New 2016 Explorer

[soundserious]

Such an improvement, bad news for folks stuck in a 214270 though

[captain_NEMO]

IMO, the best intro from Rolex - more so than the SS DaytonaC (though I've never really understood the craze about Daytonas to begin with).

This new model certainly boasts the sportier side of the EXP I (beefier hands/indices), versus the dressy first/sporty second of the previous.

Though these changes are freakin awesome, I'm still helplessly in love with my recently acquired no lume 3/6/9 short minute hand EXP I, and not enough to justify an upgrade. And it helps to have an SD on deck if/when I want to sport-ify things up.

Kudos to Rolex for finally listening to its ever-so-loyal fan base!!

[captain_NEMO]

Originally Posted by Digitran

New vs Old. Looks like the dial is slightly larger on the new one.

Could it be our eyes playing tricks, or a graphic rendering issue? My caliper is insisting that the pics have the same dial circumference.

[SemperFi]

Originally Posted by soundserious

Such an improvement, bad news for folks stuck in a 214270 though

Well, I'll disagree with you on that one.
I never considered the hands to be short and would much rather have the 3,6,9 in white gold than lumed any day. The lume is mostly a talking point than having any real day to day value. Just my opinion.

[jack1024]

Originally Posted by ~JJ

Looks good, but the minute hand seems too long and throws off the overall balance.

I think the long hands are over compensating for... ahem.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by soundserious

Such an improvement, bad news for folks stuck in a 214270 though

what improvement? Just another hand set? Which can be bought from RSC for older models anytime? And not everyone is fan of the lumed 3-6-9. The white gold was decided at that point for a reason that its never fades for decades!

[stockae92]

Now I want Explorer 39mm ... again :)

[tomchicago]

i think the white gold 3-6-9 are very elegant and made the 214270 so versatile-- you could truly wear it with a suit and not look like someone pretending to be james bond. but, this is a really nice update. i always wondered why they never lumed the 3-6-9 even on older models.

[cop414]

Keep in mind that the 3, 6, 9 are still white gold, they just have lume applied just like the rest of the white gold lumed indices.

[cdbeaver66]

A big improvement to the previous model but I still prefer the Ranger

[cop414]

Originally Posted by tomchicago

i think the white gold 3-6-9 are very elegant and made the 214270 so versatile. but, this is a really nice update. i always wondered why they never lumed the 3-6-9 even on older models.

Tom, they did on some of the older 36mm models.

Not my pic-

[cornerstore]

Originally Posted by red.earth

Great comparison! Thank you

I really think I prefer the older dial, in all honesty. It's less maxi and more refined.

Agree, new one looks a little like a Timex.

[stockae92]

I wonder if this move from Rolex is intentional (model refresh)? Or they hear feedback and decided that they need to change it?

[RinkRolex]

In this case I actually like the WG369 personally, and the so called short hands make the 214270 more unique to me as they are "not normal"?!

[CKL1213]

Besides the longer seconds hand.

The hour hand is fatter right?

[kloubik]

I much prefer the original version. Looks more elegant and versatile. This update with beefier hands looks cheaper and less balanced. Maybe more tool or sporty but loosing versatility.

Too bad Rolex still does not offer independently adjustable hour hand like Omega on 8500 calibres. Explorer 39mm could really use this feature.

[Mr. K]

Personally I think that they both look great.

[Ferdelious]

I think this change only affects the WIS. Most won't even know the difference between the 2, so it shouldn't hurt resale of the old 39mm model that much.

[red1108nyc]

Perfection

[cop414]

Originally Posted by Ferdelious

I think this change only affects the WIS. Most won't even know the difference between the 2, so it shouldn't hurt resale of the old 39mm model that much.

Agree 100%, we'll be the only ones to notice this. Show the side by side pic to your better half and ask her what's different between the two? The only way that the average Joe will be able to tell the difference will be to look at them in the dark.

[doc.kool]

want one

[xQx]

Originally Posted by cop414

Tom, they did on some of the older 36mm models.

Not my pic-

Unless that is a custom job, it will surprise you to learn that even though it LOOKS LIKE the 3,6 & 9 markers on that watch are lumed, they are in fact not.

Here's what that watch (ref 114270) looks like in the dark:

[Nalk7]

Originally Posted by cop414

Tom, they did on some of the older 36mm models.

Not my pic-

Although they look like they're lumed, they don't glow unfortunately

[Cabaiguan]

Originally Posted by Gnomon

Yep... Now I can stop convincing myself that the short hand is long enough. Just have to find some unwitting newbie to unload the old one on and I'll be all over this :D

[cop414]

Originally Posted by xQx

Unless that is a custom job, it will surprise you to learn that even though it LOOKS LIKE the 3,6 & 9 markers on that watch are lumed, they are in fact not.

Here's what that watch (ref 114270) looks like in the dark:

Originally Posted by Nalk7

Although they look like they're lumed, they don't glow unfortunately

Wow, I stand corrected! I always thought that they were lumed!

[sickened1]

Previously the only Explorer with the lume on 3, 6, 9 is the 1016. Love the lume on the new one though.

[rushca01]

I was never really a fan of the explorer I but I'm liking the 2016 model!

[cop414]

Originally Posted by sickened1

Previously the only Explorer with the lume on 3, 6, 9 is the 1016. Love the lume on the new one though.

Thanks Ed, it's been awhile since I've been to Rolex "school"!

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by xQx

Unless that is a custom job, it will surprise you to learn that even though it LOOKS LIKE the 3,6 & 9 markers on that watch are lumed, they are in fact not.



Here's what that watch (ref 114270) looks like in the dark:

My 114270 is exactly like that as well




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[onehotchili]

Originally Posted by Ferdelious

I think this change only affects the WIS. Most won't even know the difference between the 2, so it shouldn't hurt resale of the old 39mm model that much.

just curious because it was such a minor change... is that the reason Rolex just kept the reference 214270 number for this new version vs something like 314270?

i sold my 214270 last month to get something completely different, but i would be all over this new version if i got another one....