Exp II Question for Sticklers

[Macro]

There are many posts about not wearing a dive watch or chrono with a lounge suit to the office and I don't want to start a new one.

I am mindful though that there is a minority of people who notice what watch you wear, and a minority of these who will tut if you wear a diver or chrono or steel bracelet with a suit, and TBH this does influence my decisions to some extent.

I love the Sub Date 116610LN, but would never wear a £5700 watch in the sea or on the beach, and would probably think twice about wearing a big dive watch with a suit.

The question then, before I part with any money, is whether an Explorer II - either 16570 or the new 42mm ref and specifically a black dial - are more versatile and suitable to wear with a lounge suit to the office, or are there any sticklers who would be affronted by this?

[travisb]

I wouldn't hesitate to wear it. Suit or no suit..

[JP Chestnut]

Are you a "no brown in town" kind of UK guy? If so, I'd skip the Explorer 2 and consider something more formal. If not, the black dial Explorer 2 would probably be fine (not with black tie of course).

[fishingbear]

I feel that the previous 16570 model works better for dress particularly with the black dial and wg hands. The newer 42mm just seems more sporty with the orange hand and large hands and markers.
With that being said, I wouldn't hesitate wearing either model anytime dress or casual.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by fishingbear

I feel that the previous 16570 model works better for dress particularly with the black dial and wg hands. The newer 42mm just seems more sporty with the orange hand and large hands and markers.

I agree with that.

[Ravager135]

Personally I think any Rolex can be worn with a suit. I do however think the Explorer II is the most casual of all the Rolex sport watches with the Submariner only slightly ahead of it. If you want a suit watch that is still tough, just get a Datejust or do what I did and get a Milgauss.

[mrhy]

I think they all look just fine with a suit

[Elusion]

I'd agree that the ExpII is more casual than other Rolex's and would say it's actually less versatile but it would still look just fine with a suit.
I think any all metal (precious or otherwise) watch with white or black dial looks great with a suit.
But a true "Dress watch" is simple and has a leather band IMHO.

[Cru Jones]

IMHO, the 16570 is more dress up/dress down than the 216570, which is more dress down (which is not a bad thing).

[T. Ferguson]

As long as your belt matches your shoes, almost any Rolex can be worn to the office. Formal wear is a whole other debate.

[FremStar]

As a fan of the whole Explorer line I can comfortably say that either can be worn up or down... Your watch, your cash, do you really care what others think? As long as it makes you smile when you strap it on is all that matters! Here are some pics!





Good luck!

[Annan]

What?!

[adamlea]

Originally Posted by travisb

I wouldn't hesitate to wear it. Suit or no suit..

x2

[nauticajoe]

Wear it to enjoy it. Rolexes are good for any occasion.

[Macro]

I was thinking of the black dial 16570 specifically which I would say is more dressy and more versatile than the Sub or old GMT-Master as it has no rotating bezel. Interesting that others think it is more casual than these.

There have been many threads in the past about not wearing dive watches or chronos with a suit, but none that I can recall about not wearing GMT watches with a suit, which led me to believe an older Explorer II might fit the bill.

For shirt and tie or lounge suit I don't think a proper dress watch is necessary.

I am going to try some on over the next few days and see how I feel.

[Chewbacca]

imo, there's no rule about watches and attire any more unless you live your life by what GQ says month-to-month. a watch is a personal item. it says a lot about the wearer and what they're interested in, and do when they're not in a suit or tux. its all personal preference. the only thing to consider is, wear a watch that fits and suits your body/wrist size.

[sea-dweller]

I think you can wear any Rolex with a suit and tie.

[MartyMcFly]

The new Polar Exp II actually goes very well with a suit. It provides a nice contrast and stays flat to the wrist.

[Vincent65]

basically little to no difference between Sub and Exp II with regards to wearing to work, with suit. Both steel sports watches on bracelets

[Rogdogg]

Originally Posted by MartyMcFly

The new Polar Exp II actually goes very well with a suit. It provides a nice contrast and stays flat to the wrist.

I agree with this. I've worn mine a few times with suits and looks great

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk 2

[bighaole]

Originally Posted by fishingbear

I feel that the previous 16570 model works better for dress particularly with the black dial and wg hands. The newer 42mm just seems more sporty with the orange hand and large hands and markers.

I agree completely. I have a 16570 with white face and I always loved how it looked so good with a suit and also with shorts and a t-shirt. The big orange arrow definitely feels more casual, to me, but I don't think it would keep me from wearing it with a suit.

Consider the trend that the watch industry has gone through. 40mm SS Rolexes are smaller and more toned down than about 95% of watches out there.

[FLY-DOG]

The world is not nearly as formal as it were 30-40 years or so ago. If you are conservative, prefer a more formal dress watch and want to stick with the Rolex brand, then yes, there are better dress choices than a Rolex sport watch. Rolexes such as a Cellini, Datejust, Air-King, Explorer, etc., make a fine dress and casual watch. There are other brands too that make fine dress watches. Having said that, unless your mixing with truly snobbish and affluent upper crust folks, no one will consider you unsophisticated for wearing a Rolex sport watch in a suit only environment. Now a neon colored plastic watch….that’s another matter.

[mrhy]

Suit ,sea ,beach ............its all good

[afc1]

I uses to have a 16570 explorer II and I actually prefer the look of my 14060m sub with a suit. You can wear either watch casual or dressed up but I think the sub looks better with a suit than the explorer.

[Ichaice]

I wear a Rolex, mainly my black dial 16570 with a suit three days a week.

[Brandon(phila)]

The days of the "dress watch" don't really exist anymore. So just about any Rolex, DJ, DJ II, Sub, Daytona, GMT, Sub and EXP's...works dress up or down.
Some go better with others, but overall it's all good. Most people these days wear sports watches 99% of the time

Now, I really do appreciate a nice "dress watch" ...thin...leather strap, gold (or SS)
I don't own one but I'm sure a PP Calatrava looks fantastic with a suit or Tux

[77T]

Buy a black lizard, croc or alligator strap and switch it with the bracelet when you think a strap fits the attire.

A silver bracelet and a business suit isn't a worry IMHO but your concerns can be managed with a strap option.