Explorer 36 vs Oyster Perpetual 36

[Vesper Lynd]

I don't have high hopes, but next Saturday I will go to an official Rolex Store to order a 36mm model.
I like the Explorer 36 and the Oyster Perpetual 36. Which of the two watches do you think is most in demand? Which do you think is the least difficult to obtain?





On the other hand, the bracelet on both watches is the same? Do they both have a micro-adjustment?

[Giovannibravo]

I'd expect to wait a little bit for the Exp1 but you may be offered an OP36 depending on color on the spot.

[espanol]

Originally Posted by Giovannibravo

I'd expect to wait a little bit for the Exp1 but you may be offered an OP36 depending on color on the spot.

Could be, but was told the Exp is actually easier to come by than the OP36. The culprit is the number of iterations (sizes, colors) and the respective waitlists for each. Being one singular configuration, I was told the volume of Exp is greater. Perhaps if you’re open to any size, then you might be in luck.

[espanol]

My opinion has been pretty unpopular, but the recent price increase made the Exp much less attractive to me. I own both (silver dial OP), and for $5,800 MSRP, the OP36 seems reasonable. The Exp just isn’t a $7,200 watch, let alone the secondary price. I think what you get for $1,400 less in the blue, black or silver OP is much better for the price.

Exp does have an upgraded clasp when compared to the OP, however. Both have 5mm adjustment.

[ArtNouveau]

I think the Explorer, while being a classic mainstay, has less demand than the more currently hyped OP’s. Anecdotally the new OP line with so many colors and sizes has been in short supply since they came out in September 2020. Now with some colors discontinued, supply doesn’t seem to be substantially increased.
Both are simple three hand watches but I prefer the simplest of the two, the OP.

[Giovannibravo]

Could be true. I think it depends on region and AD. I was offered a bright blue and black OP 36, not too long ago.

[espanol]

Originally Posted by Giovannibravo

Could be true. I think it depends on region and AD. I was offered a bright blue and black OP 36, not too long ago.

Great point. And lucky duck! I would’ve taken either. Really like the new OP line. Think Rolex nailed it with both though.

[Lightsped]

Both are outstanding watches. The OP will be more difficult to get, but I'd love to have either. There is no wrong choice here.

[GTak]

I had the same dilemma recently. I like the 369 on the explorer much more which worked out because I was told the explorer is also easier to get.

[ExplorerGuy]

I wouldn't expect a significant wait on either now if you are interested in the explorer and silver/blue/black dial OP's. Definitely a chance you walk in and get one.

Both are such perfect 3 handers. I prefer the Explorer, love the 3-6-9 and the 124270 proportions feel so spot on when on the wrist - the bracelet taper is included in this, but if your wrist is a touch large you may prefer the wider bracelet.

For the OP36 the silver would be my pick, amazing dial with the gold accents.

[jsausley]

My AD is still telling me these things are just non-existent for walk-in buyers. He said he got a red dial about 3 weeks ago but the last colored OP36 he had seen before that was February.

[boring_sandwich]

In the UK the demand is huge for the OP36 but the same cannot be said for the Explorer. It is one of the easier models to be allocated.

[rpstrimple]

OP depends on the color. Many more variations to make therefore making it harder to get a specific color. Explorer shouldn’t be too hard to get.

[Vesper Lynd]

Some of the comments give me a lot of encouragement. I like both watches very much, but I like the Explorer a bit more. I hope I am lucky.

[Giovannibravo]

The Exp1 is a classic. The best thing about it is nobody knows its a Rolex. Also, it is such a timeless design. I hope you get lucky and get the watch.

[rgwarden]

Originally Posted by Vesper Lynd

I don't have high hopes, but next Saturday I will go to an official Rolex Store to order a 36mm model.
I like the Explorer 36 and the Oyster Perpetual 36. Which of the two watches do you think is most in demand? Which do you think is the least difficult to obtain?





On the other hand, the bracelet on both watches is the same? Do they both have a micro-adjustment?

The bracelet isn’t the same. Nor the clasp. I tried both on and there was no question I preferred the Explorer. And i have to disagree about the mark up, because what with the iconic Explorer 3 6 9 and mercedes hands, tapering bracelet 19-14 and safety on clasp, i think the mark up is well worth it. I think the OP may actually be harder to get though.

