The Rolex Explorer 1 36mm - Gen vs rep comparison

[silverclaw]

Explorer 1 36mm - Ref 114270
Gen vs Rep comparison
Note: the 14270 and 114270 are the same. Only using different movements, rehaut, and a few tiny differences.


This is a rep that I got from Puretime - After accepting the QC pics, I received the watch 1 day after. You heard me, ONE DAY. Great service from them - Highly recommended!

Link: http://puretime-asia.com/product/explorer-i-14270/

Can you tell which is the gen?

One of the first differences I can see is that the case is slightly "bulkier" than the rep - it looks slightly bigger. The bezel is slightly wider and flatter on the rep, leading to a bigger look as well. I suspect that this is because this case is from a datejust (?)

The gen was on the right BTW.

The rep numbers are actually nicer than the gen - Just look at the 2 pics above. Rep is the first, gen is the second. The rep has white tracing that matches the white gold numbers, while the gen doesn't match, if you know what I mean. Not quite sure how to explain this.
Rep dial is also slightly uneven: What this means is that the gen dial is totally flat, but the hole in the center in the rep dial is slightly depressed because it was punched using a heat machine I suspect. Also, the very edge of the dial also domes downwards. Let me know if you need more explanation.

Rep caseback is slightly thicker than gen, also, the crystal is very slightly less tall on the rep.

Gen on the left.

The bracelets are basically the same, the gen actually is lighter than the rep. Rep is less "fluid" than the gen, but seriously, they're the same.

Above, you can see the differences in thickness. Rep is on the top.

Gen lume sucks, but is better than the rep. Rep lume sucks.

TL;DR:
Rep is slightly thicker.
Rep crystal is lower
Rep case is 'bulkier'
Bracelet - same.
Dial - small differences, essentially same.
Conclusion: 10/10 would buy.​

 

[stevejones]

how was the white bit on the number 9 , I think you said it was 5 degrees off on another thread .

 

[stevejones]

SC , what is the etched rolex sign at 6 o'clock like ?
is there one and if so how noticeable is it ?

 

[stevejones]

plus , the 2 pictures of the close up dial , numbers on dial , surely the gen is the second one , looking at the dirt on the SEL

 

[silverclaw]

Whoops I got that wrong. I'll fix it later. The lec is standard for a rep. It's more visible than gen of course, but is not noticeable unless you look for it. My gen actually has a very visible engraved crown.

 

[ebzen02]

I wanted this comparison. Awesome!

 

[Debellum]

Right conclusion.
It's very good rep.
This cause it's easy to assemble in the Factory.
It's like a Date Just , without date.
The dial is used in the gen Air King also in some differets colors.

Cheers

Junio M.


Sent with IPad Air and Tapatalk Pro

 

[stevejones]

thanks SC , I ask about the LEC because I had one where it was very noticeable .
I had to send it back as it had a couple of problems .

what's the crown like to screw in ?
I found the one I had to be very hard to screw in after setting the time or winding it up.

 

[Mendota]

Very nice write-up! I'm glad your purchase went well and you received a good one. There was a big write-up and gen v rep comparison on Repgeek back in 2008 on this watch. I think yours is very timely because it is using the current offering from one of our best dealers. Thanks for posting this.

Now that you own both the gen and the rep, which one do you think you will wear more often?

I gave you reputation points for this. Thanks for posting!

 

[rols16610]

Great comparison, thanks for sharing, the rep looks pretty accurate next to the gen

 

[silverclaw]

Very nice write-up! I'm glad your purchase went well and you received a good one. There was a big write-up and gen v rep comparison on Repgeek back in 2008 on this watch. I think yours is very timely because it is using the current offering from one of our best dealers. Thanks for posting this.

Now that you own both the gen and the rep, which one do you think you will wear more often?

I gave you reputation points for this. Thanks for posting!

My dad is wearing the gen and he likes it, so I'll be wearing the rep. I do prefer the gen though. I will try to re machine the case to match the gen closer.

 

[takoxavy]

swap your rep for his gen he wouldn't notice it anyway


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[stevejones]

SC , how did the number 9 turn out ?

 

[Rudy40]

Great write up!
Awesome to see how good the rep really is!
Rep points coming your way!
Thanks for sharing

 

[silverclaw]

thanks SC , I ask about the LEC because I had one where it was very noticeable .
I had to send it back as it had a couple of problems .

what's the crown like to screw in ?
I found the one I had to be very hard to screw in after setting the time or winding it up.

Crown tubes suck as per rep quality. Just look at my thread "5 easy ways to improve your rep" where I add grease to the tube to make it smoother.

SC , how did the number 9 turn out ?

I can't even see the 9 crookedness without a loupe. I forgot for a moment that the watch is actually only 36mm, and the dial is even smaller, maybe at 28mm.

 

[egroegart]

excellent write up silver. I don't know how much closer you could come to gen. I was fooled by some of the pics. Personally I would consider as a super rep because there really aren't that many differences. of course there's always going to be some flaw somewhere, but this looks as close as it can get. both beauties for sure.

 

[stevejones]

thanks SC , enjoy the watch
great comparison

 

[poisonx]

Great write up. Thanks for this!

Did you take a wrist shot? Would be interested to see the size

 

[DVNE]

Awesome info! Thanks for the great thread. Is your rep 2824 powered?

 

[Bozz]

Very informative, one of my next purchases