I'm just a little excited this afternoon after putting down a deposit on my grail of grails, the 214270 Explorer from Basel 2016.

I'm curious to know if others who own a 39mm Explorer ever wear theirs with a leather strap?

With my Speedy Pro, I've become accustomed to changing straps on a very regular basis.

I see people with 1016's and other 36mm Explorers rocking leather straps all the time, but most of the photos of the 39mm Explorer I see online are with the Oyster bracelet attached.

Any pictures you're willing to share would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Wow! All three look amazing. Is the middle one by B&S? I like that shade of brown against the Explorer.

I gave removing the lugs a try this weekend but ultimately gave up... the tolerances are so tight that the endlinks feel almost immovable.

 

@Tiger8888 - inspired by you, I gave it another go and finally got the bracelet off...

Yep, this thing is another strap monster

Only issue seems to be that the lug holes are so close to the case that this strap is rubbing up against the sharp edge of the case and kind of scraping the leather. Hmmmm...

 

Here's another...

When there's no ambient light reflecting off the crystal... man, that dial...

I do wish Rolex would cave and add AR to the underside of the glass.

 

It looks great on that black strap.
I've been eyeing an Explorer for quite a while now. I tried one yesterday at a local AD, and just love it.

 

Agreed. I tried on a half dozen straps tonight and this is the one left standing. I picked it up from B&R Bands, by the way. Kind of a budget alternative to the Silver Snoopy strap. 80% of the look for 20% of the cost

Hope you're able to pull the trigger soon!!!

 

Buy a couple of 20mm curved pins. It will help

 

Wow.

Thank you!!! I handn't thought of that!

Any recommendation where to buy solid quality pins from?

 

Ofrei.com

 

may i suggest a leather NATO?
here's one that would look great on your amazing new explorer: (no, i don't work for them, just found them online by happenstance few months ago, and a happy customer since!)

https://www.watchgecko.com/zuludiver-american-leather-nato-satin-watch-strap.php

 

A horween leather strap for that price seems like a very good value. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

Mine says hi. My crappy,spur-of-the-moment, pics notwithstanding, it looks great and, even more importantly, feels great. already starting to age nicely. No watch on it yet-i always break in my NATOs on my wrist for a month, before or even if, a watch enters the picture.
I like this one so much, it may yet replace my other NATOs altogether!

 

Congratulations on your new Explorer. Such a classic and under rated piece IMO...

 

Easy to love on a strap or on a bracelet

 

@R3D9
Q: I'm curious to know if others who own a 39mm Explorer ever wear theirs with a leather strap?
A: I currently have a 114270 and a 214270 that I wear with an Oyster bracelet exclusively. I've never liked the look of the Explorer on a leather or NATO strap...just my opinion. A Rolex Sub on a leather strap is even worse (it makes no conceptual sense). The Speedmaster, on the other hand, looks great on a well-made leather strap. Again, just my 2 cents.

 

Yeah, I'd have to agree that an Oyster case and an Oyster bracelet pretty much beg to stay together.

I've gone through the thought process of: my Speedy Pro will be my strap watch and my Explorer will be my bracelet watch... it makes logical sense.

I suppose for me it comes down to a preference thing... I love wearing watches on a leather strap... I also love how changing a strap alters the character of the dial.

Definitely food for thought. Cheers!

 

Thanks
Is a Colareb

 

I've been eyeing an Explorer for a while now, but seeing it on these straps makes me want it even more!