Explorer

[Justinmg]

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[jonnythrust]

So, it appears that the watch might not be right after all (not the biggest problem, as i should be able to get my money back if its not right.

Upon closer inspection, I’m not sure that this is a genuine explorer.

Basically my concerns are as follows, (as you all no doubt know) Rolex produced two versions of the 39mm Explorer. The Mk1 had a short minute hand, and white gold numbers at 3, 6 and 9, whilst Mk2 had longer hands and blue lume filled numbers at 3, 6 and 9.

The watch I purchased seems to be a marriage of the two. It has the lume filled numbers (although the lume on the watch is green and not blue) but has the short minute hand.

This is not a combination that, to my knowledge, was ever produced by Rolex.

What are the forums thoughts?

[jonnythrust]

So I can't post photos until I get to ten posts apparently. This is post nine (assuming my post on me being suspicious about my watch is approved)

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[jonnythrust]

So my missing post went as follows :

Upon closer inspection, I’m not sure that this is a genuine explorer.
 
Basically my concerns are as follows, Rolex produced two versions of the 39mm Explorer. The Mk1 had a short minute hand, and white gold numbers at 3, 6 and 9, whilst Mk2 had longer hands and blue lume filled numbers at 3, 6 and 9.
 
The watch I purchased seems to be a marriage of the two. It has the lume filled numbers (although the lume on the watch is green and not blue) but has the shorter hands. This is not a combination that, to my knowledge, was ever produced by Rolex.
 
Grateful for the forums thoughts.
 


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[jonnythrust]

Originally Posted by Justinmg

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Thanks

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[jonnythrust]

Here's the watch that I don't think is right

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[LA_LEC]

Originally Posted by jonnythrust

Here's the watch that I don't think is right

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Boxes are easy to come by - no papers = no history.

The hour hand is too short as you pointed out and is incorrect for the MK2 face.

The lume should be blue. If it is green problem.

Clearly if something as obvious as the wrong hand for the watch is present then who knows what is inside!

[boring_sandwich]

The older mk1 model with the shorter hands should have white gold arabic which do not have lume.

[jonnythrust]

I've emailed the auction people. If they don't play ball, I'll just do a charge back on Amex.

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[boring_sandwich]

Originally Posted by jonnythrust

I've emailed the auction people. If they don't play ball, I'll just do a charge back on Amex.

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I hope it all works out.

[winst]

I hate to say it but I was amazed at how much you got the watch for when if you could get one for £7k at the moment that would probably be seen as really reasonable. Sadly the old adage springs to mind thatif it seems too good to be true it invariably is. The fakes are so good out there now I would be scared to death to buy anything other than brand new from an AD. All the best and I hope you get your money back and manage to find a good one elsewhere.

[jonnythrust]

Originally Posted by winst

I hate to say it but I was amazed at how much you got the watch for when if you could get one for £7k at the moment that would probably be seen as really reasonable. Sadly the old adage springs to mind thatif it seems too good to be true it invariably is. The fakes are so good out there now I would be scared to death to buy anything other than brand new from an AD. All the best and I hope you get your money back and manage to find a good one elsewhere.

Thanks.

I'm not sure it can be considered a good fake when it's not a copy of a model that was ever produced.



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[winst]

Don’t know if it helps, but I have tried to reproduce the hand position with my 2020 that I bought new from my AD last September:




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[jonnythrust]

Originally Posted by winst

Don’t know if it helps, but I have tried to reproduce the hand position with my 2020 that I bought new from my AD last September:




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Clearly shorter minute hand on my frankensplorer

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[Gary Busey]

Keep us posted


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[winst]

Originally Posted by jonnythrust

Clearly shorter minute hand on my frankensplorer

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Yes, the length of the minute hand and I thought the thickness of the hour hand. At first glance though even owning what I hope is a real one myself It wouldn’t have screamed it was a fake to me. The quality of the text and batons / numerals etc looks really good.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by LA_LEC

Boxes are easy to come by - no papers = no history.

The hour hand is too short as you pointed out and is incorrect for the MK2 face.

The lume should be blue. If it is green problem.

Clearly if something as obvious as the wrong hand for the watch is present then who knows what is inside!

Isn’t blue vs green here somewhat subjective, especially when “charge” is low?

Seems plausible enough that original owner simply wanted the all-lume dial and got a dealer or watchmaker to install. If so, perhaps that owner unwittingly sourced aftermarket vs genuine? What color lume on hands?

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by winst

Yes, the length of the minute hand and I thought the thickness of the hour hand. At first glance though even owning what I hope is a real one myself It wouldn’t have screamed it was a fake to me. The quality of the text and batons / numerals etc looks really good.

Note that you mention it, it could be the photo angle/exact position of your minute hand, but the OP’s 12:00 triangle appears to go lower than yours and practically touched the crown insignia, while his “6” also looks close to the “Swiss Made” than yours does. Could also be generational variant.

[173rdabn]

Super price, well done.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by 173rdabn

Super price, well done.

These “clearly I didn’t read the rest” comments are always the best

Nothing personal

[jonnythrust]

Originally Posted by 173rdabn

Super price, well done.

Thanks. I was happy initially.

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[EEpro]

Too bad. Sorry it didn't work out.

[jonnythrust]

And here's the frankensplorer on a nato.

Amex have said they will happily charge back, just have to let them know when I'm ready to.

Auction house realistically won't reply till Monday.

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[Old Expat Beast]

I wouldn't be changing straps like that and potentially/likely scratching up the lugs. Especially on a public forum.

[travisb]

Pretty clear there are issues with it. I'd reverse it ASAP.

[nyc10ken]

Take it to an RSC where they can check it and perhaps change the hands and dial to what it should be and give you papers with it. You got a good enough price on it to do that.

[Peter99]

Originally Posted by nyc10ken

Take it to an RSC where they can check it and perhaps change the hands and dial to what it should be and give you papers with it. You got a good enough price on it to do that.

The RSC at West Malling will do that, as with my 39mm Mk1 it got caught up with some clothing and it did a washing machine cycle, the watch would have been OK but unfortunately the crown unscrewed and water/condensation stained the dial and hands.

They serviced the watch and I had the option of Mk1 dial and hands or Mk2. I chose Mk2. Not sure now wether that was the best choice!

It is a tough watch but it could have been a lot worse! I was lucky!

[jonnythrust]

Originally Posted by Peter99

The RSC at West Malling will do that, as with my 39mm Mk1 it got caught up with some clothing and it did a washing machine cycle, the watch would have been OK but unfortunately the crown unscrewed and water/condensation stained the dial and hands.



They serviced the watch and I had the option of Mk1 dial and hands or Mk2. I chose Mk2. Not sure now wether that was the best choice!



It is a tough watch but it could have been a lot worse! I was lucky!

That's not a bad shout. The AD at One Hyde Park (I think it's bucherer) is closer to me, do you think they would do the same thing?

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