Could Rolex Explorer II 42 mm lose any more value?

[Tao1]

I'm about 2 weeks for purchasing my second Rolex. I currently have a datejust II which is great for the office. I'm looking for a sports Rolex and I'm leaning towards the Explorer 2 black dial. Reasons are: I love the history. 2- it has the GMT and Cyclops but most of all I love the size of the dial. On the flip side I would love to have a no date submariner. currently I'm seeing them pre-owned on trusted online dealers - black dial Explorer 2 42mm coming in at $5,900 and the ceramic no Date Submariner at $6900. Between the two, the Explorer II is the much greater value. On the flip side should I just drop the extra Grand and get to know date sub seems like submariners price on the high end of the spectrum or the Explorer 2 I'm the low end.. that said do you think the Explorer II 42mm will continue to lose value ?

Thanks

[CalSRQ1]

Yes?no?shmaybe? Those both seem like decent prices and in the current market you are unlikely to lose money. However....what other hobby can you purchase a consumer good, wear/play with it until you get tired of it, and recover your initial purchase price?

[crazymcmichael]

Go for the one you like. I have both now,, and perhaps it will even gain value in the future… Who knows what time does? Once the explorer is really discovered everybody would like it... In my opinion it is one of the coolest watches around…

[Tao1]

Originally Posted by crazymcmichael

Go for the one you like. I have both now,, and perhaps it will even gain value in the future… Who knows what time does? Once the explorer is really discovered everybody would like it... In my opinion it is one of the coolest watches around…

I agree very much

[crazymcmichael]

Originally Posted by Tao1

I agree very much

Go for it or regret it!!!
It is the coolest most pure toolwatch with a beautifull lume and also you will be much more special with it than another watch
I love my submariner, but the explorer is just special

[cmac]

My explorer II gets most of my wrist time probably the most comfortable wearing watch in my collection, I have the polar dial and love it so much I'm considering getting the black dial to go along with it

[1William]

Both are great watches and I currently own the Polar Explorer II and could not be more pleased with it. I am covering the ND Submariner with a Tudor BB Blue and think it is a great value. You do not see a lot of the Explorer II's in wild and the white dial with the orange is strong. If you can get for $5900 that is complete and in good shape I would go for it. Save the extra $1000 for your next purchase.

[travisb]

The Exp2 is a bargain in today's watch market. Buy the watch you want, which I think sounds like the Exp2 and don't buy based on "value".
And no, I don't see prices going any lower in my opinion.

[crazymcmichael]

[Psijason]

Go with what you like. I love both watches but like my Exp 11 42mm a little more. It's extremely comfortable, looks amazing, and makes me feel good every time I look at it.

[Tao1]

Wow very cool fit so many of you have both of the watches and speak from experience I love it.

I do like the price of the Explorer 2 and today's market

[crazymcmichael]

Originally Posted by Tao1

Wow very cool fit so many of you have both of the watches and speak from experience I love it.

I do like the price of the Explorer 2 and today's market

Yes you can call it a steal. Did you know you can use it as a compass?

[dmash]

I think the Polar EXP2 is an awesome piece. However, I find the 42mm looks too 'circular'. If they brought it back down to 40mm I'd buy one, 100%.

[NKflyer]

I don't think that the Explorer II has been "losing value". It has always been a bit of a sleeper and priced at a discount to other sport models like the Sub and GMT. Let's face it - alot of people favor the flashier chunky rotating bezels. Also, imho all Rolex could lose some value if and when the present "everything bubble" springs a leak!

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by cmac

My explorer II gets most of my wrist time probably the most comfortable wearing watch in my collection, I have the polar dial and love it so much I'm considering getting the black dial to go along with it

That would be my thoughts on the matter exactly 👍

[TeddyS]

If they put a ceramic bezel on the explorer ii next year that could be fun


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[crazymcmichael]

Originally Posted by TeddyS

If they put a ceramic bezel on the explorer ii next year that could be fun


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It would ruin the menaing of this watch imo..

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by Tao1

I'm about 2 weeks for purchasing my second Rolex. I currently have a datejust II which is great for the office. I'm looking for a sports Rolex and I'm leaning towards the Explorer 2 black dial. Reasons are: I love the history. 2- it has the GMT and Cyclops but most of all I love the size of the dial. On the flip side I would love to have a no date submariner. currently I'm seeing them pre-owned on trusted online dealers - black dial Explorer 2 42mm coming in at $5,900 and the ceramic no Date Submariner at $6900. Between the two, the Explorer II is the much greater value. On the flip side should I just drop the extra Grand and get to know date sub seems like submariners price on the high end of the spectrum or the Explorer 2 I'm the low end.. that said do you think the Explorer II 42mm will continue to lose value ?

