC, get the Explorer and keep the 372

[Rolexavidfan]

Milgauss Z Blue gets my vote. Add an understated flash to your wrist. :)

[StuartM1970]

Bold pitch on ditching the IWC, but it has sentimental value. First watch I was able to buy new and 15 years on the printed lume is just ever-so-just starting to turn a hint of cream... it's slowly earning me my vintage stripes.

[dreyep]

Originally Posted by dafuture

Echoing those above, go Milgauss. I actually own the Explorer I and am hoping to add a Z-Blue next to change things up a bit.

Me too. I'm looking a watch for, eventually, my younger son and am tempted by the Z-Blue to add to my 114270. (If only it had a straight second hand, a smaller dial and no PCLs! Otherwise it's perfection.)

Thing is, and this won't really help the OP in his decision, for which good luck!, but as a pair of inheritable watches they are a bit unbalanced, not only in weight and dial size, but in feel. Another contender is the 14060M, which would make them a little more balanced. Really, an Air King from the 90s would be ideal. Anyway, all this is for another thread.

Re the OP's choice, it's a tough one. If I had just the one watch, which I do, I'd go for the Exp, which I have.

[kans86]

Milgauss Z Blue my choice too

[gummy]

Milgauss Blue

[jdpny]

[HONDABBQ]

Looks good to me.


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[slide13]

Milgauss z-blue! Love that watch. Especially with the IWC MK XV in the box already.

[MJ8]

Don't own either, but prefer the z blue dial milgaus over Explorer I

[RazorD]

My choice would be the Explorer.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by dualcarb

You already have two black dial watches. And a strap monster in the 372. A very understated classic looking watch in the IWC...I say add a little “pop” and colour in your life. Go milgauss...

You can’t have too many black dial watches.

Originally Posted by gregmoeck

both are fantastic. The weight of a millie makes it super comfortable. If you like shiny and bling get the mill, if you are flying under the radar get the explorer

Agree. The OP needs both.

I have an Exp1 and a black dial Milgauss. Both are comfortable. And both are appropriate in a lot of settings.

[bellesdad0417]

I have both. I bought the Explorer I first but that was only by a hair, just because to me it seemed more versatile. I wore it as my only for about 2 years then caved for the Milguass Z-Blue and now they are rotated one week on one week off.

[polaris72]

Originally Posted by dualcarb

You already have two black dial watches. And a strap monster in the 372. A very understated classic looking watch in the IWC...I say add a little “pop” and colour in your life. Go milgauss...

I think he is selling the Panerai. Therefore he will have one of note left - Mark XV. I would go with Milgauss. I own Exp and love it, but it does fit nicely in my collection.

[dafuture]

Originally Posted by StuartM1970

I like the logic of the Blues here. I hadn't considered the fact that a Milgauss would make a more sensible partner to the IWC in a two watch box than an Explorer ... which is kind of from the same low-key style school. Plus the extra millimetre wouldn't do any harm.

A question for current owners: does the blue look as amazing in the metal as it does in the fancy website pictures I've been staring at for weeks?

I will of course check them out and try them on etc, but hesitate to go near a dealer before a more disciplined view has evolved.

Yes, 100%. I actually like it more in person. I had it on my wrist at an AD a week ago and I haven't stopped looking at the pictures I took of it.

[dafuture]

Originally Posted by bellesdad0417

I have both. I bought the Explorer I first but that was only by a hair, just because to me it seemed more versatile. I wore it as my only for about 2 years then caved for the Milguass Z-Blue and now they are rotated one week on one week off.

Do you have any pictures of them together? This is pretty much the combo I'm looking at right now (along with a Daytona/PM piece in the future).

[Polarbears]

The Explorer

[kiralymd]

Hi, I had 3 Explorer1 s the last 10 years..... all gone. As an everyday watch I personally missed the date..... but looooooooved the watch, the symmetry, the understated look, the weight distribution etc.

I bought a Milgauss Z-blue some 2 years ago, now one of my favourite. My happy watch. I wear it, when I'm swimming, playing with the kids, as a party watch etc... It's also understated in that environment.

As an EDC I use a TT Datejust 41 and a Ceramic GMT II in rotation, you may can your IWC..?
Take your watches with you and try them on together
Anyway, good luck with your decision and have fun with the ROLEX