• Tired of adverts on RWI? - Subscribe by clicking HERE and PMing Trailboss for instructions and they will magically go away!

EWF 36mm new explorer 1

Drummania

Renowned Member
8/6/12
628
85
28
What's the correct lug width? I have read 19mm and 20mm online and not sure which one is correct.
 

dk2852

Active Member
2/2/22
278
337
63
What's the correct lug width? I have read 19mm and 20mm online and not sure which one is correct.

Reportedly the EWF uses a 20mm lug width while the genuine is 19. Not sure on the JDF/GMF, but I'll let you know when I take delivery.
 

dk2852

Active Member
2/2/22
278
337
63
Well the JDF Explorer arrived today! Big thanks to Puretime for quick shipping and QC.

Overall the watch looks good. Even with a loupe the only noticeable difference is the hour hand. As others have pointed out the genuine has a pointy hour hand, while the rep has the flat edge on the point.

Gen:
Rolex-Explorer-124270-10-10-ROL-VLKAU5-4cd1d76fe741_ca7a4186-bbc4-40f6-b6ed-4ffe43dbfdcf.jpg


JDF:

jxKlYD.jpg



I also had some issues with the easy-link system. It's extremely stiff and doesn't seem to lock into place. I tried to replace it with the easy-link from an old Milgauss bracelet, but alas it didn't fit Hopefully this is just a defect on my individual watch.

Which brings to my final point, it seems they got the lug width correct on this, as my inaccurate measurements indicate it is indeed 19mm (someone with calipers can do a more precise measurement.)

The highlight of the watch is of course the lume, which JDF did a great job with.

Currently I think this is the 36mm Explorer rep to get. I even find it better than some 39mm models (ARF). And the bracelet and finishing quality seems to be better than the BP 39 as well. Definitely keep this one on your radar if you like mid-size watches.

Finally, some pics!


jxKXpP.jpg
jxKTaJ.jpg
jxKCVo.jpg
jxKpkk.jpg
 
Last edited:

Hinclimincli

I'm Pretty Popular
Certified
18/12/09
2,599
1,870
113
That's a very good review dk2852 , thanks so much! And a lovely watch you've got there indeed, congratulations. It does indeed look great on your wrist, proportions are perfect, lugs don't overhang, and the ratio dial size/wrist is great. On the easylink, I had a similar problem in the past (with a 39mm Explorer actually from JF), and it got better over time. It's still annoying but not a big deal as I don't use it quite much anyway. How is the movement feeling btw?
 
  • Like
Reactions: dk2852

dk2852

Active Member
2/2/22
278
337
63
That's a very good review dk2852 , thanks so much! And a lovely watch you've got there indeed, congratulations. It does indeed look great on your wrist, proportions are perfect, lugs don't overhang, and the ratio dial size/wrist is great. On the easylink, I had a similar problem in the past (with a 39mm Explorer actually from JF), and it got better over time. It's still annoying but not a big deal as I don't use it quite much anyway. How is the movement feeling btw?

Thanks, appreciate it. I've got it sized in such a way that the easy link stays engaged all the time.

As for the movement, it's great so far! My timegrapher showed it is running within COSC standards. The winding feels a bit clicky (honestly worse than the 2813 in my Sub), but it seems to be running fine. The seconds hand is super smooth and the rotor is barely audible, a bit similar to a vintage Rolex.
 
Last edited:

Watch-a-say

Getting To Know The Place
10/10/18
80
23
8
Yeah the rep dimensions look off and the handset looks a little different to me too. But as an overall package the watch still looks fairly nice. Price is a little high though imo, especially for the undesirable clone movement.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dk2852

wubsub

i like subs
Patron
Certified
31/10/18
2,166
2,783
113
sorry who are?
guys, is there no love for the BP version? cheapest out of the bunch and with solid asian ETA. just placed my order with hont for $328.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hinclimincli

dk2852

Active Member
2/2/22
278
337
63
guys, is there no love for the BP version? cheapest out of the bunch and with solid asian ETA. just placed my order with hont for $328.

We're discussing the new 36mm version. Not the old 39. I agree BP is probably the best of the old generation. If they made the new 36mm version, it would probably be better than these current reps.
 
Last edited:

Hinclimincli

I'm Pretty Popular
Certified
18/12/09
2,599
1,870
113
We're discussing the new 36mm version. Not the old 39. I agree BP is probably the best of the old generation. If they made the new 36mm version, it would probably be better than these current reps.

The good news is that there is indeed a BP version of the new 36mm Explorer: https://www.pfc8188.com/0-0-0-0-0-rlex-36-101-bp-explorer-1-36mm-124270-ss-ss-black-sh-3230.html

The bad news is that it doesn’t seem to use an A2824 movement and uses a clone instead. Not very keen on that.
 

dk2852

Active Member
2/2/22
278
337
63
The good news is that there is indeed a BP version of the new 36mm Explorer: https://www.pfc8188.com/0-0-0-0-0-rlex-36-101-bp-explorer-1-36mm-124270-ss-ss-black-sh-3230.html

The bad news is that it doesn’t seem to use an A2824 movement and uses a clone instead. Not very keen on that.

Interesting, thanks for posting. Didn't see any of the TD's offering this one yet. It looks exactly the same as the GMF/JDF, right down to the hour hand and fat clasp.

Are you sure this is actually a BP factory watch?
 

ffnc1020

Getting To Know The Place
3/9/17
31
11
8
BP is 316 vs GMF is 914 steel. Also the eta movement has ghost date and the Asian clone movement doesn’t.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dk2852

wubsub

i like subs
Patron
Certified
31/10/18
2,166
2,783
113
sorry who are?
We're discussing the new 36mm version. Not the old 39. I agree BP is probably the best of the old generation. If they made the new 36mm version, it would probably be better than these current reps.

jJq4pc.jpg


it’s the 36mm with 2836 which i ordered. this is a brand new release from BP.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dk2852

dk2852

Active Member
2/2/22
278
337
63
jJq4pc.jpg


it’s the 36mm with 2836 which i ordered. this is a brand new release from BP.

Interesting. Unfortunately aside from the Asian ETA it looks the same to me. Really thought BP would have gotten the hour hand and dimensions correct on their rep.
 

Hinclimincli

I'm Pretty Popular
Certified
18/12/09
2,599
1,870
113
That's very interesting wubsub, please share pics once you have them. This could be a really good candidate for a daily beater!
 
  • Like
Reactions: dk2852

wmass

Getting To Know The Place
17/4/22
70
22
8
it’s the 36mm with 2836 which i ordered. this is a brand new release from BP.

also interested to see pics, and measurements to see if theyve corrected the bracelet and case size over the GMF
 
  • Like
Reactions: dk2852