Explorer 39mm Mk 1 disaster.

[Peter99]

I recently had a real disaster with my Exp 39mm Mk 1 the details being just too painful metaphorically speaking to currently relate!

The upshot is that it has been with a Rolex Service Centre for a few weeks now for a service (£600)plus replacement crystal(£100) plus replacement bezel(£100) plus replacement dial and hands(£400). Total £1200 ($1500).

I now realise that my Mk1 had short hands plus plain gold 3-6-9 but now superseded by the Mk2 variation with longer hands and filled in luminous 3-6-9.
My thoughts are now what will RCS fit?
Mk1 type or Mk2 type?
What do you guys reckon?

[Cryten]

There have been threads on here detailing how Rolex have changed the hands to the new longer hands without being asked to, but as for the dial? I'd expect the old version to go back in. That's probably a step too far for Rolex.

[torrente]

I think Rolex should not do that without asking, apart of that I personally prefer mk2 then that change would alleviate a bit the pain for the initial disaster.

[jsausley]

Originally Posted by Cryten

There have been threads on here detailing how Rolex have changed the hands to the new longer hands without being asked to, but as for the dial? I'd expect the old version to go back in. That's probably a step too far for Rolex.

Have a link on that? Seems like it would be all or nothing. A MK1 dial and MK2 hands would be weird.

[alphasports]

I had my Mk1 refit as a Mk2 last fall and the dial and hands come as a complete set, no cherrypicking what you prefer. I would imagine it's the same for a non-elective repair.

[torrente]

Originally Posted by alphasports

I had my Mk1 refit as a Mk2 last fall and the dial and hands come as a complete set, no cherrypicking what you prefer. I would imagine it's the same for a non-elective repair.

How much was the refit?

[Hub6152]

Why not call and straight out ask them to fit the new dial/hands.

[Peter99]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

Why not call and straight out ask them to fit the new dial/hands.

Perhaps I will, but am half hoping they will fit as original with short hands etc as I feel that the Mk1 in the years to come will be a collectors watch and perhaps more valuable than the Mk2.
So I may leave as is and wait and see want turns up ‘cos the RSC will do what ever their policy is with the parts they have.
But the Mk2 is perhaps the more functional for its ‘explorer’ duties and I do go up in the hills!
So really I am not fussed either way, both Mks 1 & 2 are nice watches and although I have a SubC with date, I do miss my Explorer!

[ExplorerTime]

Sorry to hear about the damage, whatever it was.

My understanding is that Rolex will not mix MK1 and MK2 dials/hands - if you have an MK1 and need new hands then they will replace with MK1 hands. If you request the MK2 dial and new hands they will make the switch - for a price - not free.

I agree with you that you're better off sticking with the MK1 dial and hands, the MK1 is not only a great watch but will certainly become a collectors piece down the road. Count on it.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Peter99

Perhaps I will, but am half hoping they will fit as original with short hands etc as I feel that the Mk1 in the years to come will be a collectors watch and perhaps more valuable than the Mk2.
So I may leave as is and wait and see want turns up ‘cos the RSC will do what ever their policy is with the parts they have.
But the Mk2 is perhaps the more functional for its ‘explorer’ duties and I do go up in the hills!
So really I am not fussed either way, both Mks 1 & 2 are nice watches and although I have a SubC with date, I do miss my Explorer!

I’d want mine kept as a mk1

[smym18]

Can we see the disaster?

[RtTime]

Peter99,
Except for the hands and lumination, the MkI and MkII are essentially the identity watch. They are both beautiful elegant watches. I love the Rolex Explorer; for me it is ultimate tool watch. It is always ready to go in any attire casual to suits, practically any activity (I wouldn't wear it to a black tie affair, or go scuba diving with it), rarely if ever out of place. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Michelangelo. Perhaps I'm one of the few who see the differences between the MkI and MkII as insignificant. Either you purchased a used Explorer or you were unaware of the 2016 upgrade to the Explorer. I would have gotten the MkI but I wanted a brand new unworn watch. The fact you wrote you needed a replacement crystal and replacement bezel tends to indicate you have omitted some essential facts. What happened to the watch? You have the option of refitting the watch into a MkII or keeping it as a MkI. The expense for that refitting is but 1/3 of the service repair price quoted to you by the Rolex Service Center. One the plus side for you the possibility exists that in the future the MkI may be of greater value than the MkII. IMHO, neither watch is superior to the other. Look, whether it is a Mk I or a "refitted" MkII, you still have a great timepiece. If you like the watch: Enjoy it. If not let it go and replace it with a timepiece of your desire. The important thing is to have the watch you like on your wrist. Good luck.

