Explorer & Air King in the same collection

[isgrb]

Anyone have both? I’ve been offered the Explorer but already have the AK (it’s one of my favorites) but not sure it makes a lot of sense to have both in the collection.

The Explorer solves three of the issues I don’t like about the AK, the lack of lume on the 3,6,9, a better clasp and thinner profile.

Would love to hear from anyone that has both and is happy they do (or unhappy)...

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by isgrb

Anyone have both? I’ve been offered the Explorer but already have the AK (it’s one of my favorites) but not sure it makes a lot of sense to have both in the collection.

The Explorer solves three of the issues I don’t like about the AK, the lack of lume on the 3,6,9, a better clasp and thinner profile.

Would love to hear from anyone that has both and is happy they do (or unhappy)...

Very different watches. I can’t think of any reason why they should be mutually exclusive.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by isgrb

Anyone have both? I’ve been offered the Explorer but already have the AK (it’s one of my favorites) but not sure it makes a lot of sense to have both in the collection.

The Explorer solves three of the issues I don’t like about the AK, the lack of lume on the 3,6,9, a better clasp and thinner profile.

Would love to hear from anyone that has both and is happy they do (or unhappy)...

I have air king, wearing it now actually i like it too. dial is really nice in the sun today, i actually like it for the reasons others dont.

I wouldn't have both, don't particularly like the explorer. Main issue for me between the two is weight, Air king has a good weight to it explorer is very light in comparison.

[AF_Rob]

I wouldn't have both. IMO, It's an Explorer with more features. If the lumed numbers at 3-6-9 are the only things drawing you to the Explorer, It's not worth the money of adding it. Since you really like the AK, it's not worth selling to add the Explorer because you are losing out on features.... Just my thought.

[Harry-57]

If you want both, you should have both. Many of us are doubled/tripled/quadrupled up on some of our favourite models. What you are proposing doesn't go that far, because they are different watches.

Your life, your choice, your money. Plenty of us more bonkers than you :)

[Rado63]

The Air King , Explorer I and Oyster Perpetual seem to share a lot of DNA through the years. The current AK dial looks like an explorer dial with arabic numerals applied to the minutes and the 3,6,9 is the non lume we saw in earlier Explorer I. So yes they are similar, but of course you could have both if you wanted the Explorer I. Question is, Is this the only watch on offer? Why not look at all those interesting Date just 41 dials with lume and get one of those. The current DJ41 is really 39mm so it' not large, and it's thin. It can be a little sporty or dressy.

[isgrb]

Originally Posted by Rado63

The Air King , Explorer I and Oyster Perpetual seem to share a lot of DNA through the years. The current AK dial looks like an explorer dial with arabic numerals applied to the minutes and the 3,6,9 is the non lume we saw in earlier Explorer I. So yes they are similar, but of course you could have both if you wanted the Explorer I. Question is, Is this the only watch on offer? Why not look at all those interesting Date just 41 dials with lume and get one of those. The current DJ41 is really 39mm so it' not large, and it's thin. It can be a little sporty or dressy.

This is an excellent point but the truth is I’ve just never been a big datejust fan even though i do like the variety of dials they offer. They just don’t sing to me personally but totally get the appeal to those who do bond with them. An Explorer would be about as dressy as i get and i like the fact that you can throw straps on an explorer which I wouldn’t do on my other sport models.

[doramas]

They can live together, even if I had to choose I would stay with the Explorer without hesitation

[Gerardus]

Colour-full AK wins by a mile for me.

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by JSolution

I have air king, wearing it now actually i like it too. dial is really nice in the sun today, i actually like it for the reasons others dont.

I wouldn't have both, don't particularly like the explorer. Main issue for me between the two is weight, Air king has a good weight to it explorer is very light in comparison.

Just curious, what are the benefits of a heavier watch over a lighter watch?

[t60]

Fairly different watches. Buy what you like. FWIW I don't think the 214270 is that hard to get, so even if you pass on it now you could probably get it again no problem.

