My rant against the Explorer 114270

[Juggernaut]

Ok, I love my Mark 2 214270, but with my "intermediate" 6.75" wrist size I think "maybe a 36mm version would suit me better?"
I tried them side by side and my conclusion is that a 37.5mm version would be the best for me.
If I were to flip "down" to a 36mm, I would go to the beginning and find an early 14270 with lug holes and Tritium dial (that perhaps by now is starting to go spongy-matte).

Conceptually I have some real problems with the 114270 and here they are:
1) why did Rolex continue using the old Datejust cases for the 114270 when even the Datejust got a new case with beefier lugs and bezel....a brushed version of that 116200 case should have been used for the 114270, but no.....



2) And why the hell did they Lume the markers but not the numbers?...I mean, they took the trouble to use a non-luminous white paint on the numbers?...really?


Ok, just had to vent a little to get these thoughts off my chest...anyone agree or care to discuss?

So yeah, with the 06 being out of my budget/comfort zone, j would shoot for a older 14270 with lug holes and Tritium dial, bit then I would still miss that wonderful EasyLink claps that significantly elevates the ownership experience for me. I would have to source the new clasp for the old 14270 and then I woul have a Franken.
I guess I should just chill and enjoy!

[037]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

I tried them side by side and my conclusion is that a 37.5mm version would be the best for me.

FWIW, the 214270 is 38.5mm at the bezel. The watch appears larger due to the size of the dial.

[subcsteve]

the mark 2 has lume on the numbers (mine certainly does), you must have a mark 1?

[Dr Watches]

I’m so glad that the 114270 didn’t get the fat case.

[037]

Originally Posted by subcsteve

the mark 2 has lume on the numbers (mine certainly does), you must have a mark 1?

The lume shot above is of a 114270.

[Pauln]

I love the 114270 case and bezel. Lumed numbers would have been nice, but at least they added the white paint. I try not to freak out unless it’s important. Because of that, I love my 114270.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Dr Watches

I’m so glad that the 114270 didn’t get the fat case.

Completely agree. I think the 36mm Explorers were perfect.

[icemandl6]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

Ok, I love my Mark 2 214270, but with my "intermediate" 6.75" wrist size I think "maybe a 36mm version would suit me better?"
I tried them side by side and my conclusion is that a 37.5mm version would be the best for me.
If I were to flip "down" to a 36mm, I would go to the beginning and find an early 14270 with lug holes and Tritium dial (that perhaps by now is starting to go spongy-matte).

Conceptually I have some real problems with the 114270 and here they are:
1) why did Rolex continue using the old Datejust cases for the 114270 when even the Datejust got a new case with beefier lugs and bezel....a brushed version of that 116200 case should have been used for the 114270, but no.....



2) And why the hell did they Lume the markers but not the numbers?...I mean, they took the trouble to use a non-luminous white paint on the numbers?...really?


Ok, just had to vent a little to get these thoughts off my chest...anyone agree or care to discuss?

So yeah, with the 06 being out of my budget/comfort zone, j would shoot for a older 14270 with lug holes and Tritium dial, bit then I would still miss that wonderful EasyLink claps that significantly elevates the ownership experience for me. I would have to source the new clasp for the old 14270 and then I woul have a Franken.
I guess I should just chill and enjoy!

Seriously, I don’t think your 214270 mk2 looks big on your wrist! Looks awesome!

[Juggernaut]

Originally Posted by icemandl6

Seriously, I don’t think your 214270 mk2 looks big on your wrist! Looks awesome!

Thanks! I need to get over this size paranoia...

[bigchelis]

Agreed would be nice to have LUME yet the time is still easy to tell

[Finslayer83]

The 214270 appears wider due to the flatter bezel design.

Look at it and a OP39, the round vs flatter bezel makes a big difference is size appearance.

Could always have the bezel brushed too, tames it down a bit in shine and perceived size.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by 037

The lume shot above is of a 114270.

