214270 Explorer.... and surfing?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by sinkholeninja

Unlike Explorer and Explorer II, Submariner is not fitted with a Parafex shock absorber, which makes it less robust in hard impact situations.

More on this here:

“Unlike the calibre 3132 found in the Rolex Explorer (also without a date feature), the calibre 3130 lacks Paraflex shock absorbers, making it a closer relative of the caliber 3135 than the 3132.”

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...ner-watch.html

Originally Posted by SearChart

The paraflex is also in the DateJust II and all new 32×× calibers. And in real life has no benefit over kif/incabloc anti-shock systems.

By the time you sustain a knock where a regular kif would fail you would have your crystal shattered anyway. It is just plain and simple marketing and Rolex wanted their own system that no other brand uses.

But I see the marketing works pretty good

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by SearChart

"By the time you sustain a knock where a regular kif would fail you would have your crystal shattered anyway."

Fair enough, so would you say that Paraflex makes absolutely no difference what so ever? If so, I find it hard to understand why Rolex would utilize it in the first place.

P.S. Is it simply the case of over engineering?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by sinkholeninja

"By the time you sustain a knock where a regular kif would fail you would have your crystal shattered anyway."

Fair enough, so would you say that Paraflex makes absolutely no difference what so ever? If so, I find it hard to understand why Rolex would utilize it in the first place.

P.S. Is it simply the case of over engineering?

Because they do not want use a system that they have not designed. The KIF they used was not made by them, this is just a step towards being 100% in-house.

[SearChart]

Oh and yes, the paraflex is theoretically better than KIF, but you will not notice this in real life use because we are talking absurd extreme situations. (paraflex is still inferior to incabloc due to lack of diagonal shock absorption)

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Oh and yes, the paraflex is theoretically better than KIF, but you will not notice this in real life use because we are talking absurd extreme situations. (paraflex is still inferior to incabloc due to lack of diagonal shock absorption)

Good to know and thanks for the knowledge sharing

[peterrr]

I surfed in my Explorer a few times. What happens is it has a tendency to slide down my wrist and when I pop up it is pushing against the back of my hand. I have also bumped it a couple of times while paddling - never a ding but always makes me cringe. I picked up G-SHOCK GWX-5700 G-LIDE TIDE DIGITAL. Great watch for surfing.

[Soultime]

I reckon on 3 types of surfing here.

1. Novice/Grockle - smashed to bits in whitewater/shallows and no control or much idea what's going on. Never out of the whitewater.

2. Experienced surfer on a nice day. Gentle paddle out and a bit of lobster potting between sets. Fully in control and relaxed.

3. Experienced surfer on a heavy/big day. Likelihood of some big moments with very powerful waves and severe washing machine cycles and trips to the seabed.

I think 1 and 3 no way for a Rolex and 2 no real problem. But still not worth the risk.

[crown&badger]

Originally Posted by peterrr

I surfed in my Explorer a few times. What happens is it has a tendency to slide down my wrist and when I pop up it is pushing against the back of my hand. I have also bumped it a couple of times while paddling - never a ding but always makes me cringe. I picked up G-SHOCK GWX-5700 G-LIDE TIDE DIGITAL. Great watch for surfing.

Yeah I can imagine that that happening. Did you use the stock bracelet or did you put a NATO type strap on?
I generally don’t knock my hand on my the board when paddling, but I do prefer long boarding so that is a bit easier to paddle once you get going. It can be a bit tricky to swing around on a dime from sitting and hassle for a wave in a crowded line up so I am often way out the back.

[Seibei]

Just wear a Casio. Surfing while wearing a Rolex is just trying too hard, much too hard.

[crown&badger]

Originally Posted by Soultime

I reckon on 3 types of surfing here.

1. Novice/Grockle - smashed to bits in whitewater/shallows and no control or much idea what's going on. Never out of the whitewater.

2. Experienced surfer on a nice day. Gentle paddle out and a bit of lobster potting between sets. Fully in control and relaxed.

3. Experienced surfer on a heavy/big day. Likelihood of some big moments with very powerful waves and severe washing machine cycles and trips to the seabed.

I think 1 and 3 no way for a Rolex and 2 no real problem. But still not worth the risk.

I believe where we we think we are on this continuum and where we actually are often two different things.

[Brny11]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Get a G shock frogman for surfing and the explorer for after surfing

This. Or you know, no watch at all is an option. But yeah gshock if you need it.


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[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

Cowabunga Dude, surfing and caring what time it is..........?

Ha ha funnily enough I got into watches cos I was surfing before work one morning and I didn’t have a watch on so I was late and my boss chewed me out.

Since that day I swore I would never walk this earth without a good waterproof watch on my arm

[Marcjvr]

I surf all the time with my Explorer on. It’s made to take a beating.

[jimmytamp]

Originally Posted by JR16

You can absolutely surf w an explorer - water resistance not an issue. Same shock absorption as a SubC. Bracelet no issues. It can take a beating. The only thing that would give me caution is that the explorer bezel will likely get pretty scuffed and dinged - if you are cool with that , then go for it . Personally, I usually wear my SubC when I’m in the ocean and don’t care about the scuffs and dings on the case and bracelet .


