Video

Absolutely love the explorer 36. that is the next (and final piece...famous last words) that I want to add my to collection. I think it perfectly rounds out any collection, and can also be the perfect one watch collection. I own a Datejust 36 (fluted bezel, jubilee bracelet, blue fluted-motif dial) and think that the Exp36 would compliment it (and the rest of the collection) perfectly. To have my favorite watch from the classic line be accompanied by the O.G. GOAT of the professional line would be awesome. the Rolex 36mm case sizes are pure perfection and wear so well. I have larger, similar, and even smaller watches in the collection to include a GS SBGW287 (37.3mm case) and a Nomos Club Campus 36 (cream coral dial), but the Rolex 36mm case size and lug-to-luge is easily the best. The main goal is wear the Explorer on all my adventures with my wife, son, and future kids as well, and then pass it down to my first born son later on in life. The DJ was a first father's day gift from my parents a year ago, and I plan on that being my one and only watch down the line while I plan to pass the rest of my watches to down to my son and future children. The DJ36 is the perfect dress piece and the Explorer 36 is the perfect sport/tool piece. Having both would be the ultimate one-two punch!

stunning but at 36mm it's just to small for me.

For me, I wanted an Explorer from the 90s with the tritium that could potentially patina. So I chose the 14270 as a 42nd birthday present. I tend to collect things from on or around 1999, which was a happy time for me, full of friends, family and innocence before the internet made everyone miserable. It shares wrist time with a '99 30th Anni Speedy, and some other pieces lol. Wear that Explorer in good health! I'm sorry to hear about your loss and thank you for sharing your watch journey with us.

If I may, I will share my 124270 story. BLUF, I don't own one even though I consider it waht represents to me as the PERFECT field watch. In November 2022, I put my name on the list for a 124270 at a local AD that I frequent. In May 2023, Charlie calls me saying he has an Explorer for me. However, it it the 224270 40mm. I turn him down and affirm my interest in the 124270. In June 2023 Charlie calls me again and says he has the 36mm Explorer for me. Damned on all things, I really wanted the watch but it just wasn't the right time for me. I passed on what I figured would be my one and done penultimate field watch. As you know though, my watch journey continued. I continued seeking the one watch that would speak to my tool watch desire, as in many respects I had given up on Rolex. December 2023, after a one-month old request through the same AD, the Tudor Pelagos 39 arrived for me. All green lights were a go, and the P39 has adorned my wrist daily ever since. Do I still pine for a 124270? Yes!

Really enjoyed this episode, IDG. The same type of deep satisfaction you had when presenting your amazing Zenith piece to the world. My life circumstances mean a Rolex isnt in my near-term future (3 month old and a 2 year old to cater for), but you got me staring at my own watchbox and thinking about the good times i get from that piece, and that piece, and that piece. None of mine are North of $2k, but that doesnt matter and i don't feel the need for a Rolex or a 10k watch (yet 😅), but loved seeing the love you shared for yours. And your comment about your dad and how his memory fits into the equation. A pleasure and an honour to view this one, sir.

It may be an unpopular opinion, but I much prefer the 124270 over the previous model. I think the changes (and certainly the bracelet) make it far superior. I’ve had mine for around 18 months and it gets plenty of wrist time. Great video, as always. Thanks mate.

I've been a G Shock and Garmin guy ever since I started wearing watches for work (law enforcement). The Explorer is what convinced me to walk into some ADs last month and start chasing a 124270. I appreciate its history and identity as an elegant yet reliable tool that I can wear without issue on and off duty. Can't wait to get mine.

I own almost 100 watches (including over 10 Rolexes). And I’ve owned the 36mm 124270 (great but a bit too small for my wrist) but the new 40mm😊 224270 is horological perfection. It is my most versatile watch - wear it to the gym, the office - everywhere. The taper in the Oyster bracelet is just right, but I normally wear it on a NATO or a black sailcloth band. (Yes, the. 17mm width makes getting good straps a bit trickier but any wider or narrower would ruin the proportions.) After decades of evolution, the 224270 is design perfection.

