Explorer I - 37mm Wonder

[seraphe]

I know this is not the first post on the Explorer, but I thought I should share my joy and experience of acquiring one...

Just received this beauty on Monday and had it on the wrist for the week... It's just amazing! I had doubts at first, for I'd never had a watch smaller than 38mm except the 34mm Airking I got when I had 5 inches boy's wrist. When I resize the bracelet and had the first try on the wrist, the appearance just surprised me.

It's not too small after all. So Taks, that's the answer to your question. I'm sure and I'm glad I did.

The main thing I like about Explorer is the clean and minimalist finish (in details and size). During the days when I do not want to add clutterings of subdials and bezel markers to my already cluttered life, I would prefer a watch that is simple and yet provide the calming effect to sooth my nerves. The Explorer has just this effect on me. The gleam off the polished bezel simply help me see things smoother than they are.

Though at 37mm it's not really THAT tiny for my 6.5 inches wrist, but I do wish Rolex would make a 40mm version to meet modern demand (which I doubt will happen).

 

[azgjav]

i had an exp1 too but it was scammed away by someone from malaysia.. it's one watch i miss dearly!

i think the 37mm diameter w 20mm bracelet is a very good size, it's small enough to be worn by anyone and yet the 20mm bracelet makes it look bigger and gives it a sporty look.

it's a great looker! is it a tw best? the crystal is thick and the ss looks clean..more info pls.

 

[seraphe]

Thanks. I'm glad I love it too.

No it's from Andrew. I had been researching the pics of different dealers and decided on this one. Andrew currently only has 2 models for 114270... one Swiss and one Asian. Both look identical on the outside. What other info would you like?

I had been in love with Explorer I long before I discovered reps. This is just to fulfill that live long dream.

My next target might be a 1016.

 

[gen]

I had been in love with Explorer I long before I discovered reps. This is just to fulfill that live long dream.

My next target might be a 1016.

The Exp I is one of the best repped Rolex out there, and yours is a great looker. Enjoy.

 

[crick]

dang, that's nice xstal height. Where'd you pick this oen up from?

 

[audemarsfan]

Awesome watch. A good EXP I rep is really difficult to detect. It comes down to opening the case really.

 

[david-syd]

nice watch....

I just bought one from silix as well...
I needed something to fitunder my long sleeve shirt...

 

[azgjav]

Thanks. I'm glad I love it too.

No it's from Andrew. I had been researching the pics of different dealers and decided on this one. Andrew currently only has 2 models for 114270... one Swiss and one Asian. Both look identical on the outside. What other info would you like?

I had been in love with Explorer I long before I discovered reps. This is just to fulfill that live long dream.

My next target might be a 1016.

haha, i see! the xtal height made me think that it's a tw best. thanks for the info.

there is a modded 1016 for sale on RWG. go and take a look!

 

[By-Tor]

That's a great, classic looker. I bet this is the most copied watch design in the world. ExpI is very "low profile" Rolex, so it's very believeable. The gen is ridiculously priced so a good rep definitely makes sense.

I wish it was bigger though. I still think I might purchase one eventually. Enjoy!

 

[mojo2001]

Yeah, man , the crown on that one looks nice. I've been trying to figure out which crown is correct for a late model Exp1....seem apparent gens with the kind that has a shoulder on the upper edge (like this one) and also straight edged crowns without the shoulder.

My current Exp1 (Trevor ETA) has a straight edge crown that isn't as shiny and crisp as I'd like....no big deal but if looking for an area of possible improvement, there it is.

Otherwise, looks great. Got a VIP-lorer coming in so will compare that one.

Anybody ever experiment with putting a gen crown on an Explorer 1?? Anybody know the crown and tube part numbers?

 

[seraphe]

More pics...

And here's some pics of a gen I got from internet for comparison.

I'm not too good for that close up for my shots, but here goes nothing:

The crown has the concave shoulder.

The font for "OYSTER PERPETUAL" and "EXPLORER" looks wrong somehow. Does the gen comes with this kind of font?

