Why is the New Explorer II 42mm not more popular?

[HankL818]

Love my polar. Can't care less if it's popular or not.

[oldsalt]

Still lovin' mine....

[Vaxe]

I like this ref and considered buying one over the 116710, but couldn't get over:

- The atypical 21 mm lugs
- No rotating bezel on a GMT watch (because who uses its 2nd hour hand for 24H AM/PM as intended?)

Compared to the GMT it screams value, and the design is solid, but the latter is just more practical for the daily user not spelunking and afraid of accidentally slamming the ceramic moving bezel on rocks.

[caprebels]

Great watch and still a favorite of mine. I only passed this over to get the hard to find BLNR.

[tjbender]

Because the 40mm is better lol

[Ragna]

A collection without a 216570 or 16570 is really incomplete.

Its a really tough piece.

No dust preventing bezel from rotating.
No insert or bezel pop off.
No shattering ceramic inserts.

Ready for some hardcore trails.

Those are the reasons why i think highly of this piece.


I have others.. like the Hulk.. But guess what..

.. i prefer the explorer II over Hulk.

YES I SAID IT.

[sea-dweller]

In every product line, there's always one under appreciated model.


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[jhenry60]

End rolex segregation

[jhenry60]

The Rolex Explorer II is a watch.

[Rol604]

Personally I like the 40mm one much better.

[Loevhagen]

Why?

Simple.

You mentioned 42mm.

That's why.

[natosteve]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

Why?



Simple.



You mentioned 42mm.



That's why.

The older 40mm wasn't that popular either.

Most people have one watch and even if they have several watches only have one rolex. As a result they are likely to go for the model which they think is best. Mostly this is a Sub.


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[Dusko.Popov]

Originally Posted by HongNinja

I've actually been debating trading my SubC ND for one...

Oh no don't do that.

Since op is asking for opinions, I'll add. The Explorer II sort of looks like what you would envision the outcome being if Fisher-Price was tasked with creating an automatic watch.

[CaptainWalt]

I think the look is awesome!! And the lugs on the 216570 Explorer II look way better on a 42mm watch than the new "too thick" lugs on the 116610 40mm Subs. The new 116610 actually looks too square in shape to me thanks to the thicker lugs. The older 16610 Subs make the watch look like a round faced watch. Yet I traded my 16610 Sub for this new 216570 Explorer and could not be happier. Love the way the orange font and GMT hand stands out on the black dial. And the "floating" look of the hands (a tribute to the original 1655 Explorer II) thanks to the black paint near the center of the watch is pretty cool too.

[Stevec14]

Originally Posted by CaptainWalt

I think the look is awesome!! And the lugs on the 216570 Explorer II look way better on a 42mm watch than the new "too thick" lugs on the 116610 40mm Subs. The new 116610 actually looks too square in shape to me thanks to the thicker lugs. The older 16610 Subs make the watch look like a round faced watch. Yet I traded my 16610 Sub for this new 216570 Explorer and could not be happier. Love the way the orange font and GMT hand stands out on the black dial. And the "floating" look of the hands (a tribute to the original 1655 Explorer II) thanks to the black paint near the center of the watch is pretty cool too.

I couldn't agree more - I love mine too. I think it's a great looking watch, and I like the size. I have a GMT ln also, and for sure think there's a place for a 42mm model. I get the 'toy' references. I guess that is the bigger font and hands for you, and the fact it's not classic Rolex - but for me it's a watch that looks a lot better on the wrist than in pics.

[hitman23]

Although the lugs are nicer than the sub, the case is not as well proportioned IMO. Maxi dial is cool but the maxi hands are too fat. I can say after 5 years of ownership, I prefer the older model.

[Onikage]

The Explorer II has always been overshadowed by the GMT and Sub. Of course it might not help that now it's also 42mm.

[tufty]

love mine, 42mm polar

[Swaye]

Thread resurrection time. I got my 42MM polar recently and I love it. May be the newness talking, but man does this thing wear nice and look the part of a true "sports" watch. Love love love it!

[Bobby83]

Love mine, bought it for an everyday piece..couldn’t think of a better model. Very legible, date and GMT function.

The cyclops and the dial seem more proportionate on the explorer and feel less cramped...that along with the larger/thicker hands make it easy to read at a glance.



The 40mm works just fine but the 42 feels perfect on my 8 inch wrist with big hands lol

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[jdef]

I believe that the Explorer II is “less popular” than say a sub, GMT, or Daytona because it lacks some “sizzle” relative to those models (ie brushed stainless steel oyster bracelet with no polished links, understated bezel, etc).

Given the current position of Rolex as the mass-appeal luxury watch brand, the Explorer II goes a bit against the grain, so-to-speak. My guess is that many, or even most Rolex buyers are purchasing the more popular pieces for their styling and reliability and less for the “instrument” side of the timepiece.


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[tmcde]

Originally Posted by afoll

Just got one myself in white and absolutely love it. The submariner (black) is great but everyone has one. Especially if you add the "knock offs"!
This watch is uncommon and understated. I'm thinking this one of the best stainless Rolex sport watches in a while. Don't see that many discussions on here about this watch.
Anybody else feel the same way?

It's the newest one of my 5 Rolex's including the Hulk and It has become my favorite by far. (Patience grasshopper)

[RHIII]

‘Popular’ these days is just synonymous for ‘hyped up’ - which definitely the references people think they need....

The Expl II polar is one of my favorites in the collection - as (to me) it is more of a ‘sleeper’ - and I like the fact that you just don’t see as many.

These days - all the hyped up references I have in the collection stay locked away for the most part - other than if the wife wants to wear.


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[NorcalBlue]

Just scored a minty POLAR 42mm. Love the damn thing to death. Something about the POLAR just pops and I like the size.

[Nakow]

I’ve owned one for a while but the 42mm case and fat hands and bold indices always struck me so unRolex-C! Yet I must admit it’s a true rugged watch!

[Calatrava r]

Well. They are hot now as is all the SS sports line from Rolex. The past is history.

[Nakow]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Well. They are hot now as is all the SS sports line from Rolex. The past is history.

That I agree a 100%!

[FatPhil]

Because i prefer the 5 digit model due to my dainty wrists!





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[DocMorpheus]

Definitely one of my favorites.




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[Montremoi]

- I don't like the 42mm size
- I don't really like the fat hands
- I don't like the wart
- I don't like the lack of rotating bezel
- Overall the Explorer family has never interested me

... but dayum am I still attracted to the Polar Exp