Best rolex companion to an explorer for a two watch pair

[Purspl]

Hello everyone

I'm looking for a second and final watch to join my explorer 40mm. I would like it to be a bit sportier and with some colour. The explorer is formal enough for me to wear with suits for work and it also does very well on weekends. But I am going to buy a second watch anyway.

I've looked at the Batman gmt, the Rootbeer gmt, the polar explorer 2, the starbucks sub, the green seamaster and a couple of planet oceans.

Anyone had similar decisions to make or have any thoughts on which model may best fit my bill? Thanks.

[cdmorenot]

Are you prepared to wear something that isn’t as low key as the Explorer? I ask because once you get used to an Explorer I as a daily, it’s pretty hard to like anything else. It’s light, comfortable and you can wear it without a care in the world.

The only other watch in my collection that comes close is the Explorer II 5-Digit.

Out of the ones you mentioned, I’d go with the green sub.

[Purspl]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

Are you prepared to wear something that isn’t as low key as the Explorer? I ask because once you get used to an Explorer I as a daily, it’s pretty hard to like anything else. It’s light, comfortable and you can wear it without a care in the world.

The only other watch in my collection that comes close is the Explorer II 5-Digit.

Out of the ones you mentioned, I’d go with the green sub.

Good points, the explorer is comfortable and under the radar. It's pure class really. I am quite keen on the green bezel sub and can imagine wearing it in lots of situations. Wonder how possible it is to get it.

[S54Mickey]

I’m on the same boat as you. Purchased an Explorer 40mm earlier this year and I am now looking for my second watch. I’ve added my self to the list at my local AD for 126710GRNR. Let’s see what the future holds.

[Purspl]

Originally Posted by S54Mickey

I’m on the same boat as you. Purchased an Explorer 40mm earlier this year and I am now looking for my second watch. I’ve added my self to the list at my local AD for 126710GRNR. Let’s see what the future holds.

Hi, I think that is a very handsome watch but lacking a bit of colour for me. It does have a green hand though doesn't it. Hope you get it soon!

[Mr. K]

A sub would compliment your explorer well.

[Poodlopogus]

Have you considered the Tudor Black Bay with the burgundy bezel? I bring this up only because my favorite Rolex is the Explorer 36 and I recently added a Black Bay 54 (at 37mm), which gets just as much wrist time.

Other option - though not sure it meets the "sporty" criteria - would be an OP41 in green.

[Purspl]

Originally Posted by Poodlopogus

Have you considered the Tudor Black Bay with the burgundy bezel? I bring this up only because my favorite Rolex is the Explorer 36 and I recently added a Black Bay 54 (at 37mm), which gets just as much wrist time.

Other option - though not sure it meets the "sporty" criteria - would be an OP41 in green.

Hi, thanks for the ideas. I don't think I will go for an OP in any colour as I view it as overall too similar to the explorer.

The tudor watches do look nice, and I'm probably wrong, but my feeling is they are too similar to rolex designs, but without actually being Rolex. My current feeling is I'd rather just wait and get the rolex. I might go and check them out in a store though.

[Poodlopogus]

Originally Posted by Purspl

Hi, thanks for the ideas. I don't think I will go for an OP in any colour as I view it as overall too similar to the explorer.

The tudor watches do look nice, and I'm probably wrong, but my feeling is they are too similar to rolex designs, but without actually being Rolex. My current feeling is I'd rather just wait and get the rolex. I might go and check them out in a store though.

Was thinking less in terms of availability and more in terms of style. Between slight aesthetic differences (bezel colors, bracelet styles), overall rugged appearance (all-matte bracelet/rubber strap options, aluminum vs. ceramic bezels), and different non-precious metal materials (titanium, ceramic, silver, bronze) I've become a fan.

[MSL]

Polar 16570
Black gold on white
roundels instead of sticks
mercedes hands
classic and understated

[Purspl]

Originally Posted by Poodlopogus

Was thinking less in terms of availability and more in terms of style. Between slight aesthetic differences (bezel colors, bracelet styles), overall rugged appearance (all-matte bracelet/rubber strap options, aluminum vs. ceramic bezels), and different non-precious metal materials (titanium, ceramic, silver, bronze) I've become a fan.

You've convinced me to take a look at tudor more closely. I do like rugged. Do you know how they compare to a seamaster or planet ocean? What are the advantages of aluminum vs ceramic?

[Poodlopogus]

Originally Posted by Purspl

You've convinced me to take a look at tudor more closely. I do like rugged. Do you know how they compare to a seamaster or planet ocean? What are the advantages of aluminum vs ceramic?

