In the market for an Explorer II

[quincydog]

After a few years of contemplating buying a Rolex, I have decided to make the big purchase. I know I wanted a basic SS, black dial Rolex and I narrowed it down to the Explorer II and Sub w/date. After looking at the print outs on my desk for a few months, I grew found of the Explorer II.

So, next week I have planned to move forward with the transaction and I decided to do some forum searching today (for the first time). Now that I am here, I have read some great reviews of the Explorer II and have come accross some very nice pictures from lucky owners. I then stumbled on the Basel news about the orange hand being pulled this year and hopefully will be on the market next year. I really like the preview pictures and I actually said to myself (months ago) that if the red hand was orange (like the originial model) I would have owned one long ago.

This new information that I have unearthed today has caused me to do some major thinking. I am now leaning on waiting another year or so to get the new Explorer II. Would love to hear some feedback on that strategy.

Also, if I don't wait and move forward with the deal next week, what should I be looking for in terms of serial #'s. I have read about two different types of movements. Should I be concerned about that? Or was that something from a few years back?

If I do wait for the new model, do you think this will be hard to come by and would the prices be above retail? Right now I am working with an AD and there is a discount being offered. I remember the Milgaus being hard to come by and prices insane, but now I see it everywhere. That model was also my short list (due to the orange accents), but seeing it in person I crossed it off. I just wasn't for me.

Any feedback for a novice soon-to-be Rolex owner would be very much appreciated. I do have a few Tags, but I am now at that stage of my life that I can afford to step up to a Rolex. Plus, I have a 15 month old son that I would love to pass along a nice watch to some day.

Thanks for reading this and I look forward to your opinions.

[JJ Irani]

Hi Quincy,

First off............a hearty welcome to this forum.....hope you enjoy your stay here.

Your choice of the Exp-II is a good one. No point in waiting for the new orange hand one which we still don't know much about and may or may not be released next year.

Grab a new white dial one, preferably V-series with the newer 3186 movement.

There are a number of very good sellers right here on TRF who will give you a much better price than any AD.

Good luck - JJ

[Warnsboy]

Welcome!! Enjoy your quest for a new watch. I love my ExpII and would say that you will be happy with either of your picks. Enjoy!!!

[deschen]

If I were you and able to get a good deal on the current explorer II now, I would buy it (just to satisfy my 'itch') and when the new one comes out, sell it and top up to get the new one.

Best of luck whatever you decide. :)

[LAJM]

I purchased mine recently and am very very happy with it!! For myself I will keep this forever no matter if a new version comes out...I like the red 24 hour hand better than orange but that is just me.

[Faide]

Hi, Welcome to the forum

I actually went through the same thought process (kinda). I saw the video/pics of the new Orange Hand EXPII and would have bought one in a heartbeat if it was to be released this year. However, at the earliest it will be basel 2011 and then watches are not usualyy available until the summer so you are talking 16 months from now. Add to this that there is likely to be high demand and therefore potential delays and/or high prices to deal with.

The EXPII can be had at pretty good discounts since supposedly it is not as popular as some of the other sport models.

I decided to buy the EXPII Polar this week becaise i was offered a deal too good to pass up on.

Now to choose between an EXPII and SUB Date. Well i have both and i really LOVE my SUB Date. If i could only have one i would have the Sub Date. It is a very versatile watch.






_Faide

[tripleC]

so I was 21 and made my move on the exp II , now im 31 and still is my favorite this watch never goes out of style and is a hit from shorts to a suit..

[jrpb]

hi mate and welcome ,there a very freindly bunch here and will always give great help and you will get a good cross section of answers as evryone is so different ie location age and so forth.
Good choice on the Explorer II, I have recently bought the V serial from a dealer at a pretty good price it was 9 months old and in mint condition with the new movement. I am so happy with the watch and realized i should have got into Rolex sooner as i have had Breitlings and Omega's and this was a natural progression so my advice would be too buy now and start to enjoy sooner rather than later.
There are some threads on here that explain how to check if the watch has the new movement which are full of very good info so make sure you check them out, and good luck with your choice.

[G.J]

A warm welcome from me as well...

Can't go wrong with a Explorer..go for it..

[Cru Jones]

imo, there will always be new watches, so, if you like the Explorer II now, go for it! Who knows what'll be going on in 18 months?

[Gerardus]

Welcome

[kingblackbolt]

A big welcome to TRF! We have been discussing the explorer II a lot lately here and for good reason... it really seems like those of us who have(or soon will in my case)are very happy with this versatile and sporty little number. Some people call it the "stealth Rolex" as compared to subs or gmts it flys under the radar of what the average person thinks a Rolex looks like. Both colours are amazing but if you plan on adding another black dialed Rolex to your collection you may want to go white as it would be a nice contrasrt.
As far as waiting for the future orange hand new version to come out... based on the positive reaction here and everywhere you can bet that when/if it is released next year a lot of people will ask there aADs to put them on the top of their lists for one and you will probably see another milgauss gv situation with inflated prices so it could be a long while to be able to get these at even msrp let alone the kind of discount your AD is offering you on thwarted current explorer II... I say why wait? 1 1/2-2 years is too long a wait!
Good luck whatever you decide my friend.

