A few thoughts on the upcoming (?) new Explorer II - a suggestion

[AndersB]

It seems one thing that has troubled Rolex for some time (perhaps as far back as the launch in the 70s) is how and where to make the Explorer II fit in in the range of sports models, how to niche it in a purposeful way.

As far as the present model is concerned, the only thing that really made it differ from the GMT II was the lack of rotable bezel. As of now - there are perhaps somewhat bigger differences between the Exp II and the present GMT IIc but those two watches are still quite similar at least in terms of function - not so much when it comes to looks though.

Anyway - what Rolex could do to differentiate the Explorer II even further when they (if they..) update it in 2011 is to take away the jump hour-hand movement and insert a GMT movement without that function (i.e. one where the 24hour hand follows the hour hand without the ability to set it separately). That would allow for a quick-date function too.

And (!) the Explorer II would then become more like the original GMT which was discontinued in the late 1990s or early 2000s. Currently there is no watch in the Rolex range with such a movement, and there could be demand for it.

A "simple" GMT movement would also make it, perhaps, even more of robust watch. And it would fit the reintroduction (if that's what's coming up) of the orange 24hour hand, since the old 70s model which feateured such a hand had that kind of movement (not the jump-hour hand). And the price could be set slightly lower I guess..

Any thoughts..?