Good take on this classic, if I can only have 1 watch, this is it. A few top HK/Japanese movie stars wore this model in the 80s/90s drama/movies (Takuya Kimura in a few of his popular drama series, Chow Yun fatt in God of gambler, Leon Lai wore it personally too). This is the first Rolex I like when i was a few years old kid during the 80s, so it’s of great nostalgic value to me. I have the 36mm but do not wears it often because the army of g shocks are my go to usually 😂
@@SneakerFreakerSB thanks for sharing. I agree. My one regret is that I didn’t go for the 36mm. And my army of g shocks is pretty crazy too. I didn’t realize HK over stars had a thing for the explorer. But it totally makes sense. It’s an action star watch for sure. Simple, rugged, accurate, and clean.
‘In 1953, the not-yet-Sir Edmund Hillary became the first man to summit Mount Everest along with expedition partner Tenzing Norgay. And he did so with a Rolex on his wrist, an Oyster Perpetual that would prove to be the ancestor of the Explorer.’ It’s tradition for those who climb Mt. Everest to acquire an Explorer after summiting. My father summited in 2009 and got his Explorer shortly after. Fun fact if you didn’t know!
40mm gives me an old man vibe personally. The bezel pop more on the 36mm like a modern watch does while retaining a classic vibe. The bracelet taper and lug width makes a world of difference, 36mm wears better and smaller lug width makes the bezel pop.
I won’t disagree with that. I like each for different reasons. I thought 40 might be too big and 36 might be a tad small so I compromised with 39. But if it was between 40 and 36, I’d probably go 36 or both. Ahhh I dunno. I like em all at the end of the day. Thanks for the insight and checking out the video. You clearly know what you’re talking about. I’m just learning and figuring out what I like as my journey in watch collecting just started this year
I’m lucky to have bought one myself from an AD in 2019 as I walked in… few months later it was already starting to get very hard to get and then discontinued indeed. I got other watches which are more expensive in the Rolex lineup with a Batman and even went nuts with a rose gold yatchmaster as well as a Speedy and Santos. The Exp1 and Santos are by far the most worn pieces. Simplicity at its best in white and black. I’m thinking to sell everything else but the Speedy.
Used to own a 214270 MK2 Explorer. I had lusted for it for over 5 years and was finally able to purchase one a few years ago. Problem is, the more I got into watches, the more boring the Explorer became. It's not dressy enough with a tux but I find it also not casual enough for jeans and T-shirt. Sold it for a wee profit and moved on to other watches.
That’s totally fair. I think that is a very common feeling about the explorer. Maybe I’m just too young in the game. But I’ve got watches that are substantially more expensive and/or rare, but I keep coming back to the explorer for a casual look. I’m not a fan of dressing it up either.
I find the Explorer 1 is a very slow burner. I have the latest 124270, and I didn't like how dainty the bracelet was. Then, I didn't like how small the dial was. It was a roller-coaster ride. But I persisted, and now I love everything about it. I wear it more often than any of my other watches. I don't have to worry about scratching the fluted bezel of my Day Date, or keeping my Reverso dry, or feeling too unsafe wearing my Bat Girl walking around at night. It's the watch I feel most at home with that I can count on at all times. Catching a glimpse of it in the mirror makes me smile. What a charming little watch.
@@g43654 yeah I appreciate that, the Explorer is a very understated characterful watch. My problem is, I live in watch Mecca Hong Kong and I see Batmans, Daytonas, Royal Oaks, even Journes and Mosers almost on a daily basis. Wearing my Rolexes no longer feel special. So I hardly touch my Rolexes these days.
@@alectang1614 that's cool. But honestly, China makes almost every fake watches in the world, I'll have to assume a good portion of those Rolex or APs are fake, too. Hong Kong or not. At least an Explorer on someone's wrist is more likely to be real than a rainbow Daytona. That's my opinion.
@@g43654 of course some are fake but many are real. Sure China makes fake watches but almost all microbrands are also made in China. In fact they're even based in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is also the world's second biggest watch market. Meaning it's bigger than the UK, France, Italy combined. And post COVID, will again be the world's largest market. All in a space about the size of London. There are Patek, AP, Rolex boutiques within walking distance from eachother. The meet ups I've been to are organised by Watchbox or the Swiss horological federation or Red bar. I see MB&Fs, Laurent Ferriers, Pateks, even stupid Richard Milles and Rainbow Daytonas. And yes, they're all real. You have to remember: yes, China makes fake watches but there are also a lot of rich people in China these days. And all these brands come to Hong Kong as a gateway for the Chinese buyer. But yes you're right. Most people probably don't buy fake Explorers.