[BXNupe]

Welcome to the forum. TRF is a great resource and, as stated above, there are divergent points of view. Ultimately, when it come down to more of a subjective decision (i.e., which watch do you like best?) versus objective (i.e., is movement "A" better than movement "B"), you should trust your instincts.

Now for my two cents: you are chosing between two great watches so whatever you decide it won't be "wrong". I suggest you think long term. If you believe that you may own more than one Rolex then get the Sub date now and wait until the new Exp II is released 12+ months from now. That way you will know exactly what you will be buying and can even compare the "new" one against the "old" (current) one. Oh yeah, and don't assume that you won't be an owner of multiple Rolex watches...especially now that you have been stricken with the hard to cure TRF disease!

On the other hand, if you believe that you are a one-Rolex person, then get the current Exp II (w/ the updated movement, etc.) now and experience the new one up close and personal when it is available. If at that time you elect to go with the new one, you can flip the current one. To me, this seems to be the best of both worlds...you get a great watch now with an option to get an even better watch later.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[quincydog]

Wow...thanks for the detailed and thought out repsonses. You are indeed a friendly bunch! My gut is telling me not to wait 18+ months. I will talk to my Rolex guy early next week to get his opinion. He's been selling these watches for about 50 years and seems to have a lot of information about these things. I will hopefully report back next week with some news about a purchase.

[Psmith]

They are both beautiful watches, but if I had to choose one for keeps it would be the Sub



Cheers

[DDG]

I got all lathered up when I started hearing about the maxi case, new braclet, bigger crown, etc. I was ready to get the billfold out and move up, UNTIL I saw the orange hand & marking, and decided to keep my old white face Exp II. I detest orange, and won't have it on a watch. The evidently decided they still don't have it right and put it off for a year anyway.

[wgs]

I went through your exact same debate last year and ended up going with the Submariner...for a couple of reasons. First of all, my wife told me that the Submariner was by far a better looking watch "on the wrist". Secondly, like you I also have a son and when I thought about passing it down in the future, the Submariner was tough to beat. It's the most classic sport model and the design has remained consistent over the years. However, the redesigned Submariner coming out this year has substantial changes...relative to the past years.

I may get creamed by some members here for saying this but...with everything above being said, I think the Explorer II is a more versatile watch, you do not see it as often on other people, and the black dial Explorer II may be the best sport model to buy if you are planning to wear one Rolex for all occasions. It has the sport/tool presence with sleek lines to work well in dressier situations. Many people on this forum will say that the Submariner is more versatile so it's really just a personal preference.

I guess the bottome line is...try them both on and if you want the most recognizable, classic, sport model that is an excellent choice to pass down, the Submariner would be the best choice. If you want a more understated, sleek look, that in my opinion is a little more versatile, the Explorer II would be a better choice.

Good luck to you...you cannot go wrong with either choice!

[kingblackbolt]

Originally Posted by quincydog

Wow...thanks for the detailed and thought out repsonses. You are indeed a friendly bunch! My gut is telling me not to wait 18+ months. I will talk to my Rolex guy early next week to get his opinion. He's been selling these watches for about 50 years and seems to have a lot of information about these things. I will hopefully report back next week with some news about a purchase.

I think you made the right choice my friend... looking forward to seeing those pics soon!

[sea-dweller]

Welcome to TRF, I would buy one now and not wait.

[RolexADinFL]

Either is a FINE CHOICE.
I have a special place in my heart for the EXP II though..



AD

[BMAN8]

I would get the current explorer II, black or white, if that's what you like. Why wait another year+ if you don't have to?

[quincydog]

So, I was at an AD today (not the AD that I will purchase with) and tried on (yet once again) the EXPII black face, along with the Sub Date black face as well. Of the two, I still lean towards the EXPII. Then, out of no where I tried on the GMT Master II SS with black face and I really liked it. It felt great on my wrist. I liked the weight of the watch (the EXPII seemed too light for a Rolex), the clasp was really solid. The clasp on the EXPII wasn't as nice. I also liked the fact that the bezel turns. The green 24hour hand is pretty cool. The only negative I found was the polished stainless middle section of the bracelet. I love the look of all brushed stainless. I don't care for the shiny / flashy look.

Does any one have any thoughts on the GMT Master II v. EXPII.

[R S]

Picked this up week and a half ago on TRF (22% off retail). It came BNIB, had the 3186 movement, and the engraved rehaut. It is quickly becoming a favorite, and for the price you can't go wrong. RS