Baselworld 2021 prediction - Year Explorer II gets ceramic (50th Anniversary) and fin

[SS Oyster]

Many predicted Explorer II would get upgrade this year, but smarter to wait for 50th anniversary in 2021. Finally respect will be coming to the Explorer II.

Here’s my prediction fir Explorer II at Baselworld 2021:
1. Black Ceramic Bezel (fixed)
2. Both black and white dials (no change)
3. Watch remains 42mm
4. Brushed oyster or OF bracelet with Glidelock 10mm (first Rolex to offer choice)
5. 3287 movement with 70hr power reserve
6. Reference will be 226570

Price will be $9,375 and will be impossible to source, like SS Pepsi and SS Daytona.

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[JacksonStone]

I'll be counting the minutes.

[glamorama]

To put a black ceramic bezel on Explorer II would be too lazy, too predictable and not in line with the spirit of the watch. I think Rolex will surprise us. Or why not keep this one in steel?

I'm pretty certain I will be buying next gen Explorer II whatever it is.. my 16570 polar needs a black companion.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Many predicted Explorer II would get upgrade this year, but smarter to wait for 50th anniversary in 2021. Finally respect will be coming to the Explorer II.

Here’s my prediction fir Explorer II at Baselworld 2021:
1. Black Ceramic Bezel (fixed)
2. Both black and white dials (no change)
3. Watch remains 42mm
4. Brushed oyster or OF bracelet with Glidelock 10mm (first Rolex to offer choice)
5. 3287 movement with 70hr power reserve
6. Reference will be 226570

Price will be $9,375 and will be impossible to source, like SS Pepsi and SS Daytona.

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I like it! It would be really interesting to see something in ceramic (bezel) that looks like steel. Either way, an update would be awesome.


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[oldman2005]

Keep the hope alive! In Rolex tradition, usually the PM comes the 1st, TT comes second then finally SS so I'd expect the SS by 2023 then come the many years long waiting list...After the TT SD43, PM/TT Exp is possible :)

[ppalasthira]

That would be interesting.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Many predicted Explorer II would get upgrade this year, but smarter to wait for 50th anniversary in 2021. Finally respect will be coming to the Explorer II.

Here’s my prediction fir Explorer II at Baselworld 2021:
1. Black Ceramic Bezel (fixed)
2. Both black and white dials (no change)
3. Watch remains 42mm
4. Brushed oyster or OF bracelet with Glidelock 10mm (first Rolex to offer choice)
5. 3287 movement with 70hr power reserve
6. Reference will be 226570

Price will be $9,375 and will be impossible to source, like SS Pepsi and SS Daytona.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wouldnt an Explorer II with a black dial and ceramic bezel look like a Submariner ?

[harvey]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

Wouldnt an Explorer II with a black dial and ceramic bezel look like a Submariner ?

... and with an oysterflex bracelet wouldn’t it like the new yachtmaster?


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

I'll be counting the minutes.

Why in general Rolex Basel releases over the past 15-20 years have been very disappointing, with no real new watches only cosmetically changed old ones.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by padi56

Why in general Rolex Basel releases over the past 15-20 years have been very disappointing, with no real new watches only cosmetically changed old ones.

Huh? Why hasn't anyone told us this before?

[1William]

OK. An update will not move me one way or another.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by padi56

Why in general Rolex Basel releases over the past 15-20 years have been very disappointing, with no real new watches only cosmetically changed old ones.

Exactly!

The weather forecast is likely to be more right two years out than doing this

[Sothy]

I have a hard time imagining oysterflex on a steel watch. It would only lower the price (vs on a PM watch wherein it might lower the transaction cost just enough to get one into a PM). Like the list though. So 2020 is the sub year?

[VegasMilgauss]

A larger yachtmaster 2 released in precious metal and a two tone explorer 2 is my early prediction.

[Daveh3196]

My prediction is that the Exp II returns to the bezel design that was used at its initial release. Unfortunately for me, that bezel is the one that appeals to me the least. I’m a fan of the current design and believe it would look amazing with black ceramic, but I just don’t see Rolex making a change that bold.


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[ferrissteve11]

Not that it needs it, but if they would add a triplock crown and maybe redo the proportion of the hands I'd look at it closer. My .02

[037]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

5. 3287 movement with 70hr power reserve

No need for a unique movement this time around. It'll either be a 3285 (99.9% likely) or a 3286 if there's a significant component revision between now and then.

[10klakes]

I’ll be adding the black dial 216570 this year. I love my polar in 42mm and want both before it gets redone..... or perhaps overdone?

[BigScoop]

Gotta get some green in there for a 50th anniversary right?

