6 days with the white Explorer II ......

[Blue Bull]

Have now worn,owned and enjoyed the white Explorer for 6 days.Some impressions :

The most striking features of this watch is the white dial and the ss fixed bezel.If you want a reference for the colour "white",just have a look at this dial,white in its purest form.The black surrounds and the slightly greenish tint from the Luminova,on the hourmarkers,give a very contrasty and three dimensional look to the dial.The black painted hour and minute hands ad to this contrast and leads to one of the most readable faces from Rolex.The red from the 24h hand,adding that little touch of colour.The white dial also reflects more light,compared to a black dial.This leads to a very bright looking reflection ring and cyclops.The cyclops shines like a diamond on top of the crystal in direct sunlight.This is one model where the cyclops fits the overall design.

I innitially had reservations regarding the ss bezel.I thought that it would disappear ,since it is surrounded by ss from the case and the bracelet.However,the angle is different from the case and bracelet.This leads to it "standing out" from the rest,in the way that light is reflected.The combination of the white dial and ss bezel,forms quite a complete picture.

Love the bracelet.I still believe that a brown or black leather strap,a red,grey or black Zulu strap will look fantastic,but wont beat the original.Something to experiment with in the future.For now,the bracelet stays.I love the smaller,more slimline clasp.

A triplock,would have been better than a twinlock crown.

Weight and feel is similar to a Gmt II.

Overall a very elegant and stylish watch.Sporty and eye catching and a watch that you will be very unlikely to grow tired of wearing.If you consider one,dont hesitate~ Highly recommended !!

[kcmo]

Where are your photos?

[JJ Irani]

Thanks, Chris.....nice review. Glad you're enjoying that beauty so much.

You're right about the fixed bezel, especially if you are NOT a "bezel fiddler"!!

The weight is 126 grams - just one gram lighter than the SS GMT-II. Yes, it's a very comfortable watch on the wrist and sits nice and low slung.....fits well under a shirt cuff.

Wear it well, my friend.

Cheers - JJ

[FloridaSam]

We need Pic(k)s

[Blue Bull]

Sorry,tired of "not a valid image file" and "file too big" when trying to load pics

Anyone have nice pics,please feel free to ad to this topic.

Mine is a very late D serial (D97XXXX) and the bracelet is OP6.That would be June 2006.The bracelet was manufactured a month after the watch.

The purchase price at the current exchange rate was $4250,bnib and AD.I think that was most reasonable.Our MSRP here is a high $5900.I got less 28% for cash

[ashu2289]

Nice review
And surely the white dial makes th watch stand out of the other Rolex sport models

[mike]

The white EXP II is a great watch! Nice score!!

[Solar]

I'd like the white Exp II to be my next watch. And I like the fact it has the twinlock crown. Less digging into the wrist. The GMT II is getting more wrist time than my SD............the GMT II/ExpII sizes are jsut right for me I find in terms of dial size, weight and wrist feel.

C

[leopardprey]

We need Pic(k)s

Yeah, his White Explorer II may look different than the other 100+ photos of a White Explorer II we have seen!

The only thing I do not like about the white explorer II, in low light conditions or all bacl conditions, the minute hand is harder to read than Rolex Black dial version.

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by Solar

I'd like the white Exp II to be my next watch. And I like the fact it has the twinlock crown. Less digging into the wrist. The GMT II is getting more wrist time than my SD............the GMT II/ExpII sizes are jsut right for me I find in terms of dial size, weight and wrist feel.

C

No question,the GMT/Expl II is less weighty.One reason I like wearing the SD,compared to the Sub,the crown sits higher,so less digging into the skin.I dont mind the weight of the SD,since its very close to the TT Sub.

Find a good deal on a white Expl II ans join the club !! The white dial is a very nice alternative to the black dials of the SD and GMT II.

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

We need Pic(k)s

Yeah, his White Explorer II may look different than the other 100+ photos of a White Explorer II we have seen!

The only thing I do not like about the white explorer II, in low light conditions or all bacl conditions, the minute hand is harder to read than Rolex Black dial version.

Chad,thanks for your input via PM.It played a major role in my decision to purchase this beauty !!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Blue Bull

Chad,thanks for your input via PM.It played a major role in my decision to purchase this beauty !!