114270 MK 1 did have neither lume nor white paint, just white gold mirror polished. Lume shot seems to be an 114270 going by the length of the minute hand and the numerals on those should be lumed, quality control issue perhaps? Happens all the time, even at Rolex.

[R!$]

I never liked the explorer. A DJ is more practical

[Boothroyd]

Originally Posted by R!$

I never liked the explorer. A DJ is more practical

Under what circumstances?

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Dr Watches

I’m so glad that the 114270 didn’t get the fat case.

x2

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by 037

The lume shot above is of a 114270.

[JMGoodnight369]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

114270 MK 1 did have neither lume nor white paint, just white gold mirror polished. Lume shot seems to be an 114270 going by the length of the minute hand and the numerals on those should be lumed, quality control issue perhaps? Happens all the time, even at Rolex.

The 214270 mk1 are the ones with the white gold numerals. All of the 14270 and the 114270 have the white paint except for the rare blackout ones. I have a m serial 114270 (2009) and it is superluminova everywhere but the numerals. Pretty bright too.


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[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

114270 MK 1 did have neither lume nor white paint, just white gold mirror polished. Lume shot seems to be an 114270 going by the length of the minute hand and the numerals on those should be lumed, quality control issue perhaps? Happens all the time, even at Rolex.

I think you mean the 214270.

[037]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

114270 MK 1 did have neither lume nor white paint, just white gold mirror polished. Lume shot seems to be an 114270 going by the length of the minute hand and the numerals on those should be lumed, quality control issue perhaps? Happens all the time, even at Rolex.

The 3/6/9 markers on the 114270 were painted white inside and did not contain lume. You must be thinking of the 214270.

114270 dial:

[037]

Three of us posted at the same time with the same answer.

[JMGoodnight369]

Originally Posted by 037

Three of us posted at the same time with the same answer.

We are obviously the explorer fan club police LOL


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pigman08]

Originally Posted by sillo38

Completely agree. I think the 36mm Explorers were perfect.

While I have spoken out about 36mm being too small for my liking on more than one occasion, I'd love to see a return to the 36mm Explorer with the same dial layout as the current iteration.

[gordonite]

Originally Posted by pigman08

While I have spoken out about 36mm being too small for my liking on more than one occasion, I'd love to see a return to the 36mm Explorer with the same dial layout as the current iteration.

This would be perfecto!!!!

[Juggernaut]

Originally Posted by gordonite

This would be perfecto!!!!

I agree with this, except the perfect size would be 37.5mm

[Juggernaut]

Revisiting this post is interesting in light of the release of the 2021 36mm Explorer!
I’m ok with the 19mm bracelet to yield beefier lugs. But how to improve on the new 124270 moving forward?
1) a truly matte dial
2) a 2nd generation EasyLink clasp that opens 3mm instead of the nearly unusable 5mm. Or maybe it’ll be time for Rolex to introduce the “Mini Glide-Lock” with a total range of 5mm instead of whatever the Sub’s has. I for one would be willing to give up the 3 detent hole positions of the current EasyLink for something more finely adjustable. My Railmaster Trilogy has 3 positions each with a 2mm range.
3)maybe move the Explorer down to 6 o’clock position like it is on the 214270
4) this will never happen, but return to pained markers and numbers instead of white gold applied markers.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

I agree with this, except the perfect size would be 37.5mm

Yes, that would be ideal...37.5mm

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

Revisiting this post is interesting in light of the release of the 2021 36mm Explorer!
I’m ok with the 19mm bracelet to yield beefier lugs. But how to improve on the new 124270 moving forward?
1) a truly matte dial
2) a 2nd generation EasyLink clasp that opens 3mm instead of the nearly unusable 5mm. Or maybe it’ll be time for Rolex to introduce the “Mini Glide-Lock” with a total range of 5mm instead of whatever the Sub’s has. I for one would be willing to give up the 3 detent hole positions of the current EasyLink for something more finely adjustable. My Railmaster Trilogy has 3 positions each with a 2mm range.
3)maybe move the Explorer down to 6 o’clock position like it is on the 214270
4) this will never happen, but return to pained markers and numbers instead of white gold applied markers.

