The New Explorer 39mm and the Explorer History

[2jabs]

Hi All,

I've been a member on here for a good few months now and originally joined as I needed help on making my decision on choosing my first Rolex. (SS sub/GMT/Milgauss/Exp1). Well, since March (Basel), I made my mind up 110% that the new Explorer 39mm is the one for me! It has always been my grail watch but I always had a hang up on the size.

I'm no.1 on the waiting list in my home town and am told it should be coming very soon - I CAN NOT WAIT!

Over the last few weeks I have been searching the net and TRF for any info and pics on the new, and past, Explorer so I thought it would be a great idea to start a thread where everyone can post any pics or info they may have on the new 39mm Explorer or even post any pics/info they have on the history or the explorer!?

I recently traveled to Wales and ate lunch in the base camp hotel of the 1953 Everest expedition in Snowdonia. This is where Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay famously began their altitude and climbing training. The place was full of history and there were some great photo shots and memorabilia of them scattered around the place. The place had a historic feel about it. I never even knew the place existed and it was a pure coincidence that we actually came across it! I couldn't believe it and it has since made me even more sure the Explorer is definitely the watch for me!

Does anyone have stories of how they first wanted a Rolex? or decided which one they chose!?

I'll be sure to post pics of my special watch when it arrives!

[chris russell]

and placed one on Bond's wrist, of course. Tenzing Norgay wore on to the top of Everest, (though Hillary wore a Smith's). An iconic design for sure. I will be interested to see the 39mm when it's issued. Thanks for this post!

[Tools]

Great watch choice.. That Exp dial is one of the best looks ever produced on a watch..

Simple, classic, and understated elegance.................

[Route 66]

Here's a shot of the new 39mm model:



I hope this helps until you get the real thing!

[GradyPhilpott]

You gotta love the Explorer.

[Dr. Robert]

[QUOTE=GradyPhilpott;2037260]You gotta love the Explorer.

I do

[Speed]

There was fear that the hands on the new watch were too short...based on Basel pics.

Anyone know if the actual production model of the watch looks ok?

[chris russell]

Originally Posted by Speed

There was fear that the hands on the new watch were too short...based on Basel pics.

We're waitin' on seeing the watch in the flesh. One only hopes the hands are the correct length, and one only wishes they had put lume into the numerals. Oh, well, at least they got the Sub-c and the Milgauss black-dial right.

[Blue Lantern]

Originally Posted by Speed

There was fear that the hands on the new watch were too short...based on Basel pics.

That (in)famous Walt Odets review of the Exp I complained that the hands were too big for a 36mm watch, so I wonder if Rolex took that to heart.

[Paracentesis]

Originally Posted by Blue Lantern

That (in)famous Walt Odets review of the Exp I complained that the hands were too big for a 36mm watch, so I wonder if Rolex took that to heart.

I don't know, but I hope they improved their quality control. It was (is) shocking to read.

[swish77]

It'll be extremely interesting to see the 39mm version in person, and maybe it'll be a big hit, but I'm concerned that the bigger size is starting to look like a wall clock becasue of the design of the dial. That 3, 6, 9 design is so perfect as a 36mm dial, I'm not sure Rolex needed to mess with it, despite the trend toward bigger watches. (That trend will likely go back toward vintage sizes at some point, of course.) I saw the same thing happen to the Omega Railmaster, another beautiful vintage 36mm design that Omega blew up to 39mm and even a ridiculous 41mm. Why make such a classic into different sizes? What's next, a 36mm Sub?

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by swish77

It'll be extremely interesting to see the 39mm version in person, and maybe it'll be a big hit, but I'm concerned that the bigger size is starting to look like a wall clock becasue of the design of the dial. That 3, 6, 9 design is so perfect as a 36mm dial, I'm not sure Rolex needed to mess with it, despite the trend toward bigger watches. (That trend will likely go back toward vintage sizes at some point, of course.) I saw the same thing happen to the Omega Railmaster, another beautiful vintage 36mm design that Omega blew up to 39mm and even a ridiculous 41mm. Why make such a classic into different sizes? What's next, a 36mm Sub?

