The current EXPII is a refined Pelagos

[Daniel23456]

Folks,

After having the newest EXPII reference for around a month I have a few conclusions to share with those who are interested…

1. The Explorer is a better, more refined & stainless steel Tudor Pelagos in white

2. It is very legible, almost 0 reflections. Sometimes I can imagine that there is no crystal on top of it. Just like my previously owned Pelagos.

3. One of the most flat wearing watches due to its thicker slabs & smaller caseback. Wears very well.

4. Very understated and sporty. I have a guy at work that always asks about my watches, he asked me which watch this one is and was a little surprised it was a Rolex but said that he digs the looks.

5. You need to wear it tightly for it to be comfortable. It is very comfortable to wear, but the moment it is a bit loose (when the extension is open and my wrist contracts) it becomes heavy and floppy on the wrist.

6. The cyclops is almost invisible on this model and the white on white (white date disc on the white dial) enhances this even more. I had a sub date a few years back and sold it only because of the cyclops.

7. The stainless steel bezel makes it wear a bit smaller IMO. I had a 16570 2 tears ago and I always thought that it wore smaller than my Sub date 16610 and similar to the 114270.


That’s it for now guys.

Hope it was helpful for someone

[HogwldFLTR]

Nice photo and review!!! Glad you like it. I generally agree about the tightness factor on wearing most Rolex watches.

[Daniel23456]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Nice photo and review!!! Glad you like it. I generally agree about the tightness factor on wearing most Rolex watches.

[travisb]

Great watch! Wouldn't change a thing on that one.

[decisive]

Originally Posted by travisb

Great watch! Wouldn't change a thing on that one.

Except maybe make it in 40mm?

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by decisive

Except maybe make it in 40mm?

I’ll second this

[Gerardus]

Great and comfy watch, I have the black version.

[brandrea]

Great looking reference. I’ve been trying to get to my AD to have a look at one

Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Great looking reference. I’ve been trying to get to my AD to have a look at one

Thanks for sharing your thoughts

Highly recommend. I have the previous generation six digit model. It was the first Rolex I purchased for myself back in 2012-2013. You have an exquisite collection; I think you will be pleased. It's the only white dial watch in my collection that I routinely wear.

[Commandopat]

Nice review and great pic!

[1William]

Interesting perspective and one I agree with. Great watch and I wear mine more than my Rolex divers at the moment.

[porky51]

Almost perfect watch. If only it had a glidelock clasp.

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[DJFanUK]

Originally Posted by porky51

Almost perfect watch. If only it had a glidelock clasp.

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That's the only suggestion I'd make too..... Love mine, and owning a Sub too, I do feel that the Expii would be a perfect reference. It is my daily though and the fit for me is excellent

Shame my photography isn't as good as yours hahaha

[Nads786]

Good review, I find your observation interesting on wearing it tightly. How hard it is to dial in your fit as your wrist swells throughout the day?

You also preferred the explorer to the sub?

[Daniel23456]

Originally Posted by Nads786

Good review, I find your observation interesting on wearing it tightly. How hard it is to dial in your fit as your wrist swells throughout the day?

You also preferred the explorer to the sub?

I wear it quite tightly so it doesn’t move, when it gets warmer it will be even tighter but bearable and when colder a bit looser but won’t move too much. Rarely I will use the easy link if really too tight.

Comfort wise the Sub and all 5 digits are superior but overall I prefer the Explorer 2 polar to the Sub

[watchmainspring]

I think they're both great watches but I wouldn't really compare the explorer II to a diving watch. There's no bezel on the explorer II to keep track of your remaining air. That said, as much as I do use my diving watches to gauge remaining time, I use my dive computer and information console for more accurate measurements.


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[Ravager135]

I have the previous six digit model. I agree with all of your observations except maybe the Pelagos comparison, but understand you may mean that it still feels the most like a tool watch (which I agree). My Explorer II, despite its size, is my most comfortable sport Rolex. I find it extremely legible. I also wear my watches on the tighter side. I don't like my watches "flopping" as I rotate my wrist.

[Tim Plains]

Seems odd to compare this to a Pelagos and I disagree about needing to wear it tightly. My Submariner is probably more top heavy than yours and I like it loose.

[Guppydriver]

Originally Posted by Tim Plains

Seems odd to compare this to a Pelagos and I disagree about needing to wear it tightly. My Submariner is probably more top heavy than yours and I like it loose.

I agree.

Love the comments, pics, and review but can't see how it compares to a titanium, three hand, 500m purpose built diver.

