Explorer II - cult status awaits?

[Psmith]

The current model Exp II is tipped to be changed this year.

If & when this happens, will it will attain the collectability of the orange hand/Steve McQueen model?

In the past, initially less popular models have become sought-after when discontinued (or during their lifetime in the case of the Daytona)

What does the panel think?


Cheers

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Psmith

The current model Exp II is tipped to be changed this year.

If & when this happens, will it will attain the collectability of the orange hand/Steve McQueen model?

In the past, initially less popular models have become sought-after when discontinued (or during their lifetime in the case of the Daytona)

What does the panel think?


Cheers

Because of the shere number of Exp II's I don't think they will command the same price as the orange hand SM models. However, that doesn't mean they won't be prized in there own right by a certain market segment.
dP

[TempoKing]

Remember that the production run of the orange hand Explorer II 1655
seems like a limited production,
when you compare the hundreds of thousands of 16570's....that have been produced
I guess in time all sport Rolex watches will have their day.

[karmatp]

Some people go out and buy a watch that they normally would not just because they are discontinued. Don't ask me why, it makes no sense to me. There might be a initial increase in attention towards the Explorer II but in the end, it's just another mass produced Rolex model. The production numbers of modern Rolex watches is way more than 30-40 years ago, so in no way will the current Explorer II's be like the orange hand Explorer II's of the past. Funny thing is, some of the most collectible Rolex models of the past were horrible sellers back in the day with very short production numbers before they were pulled from the line, ect. milgauss. I'm sure someone will be shoveling the same pile of ..... when it comes to the movement also, 3185/3186, it makes no difference for future collectibility.

[Rebel]

I hope so,,,,,,anyone got the buzz on what the changes may be?

[mike]

Originally Posted by karmatp

Some people go out and buy a watch that they normally would not just because they are discontinued. Don't ask me why, it makes no sense to me. There might be a initial increase in attention towards the Explorer II but in the end, it's just another mass produced Rolex model. The production numbers of modern Rolex watches is way more than 30-40 years ago, so in no way will the current Explorer II's be like the orange hand Explorer II's of the past. Funny thing is, some of the most collectible Rolex models of the past were horrible sellers back in the day with very short production numbers before they were pulled from the line, ect. milgauss. I'm sure someone will be shoveling the same pile of ..... when it comes to the movement also, 3185/3186, it makes no difference for future collectibility.

Nicely said Trevor.

Certainly one of the factors that speak to the collectability of any given reference is the raw numbers produced. While no one outside the inner workings of the mothership has any real idea of the number made, it's fairly certain that while the 1655 had a rather long production run,circa 1971-85( including varients) the number of examples made is dwarfed by current offerings. We are dealing with finite numbers.

I think a major factor often overlooked is the perceived value placed on a reference by the collecting community. Several factors are involved (history, heritage, etc....), but one one wonders how much a factor things like the internet and forums such as this have added to the "collector's value" of a reference.

How much "hype" is placed on a reference, and does this create a "collector's bubble"?

Interesting......

[padi56]

Originally Posted by karmatp

Some people go out and buy a watch that they normally would not just because they are discontinued. Don't ask me why, it makes no sense to me. There might be a initial increase in attention towards the Explorer II but in the end, it's just another mass produced Rolex model. The production numbers of modern Rolex watches is way more than 30-40 years ago, so in no way will the current Explorer II's be like the orange hand Explorer II's of the past. Funny thing is, some of the most collectible Rolex models of the past were horrible sellers back in the day with very short production numbers before they were pulled from the line, ect. milgauss. I'm sure someone will be shoveling the same pile of ..... when it comes to the movement also, 3185/3186, it makes no difference for future collectibility.

Have to agree with you 100% good post.

Originally Posted by mike

Nicely said Trevor.

Certainly one of the factors that speak to the collectability of any given reference is the raw numbers produced. While no one outside the inner workings of the mothership has any real idea of the number made, it's fairly certain that while the 1655 had a rather long production run,circa 1971-85( including varients) the number of examples made is dwarfed by current offerings. We are dealing with finite numbers.

I think a major factor often overlooked is the perceived value placed on a reference by the collecting community. Several factors are involved (history, heritage, etc....), but one one wonders how much a factor things like the internet and forums such as this have added to the "collector's value" of a reference.

How much "hype" is placed on a reference, and does this create a "collector's bubble"?

Interesting......

Well Mike afraid hype, blue hairsprings or date letter case stamps don't float my collectable bubble.But its a very strange world today with a very different breed of Rolex wearers and collectors.Seems like if Rolex just changed a few screws in the bracelet they would start calling it a new model.

[mike]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree with you 100% good post.


Well Mike afraid hype, blue hairsprings or date letter case stamps don't float my collectable bubble.But its a very strange world today with a very different breed of Rolex wearers and collectors.Seems like if Rolex just changed a few screws in the bracelet they would start calling it a new model.

LOL! Exactly my friend.

[Tools]

...Explorer II..........

..........Cult status.........................

..........................Sign me up !!!!!...........

[SSD]

I'd say its nearly there now. The owners of Expy II's love them so much and display such loyalty...

Gotta confess, I'm pretty fond of it, too.

[Psmith]

Thanks guys, good comments

I think you are correct in regard to the sheer numbers of the current version, although the earlier 16550 seems to command high prices (less of 'em about)

When the current model changes, no doubt some will be asking a premium for BNIB examples as per the GMT II


Cheers