[rgwarden]

The flat Explorer bezel rather than rounded on the OP as well. Get the one you prefer - and can actually get! - but Explorer all day for me.

[KeithP]

I just came here to say these are both such effortlessly cool watches.
Keep us posted!

[marmite2005]

Check out this youtube video for an excellent comparison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwITDgepRhI&t=432s

I own a OP36 Yellow dial and love it. I'm on a waitlist for the Explorer 124273 in Oystersteel and Yellow Gold

[London88]

I have both the two tone explorer and the silver dial op 36mm. I have to say I prefer the feel of the op on the wrist. The op sat and hugged my wrist in way that I felt no obstruction. The explorer clasp feels more intrusive and I struggle to get comfortable with it.

[perry mason]

I have the Explorer, but asked for a 36mm OP as well.

In my opinion the Explorer has more character, but it’s not worth the price difference in terms of quality.

I would be happy to have any of them, and it happened to be the Explorer (got it in 11 days), while I still have no news about the OP.

[Mendota]

I lucked out and was able to pick up a mint pre-owned OP36 with the blue Explorer dial below MSRP back in 2020 before Rolex discontinued it and the prices on the used market went bonkers for these OPs.

For me that OP36 was the perfect compromise. I had always wanted the old 36mm Explorer but I didn't like the old bracelet and clasp. I didn't like the fact that there wasn't lume on the 3-6-9 markers. My OP36 addressed all of those issues for me and I even got an EZLink for it.

Now the Explorer was re-issued again in a 36mm and it has the new style bracelet and clasp, EZLink, and lume on the 3-6-9 markers.

If I were in your situation today I would get the 36mm Explorer for sure. Hands down. I've always liked it, though, so I'm a little biased. I don't like the double battons on the new OP36.

Good luck! Both are nice.



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[joli160]

I prefer the dial and hands on the Explorer, just a tad more interesting

[LFFL]

Originally Posted by joli160

I prefer the dial and hands on the Explorer, just a tad more interesting

I'm feeling the same. Now if the OP had the explorer hour, minute, and second hands, I'd have a dilemma!

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by joli160

I prefer the dial and hands on the Explorer, just a tad more interesting

Also more timeless, as they don’t change with every new generation.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by LFFL

I'm feeling the same. Now if the OP had the explorer hour, minute, and second hands, I'd have a dilemma!

You can easily swap the hands out. The movements are the same so it's a one for one switch. In fact there are several guys here who did it with the 11 series OP36 with the Explorer dials. You can even put in a red seconds hand from a Yachtmaster if you want to get creative. Then you really have the best of both worlds. I've considered doing a hand swap for my OP36 with the blue Explorer dial, as well.

With that said, availability of handsets for previous generations is a lot easier to come by than for the new releases. We have years and years of 31xx movement production and parts.

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[JohnnyBer]

Explorer for me. Love the painted crown vs applied, and the flat bezel. I have the 114270 and have been wrestling with upgrading.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Originally Posted by Vesper Lynd

Some of the comments give me a lot of encouragement. I like both watches very much, but I like the Explorer a bit more. I hope I am lucky.

Picked up a Explorer from a UK AD last week after expressing my interest in April. AD of course said I was lucky but I gather there don’t seem to be a big demand for it.
Wears great, love the new proportions and bracelet. Owned previous gen 36mm OP and I prefer the Explorer any day of the week.

[shoppy]

I had an explorer 36mm on order it arrived after a few weeks; at the same time the AD showed me a yellow OP they had on display. Hands down the OP appealed to me more so I went with that. It was a watch that had not been on my radar at any point. But you know when you know and I waited a few weeks and got the OP.

In my man logic I rather have what I like and I can pick up the explorer any time I want in the near future. Glad I choose the OP as it was discontinued after my decision.

[S.Explorer]

Originally Posted by espanol

Could be, but was told the Exp is actually easier to come by than the OP36. The culprit is the number of iterations (sizes, colors) and the respective waitlists for each. Being one singular configuration, I was told the volume of Exp is greater. Perhaps if you’re open to any size, then you might be in luck.

I think this is the case too.

I'm fine with this as I'm waiting for an Explorer!