[77T]

Let us know what you get back. But the part numbers required by RSC dictate what goes onto a repaired watch. Same for crystal and bezel.


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[Peter99]

RTTime and all many thanks for your comments!
I’ve had my Exp 39mm Mk1 for 5 years and got rather attached to it and you can imagine my surprise when I realised my watch was in the washing machine with the dark wash at 30C (86F)!
It was the noise of the watch hitting the sides of the drum on the last reshuffle of clothes before the final spin which attracted me. A very unusual noise it was!
On retrieving the watch the crown had unwound and then jammed.
Inside the chipped crystal was a halo of condensation with a marked bezel and body.
A sorry sight indeed.
However, considering the crown had unwound I was surprised only the dial and hands needed replacing. Presumably all other problems mechanically, have been covered by the cost of the service charge.
So, it could have been a lot worse!
Regarding whether the RSC will fit Mk1 or Mk2 hands I tend to hope it will be Mk1 which I suppose is what they will fit if they have them available.
I will let you know the outcome in about two weeks time.

[smym18]

Originally Posted by Peter99

RTTime and all many thanks for your comments!
I’ve had my Exp 39mm Mk1 for 5 years and got rather attached to it and you can imagine my surprise when I realised my watch was in the washing machine with the dark wash at 30C (86F)!
It was the noise of the watch hitting the sides of the drum on the last reshuffle of clothes before the final spin which attracted me. A very unusual noise it was!
On retrieving the watch the crown had unwound and then jammed.
Inside the chipped crystal was a halo of condensation with a marked bezel and body.
A sorry sight indeed.
However, considering the crown had unwound I was surprised only the dial and hands needed replacing. Presumably all other problems mechanically, have been covered by the cost of the service charge.
So, it could have been a lot worse!
Regarding whether the RSC will fit Mk1 or Mk2 hands I tend to hope it will be Mk1 which I suppose is what they will fit if they have them available.
I will let you know the outcome in about two weeks time.

Oh no...

[Steph-paul]

Sorry for your mishap, I hope they will fix it well either way.

[Peter99]

Pleased to advise that a visit today to the RCS at West Malling produced my Explorer 39mm Mk 1.
The eight week wait well worth waiting for!
During the service it has been converted to the Mk 2 with longer hour and minute hands with luminous 3-6-9 numbers.
I had no preference, perhaps wishing they had been kept as original but with a sneaking wish the luminous, perhaps being a tad more useful as an Explorer watch.
On close examination it is good that some very small dings have been left and to my eyes there has been no visible change to the case.
During the wait I wore my reliable Certina watch bought during a skiing trip to Switzerland in the mid 1960’s. Much liked!
The crown needs a service but gaining a minute a day is no problem.
A happy ending!

[Gomler]

This is my explorer before and after it's vist to RSC in London.
The hand change wasn't requested but I didn't mind.
The new hands work for me!

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[ExplorerTime]

This is incredible.

Rolex gave you MK 2 hands on a MK 1 dial

Everyone said this couldn’t be done, this is now an historic post

Tell us more - they just replaced hands, they didn’t ask?

[Toivonen]

How can you be happy with a non contemporary dials and hands... was it mine... i’d immediately sell the Watch (and i like the mk2 mooooooore, but if a Watch has a spec it’d not be changed)

[dreyep]

A true Frankensplorer. I like it.

[KBM]

Glad everytyhing worked out to your liking, OP. May you enjoy it for many years more!