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Please correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think any SubC fitted with Paraflex shock absorber as it does on Explorer 1 & 2.

Yet both SubC & Explorer series use PARACHROM hairsprings which stand better to shock than other normal hairspring.


SubC Specs:




Explorer 1 Specs:



Cheers...


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[juliet]

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/se...ths-deep-sixed

The Explorer is the purest example of a Rolex watch designed to do everything. It will go as high up a mountain as you can climb and as deep in the sea as you can dive (recreationally).

[Marcjvr]

Well I literally just finished surfing with my Explorer. Still looks brand new. I do slide it under my wetsuit though






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[Rokoru]

I lost my G shock after a wipe out and I am glad it was the G shock lost and not any Rolex...

[SeaAndSky]

Howdy, surfing is one of my passions and I've been doing it for over thirty years. I don't wear my watches when I'm in the water. I've been through plenty of beatings that could have easily ripped a watch right off my arm. I'm fortunate I suppose in never needing to know the time when I'm out in the water. All surfers know that even a head high wave has more than enough power to separate one from his/her Rolex. I'd leave it in the board bag on the beach like I do. Unless you're in a crowded spot then obviously someplace more secure. Again, not a worry for me as a Northwest member of the tribe.

[SeaAndSky]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

Cowabunga Dude, surfing and caring what time it is..........?

Exactly! End of discussion.

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by SeaAndSky

Exactly! End of discussion.

Lol quite the opposite. When the waves are good during the week I have surfed before work, during my lunch break and again right after work. Imperative to have a watch so you don’t get to work late or too early (leave good waves on the table)

That’s actually what got me into appreciating good waterproof watches

[SeaAndSky]

Is there a wave pool in CLT? : )

[Marcjvr]

lol I wish there was. Currently on vacation in South Africa staying on the coast where I grew up

[SeaAndSky]

Ha! Just giving you a hard time. Still, if I needed to know the time I wouldn't wear a Rolex out there. I'm about as firmly in the use it and enjoy it camp as one can be but I've been violently wiped out too many times. I know that even under a wetsuit the thing could be ripped off my arm. Luckily for me, when I'm surfing, I'm surfing. In the moment and nothing else on my mind. I'll be doing much of that shortly on a month plus long vacation coming up in a couple of weeks.

PS, enjoy your time back home.

[justjay82]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

There are better tools for the job.

Just because you can doesn't mean that you should.

I agree with this. You’d probably be fine, but not sure I’d want to try my luck. Swimming, snorkeling - yes. Surfing with an Ex1 - probably not.

[drtii]

People be like "What's insurance for?"

Come on. We all know you could just strap on a $50 G-Shock and be done with it, but he wants to wear a Rolex and wants to know if it can handle it.

Yes it can.

Will you lose it? Most likely someday you will if you crash hard enough.

If it's insured you have all of the fun and none of the problems.

[waterman1]

Maybe I’ve been lucky but surfed head high plus plenty of times with nato/Zulu and so far no issues. Last week at Zippers in Cabo and I was a little sketched on the boulders but nothing. I don’t want to give bad advice and have something happen to another persons watch so use caution. On to S Africa from Charlotte NC - nice hit if that’s you in photo. I also add I too usually have a schedule to keep so having a watch is mandatory to get a session in. Back to why I wear my Rolex..no need to change from G shock or another, I just keep the same watch on all times. I do wash with soap and water at end of day.

[Dauntless]

We are at the New Jersey shore frequently surfing and fishing. I have an Explorer and I wear it all the time fishing on the boat, but I rarely it wear surfing. This is not from a ruggedness standpoint but from personal safety standpoint. The Explorer can easily handle surfing conditions but is bright and shiny. On many occasions I have been near, or in, a school of bluefish while surfing early. I think the watch could easily be mistaken for a baitfish putting ones wrist or fingers in jeopardy.

Years ago snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas an experienced diver suggested I take my watch off because of the barracuda. It has always given me pause thereafter.

[Muxi]

Originally Posted by Devildog

This is also an internet myth and just Rolex marketing as confirmed by Bas (SearChart) on here who is an RSC watchmaker

Really? Haha

Nice to know. Thanks

[crown&badger]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Because they do not want use a system that they have not designed. The KIF they used was not made by them, this is just a step towards being 100% in-house.

Thanks for the informative posts SearChart.
I was under the impression that Incabloc is owned by the Swatch Group... and that Kif was formed after Incabloc and is kind of part of Rolex - or is that incorrect? Please let me know.

Is Incabloc better at handling diagonal impacts because it is hinged?

[crown&badger]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Well I literally just finished surfing with my Explorer. Still looks brand new. I do slide it under my wetsuit though

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Some great shots, Marcjvr - thanks for posting. Your Exp looks like it was made to be on your wrist!

I would probably do the same and keep the Exp under the wetsuit, maybe using a NATO strap as well.
If the waves were big enough to take the watch off my wrist with that set up, then I'm probably more likely to be watching from the beach with some hot tea & scones anyway.

Thanks to everyone for their contributions to the thread. It has been most informative.