Calling a Rolex Explorer watch "Rolex Explorer One" is like calling a Rolex Submariner a "Rolex Submariner No Date". Both are the wrong names. On the other hand, a Rolex Explorer II is called a "Rolex Explorer Two" and a Rolex Submariner with a date window is a "Rolex Submariner Date".
Love it. Thank you for pointing that out to me. I actually appreciate the corrections. Can’t know everything as a newbie, ya know? Happy New Year and also thank you frfr for checking out the video
I have the 36 explorer (124270) and it is awesome. It’s low key but still really nice. My wrist size is 6 7/8 in. Being that it’s smaller makes it so wearable and it has a retro vibe being that it’s 36mm. You will not regret it if you pick one up.
If I were to have a single watch, It would be Explorer 1
I have the 36 mil / 124270 and I wear it almost every day!
💯 💯 💯 the perfect one watch collection
Good take on this classic, if I can only have 1 watch, this is it. A few top HK/Japanese movie stars wore this model in the 80s/90s drama/movies (Takuya Kimura in a few of his popular drama series, Chow Yun fatt in God of gambler, Leon Lai wore it personally too). This is the first Rolex I like when i was a few years old kid during the 80s, so it’s of great nostalgic value to me. I have the 36mm but do not wears it often because the army of g shocks are my go to usually 😂
@@SneakerFreakerSB thanks for sharing. I agree. My one regret is that I didn’t go for the 36mm. And my army of g shocks is pretty crazy too. I didn’t realize HK over stars had a thing for the explorer. But it totally makes sense. It’s an action star watch for sure. Simple, rugged, accurate, and clean.
People saying negative things about the explorer...if I heard that I would have no respect for the person who said it.
What size is your wrist? I'm with you....clean watch, definitely trying to get one at the moment.
I got tiny wrists. 6.5 thanks for checking out the video bro! Def cop one
‘In 1953, the not-yet-Sir Edmund Hillary became the first man to summit Mount Everest along with expedition partner Tenzing Norgay. And he did so with a Rolex on his wrist, an Oyster Perpetual that would prove to be the ancestor of the Explorer.’
It’s tradition for those who climb Mt. Everest to acquire an Explorer after summiting. My father summited in 2009 and got his Explorer shortly after.
Fun fact if you didn’t know!
Couldn't agree more, one of the cleanest looking watches out there
Riiiiight? Can’t believe I slept on it all these years
Love my Explorer! I have 114270, last of the original 36mm before the 39 mm. I get the appeal of the larger one though…Love the “Bleachers”music 🎶!
It’s the goat daily imo. Not too flashy but just loud enough. And perfect proportions. I love it. And yesssss Bleachers!! The music matters to me!
The watch suits you well, looks really good on your wrist.
OP39+G63=The taste of quality
40mm gives me an old man vibe personally. The bezel pop more on the 36mm like a modern watch does while retaining a classic vibe. The bracelet taper and lug width makes a world of difference, 36mm wears better and smaller lug width makes the bezel pop.
I won’t disagree with that. I like each for different reasons. I thought 40 might be too big and 36 might be a tad small so I compromised with 39. But if it was between 40 and 36, I’d probably go 36 or both. Ahhh I dunno. I like em all at the end of the day. Thanks for the insight and checking out the video. You clearly know what you’re talking about. I’m just learning and figuring out what I like as my journey in watch collecting just started this year
Good content bro, keep it up. Videos are very informative. Hope you’ve been well!
I had the 39mm explorer, was a great watch. I've since sold it and moved on, but my wife has the 36mm and she loves it. Great watch
What’s your favorite watch of all time? If you can’t pick one. What’s your top 3, doesn’t have to be in order.
@@EdwardFKim Rolex Daytona, Patek Phillipe nautilus, FP Journe chronometre a resonance
And I'll add the Patek Phillipe 3970 as special mention
Best looking dial in the catalogue!
🫡 💯
I’m lucky to have bought one myself from an AD in 2019 as I walked in… few months later it was already starting to get very hard to get and then discontinued indeed. I got other watches which are more expensive in the Rolex lineup with a Batman and even went nuts with a rose gold yatchmaster as well as a Speedy and Santos. The Exp1 and Santos are by far the most worn pieces. Simplicity at its best in white and black. I’m thinking to sell everything else but the Speedy.