Green GMT hand? Green dial version? Green Ceramic Bezel?

Maybe all of the above? Explorer II Hulk? Maybe this one can be called the Shrek

[Playinwittime]

Though Rolex takes no votes, I’d prefer the Exp II stays the same, but is reduced back to 40mm

[RTG]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Many predicted Explorer II would get upgrade this year, but smarter to wait for 50th anniversary in 2021. Finally respect will be coming to the Explorer II.

Here’s my prediction fir Explorer II at Baselworld 2021:
1. Black Ceramic Bezel (fixed)
2. Both black and white dials (no change)
3. Watch remains 42mm
4. Brushed oyster or OF bracelet with Glidelock 10mm (first Rolex to offer choice)
5. 3287 movement with 70hr power reserve
6. Reference will be 226570

Price will be $9,375 and will be impossible to source, like SS Pepsi and SS Daytona.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree about 2021 being the year. I hope there is no ceramic bezel. I predict an updated 42mm white gold for the 50th anniversary followed by 42mm SS versions. All on Oyster!
I'm just not sure how Rolex will put 50th anniversary green onto the EXPII.

Best part is no crazy waiting list on this updated beauty. New Sub from 2020 will still be the panic buyers flavor of choice. 40mm fans love their waiting lists!

Two more years!

[worldofoyster]

any mock up pictures?

[doramas]

After the grotesque thing they've done with the Sea Dweller, first increasing it to 43mm and second, making a steel and gold version, you can expect anything.
Rolex doesn't respect itself anymore.

[Highlatitude]

Rolex design department have not been doing themselves any favours these last few years. They have thrown dignity onto the fickle fire of fashion and abandoned their long standing strategy of keeping everything very conservative and classic. Consequently, like Omega have found to their cost, some models will not endure the future decades well.

So, I am not very hopeful that anything I welcome will be produced. My ideal would be a return to the dimensions and looks of the 16570 in polar and also black with modern build standards and movements. The current model is too big and the proportions of the hands are all off.

[Highlatitude]

Unfortunately, like abandoning the GMT2 LN, some fool will decide we have to get rid of the black one because it’s too similar to the black dial divers (which will continue to be made in half a dozen sizes and stupid depth ratings). Then they will screw up the proportions more, make it in gold with a white dial and a ceramic white bezel. The fashion cognoscenti will fall over themselves to get it claiming it is even more beautiful than the hulk even though secretly they will concede they also find this one ugly and only want it because everyone else seems to.

[Sg6067]

I realize this won’t be a popular comment in this thread but I don’t think many people look at the Explorer as an exciting watch. I always assumed that Explorer was just the watch people settled for after they got tired of waiting for a sub or gmt. My wish for Basel 2020 and 2021 is that Rolex stop releasing “updated” watches and start focusing on producing enough of their in-demand references so that people don’t have to wait years to purchase the watch they want.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by padi56

Why in general Rolex Basel releases over the past 15-20 years have been very disappointing, with no real new watches only cosmetically changed old ones.

Yeah and this formula is brilliant apparently. It's why Rolex is so successful, not a million LE's, changing something every year watering down the brand. This slow evolution is also why the second hand market for Rolex is so successful.

Take a look at a Ulysse Nardin or an Omega PO both from ten years ago, their second hand price sucks and trying to even sell them is difficult. Try that with a ten year old 14060M, poof gone like magic for twice what you paid at retail.

We say Rolex is slow and blah blah, but from when I bought my first Rolex more than ten years ago up until today, their whole catalog is updated with movements, colors, sizes, materials, and even timing standards. And just about everything they have updated is a huge seller except maybe the YMs.
What more can you want.

You want new fancy smancy every year, check Breitling, Omega, Ulysse Nardin and Tag which are good for that. I'll take my "slow boring disappointing Rolex" BLRO any day over that new Hublot. And in the meantime I'm waiting for that new boring Exp 2 with a ceramic bezel and updated movement every one is going to want, except maybe you I suppose, and I'm honestly good with that, less competition for purchasing.

[vgs]

Originally Posted by Playinwittime

Though Rolex takes no votes, I’d prefer the Exp II stays the same, but is reduced back to 40mm

That would be a perfect Rolex for me, can't pull ExpII on my 6.5-6.75 wrist :(
(that's why I went SUB)

[Tools]

Interesting...

But I don't expect anything on the Exp II; it was just completely changed in 2010.

[EndlessEight]

Bezel markers will have lume.

Based on Rolex’s description of the model (using bezel to decipher AM / PM in complete darkness) makes no sense to me to not have bezel lume.