[Marcjvr]

One important difference to point out is on the movements. The 3132 in the Explorer features the Paraflex shock absorbers. I like that feature as I play golf with my Rolex on.

The 3131 movement in the Air-King features the Faraday cage (same as the Milgauss) to protect the movement from strong magnetic interference, but also adds bulk as a result

[Maxy]

For me it's the same watch. One in formal wear and other in casual wear.

They can co-exists as they wear little differently 39mm vs 40mm but most folks will avoid to have two. You are either more formal person or more casual person and based on that, you can one of them!

[buckwheat]

I really like the Air King

[FTX I]

If you like both why not. Collections only need to make sense to the owner.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by FTX I

If you like both why not. Collections only need to make sense to the owner.

I concur

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Just curious, what are the benefits of a heavier watch over a lighter watch?

no benefit - just my personal preference, and something to consider if you're debating one over the other.

[2nastie]

I wouldn't have both in the same collection (unless you have a very expansive collection).

The Explorer would be my choice. If people think the 39mm is already less preferable than the previous 36mm, in theory the 40mm Air King would fit "worse".

The current Explorer configuration for me is the most appealing and versatile Rolex on the market. Subtle yet elegant and can be worn on any occasion.

[Tom5518]

I have both. If you like both, get both. No need for any rationalizations. Your collection your way.

[jon_jon]

You can definitely have both if you like them both. Plenty of people have both the Sub and GMT and there are many similarities between those two. There is nothing to say you can't have both an Explorer and an Air King. Most people will prefer one vs the other though.

[garbanzo]

Very different watches on the wrist.
The similarity is between Exp I and OP39.

[isgrb]

Just to update, I ended up passing on the Explorer. It didn’t sing to me at all when I put it on, tried talking myself into it but knew if I bought it it wouldn’t get much wrist time at all. Would rather see it go to someone who would truly loves it.

Wore my AK in so I could compare in person (if anyone is curious). Watches have a very similar case shape but that’s where the comparisons end. The Exp is much thinner, lighter and dressier for sure. Wasn’t expecting it to feel so noticeably smaller on my wrist but it definitely did. Besides the AK I also have a DSSD, BLNR and neo-vintage SD from the mid 80s so that certainly influenced the way I interacted with it. For those of you that haven’t tried on the AK (or Millgaus) it’s actually a beefy watch so I guess I’m just more naturally drawn to bigger and heavier watches (for reference I am 6’5” so that explains some of it).

Overall a very cool watch but not meant to be for me. I’m sure it’ll make somebody very happy when the AD calls them tomorrow!

[DM101]

Some of the Most Affordable SS Sports Watches available - I bought BOTH

[GradyPhilpott]

There are no rules for collecting watches, except for those you make for yourself.

I don't see any reason why a person wouldn't have both the Explorer and the Air King in a collection, unless that person disliked one or the other.

Do you like both? Go for it.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

There are no rules for collecting watches, except for those you make for yourself.

I don't see any reason why a person wouldn't have both the Explorer and the Air King in a collection, unless that person disliked one or the other.

Do you like both? Go for it.

This! They’re both cool watches with different cool histories.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Yess]

I prefer the heft of my Air-King... I'd not buy an explorer. But that's not to say I have a reason why anyone else shouldn't if that's what makes them tingle.

[Texex]

Originally Posted by Tom5518

I have both. If you like both, get both. No need for any rationalizations. Your collection your way.

+1. Your money choice. Can’t justify being a WIS. If we were rational we would all be wearing A Timex.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BNA/LION]

Explorer for me! However, they are both great. Good Luck!

[horseShu]

Glad you only got one. I consider both as basically the same watch as they share a lot of design DNA.


Sent from my MI PAD 4 PLUS using Tapatalk

[rcclarkie]

Interesting read and thoughtful follow-up, OP. Thanks for sharing your experience.

With a deposit down on a forthcoming Exp1 later this year I still agonize over the "will it be too small/light/dressy" vs my current daily, an ETA Black Bay. I guess time will tell once I have the Exp1 on wrist, but your reasoning has been helpful for my somewhat similar situation.

Cheers