The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 2 January 2011, 07:43 AM   #1
synth19
"TRF" Member
 
synth19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 51
Torn- Sub ND vs. Explorer I (39mm)

Hello, new to the site and looking at my first Rolex. It's really come down to two watches. I'm looking at late model pre-owned:

1. Submariner ND (for some reason, the ND looks cleaner to me).
2. Explorer 214270 (39mm version)

Although I've read tons of threads that Rolex's will go with anything, the sub still seems a bit sporty with the rotating bezel. I need something versatile- watch I can wear with a suit, sweater, or jeans.

I've also seen various threads comparing both, but seems as if the overwhelming favorite is the sub. Anyone else in the same predicament, and if you chose the exploer over the sub- why?

Looking forward to your thoughts. Cheers,
synth19 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 07:46 AM   #2
WARVET
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: Vincent
Location: Louisiana
Watch: 16710 Coke
Posts: 448
Submariner all the way. I never understood the advantage to the explorer when you could have a Pepsi GMT
WARVET is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 07:48 AM   #3
689maple
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Russ N.
Location: Western N.C. USA
Watch: 116718 PP & B Bay
Posts: 323
Sub No Date, timeless
689maple is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 07:48 AM   #4
slcbbrown
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: steve
Location: dallas area
Watch: 50's TT t-bird
Posts: 3,689
For me, no question-- Sub. I particularly like the no-date version.
slcbbrown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 07:50 AM   #5
synth19
"TRF" Member
 
synth19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 51
Quote:
Originally Posted by WARVET View Post
Submariner all the way. I never understood the advantage to the explorer when you could have a Pepsi GMT
I would consider the GMT, if I was looking at an Explorer II. However, I like the Explorer I which doesn't have the rotating bezel.
synth19 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 08:05 AM   #6
Kanger
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Real Name: Daniel
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Sea Dweller
Posts: 5,524
Explorer, end of discussion.
Kanger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 08:12 AM   #7
Sixxgrand1
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Canada
Watch: EXP I & II
Posts: 825
Submariner no date - but it would have to be the two line model not the four line with the COSC script.

The new Explorer...short hands and a matte face with poor lume spoil the new model IMHO.
Sixxgrand1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 09:33 AM   #8
Rags
2024 Pledge Member
 
Rags's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Chuck
Location: SW Florida
Watch: 16233,16610,214270
Posts: 11,196
Submariner no date...
__________________
16233 Y Serial Datejust
16610 Z Serial Submariner
214270 Explorer

114300 Oyster Perpetual
76200 Tudor Date+Day
Rags is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 09:54 AM   #9
The GMT Master
"TRF" Member
 
The GMT Master's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Chris
Location: England
Posts: 8,150
The Explorer, no question. Has an all-new movement, and a far, far superior bracelet. For me, it's a no-brainer
The GMT Master is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 10:48 AM   #10
Perdu
"TRF" Member
 
Perdu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Real Name: Gary
Location: GMT-6
Watch: GMT
Posts: 3,350
Don't worry about popularity, get the one YOU like.
__________________
Omega Seamaster 300M GMT Noire
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 8500

Benson 1937 Sterling Silver Hunter
Perdu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 10:52 AM   #11
Speed
"TRF" Member
 
Speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 19,706
I say Sub No Date ---- but Non COSC version!!!

Just my opinion.
Speed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 10:55 AM   #12
phantom357
"TRF" Member
 
phantom357's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Jack Daniels Land
Watch: me drink Guinness!
Posts: 373
Submariner no date, classic piece

Sent from my Evo using Tapatalk.
phantom357 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 11:18 AM   #13
Sixxgrand1
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Canada
Watch: EXP I & II
Posts: 825
Quote:
Originally Posted by The GMT Master View Post
... and a far, far superior bracelet. For me, it's a no-brainer
Far superior....how do you draw that conclusion??
Millions sold and still wearing perfectly on the previous design...?
No credit to the new design because there have not been millions sold and no actual in situ use or decades of testing in real life situations??

I do not agree with you. The new bracelet is only PERCEIVED as better - NOT PROVEN to be.
Sixxgrand1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 11:35 AM   #14
sea-dweller
"TRF" Member
 
sea-dweller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Real Name: Dennis
Location: Bay Area - 925
Posts: 40,018
Get the Sub...
__________________
TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)
sea-dweller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 11:49 AM   #15
DT14
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dallas
Watch: Daytona, Explorer
Posts: 218
Be unique, get the explorer!!
DT14 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 12:36 PM   #16
rosspanics
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Rocky Mountains
Watch: Exp2, Exp1
Posts: 727
Can't believe this hasn't been said yet - get both!!!

LOL. I think I'd rather have the 14060, but the Exp I 39mm is quite nice for all occassions.
rosspanics is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 12:41 PM   #17
Ken Cox
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Real Name: Ken Cox
Location: Bend, Oregon, USA
Watch: GMT Master II
Posts: 469
Sub ND.

The cleanest, most symmetrical, iconic, historic and recognizable watch in the world.

I don't understand why the Explorer has numbers on the dial (3, 6 and 9).

Those numbers really takes away from the Explorer's appearance, for me.

