Explorer 2 2021 update?

[holdingon]

Hi everyone,

Want to get everyone's thoughts on a 2021 possible refresh for the E2. Is it 41 or 42?

[C0d]

most likely will remain 42. Its already disproportioned IMO with a thin bezel around it. I'd prefer if they made the bezel beefier and the dial a bit smaller to give it the same ratio as 16570 (a true classic IMO).

We might get a two tone finally... its Rolex afterall.

[shiftf7]

Would be nice to see a 1655 like dial....

[khofman]

Originally Posted by shiftf7

Would be nice to see a 1655 like dial....

with a fixed ceramic bezel would be amazing. I absolutely adore that watch


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[cvo]

Originally Posted by khofman

with a fixed ceramic bezel would be amazing. I absolutely adore that watch


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Would that be a variant of the GMT Master family?

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by cvo

Would that be a variant of the GMT Master family?

No one could possibly know that. But the popular guess would say it would stay 42mm.

[Psmith]

My guess is that we'll see some green accents for the anniversary (in place of the orange). Maybe a ceramic bezel too. I'd like to see a Triplock crown, but that would probably be part of a future redesign assuming this doesn't happen next year. I think that 42mm is a good size for this model; not sure why they would change this especially with most of the other pro/sporty models increasing in size recently.

[TswaneNguni]

Ceramic bezel for 50th in 2021.
Most likely 41 mm
( Unlike the ss blue Subs "out of the blue" predictions .. )

I see the value of the metal bezels rising significantly .

Metal bezel is for functionality.It scratches and dings ,but the function remain .
Hit the ceramic bezel and you look for pieces of ceramic in the snow........
The modern Rolex office wearer will be more concerned about small hairline scratches .

[Arden425]

It will stay at 42mm. The new features will be a wider bracelet and bigger clasp like new sub and sea dweller. They might do the ceramic bezel and like someone mentioned the green accent instead of orange gmt hand. Also they will add a new movement with the 70 hour power reserve.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Ceramic bezel for 50th in 2021.
Most likely 41 mm

Agree with both of these, just makes sense

If they release a black ceramic bezel Polar with black hands, it would be a hit.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Ceramic bezel for 50th in 2021.
Most likely 41 mm
( Unlike the ss blue Subs "out of the blue" predictions .. )

I see the value of the metal bezels rising significantly .

Metal bezel is for functionality.It scratches and dings ,but the function remain .
Hit the ceramic bezel and you look for pieces of ceramic in the snow........
The modern Rolex office wearer will be more concerned about small hairline scratches .

In nearly 15 years of ceramic bezels, there has been something like 15 broken ones shown on TRF.

Personally, I’d be excited to see a light grey brushed ceramic bezel on the EXP II.

[GreatScott]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

In nearly 15 years of ceramic bezels, there has been something like 15 broken ones shown on TRF.

Personally, I’d be excited to see a light grey brushed ceramic bezel on the EXP II.

Because everyone is on TRF, right?

Actually, less than .00005% of the watch wearing public I would wager.

I broke one and I never posted about it. Oh no, that will throw off your argument as well.

Here is the real issue, just one is to many for a watch that is for exploring. Rolex understands this. Rolex marketing understands this. It is meant to be indestructible so all components have to be. They never want to say the watch that went to the top of Everest, but don't do that now because it may break.

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[JR16]

Originally Posted by GreatScott

Because everyone is on TRF, right?

Actually, less than .00005% of the watch wearing public I would wager.

I broke one and I never posted about it. Oh no, that will throw off your argument as well.

Here is the real issue, just one is to many for a watch that is for exploring. Rolex understands this. Rolex marketing understands this. It is meant to be indestructible so all components have to be. They never want to say the watch that went to the top of Everest, but don't do that now because it may break.

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I agree w this


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[Psmith]

Originally Posted by GreatScott

Because everyone is on TRF, right?

Actually, less than .00005% of the watch wearing public I would wager.

I broke one and I never posted about it. Oh no, that will throw off your argument as well.

Here is the real issue, just one is to many for a watch that is for exploring. Rolex understands this. Rolex marketing understands this. It is meant to be indestructible so all components have to be. They never want to say the watch that went to the top of Everest, but don't do that now because it may break.

Well in that case they'd better change the sapphire crystal for an old-school plastic one. Sapphire shatters much more easily (say when exploring), and then necessitates the watch to be hacked i.e. rendered inoperable and serviced due to the inevitability of particles entering the movement. Let's get real - nobody buys one of these watches as equipment. The Daytona switched to a 'naked' ceramic bezel several years ago and seems to be holding up fine. And that Everest thing was bit of a marketing myth - Hillary actually wore a Smiths and documented this himself.

[chris242]

i’m expecting some minor changes for sure. maybe a green gmt hand and the movement upgrade is a given.


my question is, will this upgrade/discontinuation bring the value of the 16570’s up?


