Most Rugged Rolex?

[NoRiskNoStory]

Which three Rolex models do you think are the most rugged?

Let's define "rugged" in terms of character and appearance.

Meaning: Showing strength and toughness in character; brave; courageous.

I'll start with the 3 watch collection of:

SD43
Explorer 2 Polar
Sub Hulk

Interested to know what everyone thinks, thanks!

[Tim Plains]

Explorer II.

[justin81]

Explorer II, the ugliest one.

[APPRF]

SD43 no contest in ruggedness while also looking so good. Plus it still looks and feels like a normal wearable watch compared to the bigger and thicker Deep sea.

[Gotgolf52]

Submariner design to be a tool watch until it become a cool watch and people bubble wrap it.

[JacksonRain]

Originally Posted by justin81

Explorer II, the ugliest one.

Lol

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

[eightball76]

Explorer II, I am on my second bezel insert on my SD4k and the extent of my adventuring is the office desk and the couch.

[diracpoint]

These three ... 😉

[Cassian739]

Exp2 Polar

[EEpro]

In looks and character I'd vote Mariner or Submariner.

In a real life situation Explorer II. Nothing with a moving bezel that could pop right off is going to be in the top spot when the going gets tough.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by EEpro

In looks and character I'd vote Mariner or Submariner.

In a real life situation Explorer II. Nothing with a moving bezel that could pop right off is going to be in the top spot when the going gets tough.

That's what Rolex should have called the Yacht-Master.

[danwang0520]

any Rolex tool watch is rugged.....it's intended to use for what its purpose is

[omar-rye]

The new titanium Yacht Master looks the most rugged to me.

[Agamemnon]

Sd43

[Gerardus]

Originally Posted by justin81

Explorer II, the ugliest one.

In your eyes….

[Gerardus]

EXII is true tool watch,
nice to read below->



https://timeandtidewatches.com/who-d...ou-can-buy-it/

[padi56]

Originally Posted by danwang0520

any Rolex tool watch is rugged.....it's intended to use for what its purpose is

Exactly that the only difference in all Rolex is the metal used or W/R rated difference which its extremely doubtful if any on forum today will ever use.

[amh]

Originally Posted by justin81

Explorer II, the ugliest one.

^^^ This.

SD43 for example is indeed 'strong' in terms of depth rating but that's meaningless IRL. No one's going to take these watches beyond the deep end of a pool.

However the ceramic is actually very brittle. How brittle? Well Pepsi owners certainly know - just glance at it the wrong way and it will crack.

Wearing the Exp2 right now:
- Yes, it's somewhat of an ugly duckling. This is clearly reflected in the availability and aftermarket price.
- Arguably the most rugged Rolex model. The brushed bezel won't look any worse even after a few dings;.
- It's a hard watch to love. However it's easy to admire it.

[Old Expat Beast]

Just don't drop any of 'em on the bathroom floor.

[Gerry62]

Originally Posted by danwang0520

any Rolex tool watch is rugged.....it's intended to use for what its purpose is

exactly like that

[DJ2020]

I am sure they are not as rugged as they used to be with all the film protection, bubble wrap, safe keeping and tile dropping. But if I hade to choose the most useful, Most capable of them all. It would have to be the Explorer 2 without a doubt.

100m? yes that's plenty. Most will only dive to the deepest darkest depths of the families swimming pool. 300+ feet is way deeper than 99.999995% of us will ever go.

explorer 2 is the last of Rolex's "real" tool watches IMO.

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Just don't drop any of 'em on the bathroom floor.

I know, right? Most Rolex are *really durable*, but there are just some things they can't or shouldn't do without the likelihood that they're damaged (for instance, dropping on a tiled floor). That would go for most if not all automatic watches, whereas a G-shock or the equivalent could handle that and much more.

But to the OP's question, I think you have to eliminate anything with a ceramic bezel, so the most rugged Rolex would be the Exp2, or the aluminum bezel / 5-digit sports models, etc. Bezel aside, though, the DSSD perhaps wins for overall toughness.

[Blansky]

This one....

[Booth9999]

Sd43.

[espanol]

Explorer 36mm. Smaller=denser typically...

[watchwatcher]

Heck, they're all rugged. That's one of the reasons I love the brand.

From a purely aesthetic point of view, I usually grab one of my EXP2's when I'm venturing into what some might call 'rugged' conditions. (See attached "sandy" pic lol). But any of them would do just fine.

Side note: I wore a DJ for almost 10 years (before discovering TRF ofc) and did absolutely any and everything with that thing. Put it through hell and beyond and it still looked like a million bucks every time I put it on.

So...yeah. If rugged is what you seek, you've come to the right place.

[J!m]

Are we somehow limited to modern watches?

I submit the 5512.

[mgsooner]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

The new titanium Yacht Master looks the most rugged to me.

Ding Ding

[slus]

Modern EXPII, brushed bezel will dent not break and hide scratches well, but it has the much more substantial feeling modern bracelet unlike the pre-ceramic divers. The old hollow link bracelets are surprisingly tough, they just don't feel like it once you get used to the solid bracelets.

Unsung hero is the Oyster Perpetual IMO. Simple and durable. Same with Explorer I. Polished bezels will show more wear but are still tough.

Despite the DSSD being a good stand in for a brick and the Pelagos being almost fully brushed, I'm not voting for either of mine with ceramic bezels

[Turbo Racer]

That sd you picked is largest but I would pick the exp2. I like the quirky looks.