Rolex Announcement Reactions

[yorkzilla]

A two tone Explorer. Wasn't this supposed to be a rugged tool watch?

[RotorSelfWinding]

Originally Posted by yorkzilla

A two tone Explorer. Wasn't this supposed to be a rugged tool watch?

This one is definitely a head scratcher to me. The execution is cool (the gold numbers), but it's a little strange.

[liberalclown]

36mm Explorer is awesome, much better proportioned dial (most probably I will sell my 214270 MkII and get the 36mm).
42mm Explorer II may have been reduced to 41mm size to make smaller wristed fellas happier, but I am glad they kept the steel bezel and the polar is on my list.
116519 for a sec, I thought they discontinued the steel dial, phew, they kept it.
Bracelet options on GMT was not expected but definitely a good touch, BLNR looks better on oyster.

Overall, this was a middle finger release from Rolex, Explorer II hoarders are burned, 116710BLNR hoarders are burned. 36mm pre 2010 Explorer prices will come back to sense. Rolex allowed WG BLRO owners to change the dial to blue so oyster on BLRO didn't burn the OG WG owners. The attention from JM Daytona and WG Oyster-flex will move to meteorite dials so hoarders of those will be burned as well.

More options hopefully will translate into less focus on particular models and grey hegamony.

[Oyster Sauce]

Overall not too affected by the Rolex releases. Happy to see the Explorer at 36 mm...as I mentioned in another thread, I feel that there is also a market for the larger version...they should offer it at 41 mm like the Oyster Perpetual.

All in all, my pocket book is probably safe for another year!

[Starhutch]

Originally Posted by Bruno007

Pretty boring release with regards to Explorer anniversary. I do like that the GMT is interchangeable between bracelets and bezels.

In theory when you buy one, you could send it in to RSC later and have the bracelet and bezel swapped since they are being offered in either option on the website.

I think we will see people doing what the 16710 owners do and get both bracelets and bezels and switch back and forth.

Exactly what I plan on doing, love the option

[WBaileyii]

Yawn....the only thing I found even remotely interesting was the Meteorite Daytona. Other than that it was a big fat nothingburger. Maybe it's time to buy the Omega I've been eye-balling. For now, I'm sticking with the 5 digit Rolexes, no interest in the new stuff.

[bangkoktokyoseoul]

On reflection the lack of changes doesn't surprise me. Only 7 months ago we had the the September 2020 changes which were pretty radical by Rolex standards, particularly the OP with the coloured faces.

The one thing that DID surprise me was the lack of price rises especially as the price of steel and labour has risen. I am guessing this will come at the turn of the year though. Could it be that be see price rises every couple of years on the 1st January?

[yonexsp]

Originally Posted by Starhutch

Exactly what I plan on doing, love the option

Does this mean I can buy an Oyster for my Batgirl, and a Pepsi bezel?

Basically be able to swap them back n forth?

[sgarrity]

Glad I have my 39mm Explorer!

[CashGap]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

On the configuration page, that model does not have the ceramic bezel. Beautiful model either way. Good luck on getting that!

YES! I'd never been able to accept the change from the iconic Daytona bezel (I realize THE ENTIRE WORLD accepts it to the tune of PM pricing for SS), so I was thrilled that it's the EXACT config I would have wanted.

[Shazbot302]

I feel like I got trolled

[WalterE]

Originally Posted by Shazbot302

I feel like I got trolled

[AdamW]

A couple things I've noticed that I haven't seen anyone mention...

The YM40 dial changes. The TT Everose now has moved back to the dark black called "intense black" (I love it) and the blue is now much brighter and called "bright Blue".

[TNT009]

Laugh fest, especially those that got punk'd!

[Boothroyd]

Originally Posted by AdamW

A couple things I've noticed that I haven't seen anyone mention...

The YM40 dial changes. The TT Everose now has moved back to the dark black called "intense black" (I love it) and the blue is now much brighter and called "bright Blue".

Very good catch! Just checked out the Rolex configurator.

[ChugachEagle]

Nothing to add to watchlist.

[bonovox]

[Sandlapper1960]

Pandemic related production issues surely must have hurt Rolex's bottom line in 2020. The "new" releases seem to reflect a lack of new design ideas and a lack of marketing development this past year. Greys and private sellers have benefitted, but Rolex corporate, like many other companies, surely struggled from the pandemic. I think that the releases accurately reflect 2020.....confusing and mediocre!

[Dr.Stu]

I’d say extreme disappointment for me (mostly b/c of the EXP II). Collectively probably the worst set of Rolex novelties since I’m paying attention (10 years-ish).