Congrats on the Explorer! It was my fourth Rolex but its probably my favorite. The simplicity makes it an absolute joy to wear.

obtrusive and conspicuous. Awesome words that come out so naturally in the vernaculars of a native speaker, yet hide in the labyrinths of a foreigner's grey brain cells. Thank you for being eloquent in showing us this awesome watch content. I love watches. I love NATOs, and I like English.

Good stuff man!

That watch wears perfect on you, unfortunately not me, also nice narration.

This is a great video. Good selection of field watches 👍

❤❤

I've been waiting for the perfect Explorer for a while. When the Explorer went back to 36mm and then had the upgraded movement with the Chronergy escapement, it was time. The first watch worn on the peak of Everest was a Smiths watch by the way, but many Rolexes also made it on the first trip up Everest (the other team-members wore them), but Hillary wore a Smiths when he summitted.

Simple. This is the only Rolex I like. All others I would classify as ugly. And date I din't like. It's always asymmetric. Even worse is the wart on the crystal. This bugs me the most on many Rolex Timepieces.

This is the feeling I get from my air king The “reset” watch - is a great way to categorise it Keep up the amazing insightful content

I'm already retired and thinking about downsizing my collection. First two watches I picked are Explorer I, 214270 and Explorer II, 16570 polar dial. Don't know why but at my age I'm wearing my two-tone Yacht-Master and GMT Pepsi more often.

Getting the 39mm or 40mm over the 36mm is a missed opportunity. The 36mm feels just right, so light and comfortable, perfect for every occasion.

It doesn't matter what anyone says, the first time you open that green box and look inside, it's a truly special moment.

what is your wrist size?

Cool 75 Strat in the background.

I haven’t tried them on. I always suspected the 36 was too small. I’ll have to see. My heart has been with the 39 mkII . Even on the cod o saw what you were saying about legibility, though. The 36 looks blacker and cleaner

36mm Explorer is one of the most timeless and perfect watches ever made! Wear and enjoy it in good health!

Great review and background. I have a GMT BLNR and considering this as a second Rolex.

Thanks for sharing, although I'm not an EXPLORER 1 & 2 fan.

I’ve owned my 36 inch Rolex explorer for over 30 years. I beat the heck out of it at one point I chipped the crystal and it got pretty scratched up. I never serviced it for 30 years and it started losing time finally so I took it to a watchmaker and they replaced the crystal and cleaned it up. It’s the greatest watch ever, although I did get a Submariner in the meantime and I love that too. The 36 inch is the way to go. The 39 to me looks bizarro and there’s even a 40 out there which is even more insane! If you want to get a 40 inch time only Rolex get the OP. Thanks for all the great videos. Keep them coming. Cheers!

I’ve learned that bremont have been to the top of K2 and Everest They really have . when I was growing up you would see men wearing a Rolex that would take an absolute battering. I’ve seen them on the wrists of Painter and decorators engineers , i don’t think men who wear Rolex watches now will be going the full Jack Reacher or James Bond. whenever anybody talks about a watch worn in this way, I’m always keen to pipe up with my knowledge of who was wearing a watch in this or that film. 😂 Hamilton khaki is the watch you are going to wear if you are going to be roughing it and if you look at the police or the rescue services most of them will be wearing a G shock. I think Smiths need to put a really good movement in that watch of theirs.

10:00 how is the sub more sophisticated? It is literally an explorer with a rotating bezel and a longer clasp lol

Exp 1 not for me, but that Omega is fantastic!

Great Vid my friend!! Despite my ever expanding obsession with watches I always periodically return to the Explorer. Like you I had the Mark II 39mm one a few years back and found the proportions a little "off" - too much wrist real-estate for a classic, simple watch. Watching you at your desk, Explorer on wrist reminds me of why the 36mm version just looks so damn cool - the Explorer was always meant to be that classic size, and yours is looking so good. I'm just in the process of getting the funds together for the new Moonwatch, but after that I'm going to go for a 14270 or 114270 - jingle-jangle bracelet aside, I love the neo-vintage vibe and 20mm lug width. Yours looks uber-cool too though, so no disrespect to the newer model, which is superior in every way, I just struggle with the extreme taper of that bracelet! Bravo - love the desk and new T-Shirt! I know you've sold it, but that Big-Eye shown early on in the vid looks sooo nice ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