I think the current Tudor BB lineup is probably comparable to a Seamaster 300 but is a bit smaller and thinner (and w/o the helium release valve). SMP probably also has a bit more heft to it, and perhaps slightly nicer finishing (its MSRP is almost 2x that of the Tudor). Specs are comparable, other than WR, where the SMP is 300m and the Tudors are 200m.

PO is another beast entirely; way thicker and heavier but also with 3x the WR of the Tudor.

Also forgot about the blue Pelagos in titanium...

As to aluminum vs ceramic, it's probably 75% aesthetic preference. I like the look of old school aluminum inserts - Rolex was always at its best when keeping things simplest in my opinion.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I have Explorers and Sea-Dwellers and I’ve never been happier with my watch array.

[Old Expat Beast]

One thing to consider is that if you get a watch with a date, then you might start relying on that and miss not having a date on the Explorer. I think a basic Speedy Pro and Explorer would make a great two-watch collection.

[Purspl]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

One thing to consider is that if you get a watch with a date, then you might start relying on that and miss not having a date on the Explorer. I think a basic Speedy Pro and Explorer would make a great two-watch collection.

That's a good point about the date, I can see that happening. I like the speedmaster but have decided against it as I think it is too similar to the explorer - black, white and silver colour scheme. Every other watch I'm interested in has a date and I think it will be ok - helping to make it sufficient different to the explorer.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Purspl

That's a good point about the date, I can see that happening. I like the speedmaster but have decided against it as I think it is too similar to the explorer - black, white and silver colour scheme. Every other watch I'm interested in has a date and I think it will be ok - helping to make it sufficient different to the explorer.

I have a Datejust and an OP, and the lack of date on the OP does not bother me, at all. Two different pieces, two different wearing experiences, which is why I have multiple watches. As for your original question, any Sub or GMT would be an excellent choice.

Kat


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by Purspl

That's a good point about the date, I can see that happening. I like the speedmaster but have decided against it as I think it is too similar to the explorer - black, white and silver colour scheme. Every other watch I'm interested in has a date and I think it will be ok - helping to make it sufficient different to the explorer.

My personal pathology seems to be collecting watches that are more similar than distinct, for instance the vast majority of my watches are divers and all of but one are white metal, mostly stainless, except for one lone brass diver, and all have black dials. The analogy I use for self-diagnosis is Shakespeare’s Sonnets, he wrote 154 of them, all identical in line and syllable count and rhyme mapping and yet all different. This is how my sickness manifests itself.

Enjoy your hunt!

[Purspl]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

One thing to consider is that if you get a watch with a date, then you might start relying on that and miss not having a date on the Explorer. I think a basic Speedy Pro and Explorer would make a great two-watch collection.

Good point about the date. But I think I would just have to deal with that as every other watch I like has a date. I think the speedmaster is great but basically too similar to the explorer - black white and silver colour scheme.

[Jprocs24]

I got my Explorer II with the polar dial first and added the 40mm Explorer a year later. I find they compliment eachother very well in the collection, opposites in just about everything other than name.

[Purspl]

Originally Posted by Jprocs24

I got my Explorer II with the polar dial first and added the 40mm Explorer a year later. I find they compliment eachother very well in the collection, opposites in just about everything other than name.

Absolutely I think the polar dial with the orange hand looks fantastic, it is one of my top choices to go with the explorer. I definitely want to try it on first as the size could be quite formidable.

[996marty]

It all depends on your budget. I’d go for a yellow gold sub with blue dial but like I said it’s dependent on how much you want to spend

[Krash]

GMT BLNR on jubilee would be a great option. It has a pop of color, and the jubilee bracelet offers a nice change of pace.


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[Purspl]

Originally Posted by Krash

GMT BLNR on jubilee would be a great option. It has a pop of color, and the jubilee bracelet offers a nice change of pace.


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I love that watch. Is it even possible to get it these days? Probably the Gmt function is more useful for me than the extra water resistance of a sub.

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by Krash

GMT BLNR on jubilee would be a great option. It has a pop of color, and the jubilee bracelet offers a nice change of pace.


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This would be my suggestion as well. I wear mine quite frequently and would be a great piece for some variation…

[travisb]

Sub LV would be my choice.
Runner up would be either a Polar Ex II or BLRO.

[Purspl]

Originally Posted by travisb

Sub LV would be my choice.
Runner up would be either a Polar Ex II or BLRO.

Absolute quality yes. Maybe I just have to put my name down for all the ones I like and just take the first one I get offered?

[SS Oyster]

Yes - something with color like LV, BLNR, BLRO or YG/RG.


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[THC]

DJ41 for a “polar” opposite

[Purspl]

Originally Posted by THC

DJ41 for a “polar” opposite

Thanks for the idea. It's a class watch. Too formal though for me. The explorer is easily formal enough for me, with it's clean black dial and no bezel.

[brandrea]

Pick any GMT on a jubilee bracelet