So surprised by the Explorer II

[Keats]

Hi all,

I posted yesterday about my desire to find a workhorse watch to rotate alongside my GMT IIc - quite rightly many suggested wearing my GMT irrespective of the situation, and while I agree, the itch to find a suitable second piece was driving me crazy. So after a night sleeping on it, a trip to my preferred AD was in order.

Long story short, I was presented with a selection of suitable options having given my AD the criteria. Out came an IWC Aquatimer, a Panerai Luminor (PAM00321 although this was fished out to give an idea as to the feel of the watch), the beastly Deepsea along and both black and white face Explorer II's.

To my absolute amazement I was smitten with the Explorer II - it just screamed 'any time, any place, anywhere'!! It has the hallmarks of robustness I'm searching for along with the typical class and presence that one expects from Rolex. I fell for the black face which contrasts beautifully with the grain of the brushed bezel, while the orange 24-hour hand 'pops' off the face.

So, whether it's jeans and T-shirts or business attire, this baby ticks the boxes and I feel is the perfect foil for my GMT. As such, the watch is safely stashed in the AD's safe with my name on it and I just wondered what the consensus is on TRF, is there love for the Explorer II?

Cheers all,

Stu

[azguy]

It seems as though the white is more popular than black In general it seems as though people either "love em" or "hate em".....

The orange hand and print on the white dial are pretty slick

[theken]

I love mine although I choose the white dial becauseall of my other watch at the present time, have black dials.

[Keats]

Originally Posted by azguy

It seems as though the white is more popular than black In general it seems as though people either "love em" or "hate em".....

The orange hand and print on the white dial are pretty slick

Yeah, you're right - I've done some TRF homework on the EXP II and it does seem that the white is by far the most popular choice, and while I agree it's a slick piece, the black is pulling me in. Maybe the answer is to have both but the wide won't allow that!!

[Keats]

Originally Posted by theken

I love mine although I choose the white dial becauseall of my other watch at the present time, have black dials.

Beautiful piece, I love the way it sits, especially with a shirt which is what I'll be wearing it with for 90% of the time. I so much wanted the Deepsea but the Explorer has won out for size/comfort/versatility.

[dmitrii_]

I'd go for the DSSD, you have to get acquainted with it. Wearing one, properly sized to your wrist for a bit will almost guarantee you choose a Deep Sea.

Never was big on the Exp II, just doesn't sing to me personally.

[harvey]

i have to agree... and that's why im picking up the white for my birthday in a few weeks time.

[azguy]

I think white is more popular because we all have black SS sport watches already.....

[TSW]

Prefer the Black dial myself.

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by Keats

Yeah, you're right - I've done some TRF homework on the EXP II and it does seem that the white is by far the most popular choice, and while I agree it's a slick piece, the black is pulling me in. Maybe the answer is to have both but the wide won't allow that!!

;-) Do it! It's a fun timepiece to wear!

[wantonebad]

I agree with Sam, Black is really cool, and it reminds me of the 1655

[Keats]

Originally Posted by TSW

Prefer the Black dial myself.

Good to know I'm not alone in my love for the black dial - for me, and I know everyone is different, the black works to contrast perfectly with the orange 24-hour hand/bezel. Adds real depth and presence.

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I agree with Sam, Black is really cool, and it reminds me of the 1655

As Marc said... 1655!!!

[mopsey]

The black dial does not do itself justice in a picture. You simply have to put one on your wrists and it will sing to you.

[ManCityFan]

have tried both and, while the white dial is nice, i prefer black. the matte black dial looks almost brown in bright light...really nice.

[ersnyder]

For me, I like the white. But, I like the "old" white Exp II also!

[jmsrolls]

Loved the glossy black dial of my 16570 but the matte dial of the black 216570 did nothing for me.

After side-by-side comparison and on my wrist, white was the one for me. The legibility is incomparable and is the watch that could easily qualify as my one and only.

Even my wife thinks it is gorgeous.

Fr. John+

[simonmcc]

The explorer is a beautiful time piece with real history, it's the watch that was debatably the first or second to reach the summit of Everest and it's design has proven to be timeless, unlike the DSSD.

[Keats]

Originally Posted by mopsey

The black dial does not do itself justice in a picture. You simply have to put one on your wrists and it will sing to you.

That's one point I missed from my original post - the fact that this watch simply has to be seen 'in hand' to properly appreciate it. Looking a photographs doesn't do the Explorer II justice. Having worn it earlier in the AD, no image I've seen since can convey just how sweet this piece is.

[Keats]

Originally Posted by simonmcc

The explorer is a beautiful time piece with real history, it's the watch that was debatably the first or second to reach the summit of Everest and it's design has proven to be timeless, unlike the DSSD.

That aspect is important to me - I like to feel that my watch has a legacy, and while I know the DSSD has the Trieste/Mariana Trench background, I feel the Explorer has more substance in that regard.

[Keats]

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

Loved the glossy black dial of my 16570 but the matte dial of the black 216570 did nothing for me.

After side-by-side comparison and on my wrist, white was the one for me. The legibility is incomparable and is the watch that could easily qualify as my one and only.

Even my wife thinks it is gorgeous.

Fr. John+

The all important approval from the wife cannot be underestimated father and I can see why you both appreciate the absolute clarity offered by the white dial. Before I make the purchase I will cast my eye over the white to make absolutely sure.

[Explorertwo]

Originally Posted by ersnyder

For me, I like the white. But, I like the "old" white Exp II also!

x2: 'old' white and 'new' black! Great watches!!

[SeaDweller50]

I like the black dial but not the so called phantom hands. Painted black gloss and are painted uneven.

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by RolexplorerII

I like the black dial but not the so called phantom hands. Painted black gloss and are painted uneven.

Painted uneven? Do you mean the matte dial and gloss hands? Are you sure you handled the real McCoy? Please reference the two above pictures of the black dial 216570 and it's true predecessor the AMAZING 1655 to see if you are identifying the correct reference

[hitman23]

I have the black dial and the hands look perfectly fine to me. The white is nice as well, but the combination of the matte dial and orange hand beats out the white lacquer dial IMO.

[floater156]

The white dial EXPII is my favorite sport Rolex

[Andrés G]

I also prefer the black dial for the Exp42.

[Vallhalla68]

Either Black or White are winners

[ufboy73]

Originally Posted by Keats

That aspect is important to me - I like to feel that my watch has a legacy, and while I know the DSSD has the Trieste/Mariana Trench background, I feel the Explorer has more substance in that regard.

but that was the explorer, not the explorer II.

[Zirotti]

Any color is good, as long as it's white