Explorer 1 36mm or 40mm - which wears closest to a submariner?

[WatchThinker]

Hi Guys,

I've had my name in FOR-EVER at my AD for a 40mm Explorer 1. When I tried on the 40mm, it just felt great and the 36mm felt small.

However, it's been a year+ and in that time I've come to appreciate smaller watches. For instance, I now view my Sub 114060 as perfect size on my wrist, where I used to think it was on the smaller side.

If I wanted to really replicate the wearing experience of my Sub, but in the explorer line - am I better off 36mm or 40mm?

Should I change?

[jswing]

I would think the 40 wears closer to the Sub. I personally have the 36 and prefer it to the 39 I had, which felt too big. The 39 also felt bigger than the 114060 I had at the time, the lack of dive bezel makes the Explorer wear larger. But the 36 definitely wears much smaller than the Sub.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Why would you want to replicate the wearing experience of a watch you already have? Why wouldn’t you want a different experience with a different watch? What’s the point of having multiple watches if they are all the same?

[SAP7]

The 36 is the better watch. Better balance.
If you want a 40 just wait as they are supposedly easier to get.
If you like a sub why not get something different? The 40 is similar in too many ways.

[WatchThinker]

One of my concerns is that if I shift size I’m gonna return to the beginning of the queue.
There’s no chance the watches will be an identical wearing experience, the Explorer was v
thin, but I’m trying to gauge similar wearing experience as my perceptions change. I think my interest in the black bay 54 is messing me up.

[worldofoyster]

size wise, 40mm is closer to the Sub. but the 36mm is also good size

[vlps]

36mm explorer felt much smaller than a 114060 on my wrist which felt too big. Sweet spot for me is 39mm mk2 but I'm sure the 40mm only feels slightly larger and in turn, very similar to the ceramic subs

[mgsooner]

The current gen Explorer 36 has a 19mm bracelet width at the lugs and is going to wear dramatically smaller than a current gen Sub, which has 21.

[WatchThinker]

Originally Posted by mgsooner

The current gen Explorer 36 has a 19mm bracelet width at the lugs and is going to wear dramatically smaller than a current gen Sub, which has 21.

These are all very helpful!! Thanks,

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Why would you want to replicate the wearing experience of a watch you already have? Why wouldn’t you want a different experience with a different watch? What’s the point of having multiple watches if they are all the same?

This man speaks words of wisdom, OP. I guess if you really love the Submariner case, it would be fun to have GMT2s & Subs. I like a different wearing experience for each of my watches. FWIW, the 36mm Exp1 is just about as sleek of a watch you can go... It seems to become one with the wearer's wrist.

[KBM]

If you feel the maxi cased 114060 sub wears great on you, go with the 40mm Exp.

[DOUBLE 0 SE7EN]

Tried the 36mm several times but can not think of a watch smaller than 40 mm..

[pk552502]

I think the explorer works best in the 36mm size and that's the OG size. But it has to be the 114270 or earlier. I don't like the way they shortened and narrowed the lugs of the newest 36mm reference. I know it's all personal preference, but I like the older explorers better.

[cdmorenot]

The endless debate!

My wife wears a 36 and I wear a 40. The 36mm looks great on her while the 40mm looks small on me…

I used to own a 36 DJ which looked fine on me. I think there so much more to sizing than case diameter.

[Calatrava r]

I am curious as to why you think a 36mm watch could wear closer to a 40mm Sub than a 40mm watch?

[hartsy]

I went with the 40 and couldnt be happier! What size is your wrist? It all comes down to preference -a lot of folks on here are true to the heritage 36 size, and while it is a beautiful watch it just really felt small on me - especially with how much the clasp tapers. I am just under a 7in wrist and think the 40 is perfect. Cheers!

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by WatchThinker

One of my concerns is that if I shift size I’m gonna return to the beginning of the queue.
There’s no chance the watches will be an identical wearing experience, the Explorer was v
thin, but I’m trying to gauge similar wearing experience as my perceptions change. I think my interest in the black bay 54 is messing me up.

If you like the BB54, you should go for the Explorer 36. Being female, I can’t help you decide if it’s too small, because on me, it feels great. Just take the leap!

Kat


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[lamnyc]

I originally asked my AD for a 36mm. But after a few weeks of comparing it to the 40mm, I decided to get the 40mm. 36mm has a bracelet that was too narrow for me. It also measures smaller than an OP36. Btw, my Explorer 40 is super accurate. It spot on since the day I got it 3 months ago.

[Toptimes]

The Explorer 1 in 40mm wears closer to a submariner in terms of size and presence on the wrist. The 36mm Explorer 1 might feel a bit smaller compared to a submariner, so if you prefer a size more similar to the submariner, the 40mm Explorer 1 would be the way to go.

