What do you think about the Rolex Explorer 1 ?

[RONeb]

Ok, it seem like a nice watch, I think for guys that want a watch that is both "dress" watch, but yet "durable" this is a very nice one
So
What do you think of this watch? I hardly see people talking about it here, also please post some nice photos

[Welshwatchman]

There are five members who own an Explorer I so I reckon you will get a few very nice pics.

[Sam]

I love mine.....classic, dressy, sporty....all in one. And best yet....it doesn't SCREAM Rolex.

[leopardprey]

The Original "Professional Tool Watch" that started it all.

Simple and rugged. Can go anywhere!

[BiG JeEzY]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

The Original "Professional Tool Watch" that started it all.

Simple and rugged. Can go anywhere!

Cannot agree with this more. It definitely is the pioneer model of the professional line. It may not have been the actual watch to go up Mt. Everest back in 1953 but this model was selected as the model that celebrates the accomplishment of that feat.

It is also dressy, sporty, durable, and most of all, timeless. It is the manliest 36 mm watch ever made!

[mc1010]

Originally Posted by BiG JeEzY

Cannot agree with this more. It definitely is the pioneer model of the professional line. It may not have been the actual watch to go up Mt. Everest back in 1953 but this model was selected as the model that celebrates the accomplishment of that feat.

It is also dressy, sporty, durable, and most of all, timeless. It is the manliest 36 mm watch ever made!

I think the Explorer the watch worn by the two climbers in the 1953 Everest summit. Tenzing Norgay was actually wearing an Explorer when he summited and this watch is now on display in the Rolex Geneva Museum. It is said that Edmund Hillary wore another watch brand (Smith) when he actually summited, but he wore an Explorer as well during the climb. Rolex was the official sponsor of the expedition.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I DO like the classic look of the Explorer (which is NOT called the "Explorer I" btw, but just the "Explorer").

But IMHO, it is too small. At least for MY wrist.

Also, I have never understood why Rolex, since Rolex launched the SuperLuminova on the dial and hands in 2001, chose NOT to coat the 3, 6 and 9 numbers with SuperLuminova.

The numbers LOOK as if they would glow in the dark but in fact they don't

The earlier Explorers with Tritium did have luminous numbers, so I just think it is strange that Rolex chose to omit luminosity on the 3,6 and 9 on the new Explorers.

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

I DO like the classic look of the Explorer (which is NOT called the "Explorer I" btw, but just the "Explorer").

But IMHO, it is too small. At least for MY wrist.

Also, I have never understood why Rolex, since Rolex launched the SuperLuminova on the dial and hands in 2001, chose NOT to coat the 3, 6 and 9 numbers with SuperLuminova.

The numbers LOOK as if they would glow in the dark but in fact they don't

The earlier Explorers with Tritium did have luminous numbers, so I just think it is strange that Rolex chose to omit luminosity on the 3,6 and 9 on the new Explorers.

Looking at the photo of the luminous dial, it is truly strange that 3 of the numbers do not glow. I would have never suspected! Why on earth would they leave the 3,6, and 9 out - it just looks a bit silly ( as if someone forgot).

[C.J.]

I think it's a timeless classic that just screams simple elegance while being durable as can be I've owned one before and if it had a date, it's be on my wrist right now

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Looking at the photo of the luminous dial, it is truly strange that 3 of the numbers do not glow. I would have never suspected! Why on earth would they leave the 3,6, and 9 out - it just looks a bit silly ( as if someone forgot).

Agree! Beats me why Rolex did not fill out the numbers with SL. But as you can see on Jocke's photo of the nightglowing Explorer, the numbers don't glow.

But as I stated earlier, on the Tritium Explorers, the numbers DID glow! Very strange that Rolex made this change, especially considering that SuperLuminova is NOT radioactive!

[Henry T]

Understated, simple and minimalist in design, all these features contributing to a classy watch.

The price is right too.

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by RONeb

Ok, it seem like a nice watch, I think for guys that want a watch that is both "dress" watch, but yet "durable" this is a very nice one
So
What do you think of this watch? I hardly see people talking about it here, also please post some nice photos

The Exp I is probably the watch I will buy my husband. It's definitely masculine and sporty, yet understated (kinda like my hubby )! I,for one, think it carries a lot of class.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Carolina

The Exp I .... It's definitely masculine and sporty, yet understated (kinda like my hubby )! I,for one, think it carries a lot of class.

I sometimes don't agree with anybody....

But I will agree with that.

[Jocke]

Here is my views, I wrote this for a while ago.

This is my first try to do a review so be nice to me.

After I have got this Explorer about a year so I believe
it´s time to write about it.



I was one of the first guy who got one here in Sweden
with the new (current) ref 114270 and I have order it
a couple of months before I got it. I have look forward
to recieve the new one with SEL and the new movement cal
3130. It have the same size (36 mm) as the classic DateJust
but it feels a little smaller, I suppose it´s the black
dial who fool the eye.



