Opinion on the 39mm Exp.

[burger'n'fries]

I went to South Coast Plaza today to begin my Christmas shopping and paid a visit to the Rolex store. The selection was pretty amazing. It appeared as if they had an example of every watch in the Rolex line. Service was friendly and very helpful.

I finally got a chance to see the new Exp. in the flesh and I have to say that I like it. It's a smart, stylish looking watch. Personally, I feel it's a completely different model from my 36mm Exp. due to its overall appearance. They do share the same name and are similar in design and appearance, but my side-by-side comparison left me feeling as if I was looking at a watch completely built from the ground up. Though smaller than a Sub it actually appears larger due to the size of the dial and crystal. The color of the dial is more akin to a really dark gray than it is black. The matte finish gives the face a soft, subdued appearance. The new bracelet design is far superior than the old ones, but it is heavy. The milled clasp and solid middle links really add some weight to the watch. I'm personally inclined to believe that a lighter watch is inherently more comfortable. However, the bracelet feels rock solid and doesn't seem it will stretch over time.

The hands...they're fine. I was staring at the watch on my wrist for a while and began to think if the minute hand was longer it wouldn't look right for some reason. The dial is big and an over-extended minute hand would look funny in a way. It's hard to explain, you just have to see it for yourself. I think the hands fit the overall appearance of the watch. They were not recycled from the 36mm. They did appear to be different from my Exp.

It may sound a little strange, but comparing the 39mm to the 36mm is like comparing apples to oranges. The new Exp. really does seem to be a completely different design. And I for one really like it. This doesn't mean I like my 114270 any less. In fact it was quite the opposite. I left feeling the that classic styling of my watch was even more so than what I had previously thought. The sales rep. behind the counter actually complemented my watch and told me never to part with it.

To sum it up, I like both designs. Both have unique features that differentiates one from the other, yet both possess that classic, simple aesthetic that makes people admire the Explorer. Too bad I already own one or else I would consider buying a 39mm.

Also, tried the Sub-c. It's very heavy and wears a lot bigger than the older model. Looks really good though. Also tried the no-date model which I think is going to be my next purchase. I'm going to wait to see if it gets an update though.

Happy Holidays.