I doubt many folks will take issue with the 39mm size. A bunch of guys on this forum own the Vantage which is a 39mm homage to the 1016.

This is an old picture, but you can gauge the size (39mm MkII Vantage) relative to some common Rolex models.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Blue Lantern

That (in)famous Walt Odets review of the Exp I complained that the hands were too big for a 36mm watch, so I wonder if Rolex took that to heart.

Originally Posted by Paracentesis

I don't know, but I hope they improved their quality control. It was (is) shocking to read.

Odets article was shocking to read. It's a good thing that it is mostly BS.

It is one man's opinion, but it really should be taken down, as it misleads so many people.

[Paracentesis]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Odets article was shocking to read. It's a good thing that it is mostly BS.

It is one man's opinion, but it really should be taken down, as it misleads so many people.

Well, I'm not so sure. You can't really argue with his photographs of the movement, can you?

[Dan2010]

I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.

[RRGHOST1]

Love the new Explorer and the 39mm size, my only wish is they made a white dial model like they did years ago.

[Rolesor]

why have all models but the 39 mm been released?

[Otto]

[Sixxgrand1]

That appears to be the mock up for Basel...I wonder when the first 'live-real' wrist shot will come to this forum....?

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Sixxgrand1

That appears to be the mock up for Basel...I wonder when the first 'live-real' wrist shot will come to this forum....?

Yes; it is. I've made previous Basel Collection 2010 Display posts identified as such here on this forum with the same photos before.

The 39 mm Explorer is supposed to be here in Tokyo in October. I'm checking a dealer later today here to see exactly when.

Mock up or not internally though, it is the "real" exterior.

If I don't buy one of these new Explorers, I will kick myself. To me, this is the best "new" thing out of Rolex in a long, long time.

[Otto]

[GradyPhilpott]

I was talking with the watchmaker at my AD the other night and he said that at this time, no one knows whether the hands on the Explorer will be as small as they have been pictured.

I thought to myself that I could swear that I had seen a picture of one in the wild, but now I see that this one is a mock up and indeed, the hands might not be the ones that will be on the actual 39mm.

They might be, but as the watchmaker said, no one's seen one yet.

It hardly matters to me. I love the one I have and the DJ I'm waiting on to show up will be my last Rolex.

I can't wait to see one, though.

[z32turbo]

Can't wait to see it myself.

[TheDude]

Here's my 39mm "Explorer".

[2jabs]

great posts guys, im glad to see all you explorer fans out there. my ad said it could arrive any time from october to jan!!!! i hope its sooner and i promise to post a lot of pics!

regarding the small hands and non lume, this isnt a problem for me. i appreciate the new model fir what it is and will be just as happy either way!

is anyone waiting for one also in the uk?

[Sixxgrand1]

The last version had no lume on the numerals either...

Worried that:
- hands will be too small...
- bracelet is the same width as well...

I am seriously considering buying a second EXPI just for the safe....love it !

[Kosgad]

Originally Posted by 2jabs

great posts guys, im glad to see all you explorer fans out there. my ad said it could arrive any time from october to jan!!!! i hope its sooner and i promise to post a lot of pics!

regarding the small hands and non lume, this isnt a problem for me. i appreciate the new model fir what it is and will be just as happy either way!

is anyone waiting for one also in the uk?

Yes I am going to have mine on Friday. Feel happy

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[Speed]

Great shots Otto...

Interesting. A little Explorer controversy!!!

We'll see. I think I would prefer the original...but I LOVE the simplicity of the watch.

[jake]

I believe this story should answer all your questions:

http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/2008/1...d-hillary.html

[robsteve]

Originally Posted by jake

I believe this story should answer all your questions:

http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/2008/1...d-hillary.html

That was an excellent series of articles. In the final article Hillary's watch is shown, but you don't mention the model number. What model was it?

http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/1998/0...onquering.html

regards,

Robert