YM42, so what to do with Exp II?

[chloebear]

So now that Rolex made a 42mm Yacht-Master with a ceramic bezel, what will Rolex do to the Explorer II in 2021? Seems the YM just filled all of the thoughts of what the Explorer II would become.

I don't see a move back to 40mm, even though a lot of people would like to see that. I think it's perfection as is, but obviously it doesn't sell terribly well relative to other professional models.

[peterpl]

I like that new YM. When you look at real life photos it looks very nice.

[chloebear]

I like it as well. I think it will be a big seller for sure. But surly they won't make a ceramic Explorer II now. Not that I thought they would, since it's the only non-ceramic sports bezel model. I know the Milgauss, Explorer and Air-King are not ceramic. I just mean, the only non-ceramic professional model with numbers on it.

[Psmith]

FWIW, I see an eventual new Sub at 42mm so that we have...
Sub, YM and Exp II at 42mm (with the Exp II perhaps going TT or even full gold). The Daytona went ceramic for the bezel, so I don't see why the Exp II should not (Rolex won't care about the 'banging it on rocks' argument). Not sure about the GMT.
SD at 43mm with a full gold model being introduced next year.
DSSD at 44mm remaining steel-only (OK, so the caseback is part-titanium).

Whatever the eventual details, it seems clear that the overall move is towards more 'luxury' in all product lines.

[brandrea]

It’s WG ... so it’s a completely different price point. I don’t think this will impact what happens with the Explorer 2 in any way

[tyler1980]

IMO its the best YM ever made. Anyone with concerns about the size try on a 116655 first. it wears small so 42mm is perfect.

no end links matters in perception of size and the 116655 was the smallest wearing rolex i have ever owned

now its bigger, in WG (im a white metal fan), better clasp, new movement, and a really nice monochromatic look so im thrilled there is no red on the dial

[airchitect]

The Exp 2 has its 50th anniversary next year and I think it will be tweaked heavily. That said, it is a caving watch, so I’m certain the SS bezel and brushed bracelet are safe. After all, ceramic+rock=$.

[lindstd]

It will be interesting what retail pricing will be for the new YM 42?

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by lindstd

It will be interesting what retail pricing will be for the new YM 42?

its like $28k USD or there about someone said

[WAK4]

Originally Posted by Psmith

FWIW, I see an eventual new Sub at 42mm so that we have...
.

We do - the Sea Dweller line now. The TT model is just a super sized TT Sub, date bubble and all

I wonder if any steel models will end up on the Oysterflex. When I first saw pics of the YM, had a sliver of hope it would be steel.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by chloebear

I like it as well. I think it will be a big seller for sure. But surly they won't make a ceramic Explorer II now. Not that I thought they would, since it's the only non-ceramic sports bezel model. I know the Milgauss, Explorer and Air-King are not ceramic. I just mean, the only non-ceramic professional model with numbers on it.

Let’s not kid ourselves, it’s a PM $30k watch, this will in no way be a ‘big seller’

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by chloebear

So now that Rolex made a 42mm Yacht-Master with a ceramic bezel, what will Rolex do to the Explorer II in 2021? Seems the YM just filled all of the thoughts of what the Explorer II would become.

I don't see a move back to 40mm, even though a lot of people would like to see that. I think it's perfection as is, but obviously it doesn't sell terribly well relative to other professional models.

Would be inclined to agree...hard to envisage an Explorer move back to 40mm though I would love to see it....with an orange 24hour hand!

[Vamp]

It's the toughest tool watch Rolex makes. It's meant to take abuse so ceramic it will not have. I actually see it possibly being discontinued.

[damoore]

I hope the Exp II doesn’t change much. Especially going to Ceramic. It’s pretty much a perfect outdoor/exploration purpose watch. It doesn’t need all the bling like some of the other references.


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[RobearH]

Retro fit ExpII with 42mm Oysterflex a coming trend?

[cloudplay]

Originally Posted by peterpl

I like that new YM. When you look at real life photos it looks very nice.

I like it quite a bit. In SS it would have been a home run (i.e., unobtanium). In WG however it competes with the PM oysterflex Daytonas, and that makes me think twice (or more). If resale is as soft (relatively speaking) as for the RG YM, it might be a nice watch to pick up used.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by WAK4

We do - the Sea Dweller line now. The TT model is just a super sized TT Sub, date bubble and all

I wonder if any steel models will end up on the Oysterflex. When I first saw pics of the YM, had a sliver of hope it would be steel.

The SD is 43, so sits between the 42 and 44 models. I don't see Rolex leaving the Sub at 40, with the Exp II and now the YM at 42. There has always been an argument that the SD is 'just a <insert adjective> Sub', but the difference is now greater than ever - the cyclops doesn't make them the same watch any more than the multitude of other models that have this.
For many years all of the sport/pro models were the same (nominal) diameter, so I can see why Rolex would want to spread them out a bit, while overall increasing sizes.

[rolexinfl]

Rolex will discontinue all SS ExpII and make WG only model with new movement; and we will all shut up and like it!