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Thinking about trading my Explorer 114270 for a 14270

ninman
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So I bought an Explorer 114270 around about a month ago. However, recently I found that Rolex moved the lug holes very close to the case to accommodate the updated bracelet. it basically means that the watch will only fit on the bracelet and not on a strap.

To show you what I mean here's a comparison of the same strap, different colours on my Explorer and my 3861 Speedmaster.

20260104_211235.webp

You can see a clear gap between the case and the strap.

20260104_211151.webp

If I twist the strap down, there's almost no "dead lug" area at the end.

20260104_211248.webp
The Explorer case is almost touching the strap.

20260104_211205.webp

Doing the same twist shows a large amount of "dead lug" area.

My question is would the 14270 fix my problem? Does the version between drilled and no drilled lug holes make a difference?

20260104_211132.webp
 
ninman
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la_lusigne la_lusigne
Maybe some curved spring bars would settle this issue :
IMG_0490.webp
It wouldn't because the strap would still be in the wrong place.
 
Dan S
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I am a fan of the 14270. Overall I prefer the design/layout, the tritium, and the drilled lugs. It has more of a classic/vintage vibe. Unfortunately, I don't have one at the moment, so I don't know that specific detail about the lug holes.

That said, I don't know why you feel that you need so much space between the strap and the case. It looks fine to me.
 
ninman
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Dan S Dan S
I am a fan of the 14270. Overall I prefer the design/layout, the tritium, and the drilled lugs. It has more of a classic/vintage vibe. Unfortunately, I don't have one at the moment, so I don't know that specific detail about the lug holes.

That said, I don't know why you feel that you need so much space between the strap and the case. It looks fine to me.
It's because the strap is in the wrong place relative to the case. When you wear it it pivots too early, causing the lugs to stick out a little bit. On any watch the lug holes are generally situated at the end of the lugs, which makes them look natural on straps.

Basically, I don't like the look with the spring bar so far inside the lugs, I like the spring bar at the end of the lugs.
 
Dan S
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ninman ninman
It's because the strap is in the wrong place relative to the case. When you wear it it pivots too early, causing the lugs to stick out a little bit. On any watch the lug holes are generally situated at the end of the lugs, which makes them look natural on straps.

Basically, I don't like the look with the spring bar so far inside the lugs, I like the spring bar at the end of the lugs.
I see what you are saying now. You don't like the way the "horns" are sticking out when the strap is pivoted downward.
 
ninman
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Dan S Dan S
I see what you are saying now. You don't like the way the "horns" are sticking out when the strap is pivoted downward.
Yes, and I'm wondering if I would have the same problem with the 14270.
 
Davidt
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Most 14270’s also have ‘no holes’ cases, only the early 14270’s had lug holes.
 
ninman
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To be clear this is what I'm annoyed about.

20260105_092531.webp

As you can see, because the lug holes are too deep in the lugs, it causes the ends of the lugs to protrude from the strap.

I'm wondering if the 14270 has the same problem.
 
vibe
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There a bunch of posts about using the 114270 with a strap. I bend my own bars to do it because the pre~bent ones have too big of a bend. They are fine with 2 piece straps but bars will pop out with a nato. Before you sell your watch, check out what a holes case 14270 sells for. They only made them for two years. Not sure if the holes on later cases are in the same place. Also, something to consider: 904L came along in the mid-90’s so may not be used on the early cases.
 
ninman
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M mountainunder
This may or may not be useful, but this is my 14270.
IMG_20260105_224912.webp IMG_20260105_224922.webp IMG_20260105_230017.webp
Thank you. That was helpful. I decided to sell my 114270. I just couldn't stand that the lugs were basically decorative rather than functional.
 
Davidt
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That sounds a bit dramatic. Surely the main purpose of the lugs is to hold the watch head to the bracelet and they perform that function very well.
If you mean the lugs are overly long, given the location of the spring bar holes, that’s presumably a design choice, at least in part, to ensure a streamlined transition from watch head to endlink, to bracelet. This is the same with most watch cases.
 
ninman
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Davidt Davidt
That sounds a bit dramatic. Surely the main purpose of the lugs is to hold the watch head to the bracelet and they perform that function very well.
If you mean the lugs are overly long, given the location of the spring bar holes, that’s presumably a design choice, at least in part, to ensure a streamlined transition from watch head to endlink, to bracelet. This is the same with most watch cases.
I mean I think the lug holes should be at the end of the lugs. On the 114270 they're where they are so that the pivot point of the bracelet is at the end of the lugs . It's not designed to support a strap. That bothered me far too much.
 
ErichKeane
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Instead of selling the watch (if you otherwise like it), I'd consider a strap that is better made for it. For example, Everest sells what looks to be a special 'curved' strap (https://www.everestbands.com/produc...ap-for-rolex-explorer-i-39mm-214270-deployant) for this purpose. Pay no attention ot the deployant/etc, but just the shape of the 'end link' sides.

Alternatively, perhaps others have run into this and made some sort of end-link adapter?
 
ninman
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
Instead of selling the watch (if you otherwise like it), I'd consider a strap that is better made for it. For example, Everest sells what looks to be a special 'curved' strap (https://www.everestbands.com/produc...ap-for-rolex-explorer-i-39mm-214270-deployant) for this purpose. Pay no attention ot the deployant/etc, but just the shape of the 'end link' sides.

Alternatively, perhaps others have run into this and made some sort of end-link adapter?
I sold it.

20260105_101501.webp


That bothered me way too much. That's just not where lug holes are supposed to be.
Edited:
 
ninman
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vibe vibe
That was quick!
Yeah, like I said, it was a real deal-breaker for me. If Rolex weren't dicks and put their lug holes in the correct place I wouldn't have sold it.
 
vibe
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ninman ninman
Yeah, like I said, it was a real deal-breaker for me. If Rolex weren't dicks and put their lug holes in the correct place I wouldn't have sold it.
Well, they’re probably the correct spot for solid end links
 
ninman
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vibe vibe
Well, they’re probably the correct spot for solid end links
Not really. The Speedmaster has Solid end links but the lug holes are at the end ofbthe lugs, where they should be.
 
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