I sure love the watch though.

[amh]

I own both and wouldn't mention them in the same sentence. Totally different watches.

Pelagos good [OG 42mm model here]
- Great 3d face, easy to read
- Bone-crushing water resistance
- Light

Pelagos room for improvement
- Titanium as a material results in a true "Ugly duckling." Watch lacks bling. (It's somewhat of a black hole.... no light excapes it) Tudor would sell a lot more if it were SS.

Exp2 good
- Flat!
- Huge face, easy to read
- Excellent water resistance

Exp2 room for improvement
- Steel bezel is somewhat dull compared to the Rolex ceramic bezels

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by amh

I own both and wouldn't mention them in the same sentence. Totally different watches.

Pelagos good [OG 42mm model here]
- Great 3d face, easy to read
- Bone-crushing water resistance
- Light

Pelagos room for improvement
- Titanium as a material results in a true "Ugly duckling." Watch lacks bling. (It's somewhat of a black hole.... no light excapes it) Tudor would sell a lot more if it were SS.

Exp2 good
- Flat!
- Huge face, easy to read
- Excellent water resistance

Exp2 room for improvement
- Steel bezel is somewhat dull compared to the Rolex ceramic bezels

Agreed - two very different models, in many ways. Surprised to seem them compared in this way.

But would offer that IMO the use of titanium in the Pelagos is a "pro" for the model, not a "con" or "room for improvement". This is as tool-y as an automatic dive watch gets, and titanium suits it well.

Another pro - the adjustability and wearability of the bracelet. It's awesome.

The Pelagos is a better, more useful/practical dive watch than Rolex's dive watches - again just my opinion, though based off of having dived with Sea-Dwellers, DSSDs, and Subs. It doesn't have the "bling" that comes with a steel Rolex dive watch (or two tone or gold), but isn't intended to and doesn't need it.

I do enjoy wearing Rolex dive watches, and love the history of many of the models. So I'm not anti-Rolex, but do feel the Pelagos (in particular the LHD) is an amazing dive watch and holds it's own against anything in the Rolex dive lineup.

I also have a soft spot for the Explorer 2 (both white and black dials) and love the steel bezel, but don't see the comparison to a Pelagos.

[chtfse]

The Explorer II is such a cracker of a watch. Even though it's thicker than the GMT it sits flatter on the wrist which makes it wearable on a smaller wrist despite its size of 42mm.

[planemad]

I love my 42mm polar pancake, best watch in the fleet, only let down is no glidelock.

I’m going to Rubber B mine soon!

[ahfox]

I've got a DJ 36 in silver with a white dial. How does the ExpII wear compared to my DJ 36 for a daily wear. I like to wear a watch not the watch wearing me.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I have the latest gen black Exp II and the first gen black Pelagos, they live in the same box in the same safe together and they are not at all alike. The Pelagos is understated in titanium gray and is a lume monster. The Exp II while understated for a modern Rolex is more refined with more pop from the white gold and orange hands. The Exp II gets the most wrist time by far and while the Pelagos is my designated water watch the Explorer II has yet to be wet other than the occasional bath. In short they are both keepers specifically because they are very different.

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

I have the latest gen black Exp II and the first gen black Pelagos..... and they are not at all alike..... In short they are both keepers specifically because they are very different.

Agreed. Pretty strong two sports watch combo there. Latest gen Exp2 wears nicely, I appreciate the refinements to the profile and wider bracelet.

[Daveh777]

I have an FXD and Exp II. Interesting to compare and contrast - and great review - but I do agree with other’s comments that the models are not really in any kind of same choice set. Perhaps the only things they have in common is that they are Swiss, from same Company, and are bold and masculine Sports / Professional watches.

[jed11]

Yeah have to agree with some of the others on here...I don't think they really compare. Yes, there are similarities but two different animals

[OG1982]

Nice write up and pics OP, but you’re not comparing 'apples to apples' here.

The two watches you have mentioned are fantastic references, but aimed at completely different parts of the markets with polar opposite functions (see what I did there!)

[Daniel23456]

Folks,

I am not comparing the Pelagos to the Explorer II in a practical way- obviously one is a GMT fixed bezel watch non diver and one is a hardcore diver.

The way that they are built and their matte visual & clarity of the dial and feel on the wrist (although one is titanium) they give me similar vibe. Other Rolexes give obviously more jewelry vibe to me while both of these give me very matte vibe.


Hope it clear out some things