Community Stories

No more 39mm Explorer 1

Davidt
Posts
13,203
Likes
22,964
Looking at the new releases today, the E1 has moved back to 36mm and the 39mm has gone.

Part of me thinks this is great as it should be 36mm, however, on a larger wrist like mine the 39mm wears very well.

Interesting to see Rolex listening to their fans and perhaps more interestingly, getting rid of the 39mm case across the board and splitting it at 36mm and 41mm. Quite a bold move as I'm sure the majority thought the Explorer would shift up to a notional 41mm.

https://www.rolex.com/watches/explorer.html

C7060971-B8D3-457B-8AB5-CEC46A42168E.png
Edited:
 
dsio
Posts
34,272
Likes
38,894
Prepare for the Explorer 39mm to go way up in value I guess, there are a lot of people like me with Shrek wrists that can’t pull off 36mm at all in a watch like that.
 
Davidt
Posts
13,203
Likes
22,964
The two tone E1 is a complete swing and a miss for me though. Had to double check it wasn't April 1st.
 
scv55
Posts
334
Likes
1,706
Shocking news! I am over the moon about this. I have the 114270, which I love, but could certainly see upgrading.

For the car enthusiasts, this is very reminiscent of when Porsche went PDK only in the GT3, only to offer the manual in the next generation due to the communities request. Quite astounding, really.
 
dsio
Posts
34,272
Likes
38,894
scv55 scv55
Shocking news! I am over the moon about this. I have the 114270, which I love, but could certainly see upgrading.

For the car enthusiasts, this is very reminiscent of when Porsche went PDK only in the GT3, only to offer the manual in the next generation due to the communities request. Quite astounding, really.
True but PDK is prettttty good if you give it a chance, so is 39mm 😉
 
stevec14
Posts
2,889
Likes
11,948
Davidt Davidt
The two tone E1 is a complete swing and a miss for me though. Had to double check it wasn't April 1st.
Yeah - it’s supposed to be a watch for climbing mountains. Oh yes, I’ll take my steel and precious metal watch 😁
 
Eve
Posts
1,650
Likes
5,222
scv55 scv55
Shocking news! I am over the moon about this. I have the 114270, which I love, but could certainly see upgrading.

For the car enthusiasts, this is very reminiscent of when Porsche went PDK only in the GT3, only to offer the manual in the next generation due to the communities request. Quite astounding, really.
i will be definitely trying to upgrade my 114270 to the new one. i wonder if the availability gonna be an issue..
Edited:
 
Davidt
Posts
13,203
Likes
22,964
Eve Eve
i am will be definitely trying to upgrade my 114270 to the new one. i wonder if the availability gonna be an issue..

i think it may slightly improve availability. The 36mm size is too small for many modern tastes so many may opt for the various 41mm offerings instead.

This move is quite clever IMO as it caters to the traditionalists but also now clearly separates the 36mm E1 from other 40-42mm lines such as the OP41, Milgaus and AirKing.
 
Donn Chambers
Posts
2,704
Likes
3,601
Davidt Davidt
i think it may slightly improve availability. The 36mm size is too small for many modern tastes so many may opt for the various 41mm offerings instead.

This move is quite clever IMO as it caters to the traditionalists but also now clearly separates the 36mm E1 from other 40-42mm lines such as the OP41, Milgaus and AirKing.

This is really the only good news out of the Rolex camp today - I was really afraid they were going to push it up to 41mm which would have ruined the proportions.

Looks like an Explorer might be back on my radar for the next watch. Hope you are right that this might make it more available from ADs now.
 
scv55
Posts
334
Likes
1,706
Davidt Davidt
i think it may slightly improve availability. The 36mm size is too small for many modern tastes so many may opt for the various 41mm offerings instead.

This move is quite clever IMO as it caters to the traditionalists but also now clearly separates the 36mm E1 from other 40-42mm lines such as the OP41, Milgaus and AirKing.

I agree with this- it won't be like the Sub or GMT insanity.

