I'm going to go against the tide and say Explorer II.

 

No watches with oversized bezels with large numbers allowed in this discussion.

 

The RMLE on a bracelet


on NATO


and on leather


always a very versatile and outstanding watch!

P.S. I’m on the hunt for a 214270....

 

I have similar wrist size, maybe just a tad over 6.25 but smaller than 6 3/8. I own an Explorer 36mm 114270 and it is the best fit of all of my watches. I tried on the 214270 once and in my opinion it was too big for my wrist. the 36mm definitely looks better! Just my 0.02.

 

Like many I'd take a vintage 1016 in a second.
But here, I'd also still choose the Explorer over the Railmaster. Less busy, more versatile.

 

Here’s my 114270 on a black shell cordovan:

 

The railmaster just looks so good and is versatile! Whether you put it on a bracelet, nato strap, or leather strap you can't go wrong!

 

my solution to the OP's dilemma/question..

 

This is the correct answer

 

I like both, imo the explorer 36 wears smaller and looks slightly smaller. I feel more connected to the RM since my grandfather was a hard working engine driver all his life, I still battle some rolex stigma but that might wear off eventually. Tough call, you love different things about them.

 

Fantastic pictures. Wish I could find a 36mm RM...

 

Thank you sir - your explorer is a good looking gem aswell, are we both sporting the black Nomos cordovan perhaps? Looks very similar ^^,
cheers

 

Good catch! Mine is an aftermarket RIOS1931 cordovan but made for Nomos watches:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074CHWQNN/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I had the 39 MM Railmaster first:




and later the Explorer (on both 36 and 39 MM sizes):




Bought the 39 MM first but disliked its proportions, bought then the 36 MM and sold the 39 MM. I later sold the 36 MM to fund a Daytona, eventually bought another 36 MM which then sold to buy my current WG 18239 president. Decisions decisions..... which one to own now?

 

My norwegian 214270 says hello. Picture taken today. It’s the perfect watch for me. Use it every day on every occasion (office to cutting timber!). A perfect tool watch that goes under the radar.

 

Both great watches but prefer the understated brushed appearance of the RM versus the Exp...same goes with the Milgauss and it's polished shiny case/bracelet. All great watches but the new RM is IMO more tool (or is that me)

 

On the 36 mm either model is fine in my opinion....... but on the 39 mm the Railmaster is the better choice as dislike the proportions of the 39 mm Explorer 214270. Just picked up another 39 MM RM, still looking for a 36 mm to compare fit on my 7 inch round wrist, but happy to have this awesome model on rotation!

 

39mm EXP

 

I could never understand Explorer 1 (39mm) until I got one. Fantastic watch, hands down.

 

Explorer is cool but the Railmaster just looks better every time I make the comparison, at least to me.