The finish of the brushed steel looks really good after a bit of polish with Cape Cod.

One of the few things that bothers me is the bracelet clasp. I have not compared this to the gen but the details on the clasp does not seem to be well-defined in itself. Anyone can verify if the gen clasp looks somewhat like this too?

 

[mojo2001]

Here's a pic of a supposed gen from an auction.

This one has a sans-serif font like the rep and the crown is the almost shoulderless crown version I mentioned earlier...wait, maybe this ebay seller is actually TREVOR!!

Like any other Rolex model, if you whip out a loupe, you'll find all sorts of little variations/deviations.

I think what is important, unless you're trying to scam TZ nerds at the group picnic, is how it looks from 10-12" away! I'd say it looks mighty fine.

The short clasp on that bracelet is the correct type for the Explorer and the crown logo seems well stamped, even if the oval is a bit too thick.

All in all, NICE ONE! Dude, you just saved $3000!! Go buy yourself a couple reps!

 

[seraphe]

All in all, NICE ONE! Dude, you just saved $3000!! Go buy yourself a couple reps!

Haha That's what I thought and told my wife! She's still skeptical about the feel of the bracelet (what does she know about the feel of SS oyster band anyway) but I told her the point is if I'm able to let this 'humble indulgence' make me feel almost as good as wearing a gen, I've already succeeded in avoidance of pointless overspending on great looking tools that do nothing more than tell me time.

So her next question is... 'Why watches?' Anyone care to help me answer that?

 

[mojo2001]

As an anthropologist and watch collector myself, I'd say that anyone who has to ask "Why Watches?" will never know...

To me it just shows that your paying attention to the misc. items that you use and decided to use something interesting and nice.
Otherwise you would have a camo Casio from Wally World like 98% of the rest of the mullets.

An appreciation for the art of the rep is another dimension of it. If you can get a rep for $150 delivered, how the #$#1 can Rolex charge 3-4k?

Yes, the gens are nicer, often even a LOT nicer under magnification and close micro scrutiny, but are they 25-30X nicer? No, maybe 2-3X nicer. If I could buy a gen Explorer for $600-700, even if it had a 2824 in it, I'd probably do it.

Part of the equation here is that an Exp 1 is easy to rep. I have a few dress Patek watches that are very simple two hand jobs but finished so nicely that I can't imagine anybody but super anal Swiss jewelers making something like that. I haven't bought any Vacheron, Lange and Sohne, etc reps because I can imagine a rep factory pulling it off. Rolex sports watches are a different story. These are just chunks of somewhat polished metal.

 

[Deltick]

I love this: "chunks of somewhat polished metal"

Puts rep collecting in a whole new light!

In any case, I really like the Explorer. I have one from Andrew as well and it has served me well for a couple of years now.

 

[takashi]

I don't know why but I don't feel comfortable wearing a Rolex (gens or reps), I have tried a few models; Submariner, Daytona and Explorer II. None of them feels right on my wrist. I guess I am really the Omega/IWC/Breitling/Panerai guy :lol:

 

[seraphe]

Now that's another good side of rep collecting... self discovery of taste.

Like Taks comment that he's more of a "Omega/IWC/Breitling/Panerai guy", I too have discovered I'm a Rolex/Omega/IWC kinda guy. I've tried to like Breitling enough to spend on a rep, but failed. I've tried a PAM005 but seem to prefer bracelets to leather straps. Every time I thought of indulging myself in a new rep, I find myself keep going back to Rolex.

Keep to your own, Taks. It defines who you are anyway.

 

[takashi]

That's true It's like tasting wine/beer. Everyone has different taste.

 

[hk45ca]

that is a beautiful watch. personally, i love rolex and their size doesn't bother me at all. i haven't found anything that will slide under your shirt sleeve as easy as they do. i like big watches and i have many but there is nothing like a rolex. 8)

 

[takashi]

How bout Omega Seamaster? Looks good with a suit too...