I like the older plain-index Explorers and Air Kings.
Ken Cox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 12:45 PM   #18
Rolex Freak
"TRF" Member
 
Rolex Freak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Real Name: Sandro
Location: Canada
Watch: Rolex/GS
Posts: 4,412
My vote goes to the Sub ND.
Rolex Freak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 12:48 PM   #19
Boopie
"TRF" Member
 
Boopie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 3,952
My vote is for the Sub as well.
Boopie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 12:59 PM   #20
jglassjr
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Real Name: Jim
Location: michigan
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 60
I got the explorer.... they are both tough as nails and youll be happy with either ..... I have to say tho that I am leaning towards getting a no date as I have such a love affair with my explorer. Its such a beautiful,elegant, and classy watch that I feel bad when Im changing oil or cutting wood with it on
jglassjr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 01:08 PM   #21
HL65
TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron
 
HL65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Ken
Location: SW Florida
Watch: One on my wrist.
Posts: 64,008
Sub ND for me!!
__________________

SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT
HL65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 01:39 PM   #22
Genevapics
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Andre
Location: Delaware
Watch: Submariner
Posts: 296
You MUST try them both on. If able to compare side-by-side all the better, but you must try them on to see which watch speaks to you. After that you will have a good idea of which watch you like the most. If, like many here, you will buy one now and pick up the other down the road...

My one and only Rolex is a Submariner (14060m w/o COSC). I LOVE it, but that is because it is a watch I have wanted all my life.

Good luck to you.
__________________
–Andre´
Genevapics is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 01:42 PM   #23
Art 1
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida, Canada
Watch: Rol/Seik/Tud/Omega
Posts: 30,244
For me it would be easy to choose the Explorer.
Art 1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 01:45 PM   #24
Gob Bluth
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chicago
Watch: 16610LV & 16710
Posts: 530
I tried on the new explorer this weekend and was not impressed. It was nice and the hands are fine but it wasn't anything special. I'd go sub cosc.

Ps the ceramic sub looked great, especially when the bezel was grayish in certain light.
Gob Bluth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 06:04 PM   #25
Richard.
"TRF" Member
 
Richard.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 969
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sixxgrand1 View Post
Far superior....how do you draw that conclusion??
Millions sold and still wearing perfectly on the previous design...?
No credit to the new design because there have not been millions sold and no actual in situ use or decades of testing in real life situations??

I do not agree with you. The new bracelet is only PERCEIVED as better - NOT PROVEN to be.
It's true that the old bracelets have (generally) proved themselves over many years, but it's equally true that the newer ones are clearly of superior build quality, particularly when compared to the inferior model fitted to the Sub. ND. They are also much more comfortable. I don't own the new Explorer (yet), but doesn't it have the Easylink? I find that feature extremely useful on my GMT IIc.

Having said that, and in response to the OP, I would probably buy the Sub. as a first Rolex, but it would probably spend most of it's life on a NATO. Go and try them both on.
__________________
A father is someone who carries photographs in his wallet - where his money used to be.
Richard. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 07:36 PM   #26
The GMT Master
"TRF" Member
 
The GMT Master's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Chris
Location: England
Posts: 8,150
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sixxgrand1 View Post
Far superior....how do you draw that conclusion??
Millions sold and still wearing perfectly on the previous design...?
No credit to the new design because there have not been millions sold and no actual in situ use or decades of testing in real life situations??

I do not agree with you. The new bracelet is only PERCEIVED as better - NOT PROVEN to be.
Well, the bracelet featured on the Sub ND is hideously outdated - yes, it might be functional, but it feels like it's been taken off a £100 throwaway. The bracelet on my Seiko Monster feels nicer on the wrist than the Sub ND's one. You could live with it on a throwaway, but for a £3500 watch, you expect something that feels good as well as performs well. The bracelet on the Explorer is essentially identical to the GMT IIc's band and clasp, bar the fact it's fully brushed - perfectly weighted, practical and beautifully engineered. As you're essentially paying the same money for both the Sub and the Explorer, I'd take the Explorer - it's the logical choice.
The GMT Master is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 08:37 PM   #27
dddrees
"TRF" Member
 
dddrees's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Real Name: Dan
Location: USA
Watch: This N That
Posts: 34,253
Sub ND.
dddrees is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 09:12 PM   #28
slevin kelevra
"TRF" Member
 
slevin kelevra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Scotland
Watch: 14060m
Posts: 631
Sub ND for me.


See this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-65A...layer_embedded

quite a few reservations on the new Explorer. Not my review by the way.
slevin kelevra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 10:11 PM   #29
Fearsome Puppy
"TRF" Member
 
Fearsome Puppy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Real Name: Kevin
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Watch: SD4K
Posts: 880
Another vote for the ND Sub. Tried on the 39mm Explorer the other day and it didn't do that much for me...
__________________
Lange 1815 Chrono, AP ROO 26470ST, RO 26230ST, Rolex 216570 (w), 116600, 116520 (w), IWC XV, PAM 366, 420, Omega 311.30.42.30.01.005, Seiko SKX007J, Apple Watch, a bunch of G-Shocks
-------------------------------------------------------------
Fearsome Puppy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2011, 10:52 PM   #30
sttevo
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Australia
Watch: Subbage
Posts: 26
It seems we have similar tastes! I had the same dilemma so bought both of them. Asking which I'd prefer though, would be like asking who your favourite child is! I love them both equally :)

Here's a pic I took just now..

sttevo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.