Thanks

The Explorer is an awesome watch and wears like no other Rolex. Personally I absolutely love its dimensions and feel on the wrist. This is what I would consider.

As for value considerations, the Sub is massively polular and priced accordingly, you’re getting in on the high end and there’s loads of them out there. The Explorer in turn doesn’t really sell that well meaning there’ll be less of them around at a later date... as was the case with the 1655 in its day, and look at it now. On top of that you’re getting in on the really low end of what could be asked for it, so even in the shorter run, your potential towards the up or at least retention of what you paid is bigger. Last but not least, whoever you’d buy it from should likely (had better) be thankful for your business and might be more inclined to treat you like the paying customer you are, rather than behave like the arrogant snobs most Rolex ADs have morphed into ever since selling a high ticket item has become a favor they’re doing their clients.

[MCO1]

When I'm deciding between something less expensive and more expensive I find that if I go with the less expensive item I eventually end up with the more expensive too. If any hesitation whatever go with the Sub.

[101031-28]

Sub no date. Explorer II is a great deal for the money but it never sang to me. Bought and sold a few times in the past, now wear a Sub 116610LN and could not be happier.

[scarlet knight]

I prefer my polar Exp 2 to my Sub. More going on!


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[watchwatcher]

Subs and GMT's are always going to do better than EXP2's on the secondary market. So what? You gotta go with the watch you want.

A few years back, when I was traveling all the time, I picked up an EXP2 over a BLNR b/c I wanted something tough (no PCLs) and also to give me something a little different (42mm/metal bezel) in the collection. That's heresy on this BLNR-crazy forum, but I've never regretted that decision one bit. The EXP2 served me beautifully in all my travels, and I still have it today...just don't use the GMT function much anymore.

Bottom line, don't overthink it. That takes all of the fun out of it. Just get what you like...and enjoy it!

[Urosfan]

Exp 2 is a great value and peice, I love my polar

[The Libertine]

If you like it, get it.

Speaking from my own personal experience, Rolex sports models only get harder to find while increasing in price as the years pass.

[hbombkid]

Originally Posted by crazymcmichael

It would ruin the menaing of this watch imo..

Why would it ruin it? Just by changing from the steel bezel? The Daytona doesn’t seemed ruined by going to a ceramic bezel.

The back and white combo would be a great looking model. Just personally that is why I have never been an explorer 2 fan because of the bezel.

[crazymcmichael]

Originally Posted by hbombkid

Why would it ruin it? Just by changing from the steel bezel? The Daytona doesn’t seemed ruined by going to a ceramic bezel.

The back and white combo would be a great looking model. Just personally that is why I have never been an explorer 2 fan because of the bezel.

But it makes it over-modern

[scarlet knight]

Get what you like! The value on resale is not important if you like and keep the watch.

[askdanny]

There’s nothing easier than spending someone else’s money, so all the posters who tell you to buy what you like don’t know what you can afford.

A watch that loses value will always be more expensive than a watch that does not. Maybe you can’t afford to buy a Rolex that loses value right now. Let’s face it, many of us — me included — could not afford to buy so many Rolexes if they all lost value like it’s a Tag or Breitling.

You have to take a hard look at your finance. Owning a Rolex that loses value is expensive. I know the motto on the forums has always been “buy what you like.” But the truth is, buying what we like is the true luxury that many of us can’t afford.

I have owned a new Rolex Air-King several times because I have a love-hate relationship with that watch. It is one of the very few sports steel Rolexes that lose value. But I’ve bought and sold it and bought it again and sold it again. That was one expensive watch.


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[chloebear]

Originally Posted by cmac

My explorer II gets most of my wrist time probably the most comfortable wearing watch in my collection, I have the polar dial and love it so much I'm considering getting the black dial to go along with it

I completely agree! I'm in the same but opposite boat. My black 42mm Explorer II gets the bulk of my wrist time. I'm strongly considering getting the polar just because I love the Explorer II that much. It is an amazingly special and unique watch.

[ejj]

Don’t buy one based on price. Don’t buy one based on resale. Buy the one you like.

Some people like to say they collect watches but really they buy watches.

Personally I like the Exp because it has a cool movement with a 24 hour function. And I like that is a little less common. The sub is a great watch and popular for a reason. But I wanted a Sport Rolex that wasn’t as common or flashy.