“Simplicity at its best.” 💯 and gotta love the speedy. Which one you got?
@@EdwardFKimfirst was 1861. I wanted to just upgrade the bracelet but got the 3861. Love it
@@FlyknitJeza niiiiice omega speedy is a must have. You could literally have a just have a collection of different speedys and it would be amazing
Love this review and the added touch of your day with the watch ❤
Thank you 🙏 ❤️
Explorer is on my list.
It’s a must for every enthusiast. Just too clean. Thanks for checking out the video, John! 😁
Used to own a 214270 MK2 Explorer. I had lusted for it for over 5 years and was finally able to purchase one a few years ago. Problem is, the more I got into watches, the more boring the Explorer became. It's not dressy enough with a tux but I find it also not casual enough for jeans and T-shirt.
Sold it for a wee profit and moved on to other watches.
That’s totally fair. I think that is a very common feeling about the explorer. Maybe I’m just too young in the game. But I’ve got watches that are substantially more expensive and/or rare, but I keep coming back to the explorer for a casual look. I’m not a fan of dressing it up either.
I find the Explorer 1 is a very slow burner. I have the latest 124270, and I didn't like how dainty the bracelet was. Then, I didn't like how small the dial was. It was a roller-coaster ride. But I persisted, and now I love everything about it. I wear it more often than any of my other watches. I don't have to worry about scratching the fluted bezel of my Day Date, or keeping my Reverso dry, or feeling too unsafe wearing my Bat Girl walking around at night. It's the watch I feel most at home with that I can count on at all times. Catching a glimpse of it in the mirror makes me smile. What a charming little watch.
@@g43654 yeah I appreciate that, the Explorer is a very understated characterful watch. My problem is, I live in watch Mecca Hong Kong and I see Batmans, Daytonas, Royal Oaks, even Journes and Mosers almost on a daily basis. Wearing my Rolexes no longer feel special. So I hardly touch my Rolexes these days.
@@alectang1614 that's cool. But honestly, China makes almost every fake watches in the world, I'll have to assume a good portion of those Rolex or APs are fake, too. Hong Kong or not. At least an Explorer on someone's wrist is more likely to be real than a rainbow Daytona. That's my opinion.
@@g43654 of course some are fake but many are real. Sure China makes fake watches but almost all microbrands are also made in China. In fact they're even based in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is also the world's second biggest watch market. Meaning it's bigger than the UK, France, Italy combined. And post COVID, will again be the world's largest market. All in a space about the size of London. There are Patek, AP, Rolex boutiques within walking distance from eachother.
The meet ups I've been to are organised by Watchbox or the Swiss horological federation or Red bar. I see MB&Fs, Laurent Ferriers, Pateks, even stupid Richard Milles and Rainbow Daytonas. And yes, they're all real.
You have to remember: yes, China makes fake watches but there are also a lot of rich people in China these days. And all these brands come to Hong Kong as a gateway for the Chinese buyer.
But yes you're right. Most people probably don't buy fake Explorers.
It’s a masterpiece.
Undoubtedly
Right on man!!!
@@Steelslags thank you bro
It’s my favorite Rolex
Me too. No question.
Calling a Rolex Explorer watch "Rolex Explorer One" is like calling a Rolex Submariner a "Rolex Submariner No Date". Both are the wrong names.
On the other hand, a Rolex Explorer II is called a "Rolex Explorer Two" and a Rolex Submariner with a date window is a "Rolex Submariner Date".
Love it. Thank you for pointing that out to me. I actually appreciate the corrections. Can’t know everything as a newbie, ya know? Happy New Year and also thank you frfr for checking out the video
@@EdwardFKim Happy New Year! I wish you a great 2024 for watch collecting.
I think your next video should be about rugs 😅
Well done I do love the explorer 1
Thank you, sir. It’s my favorite watch. Hands down. Period.
I have this 39 mk2 and i like the fact that this video is 10:16 long 😎
🙏 🙏 🙏
36mm 124270 would better suit your wrist
Yeah? I’ve been thinking about a 36mm. I’ve been going back and forth about 41mm and 36mm Wimbledon. I’ll give the 36 a closer look.
I have the 36 explorer (124270) and it is awesome. It’s low key but still really nice. My wrist size is 6 7/8 in. Being that it’s smaller makes it so wearable and it has a retro vibe being that it’s 36mm. You will not regret it if you pick one up.
great video, I totally agree
Perfection on a NATO ✔️
My guy!
great watch!
No
🫡