Trading in my Datejust - Sub41 Date or Explorer II Black?

[BLT2020]

Hey everyone,

Hoping to get some insight here. I'm looking to trade in my Datejust 41 126300 for either a Sub Date or an Explorer II, in both cases the all black versions. I've had the DJ41 since 2020 and I would say I only wear it 10% or less of the time. It doesn't suit my personality and I got it because it was the only watch I could get.

Price is not the issue, but I'm just hoping to select the right thing. Point me in the right direction if you can based on the following:

- The reason I do not wear the Datejust as much is because of the polished center links and all the shiny polished surfaces. It is a bit too flashy. I need a brushed bracelet and fewer super shiny polished surfaces, which is why I'm not considering the GMT.
- I'm a Dad, a lawyer, I don't wear suits every day. Typically I wear a polo and chinos or maybe a dress shirt with a sport jacket. I'm a "business casual" / "preppy" guy through and through. Suits are super special occasions, maybe 6 times a year to be honest.
- I love traveling with my wife and spending time with my kids. I want a piece I'll be happy to wear for a long time and create memories with, my wife and I travel to Vegas, Europe, etc. a lot and it's always fun to have a nice watch as a travel companion.
- Functions on both watches are useful to me. I'm based on the West Coast, I work on cross-border business transactions with Eastern time zones and also occasionally Asia Pacific or Europe. I also have two small kids so the egg timer on the Submariner is useful too for making meals and timing things.
- I've got money but I don't want to be flashy or give off the vibe that I'm rich or trying to impress people. I really just want a nice piece that I like the look of and will find functional. (This is where the Sub concerns me, I don't want to get robbed but then again would never wear it in London).
- The watch would primarily be a daily beater for years - casual and office watch.
- Price isn't a major issue but if all things are equal I'm definitely happy to pay less for an Explorer II. My friend's dealer, who is very legit, can get be a Sub40 for about the same price as the Explorer II.
- The watches won't be safe queens. I'll beat them up. Should I be concerned about the Explorer's steel bezel? What makes the better daily?
- I want to minimize regret in what I pick because I'm hoping for something I'll really like and wear for a long time, so my kids looking back will see me wearing it in every picture and it will hold sentimental value.

With the above in mind, does the 226570 match my criteria or do you think I'm better off just going with the Sub? Is the Sub too flashy for my taste? Will I just have regrets of not getting the Sub if I get the Explorer II? Obviously no one is a mind reader or psychic here but insights/experiences would be appreciated.

If I go for the Sub, is it worth it to pay C$2.5k+ less for the 116610LN 40MM version? I can barely notice the difference on the watches.

FYI, I've gone into boutiques with exhibition examples and tried the watches on. I'm torn between the two.