Calipers Out - Ep 02: AirKing 05 vs Explorer 40

[BogdanS]

I am lucky enough to own both AirKing 05 and Explorer 40, two very similar watches. On the long run I feel I will only keep one (if any) of them.

Trying to build a decision, I wore each one on a very long two weeks rotation.


Today it was time to switch the Explorer for the AK and I had the curiosity and time to search some answers with the caliper.

[BogdanS]

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[BogdanS]

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[Kap007]

Great shots. Very thorough. I'm an 116900 guy. Great piece. Never take it off. Tough as nails. I really dig the Bloodhound dial.

[ol' Rex]

Very interesting, thanks for posting!



That Explorer is fantastic.

I wish someone would do an exact comparison of the measurements of the new Explorer and the 39mm version.

[Gearjockey]

Measurements notwithstanding, I much prefer the AK.
Great pics!

[faimag]

Wow. You really are very detailed in your measurements :)
I prefer the explorer because the dial looks less busy.

[pk552502]

I prefer the explorer in the 36mm case. But out of the two, I would keep the explorer.

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by BogdanS

I am lucky enough to own both AirKing 05 and Explorer 40, two very similar watches. On the long run I feel I will only keep one (if any) of them.

Trying to build a decision, I wore each one on a very long two weeks rotation.


Today it was time to switch the Explorer for the AK and I had the curiosity and time to search some answers with the caliper.

[

[

Thanks for the detailed measurements and pics. Both great models you have there.

I’m curious, the Exp40 is really a 39 it would seem. I wonder how that compares to a 214270 that is marketed at 39mm.

[996marty]

Explorer for me all day out of the two

[BogdanS]

Originally Posted by CaptT

Thanks for the detailed measurements and pics. Both great models you have there.

I’m curious, the Exp40 is really a 39 it would seem. I wonder how that compares to a 214270 that is marketed at 39mm.

Same curiosity with me. Will have a friend bring his 39 and post those results as well.


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[DJFanUK]

Great stuff op

Wearing my AK 126900 today. Personally prefer the lively dial over the Exp1 within my collection. But if this is a 1 watch collection I'd keep the Exp1

[Wilco68]

Great pictures. For me the AK ‘wins’ due to its slightly bigger dimensions & more interesting dial.

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by BogdanS

Same curiosity with me. Will have a friend bring his 39 and post those results as well.


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Thanks, looking forward to it.

[Fiveflat]

I'm excited to get "the call" for an AK. It's an ideal watch for me.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by BogdanS

Same curiosity with me. Will have a friend bring his 39 and post those results as well.


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Please and thank you

[Guppydriver]

Love these comparisons! Great pics OP and two wonderful watches.

[prnceofpersia23]

This is great, thank you.

It doesn’t surprise me that Rolex advertises a 39 as a 40. Good to see they didn’t stray too far from the, imo, perfect Exp 39.

I am pleasantly surprised to see the AK be as thin as the Exp considering the previous gens thicker Milgauss case.

[Steph-paul]

Thanks for the information.
Same here , I’m curious about the real size of 214270.

[Michael1968]

Interesting
Thank you for posting

[joe8]

OP, you wouldn’t happen to have scales in addition to the calipers, would you? I’m trying to gauge how the weight of the 126900 compares to the ~180g of my Tudor Black Bay Heritage 41mm. I read somewhere 136g, but I’m not sure how reliable that is. The 116900 seems to be about 153g.