Bold rolex explorer prediction

[LSUmd]

No current explorer dial offered in 2020 lineup outside of current 39mm explorer. OP39 discontinued (which shared case with explorer, I believe). New OP and Subs trending to more tailored lugs. With explorer due for movement upgrade... seems very easy to offer explorer size options using new OP 36 and 41mm cases and movements. From my limited knowledge all they would have to do is swap out OP dial for explorer dial (maybe even offer black and white option). Then u have new slimmer explorers, new movement, 2 size options (36 and 41). Does anyone think they would continue producing 39mm cases ONLY for explorer 1?

I don't believe 41mm explorer will be their only offer without other explorer style dials available. Basically trying to reason a 36mm explorer into existence.

[tanask211]

Don't think Ex1 will change much. For Ex2, the movement will be the same as the new GMT and bracelet following the new submariners.

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[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by LSUmd

No current explorer dial offered in 2020 lineup outside of current 39mm explorer. OP39 discontinued (which shared case with explorer, I believe). New OP and Subs trending to more tailored lugs. With explorer due for movement upgrade... seems very easy to offer explorer size options using new OP 36 and 41mm cases and movements. From my limited knowledge all they would have to do is swap out OP dial for explorer dial (maybe even offer black and white option). Then u have new slimmer explorers, new movement, 2 size options (36 and 41). Does anyone think they would continue producing 39mm cases ONLY for explorer 1?

I don't believe 41mm explorer will be their only offer without other explorer style dials available. Basically trying to reason a 36mm explorer into existence.

I predict this too... Would be easy to make two sizes using existing OP cases, 41 for the people who would not buy an Explorer because they felt that even 39mm was too small (hard to believe, yet we have the new OP41 and the DJ41) and then the 36mm for those who crave the classic size, all the rest of us bitching about the 41mm size -which would be me for sure! The new OP 41s are dead to me.

I have never tried on a 36mm Exp, and I suspect upon a first try on that it would seem slightly too small, but could probably get used to it, this after recently trying on the DJ36. Ideally I would like a 37-38mm Explorer, but I bet that will be highly unlikely unlikely. I'd wear a 36mm before even considering a 41mm Explorer.

I'm on the waitlist for the current 39mm. I hope I like it in person.

[death_blossom]

It would be awesome to see the Explorer I back in a 36mm size as that was its original size. Many Explorer fans were hoping for a change back to its roots of a 36mm with an updated movement and loomed numerals.

Ultimately, I think Rolex would only offer one size for the Explorer I. Probably move back to 36mm as the Explorer II is already the bigger brother. I can’t a imagine a 41mm size dial of an Explorer I, imagine all that dial!

[matt_Denver]

explorer 2 will get a black ceramic bezel in 2021! same change the Daytona (steel bezel to ceramic black) experienced a few years ago.

[1William]

Maybe. I look forward to the change. I would be an Explorer buyer at 41mm and a black or white dial.

[darrenho]

The Exp II white dial with black ceramic bezel combo actually looks killer to me! Would love to see that in the new releases...

Originally Posted by matt_Denver

explorer 2 will get a black ceramic bezel in 2021! same change the Daytona (steel bezel to ceramic black) experienced a few years ago.

[Nixshah]

Originally Posted by matt_Denver

explorer 2 will get a black ceramic bezel in 2021! same change the Daytona (steel bezel to ceramic black) experienced a few years ago.

The black rendering is pretty fantastic

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by matt_Denver

explorer 2 will get a black ceramic bezel in 2021! same change the Daytona (steel bezel to ceramic black) experienced a few years ago.

Both look nice


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[JWD531]

I’m guessing they go the opposite of bold and simply change the arrow to green.


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[seavers]

I doubt they will offer a 36mm Explorer, let’s face it, everything is getting a little bigger. So I would think they will stick with 39mm, or twist with a 41mm.

I think a 36mm is definitely wishful thinking.


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[thenewrick]

With the DJ OP and Sub all sharing the same basic case it's more likely we will see virtually all steel Rolexes sharing the same case eventually which it seems is 40.8mm.

