Explorer II or Datejust II for Rolex newbie?

[Lancelotlink]

Hi guys. I am looking into getting my first Rolex. It will actually be a wedding gift from my wife. I have a 8" wrist so Rolex watches have never really been on my radar until now since they have grown a bit. The two that I like are the new Explorer II and Datejust II. Kinda leaning towards a Explorer II 42mm black face since it reminds me of the classic Explorer Steve Mcqueen once wore. I also feel I can dress up or down with it. I mostly dress down though since my job doesn't require dress attire. I'm definitely a jean, T, shorts, sneaker, flip flop kinda guy. I also like the simple Datejust II 41mm with a smooth bezel maybe white or silver face with batton markers. I just feel the watch may be a bit dressy for me. Main thing is I need to pick something I will never flip since it's a wedding gift. My wife is really pushing for the DJ II. What do you guys think?

[Andrés G]

Welcome! I like both but prefer the DJ2.

[Lancelotlink]

Oh my god that was fast! Thanks for the reply.

[Time2time]

DJ11 Pure class IMHO.

[rohardi]

EXP 2 for me. LOVE mine. But I'll be getting a DJ II down the road too. Both are keepers. If you are more of a casual guy I would go with the EXP. 2

[jlc123]

Explorer 2, seems like you much prefer it.

[TAKUYA]

Explorer 2 for me and good to go with evrything and everyday.

[luv2fly]

Can't go wrong with either...it's your wedding gift so pick the one YOU really want...

[AF_Rob]

I would consider your lifestyle and see which of the two will fit your needs more. Or, sit and make a list of things you like about each model, and see who wins. That's how I chose my 14060 Sub. I almost went with the new ExII polar. I don't regret it one bit! But I do intend to pick it up down the line.

[Lancelotlink]

I've always been fond of the Explorer but I became so use to wearing 44mm+ watches so the old Exp II always felt a bit small on my 8" wrist as well as the DJ. Now with the slightly larger sizes they seem to fit me better.

[Hairdude1]

Both are great. You can't go wrong with either!

[George Ab]

I am a Exp II sort of guy as I steer clear of dress watches. It has the classic sport Rolex look. The DJ II with the plain bezel does not look as dressy as the the traditional DJ with jubilee bracelet and fluted bezel. I don't see much down side going either way.

[RXAPPP]

These posts always recommend the same - go with what you want. If it's a gift from the wife and she likes DJii then that might weigh heavily. I like the Exp2 a lot but for a watch that does both casual and dress your wife is correct

[mruhland31]

Personally I really like that explorer...both are nice though

[HRV]

welcome, i would go with the EXP2

[mmmk604]

EXPII for me, even though I own a DJ 36mm myself.
I find myself wearing my sport model more often than dress model.

[kryten2001]

Originally Posted by mmmk604

EXPII for me, even though I own a DJ 36mm myself.
I find myself wearing my sport model more often than dress model.

If I had to pick one of the two (but I personally wouldn't buy either), it would be the DJ, but with the smooth bezel...

Sorry but the E2 just doesn't do it for me.... I love the regular Explorer though.

[slm9555]

Djii is so classic and timeless looking, go with it

[Zman15]

IMHO if the wife is purchasing the watch as your wedding gift, I would go with the watch she likes best on your wrist. Both watches are beautiful pieces :)

[jcclx1]

I prefer the Expl II, but get what you want most, and as mentioned before get one the wife likes as well. Although its your first, probably won't be your last. :)

[brlay]

I would go with what the wife thinks is good for you. :) Either way, you can't go wrong.

[floater156]

Both are nice - I have a DJII and I think it looks excellent dressed down with shorts and a t-shirt. The ExpII is nice as well and has the 2nd timezone function. If I were you I'd go with the DJII because I believe it can dress down better than the ExpII can dress up.

[Kiddodoc]

Originally Posted by Zman15

IMHO if the wife is purchasing the watch as your wedding gift, I would go with the watch she likes best on your wrist. Both watches are beautiful pieces :)

I would agree with this! But if I were looking at a DJII it would be with a flute bezel. Can't go wrong with either. You are a lucky man! My wife gave me a white dial TT Daytona that I just absolutely love!

[benlee]

I have both and they are both nice. But for an 8" wrist, I recommend the 42mm Explorer II.

[Wllnv19]

Can't go wrong with either but based on your lifestyle I say go Explorer II

[superdog]

i far prefer the DJ2.

i really like the explorer, but could never get comfortable with it. then again, it appears you are much larger than i am.

anyway, i think the DJ2 is can a great all around casual watch that works well in the office or the beach.

[Lancelotlink]

Thanks for all of the replies guys. Glad I found this forum. I'll probably try to swing by an AD with her as soon as we can to check them both out again. Maybe the Explorer will grow on her. Or the way I am with watches the DJII might grow on me more. I have a bad case of Flipitis. This is one that I cannot flip though.

[kilyung]

DJ is timeless.

[alanc]

Originally Posted by Lancelotlink

Thanks for all of the replies guys. Glad I found this forum. I'll probably try to swing by an AD with her as soon as we can to check them both out again. Maybe the Explorer will grow on her. Or the way I am with watches the DJII might grow on me more. I have a bad case of Flipitis. This is one that I cannot flip though.

Given that the watch is a wedding gift from your wife, and she wants it to be the DJII, I think you buy the ExpII at your peril.

The tool watch ExpII may fit your day to day lifestyle more, but as others have pointed out, the DJ is a timeless classic, and one which will fit the bill better for the major life events - christenings, anniversaries, graduations - you will share with your wife. Each time you put it on for one of those events, your wife will be happy.

You can always add the ExpII later - it isn't going anywhere soon.

[kcmo]

I much prefer the DJ to the Explorer 2, but that's me. I think looking at the models in person will make all the difference for you.