I don´t know if Rolex have done something new with the
bracelet except the SEL´s but it feels more solid than
my Exp II bracelet (I bought that new too). The clasp is
much more tight and it feels not like the other I have.
But as I say I don´t believe they have made something
new with it but it just feels so.

He looks even great with a croc strap too.



The dial have a great detail work and the finish is very
high. This one is very easy to read in every angles and
only the sapphire crystal can do the reading hard in some
angles.



He looks even good in the dark.



There is Super Luminova at the markers except the 3,6,9
and at the hands.

The new movement cal 3130 with 31 jewels, hack second and
28800 bph have got some upgrade like a balance bridge.





And it runs very smooth and in my opinion the no date feels
more acurate and durable than the date movement. But that is
just my opinions and I don´t believe it is so, but it feels so.

Here you can count the seconds.



The Explorer is one of the most simple watch Rolex made and it´s
a little overpriced if you comapre it to a Air King. But it´s a
classic Rolex and you can wear it as a sport watch or a dress watch.
So I believe there is a place for it in every Rolex collectors
collection.

If you want some more pics of the watch, just visit my website at:

http://www.watchwallpapers.com/exp.htm

Thanks for reading.

Jocke

[timebroker]

Nice and classic watch, good pictures.
Learning on here every day.
Website can be used as a reference for comparing types, good work.

[Robb]

Great pics of a great watch!!!

[Mrdi]

Understated Elegance.
AND...... if Jocke likes it,
it is very kOOl.

[Mrdi]

BTW
The dial on the EXP is just as big as the dials on the other sport models.
It just looks a little more subdued because it doesn't wear a bezel as a Halo.
It doesn't need a halo.
It has panache.

As always thanks for the pics Jocke.

[jac67]

I really like mine. It's just so slick!

But will sell very soon, as I don't seem to wear it (D series).




John.

[redsrover]

Bought my second EXP earlier this year. Original one I had got sold to fund a no-date Sub in 1989. Glad to have it back and I love it.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Mrdi

BTW
The dial on the EXP is just as big that as on the other sport models.
It just looks a little more subdued because it doesn't wear a bezel as a Halo.
It doesn't need a halo.
It has panache.

As always thanks for the pics Jocke.

Nicely put!!

[RONeb]

Thanks guys
great review, great watch and nice photos :)

[KKrlx]

With my 6,5" wrist, this probably is the only option from the Rolex-catalogue for me. Although a DJ or perhaps Air-King could also be acceptable.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by KKrlx

With my 6,5" wrist, this probably is the only option from the Rolex-catalogue for me. Although a DJ or perhaps Air-King could also be acceptable.

I think a date not a DJ might suit you well.

But the best value right now I think is the new AK, all upgraded features, clasp, bracelet, end links. And still very affordable.

[Mr. K]

I like my Exp I, Very stealth. Good to have a watch like that.

I am sure they will change the exp in the future. Not sure if they will make it bigger but I think they will give it the newer clasp band and case.

All in due time.

Unless I need the money, I plan on keeping my exp for a very long time.

[leopardprey]

KKrlx, I think you would be really happy with the Explorer II. One thing that I like about the Explorer compared to the date just and the Air King, is the luminous dot on the second hand. Very easy to see. But, the Black dial Date just on the oyster bracelet is also very nice, especially the newer models with the more squared looking case, better lum on the hands, and the alternating red/black date feature.

[ohlins]

it's one of my personal favs............understated, unassuming and yet a real classic in its own right....

[JJ Irani]

Ohlins...your camera work is sheer magic!

[JayD]

Wow, no better thread for my first post than this one. Hello and thank you all, I've been combing TRF since I found you, and that includes last Saturday when I jumped out of the AD's store and (logging in via the iPhone) searched through some old posts to confirm that this AD was treating me well. So I bought the Explorer one week ago today, and have caught myself staring at it at several times each day.

When I first showed my wife the watch, she said "Oh! Very retro!" which she quickly amended to "I should say, classic." Which is exactly why I like it, echoing everyone's comments here so far -- stealth, dressy, sporty, timeless. And even at just 36mm, the size works for me (no snide comments, please).

All I can add is this surprising feeling I got after trying it on -- there aren't alot of watches, jewelry, or anything else in my family that have been handed down the generations. The thought came to me as I was buying: someone in the family will be putting this watch on in 50, 60 years. Honestly I think that clinched the deal for me.

Of course, there's also the pleasure in buying the thing: nice treatment from a Rolex AD makes nearly every other retail experience seem like an interrogation scene from a bad spy movie.

And now when I flip through a watch magazine, my wife's much more interested. And what caught her eye as I flip past it the other day? Only a white Daytona.

"Oh my god that's beautiful! What's the story with that one?"

[ohlins]

thanks............nice to know u like the pics..........