New Explorer I release

[philhendrix]

Originally Posted by warrior

Does calling a watch a "tool watch" make it cooler for enthusiasts? It's a cliche term on watch forums. I have an EXP I and like it but really never think of it as a tool. All watches, more are less, are tools. They tell the time. Overthinking it or embracing the term "tool" doesn't move the needle for me whatsoever. I think the term is used on watch forums for self congratulatory purposes more than anything else

This. Its become a cult term.

[brandrea]

Of course Rolex are tool watches …. They are a tool used to tell the time

[AF_Rob]

Originally Posted by Mountain

The steel explorer in its current guise is absolutely perfect. No need to mess with it.

I agree completely. Right now, it's perfect. If Rolex feels compelled to mess with it and this year I think they do, I'd like to see an all titanium version. With the recent release of the tooltastic DS in titanium, I think it's pretty likely given the heritage of the model.

[winst]

I think it is highly likely they will be doing something big with the Explorer, as it is 70 years this year since the first successful ascent of Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hilary. Although it is disputed a Rolex was there for the summit, as we know Rolex have always alluded to it and greatly associated the watch with Everest.

[Moose500]

Originally Posted by Hemdog

Black ceramic bezel white dial take my money

I agree. It could be a three hand version of the white SS Daytona. I think it would look sharp.

[rgwarden]

Originally Posted by Mountain

The steel explorer in its current guise is absolutely perfect. No need to mess with it.

This x100

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Moose500

I agree. It could be a three hand version of the white SS Daytona. I think it would look sharp.

Only if it were a graduated bezel. Now, if Rolex brought back the original TOG… Explorer dial, black rotating bezel… that would be amazing (assuming it used a matte bezel like the YM PM one, sort of like a ceramic version of the thunderbird).

Won’t happen, but would be cool!

[Rolexatlast]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Yep, Rolex's output for its first four or five decades in business was pretty much all jewellery watches, and largely for women, if you look at pre-War catalogues. That's the company's DNA.

First Rolex watches were used in the trenches, in the 1920s they developed water and dust proof casings, with Rolex worn by a Channel swimmer in 1927 and marketed as tough.

DateJust was created in 1945 in Gold, but had the Oyster dust proof and waterproof case.

[TheVision]

LOL. Personally, I don't associate a $10k watch as a "tool" watch. Nor a RangeRover to be the average Joe's off road vehicle. Owner of a '21 RR sports here and yes, I've taken it to my fishing holes once and couple of camping trips but not worth to do severe wear-n-tear on a $90k vehicle. The stock all season tires are worthless. I replaced mine with all-terrain within the 1st week and sold the stock tires. I have a Ford Ranger truck that I consider the 'real tool'....it does everything I want it to be and if I have to push it, no biggie for a $35k truck with easy to repair/fix right in my garage.

A real tool watch is a Seiko SKX diver or a GShock that can do it all, look good and at the end of the day, doesnt leave your wallet banged up.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by TheVision

LOL. Personally, I don't associate a $10k watch as a "tool" watch. Nor a RangeRover to be the average Joe's off road vehicle. Owner of a '21 RR sports here and yes, I've taken it to my fishing holes once and couple of camping trips but not worth to do severe wear-n-tear on a $90k vehicle. The stock all season tires are worthless. I replaced mine with all-terrain within the 1st week and sold the stock tires. I have a Ford Ranger truck that I consider the 'real tool'....it does everything I want it to be and if I have to push it, no biggie for a $35k truck with easy to repair/fix right in my garage.

A real tool watch is a Seiko SKX diver or a GShock that can do it all, look good and at the end of the day, doesnt leave your wallet banged up.

It’s all relative. I know teenagers who can’t afford a Miata for the track, and I know men who have Porsches for the track so they don’t ruin their Ferraris.

The other day, I was watching some dumb video with Kevin O’Leary, and he was talking beater watches under something like $5-10k. I guess that makes sense when one is frequently buying six-figure watches.

In my mind, if I buy something to keep pristine rather than use as the design intended, it means I can’t afford it, but I don’t really have a collector mindset, so ymmv.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by TheVision

LOL. Personally, I don't associate a $10k watch as a "tool" watch. Nor a RangeRover to be the average Joe's off road vehicle. Owner of a '21 RR sports here and yes, I've taken it to my fishing holes once and couple of camping trips but not worth to do severe wear-n-tear on a $90k vehicle. The stock all season tires are worthless. I replaced mine with all-terrain within the 1st week and sold the stock tires. I have a Ford Ranger truck that I consider the 'real tool'....it does everything I want it to be and if I have to push it, no biggie for a $35k truck with easy to repair/fix right in my garage.

A real tool watch is a Seiko SKX diver or a GShock that can do it all, look good and at the end of the day, doesnt leave your wallet banged up.

I see that your definition of a tool is something that you can afford to beat on which is appropriate for you. I get it, the concept of what one can afford is subjective. For the purposes of this thread I’m defining tool as what the object is capable of, its relative cost or level of polish is incidental to that. My definition of tool is more “will it take the beating” rather than “am I willing to beat on it.”

[NachoNeal]

A black and white face explorer would make a nice two watch collection.

[edyu]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

It’s all relative. I know teenagers who can’t afford a Miata for the track, and I know men who have Porsches for the track so they don’t ruin their Ferraris.

The other day, I was watching some dumb video with Kevin O’Leary, and he was talking beater watches under something like $5-10k. I guess that makes sense when one is frequently buying six-figure watches.

In my mind, if I buy something to keep pristine rather than use as the design intended, it means I can’t afford it, but I don’t really have a collector mindset, so ymmv.

Agree. No item is worth buying and babied. It's like buying a house and not living in it.

[LA_LEC]

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

The polished bezel is the essence of the Explorer. That and the 3-6-9. The scratches on the bezel are what confirms a real watch guy owns that great tool watch. Otherwise it’s just over engineered pretty jewelry.

I love it when a watch looks worn (not beat up but clearly used). Just like a favorite pair of faded blue jeans with a couple of holes that are so comfortable and inviting you look forward to wearing them.

IMO stainless steel watches are the same. Nice and shiny when new then getting character as they age (just like we do) and are worn. I look forward to putting on my explorer and jeans before I head to the studio.

[pa1113]

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

The polished bezel is the essence of the Explorer. That and the 3-6-9. The scratches on the bezel are what confirms a real watch guy owns that great tool watch. Otherwise it’s just over engineered pretty jewelry.

^^^^ Exactly. This. It's a Rolex Explorer.


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[DLRIDES]

IF ………….. IF ……….. Rolex introduces a 41-42mm Explorer in SS, I will be one of those I currently make fun of for paying over list !



“Here, take my money please.”