Yes, these points too. Looks like we both have the same idea for the ideal Explorer... matte dial, painted numerals like the 1016 (lumed would be cool). 37.5 size and 19mm bracelet with taper is fine with me. More than fine. I'd be storming the ADs for one.

[pikers]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

Revisiting this post is interesting in light of the release of the 2021 36mm Explorer!
I’m ok with the 19mm bracelet to yield beefier lugs. But how to improve on the new 124270 moving forward?
1) a truly matte dial
2) a 2nd generation EasyLink clasp that opens 3mm instead of the nearly unusable 5mm. Or maybe it’ll be time for Rolex to introduce the “Mini Glide-Lock” with a total range of 5mm instead of whatever the Sub’s has. I for one would be willing to give up the 3 detent hole positions of the current EasyLink for something more finely adjustable. My Railmaster Trilogy has 3 positions each with a 2mm range.
3)maybe move the Explorer down to 6 o’clock position like it is on the 214270
4) this will never happen, but return to pained markers and numbers instead of white gold applied markers.

Sign me up for all of the changes above plus 20mm lug width and an updated taper to the bracelet. I'm actually OK with the applied indexes now that they are all lumed but a matte dial with painted markers would be pretty damn awesome. I really prefer the matte-ish looking dial of the 214270 to the gloss dial of the 114270 or the 124270.

I have a feeling you may get your wish, but it will come from Tudor in the form of a new Ranger. I could see them bringing back the ranger in a 38mm case with matte dial and painted indexes. I'm sure the bracelet will just be 'meh', like all of their current bracelets, but I could grab one in a second.

[Juggernaut]

This is one of the reasons I prefer to wait for getting a pre-owned 124270, so that I can wait and see whether they're be any preferable changes from the original 2021 release. I can't imagine there won't be some upgrades during it's probable 10 year run...?

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

Ok, I love my Mark 2 214270, but with my "intermediate" 6.75" wrist size I think "maybe a 36mm version would suit me better?"
I tried them side by side and my conclusion is that a 37.5mm version would be the best for me.
If I were to flip "down" to a 36mm, I would go to the beginning and find an early 14270 with lug holes and Tritium dial (that perhaps by now is starting to go spongy-matte).

Conceptually I have some real problems with the 114270 and here they are:
1) why did Rolex continue using the old Datejust cases for the 114270 when even the Datejust got a new case with beefier lugs and bezel....a brushed version of that 116200 case should have been used for the 114270, but no.....



2) And why the hell did they Lume the markers but not the numbers?...I mean, they took the trouble to use a non-luminous white paint on the numbers?...really?


Ok, just had to vent a little to get these thoughts off my chest...anyone agree or care to discuss?

So yeah, with the 06 being out of my budget/comfort zone, j would shoot for a older 14270 with lug holes and Tritium dial, bit then I would still miss that wonderful EasyLink claps that significantly elevates the ownership experience for me. I would have to source the new clasp for the old 14270 and then I woul have a Franken.
I guess I should just chill and enjoy!

I really liked the old DJ cases with the compound curved sides
When they went away from it and brought out the EXP 39 I was ok with it's case but the package where they brought the lume back was a winner
I'm not a fan of the latest one because of the case
Regardless, it would be too small for me to consider wearing anyway

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by pikers

Sign me up for all of the changes above plus 20mm lug width and an updated taper to the bracelet. I'm actually OK with the applied indexes now that they are all lumed but a matte dial with painted markers would be pretty damn awesome. I really prefer the matte-ish looking dial of the 214270 to the gloss dial of the 114270 or the 124270.

I have a feeling you may get your wish, but it will come from Tudor in the form of a new Ranger. I could see them bringing back the ranger in a 38mm case with matte dial and painted indexes. I'm sure the bracelet will just be 'meh', like all of their current bracelets, but I could grab one in a second.

I really loved the glossy inky blackness of the dial on my 114270