I was in a boutique recently and the guy next to me waited over a year for his no date sub.
 
base615
Posts
1,024
Likes
3,998
scv55 scv55
I agree with this- it won't be like the Sub or GMT insanity.

I was in a boutique recently and the guy next to me waited over a year for his no date sub.

I’ve been on the list for an Explorer 1 for well over a year. Much prefer 36mm but wanted a new bracelet with micro adjust so was willing to go 39. This is great news for me... if I can ever get one.
 
Nobel Prize
Posts
6,832
Likes
13,797
I would be very surprised if they don’t issue a 41 mm as well in the near future.
 
Davidt
Posts
13,203
Likes
22,964
Nobel Prize Nobel Prize
I would be very surprised if they don’t issue a 41 mm as well in the near future.

I could see that happening in a year or two. Possibly coinciding with the removal of either the Milgauss (now a redundant feature) or the AirKing (looks ridiculous) from the catalogue.
 
dsio
Posts
34,272
Likes
38,894
Davidt Davidt
I could see that happening in a year or two. Possibly coinciding with the removal of either the Milgauss (now a redundant feature) or the AirKing (looks ridiculous) from the catalogue.
I agree on the AirKing but I found out the last time I suggested the same that there are actually some really militant AirKing fans that believe it’s the ultimate pilots watch and Battle of Britain this and that.

I’m not really sure how the poor dial legibility makes it such a great pilots watch but it has its fans and they’re quite serious about it.
 
dsio
Posts
34,272
Likes
38,894
Incidentally if you asked those same AirKing fans honestly if the Daytona, GMT, Exp II or 1, Milgauss, Sub, Seadweller or anything really was in stock when they bought the AirKing the answer is probably no. But at least it’s technically a professional like model and not a datejust.
 
scapa
Posts
1,438
Likes
2,213
[QUOTE="base615, post: 1760997, member: 11450"]I’ve been on the list for an Explorer 1 for well over a year. Much prefer 36mm but wanted a new bracelet with micro adjust so was willing to go 39. This is great news for me... if I can ever get one.[/QUOTE]

Same here. I like the 36mm and am going to swap over to that list -- and dig in for another long wait.
 
T<25
Posts
319
Likes
1,401
I am pretty excited about this new 36mm steel explorer. A great new for those who have been wanting to get a 14270/114270.
 
gnuyork
Posts
298
Likes
518
I've been waiting 7 months for the Explorer from 2 ADs. I'll reserve judgement until I can try the new 36mm Explorer. I've tried on the new 36mm DateJusts and while I could easily wear them on my 6.5" wrist, they did feel small. I think it will be the same for the new Explorer.

That being said, I've never had the chance to try on the 39mm Explorer, but I have tried the 39mm OP years ago (wish I bought that - white dial too) and it felt great, as did the 36mm OP (previous gen with the slightly wider lugs).

The new two tone Explorer is just stupid.
 
S
Posts
333
Likes
328
dsio dsio
Prepare for the Explorer 39mm to go way up in value I guess, there are a lot of people like me with Shrek wrists that can’t pull off 36mm at all in a watch like that.
The 39 has already shot up in value while the older 36 models have come down in value. Anyone understand why? The 39 is not discontinued yet
 
33 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

machamp6650

No more project watches

machamp6650 Open Discussion
sheepdoll
sheepdoll
Posts
10
Views
2K
Duracuir1

New Toy VS Old Toy…the Watches Used…and no more Speedo…

Duracuir1 Open Discussion
vbrad26
vbrad26
Posts
22
Views
3K
llvhhui

How Big Is 39mm Explorer?

llvhhui Open Discussion
Burr
Burr
Posts
43
Views
12K
R3D9

39mm Explorer on a leather strap?

R3D9 Rolex Watches
Charger_Vital
Charger_Vital
Posts
30
Views
35K
George.A

I have no more Sinns... but I surely enjoyed them all :)

George.A Open Discussion
Myron
Myron
Posts
29
Views
9K