Expect a 40.8mm Explorer with same design, updated bracelet, and probably 2 color variants(white/black) and the new 3230 movement.

[winst]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

With the DJ OP and Sub all sharing the same basic case it's more likely we will see virtually all steel Rolexes sharing the same case eventually which it seems is 40.8mm.

Expect a 40.8mm Explorer with same design, updated bracelet, and probably 2 color variants(white/black) and the new 3230 movement.

Updated bracelet or just updated clasp? I think you would struggle to improve on the current one and if they put a Glidelock clasp on the Explorer 1 it would lose it’s svelte bracelet and clasp look imho. Just glad I bought my 39mm Mk2 last month as I like it just as it is.

[thenewrick]

Originally Posted by winst

Updated bracelet or just updated clasp? I think you would struggle to improve on the current one and if they put a Glidelock clasp on the Explorer 1 it would lose it’s svelte bracelet and clasp look imho. Just glad I bought my 39mm Mk2 last month as I like it just as it is.

I'm guessing all the sports models will get the 21mm bracelet.

They might try to keep the Milgauss/Explorer/Airking as a lesser sports range with simplified bracelets but I don't think they will.

I think they're trying to bring all of the sports line up a bit to a more premium segment and consistent sizing.

[Oyster Sauce]

I like your prediction, especially the prospect of a 36 mm Exp option.

[TTalk]

Originally Posted by darrenho

The Exp II white dial with black ceramic bezel combo actually looks killer to me! Would love to see that in the new releases...

Agree, that would be in high demand imo.

[Pekket]

A 36 Exp I would be a dream come through. Especially a polar one based on the white color used in the discontinued OP models, with black luminous indices.

[holdingon]

Not going below 39mm for SS. They only have Yatchtmaster 37mm...but its for a party on a yatcht and it's mostly for ladies. Anyway..i think they either go 39 or 39.5 and claim it its a 40mm in-line with DJ 41. I think they get ride of the Milly and keep the Air King given the pricing difference.

That's the new entry level SS (E1 and AK) and around $6900 MSRP.

[MRPWRPATX21]

I don't think a sub-39mm sports watch would sell well unless it can be targeted at a predominantly female audience like the smaller YMs are (as noted above). I don't see the Explorer I getting any smaller.

Also don't see the Explorer II getting a ceramic bezel...the "stainless to ceramic" path that the Daytona followed shouldn't be automatically painted onto the Ex II line when that bezel has been almost unchanged since day 1, whereas the Daytona already had a history with a bezel similar to the current ceramic. Plus the obvious durability issues for a watch meant to be banged up from time to time.

[nr1416]

I think if the explorer 1 goes bigger it'll just be by 1mm to 40mm

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[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by nr1416

I think if the explorer 1 goes bigger it'll just be by 1mm to 40mm

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Why though? If the 39mm OP and the Explorer shared the same case previously, why wouldn't they just do the same for a new version of the Explorer (with the 41mm case)?

I'm just curious why people think think this general. I hope they do not. 39mm is already big enough!

[georgekart]

Originally Posted by matt_Denver

explorer 2 will get a black ceramic bezel in 2021! same change the Daytona (steel bezel to ceramic black) experienced a few years ago.

We usually associate the ceramic bezel with this extremely shiny and glossy bezel right? But if they do something like this, something like a YM42 bezel, which is brushed it will look really good.

[LSUmd]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

Why though? If the 39mm OP and the Explorer shared the same case previously, why wouldn't they just do the same for a new version of the Explorer (with the 41mm case)?

I'm just curious why people think think this general. I hope they do not. 39mm is already big enough!

while initially speculating that 41mm (using OP 41 case)
would be an obvious change for explorer I then started thinking about how big that 41mm explorer dial would look. It would look gigantic.

[Scaramanga74]

Originally Posted by LSUmd

while initially speculating that 41mm (using OP 41 case)
would be an obvious change for explorer I then started thinking about how big that 41mm explorer dial would look. It would look gigantic.

Yeah! Look at the modern Tudor Ranger. Totally gigantic.