[travisb]

The Exp wears very different from the Sub but size wise, the 40mm seems like the way to go.

[PepsiBezel]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

I am curious as to why you think a 36mm watch could wear closer to a 40mm Sub than a 40mm watch?

At least for the 14060 and the 114270 versions of the Sub and Explorer, their dial was the same size. So while the cases are different sizes, the visual appearance is similar.

The 124060 has a slightly larger dial than the 124270, but it is closer in size/appearance than it is to the 224270.

[Watchdog]

Originally Posted by travisb

The Exp wears very different from the Sub but size wise, the 40mm seems like the way to go.

This

[TickTockChuck]

If you're looking to replicate the Sub feel, then the 40mm Explorer is the way to go. I have the 39mm which is a nice size, but the 40mm looks/feels pretty close. If you just want a smaller professional model, then the 36mm might work for your wrist. I personally find the 36mm quite small, but it is closer to the vintage traditional size. Good luck.

[WatchThinker]

Originally Posted by KBM

If you feel the maxi cased 114060 sub wears great on you, go with the 40mm Exp.

I'm the rare fan of the Maxi-Case. I tend to wear it more. I have 41s as well - and they are truly lovely. I just keep going back to it.

As to my original post : I"m not trying so much to replicate the experience of a 40mm Sub - but to gauge it to the the 40mm Exp 1, which I spent time evaluating at a time when I was wearing much larger pieces. Is the 40mm Exp going to wear larger or smaller than a 40mm sub - the 40mm sub being a good reference point for me, since I know it so well.

I'm going to reevaluate the Exp 1 - after W&Wonders - just to make sure I'm still hot for the 40mm versus the 36mm - a size I might not have been as receptive too almost a year and a half ago. But part of this whole escaped is judged so poorly standing at my ADs. It's really better informed by you guys who have been wearing them for a while.

I really appreciate all your replies!!

[hartsy]

I will +1 the accuracy of my 224270. After 2 months of every day wear I am only a second and half fast. Pretty incredible.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by WatchThinker

I'm the rare fan of the Maxi-Case. I tend to wear it more. I have 41s as well - and they are truly lovely. I just keep going back to it.

As to my original post : I"m not trying so much to replicate the experience of a 40mm Sub - but to gauge it to the the 40mm Exp 1, which I spent time evaluating at a time when I was wearing much larger pieces. Is the 40mm Exp going to wear larger or smaller than a 40mm sub - the 40mm sub being a good reference point for me, since I know it so well.

I'm going to reevaluate the Exp 1 - after W&Wonders - just to make sure I'm still hot for the 40mm versus the 36mm - a size I might not have been as receptive too almost a year and a half ago. But part of this whole escaped is judged so poorly standing at my ADs. It's really better informed by you guys who have been wearing them for a while.

I really appreciate all your replies!!

The 40mm exp will definitely wear smaller than a maxi cased 114060. But not by much, hence why it was my suggestion, seeing as you mentioned loving the way the 114060 wears on you.

[enicar]

I once tried on a 40mm Explorer I and Submariner 41 at an AD. Although the Sub has a bigger wrist presence, I thought the Exp 40 has the longer wing span (lug to lug incl. end links). Is this the case in reality?

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by enicar

I once tried on a 40mm Explorer I and Submariner 41 at an AD. Although the Sub has a bigger wrist presence, I thought the Exp 40 has the longer wing span (lug to lug incl. end links). Is this the case in reality?

I believe they are both 48mm lug to lug. The Explorer 40mm looks larger to my eye because it's all dial.

[Patekfinder]

Recently bought a 40mm Explorer I. I’ve worn in twice since walking out of the AD and while it’s a nice watch, it is just not my cup of tea. For some reason I just detest watches with “3” “6” and “9” on the dials. It over casualizes the watch IMO…one of the reasons I haven’t yet bought a 1908 and will wait for more dial configurations. Will be selling my Explorer I for what I paid from the AD, not into the flipping game and would rather just help a fellow enthusiast who actually wants the watch and can’t get it.


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[hartsy]

Originally Posted by Patekfinder

Recently bought a 40mm Explorer I. I’ve worn in twice since walking out of the AD and while it’s a nice watch, it is just not my cup of tea. For some reason I just detest watches with “3” “6” and “9” on the dials. It over casualizes the watch IMO…one of the reasons I haven’t yet bought a 1908 and will wait for more dial configurations. Will be selling my Explorer I for what I paid from the AD, not into the flipping game and would rather just help a fellow enthusiast who actually wants the watch and can’t get it.


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Then why would you make the purchase in the first place?