The Explorer II 50th anniversary “update” was a non-event IMHO. Maybe the lugs are a bit slimmer, & the movement updated, & thankfully they kept the bezel steel, but those are not “Golden Anniversary” changes. No green GMT hand, no green dial text, but worst of all (for us 6 1/2” wrist guys), they left it at 42mm. The 6 digit is unwearable for me & I was hoping for a move back towards 40mm so I could actually wear the watch. (I’ll try one on just in case the lug-to-lug is magically shorter than the 216570, but I’m not holding my breath). I was really expecting something calling back to the 1655 or the size of the 16570.

Regarding the 36mm EXP I in TT, not sure I get that one either, but some will. I am surprised that it is a substitution for the 39mm and not just an addition to the line.

As I’ve said in another thread, the meteorite Daytona does nothing for me but make a watch with a reputation for being difficult to read at a glance now almost impossible to read at a glance, & good luck using the chrono (for the few that do). It is a very nice piece of jewelry, though (and I don’t mean that sarcastically).

For me, the only real “Hit” is the new blue fluted dial for the DJ 36 (They should offer it on the 41), which looks like it works perfectly with the Jubilee bracelet, whereas the new palm-motif dials are a cacophonous mess.

[cvo]

Rolex was smart, no need to change too much, sales are better than ever.

[Ensign]

Love the 36 Explorer, Batman, and oyster Pepsi. Still find it hard to justify the street price.

Two tone Explorer is puzzling- I don’t see what Rolex is doing there.

Never been interested in the Skydweller line.

Glad to see the Ex II keeping its steel bezel.

[SS Oyster]

Rolex absolutely disrespected the Explorer II as it’s orange headed step child by blowing off a pretty significant birthday ... 50 years without cake, candles or even a card. What a blow off!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WalterE]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Rolex absolutely disrespected the Explorer II as it’s orange headed step child by blowing off a pretty significant birthday ... 50 years without cake, candles or even a card. What a blow off!

I sympathise with this feeling. As a special celebration it was somewhat lame. (Wait! Was that a 50th anniversary celebration? Really?)

Even allowing the Explorer 1 to steal the attention from its show... When in just a couple of years or so it will be its own 70th anniversary.

Dunno... Feels wrong. Cruel even.

But I gotta laugh at how we've all been played with the Ex2 Cerachrome bezel. Gosh! I played with adjustments on the images myself to confirm! And when the hype has fed the hot-air balloon to enormous proportions... BANG! Speaking of bubbles bursting...

[RedGlasses]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

On the configuration page, that model does not have the ceramic bezel. Beautiful model either way. Good luck on getting that!

is it possible technically to replace the oysterflex on the daytona by a full wg oyster bracelet?

full wg meteorite daytona with ceramic bezel would be incredible!!

[Swaye]

Tudor killed it. Rolex laid an egg (sans meteorite Daytona which is excellent). As others have said, good year for my wallet.

[Goose 104]

Originally Posted by Dr.Stu

I’d say extreme disappointment for me (mostly b/c of the EXP II). Collectively probably the worst set of Rolex novelties since I’m paying attention (10 years-ish).

The Explorer II 50th anniversary “update” was a non-event IMHO. Maybe the lugs are a bit slimmer, & the movement updated, & thankfully they kept the bezel steel, but those are not “Golden Anniversary” changes. No green GMT hand, no green dial text, but worst of all (for us 6 1/2” wrist guys), they left it at 42mm. The 6 digit is unwearable for me & I was hoping for a move back towards 40mm so I could actually wear the watch. (I’ll try one on just in case the lug-to-lug is magically shorter than the 216570, but I’m not holding my breath). I was really expecting something calling back to the 1655 or the size of the 16570.

Regarding the 36mm EXP I in TT, not sure I get that one either, but some will. I am surprised that it is a substitution for the 39mm and not just an addition to the line.

As I’ve said in another thread, the meteorite Daytona does nothing for me but make a watch with a reputation for being difficult to read at a glance now almost impossible to read at a glance, & good luck using the chrono (for the few that do). It is a very nice piece of jewelry, though (and I don’t mean that sarcastically).

For me, the only real “Hit” is the new blue fluted dial for the DJ 36 (They should offer it on the 41), which looks like it works perfectly with the Jubilee bracelet, whereas the new palm-motif dials are a cacophonous mess.

Attachment 1213715

totally agree - I am in line for a 36mm blue DJ and now wondering if I should switch it to this fluted dial style...

[Flyfisher]

Feels like Rolex judged the bare minimum they could do to get away with calling it a new release.

And then cut that by 75%.

[FORTN]

I am now more of an admirer.