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[911991]

Originally Posted by chris242

i’m expecting some minor changes for sure. maybe a green gmt hand and the movement upgrade is a given.


my question is, will this upgrade/discontinuation bring the value of the 16570’s up?


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I agree based on the new sub changes, it will minor changes with a movement upgrade...

[1William]

An update is coming. I speculate it will stay at 42 mm and it will get a new bezel.

[holdingon]

I am looking to get an updated SS E2 or new TT Bluesy as a summer watch. I have the TT Rootbeer and love it, but want to add some new color to my collection as all my Rolex watches so far have black dials.

[SparklesMcgraw]

I’m more curious as to ‘when’ as opposed to ‘what’ is going to be released. Any thoughts on when in 2021?

[holdingon]

Originally Posted by SparklesMcgraw

I’m more curious as to ‘when’ as opposed to ‘what’ is going to be released. Any thoughts on when in 2021?

is the talk 2021 for sure? Know its the 50th anniversary...but they have released so many new watches this year and they are not even in stock yet. I am having some doubts.

[GreatScott]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Well in that case they'd better change the sapphire crystal for an old-school plastic one. Sapphire shatters much more easily (say when exploring), and then necessitates the watch to be hacked i.e. rendered inoperable and serviced due to the inevitability of particles entering the movement. Let's get real - nobody buys one of these watches as equipment. The Daytona switched to a 'naked' ceramic bezel several years ago and seems to be holding up fine. And that Everest thing was bit of a marketing myth - Hillary actually wore a Smiths and documented this himself.

Here's another thing to consider.

The explorer 2 has never had a colored bezel, it's always been stainless.

The sub has always had a colored bezel, black, green, blue, etc.

They went to ceramic so they could retain making colored bezel. There is no such thing with an explorer, otherwise it would just be a GMT Master and take away from those sales.

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[inadeje]

Rolex won’t miss the marketing opportunity to tout the 50th anniversary next year. It underlines their heritage, along with a subtle message to the watch buying community of the solidity of the brand/references.

Changes I would wager will be a Marginally smaller 41mm case, Newer movement, silver ceramic bezel (ditto panerai BMG-tech or BULK METALLIC GLASS material) wider bracelet (same as new sub to eliminate old factory tooling), the same white/black dial options and striking but modernized similarity to the very first Exp II. I don’t think a green Gmt hand would be deployed since it deviates too much from the 50 year old variant.

[vcap826]

Originally Posted by C0d

most likely will remain 42. Its already disproportioned IMO with a thin bezel around it. I'd prefer if they made the bezel beefier and the dial a bit smaller to give it the same ratio as 16570 (a true classic IMO).

We might get a two tone finally... its Rolex afterall.

I’m convinced the 216570 comes in for more criticism than any other reference on this forum and I’ll say as a daily wearer my 40 year old eyes appreciate the at a glance easy legibility they were going for with it and I can only imagine my 50+ year old eyes will appreciate it more, although I do worry that the concomitant physical aging will make it too big for my wrist.

[winst]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Well in that case they'd better change the sapphire crystal for an old-school plastic one. Sapphire shatters much more easily (say when exploring), and then necessitates the watch to be hacked i.e. rendered inoperable and serviced due to the inevitability of particles entering the movement. Let's get real - nobody buys one of these watches as equipment. The Daytona switched to a 'naked' ceramic bezel several years ago and seems to be holding up fine. And that Everest thing was bit of a marketing myth - Hillary actually wore a Smiths and documented this himself.

But didn’t Tensing definitely wear a Rolex and it’s equally likely he got to the Summit first.

[thefollandgnat]

Keep ceramic away from the ExpII. It has no business being anywhere near it.

[holdingon]

If ceramic is indeed the future...what color would it be? The steel bezel on the previous generation daytona changed to black ceramic...is that in store for E2?

[thefollandgnat]

Originally Posted by vcap826

I’m convinced the 216570 comes in for more criticism than any other reference on this forum

I think that the Air King 116900 wins the laurels in that regard.

[holdingon]

Originally Posted by thefollandgnat

I think that the Air King 116900 wins the laurels in that regard.

Own that model too! haha i guess i am like that.

[DoctorA]

It will have a green GMT hand

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by GreatScott

Here's another thing to consider.

The explorer 2 has never had a colored bezel, it's always been stainless.

The sub has always had a colored bezel, black, green, blue, etc.

They went to ceramic so they could retain making colored bezel. There is no such thing with an explorer, otherwise it would just be a GMT Master and take away from those sales.

How would it become a GMT-Master? The previous version (16570) was simply a 5-digit GMT with a fixed bezel. Very different from the original (1655). I've never bought the 'model X will take away model Y sales' argument - for years, all of the pro models were the same size and shared much more than they do today. The 216570 is much more unque, and consistent with how Rolex has given each model a more distinct identity. If Rolex give it a ceramic bezel (as they did the Daytona) it would be entirely consistent with their product development ...or of course they could just leave it as metal. Witness the Sea-Dweller... 43mm, TT version... a lot of change compared to the original.