Don and I were at our AD this morning checking out the new SS GMT-II. I tried on a white Exp-II and fell in love with it. What a beauty!!

[leopardprey]

I tried on a white Exp-II and fell in love with it. What a beauty!!

Didn't you use to have a White Face Exp II many moons ago?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

I tried on a white Exp-II and fell in love with it. What a beauty!!

Didn't you use to have a White Face Exp II many moons ago?

Yes, a couple of years ago....but now I somehow want it back!!

[leopardprey]

Be the perfect watch for you JJ, since you already have a dark faced Sub.

Also a completely different look and function than your Sub.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Be the perfect watch for you JJ, since you already have a dark faced Sub.

Also a completely different look and function than your Sub.

Very true. I tried on the DJ again - the 116234. Love it like 99.9% - the 36 mm size still puts me off - just too damned small on my large wrist.

JJ

[dman]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Very true. I tried on the DJ again - the 116234. Love it like 99.9% - the 36 mm size still puts me off - just too damned small on my large wrist.

JJ

What you mean is it gets swallowed by the fur coat on your arm?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by dman

What you mean is it gets swallowed by the fur coat on your arm?

Possibly... ..such a beatiful watch.....such an incorrect size!! Damn!!

[Ragu]

The Wht.Exp.II is a beauty and gets all my wrist time over all others.
Great Choice

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by Ragu

The Wht.Exp.II is a beauty and gets all my wrist time over all others.
Great Choice

Very well thought out collection,Ragu The classic black ss sports,the GMT II for a bit of colour and the beautiful white Explorer II,for even greater diversity and a star on its own !!

[mike]

Originally Posted by Ragu

The Wht.Exp.II is a beauty and gets all my wrist time over all others.
Great Choice

Land,Sea,and Air! Well done my friend!!

[Tools]

The white dial Exp II is a beautiful watch. The only thing that could possibly make it better would be what ?

Maybe a black dial ! Yep, that's it...

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by Tools

The white dial Exp II is a beautiful watch. The only thing that could possibly make it better would be what ?

Maybe a black dial ! Yep, that's it...

Depends what you already own.As a first Rolex or only Rolex,yes,the black dial may be an option.But,if like myself,already owning a SD and like Ragu,already owning a GMT and Sub,then the Expl II white dial, becomes the logical choice.Let me warn you,that white dial becomes quite addictive !!!

What would also be a smashing design would be a GMT II with pepsi bezel and white dial,just like those 150 limited run for Pan Am that now fetches 5 figure pricing amongst private buyers.
But sadly,the current GMT II is no more.... We now have a new one with a pottery bezel and "painted milky white"(Oh God, ......)numericals.

[Tools]

OK, you've talked me into it !

My next watch will be a white dial.........................................maybe

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by Tools

OK, you've talked me into it !

My next watch will be a white dial.........................................maybe

Since you have a TT Sub,you have many options if you want to go the ss route.A white dial Expl II,is only one of them.

[Chris B]

The white Explorer is a hell of a watch, I've had mine about 6 weeks & all I can say is that I should have had one years ago.

A short while ago Jocke posted pic of a white Explorer on a brown leather strap, it was stunning.

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by Chris B

The white Explorer is a hell of a watch, I've had mine about 6 weeks & all I can say is that I should have had one years ago.

A short while ago Jocke posted pic of a white Explorer on a brown leather strap, it was stunning.

You are absolutely correct.Its a beauty !!

Up to about a month ago I was saying to quote myself,things like "The ss bezel will not stand out from the ss case and this will let the dial look small .. " and "Its my least favourite of all the ss sport Rollies ... " What absolute from me ....(Please excuse me I first want to hit myself over the head ... )

Those pics from Jocke had me thinking and I started investigating the white dial Expl II .... and the rest is history

This is perhaps the Rolex that will respond the best to bracelet/strap changes,BUT for the moment the original bracelet is going nowhere

All I can say is,that if the white dial Expl II just crosses your mind ..... GET IT !!! Satisfaction guaranteed

[ohlins]

still as pretty as ever.....

[TARDIS]

A truly great looking model is the white dial Explorer II which my AD insists on calling it the 'Polar' Explorer.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by ohlins

still as pretty as ever.....

What a stunningly superb picture, Ohlins!!!