Lovely video and back story to finally buying this. I remember your dissatisfaction with the 39 mm version. Congrats on what is a lovely watch. I had the option of this and an OP36; went with the latter for a number of subjective design reasons. Let's hope neither of us falls victim to the dreaded 32## loss of amplitude after a few years 🤞 Enjoy the piece chief 🙌

I'm planing to get an explorer for my 30th bd too. that's next year. But I just went to my friend funeral yesterday, that's change my mind a bit. Maybe 1 year earlier is 1 year of more enjoying the hobby, I don't know. thx if anyone reading I just want to left some weird thought of one watch collector on internet. enjoy this hobby, love to share it with you.❤

The talk about Mount Everest is something I find to be spin and advertising, 🎉 not the only watch to go up the first time and if the truth be told we don’t even know if it was the first watch to reach the top of Everest. countless Casio G-Shock’s have been to the top of Everest. when it comes to mountaineering and watches Vulcain must take the gold medal.

I love the Explorer 36: M_124270

I have been very tempted by the Explorer, but my experience with a few AD's put me off. I have the 41mmm green dial OP which meet the Rolex itch. To meet the design need I've just ordered a Sinn 556 A.

Completely agree! I am very happy with mine. The 124270 Explorer is effortlessly cool yet so understated. Thanks for your insightful review. Cheers

I’m planning on buying a 1016 birth year watch. Option A: full set, pumpkin dial & hands, unpolished OR Option B: full set, Tiffany stamped, unpolished Which one would you lean more towards?

Looking forward to this one

After 1.5 years on near daily wear, I’ve come to appreciate the Exp1 124270’s bracelet as the best feature of the watch. Yes, It’s smaller than previous generations. But, 1mm of difference is completely invisible to anyone but the most discernible wearer. That slight decrease in size somehow translates to a monumental increase in comfort. I dont know how or why it feels better, but it just does. For me, comfort is more important to me than appearing 1mm larger.

Yes

This is a Rolex watch which is worth having. You don’t need gold you don’t need diamonds , it doesn’t have to appear on the wrist of some moron who plays football or works in the financial district of London. This is a proper Rolex watch, like the watches I saw on the wrists of men when I was a child. I own a Tudor ranger and the only other field watch I would have above that is the Rolex Explorer.

As a watch nerd and a gun nut, I like to compare guns to watches. I think the Explorer is the equivalent of the Smith and Wesson Model 19. It's not fancy but a perfect balance of firepower, aesthetics, size, and utility.

My watch journey has led me to the 39mm 214270 reference. I purchased it at a Rolex boutique (after an 8 month wait) in 2020. One thing I discovered about the explorer is that it elicits a "slow burn" type reaction. Initial impressions are not overwhelming, but once you begin wearing it, it begins to make a lot of sense both practically and aesthetically. I found myself grabbing this watch 95% of the time and it relegated my other watches to residing in my desk drawer. Since I was not wearing them, I sold and downsized to two watches, my explorer and a casio square g shock. Regarding size, to each their own, but I do find the 39mm to fall within a "just right" balance for my 6.75 inch wrist. Cheers and enjoy that watch! Great channel.

Great video. The Explorer is my exit watch the 124270 36mm. I thought about the 114270 because you can find it cheaper, but i believe I would not be happy with anything but the new 36mm. I have my grail Rolex which is the 114300 Rhodium dial, I remember seeing it on the WatchTime cover in 2015. I have a 2019 model and had thought about trading it towards an Explorer but I want both. I believe that duo would be the quintessential Rolex collection. I’ve always wanted a 114060M 2009 or 2010 but I refuse to pay what is asked for it. Thank you for how you expressed what the Explorer means, I couldn’t agree more with it. Yes it is the one watch I want to wear when I’m 60, 70, 80.

214270 mk2 guy here and i'm glad you love the new 36! cheers!

I used to own a black on black BMW E46 3-series 5-speed with sport package. It wasn’t anything amazing - just an excellent execution of a 4-door sedan in terms of comfort, performance, features, and quality. I liked it more than the E90 I replaced it with, or the X3 I’ve got now. My Explorer reminds me of that car - a well-made item that does things better than a run-of-the-mill counterpart.

The Rolex does nothing for me, but I could watch you all day talking with enthusiasm about the watch from a gifted story-teller and one of the few likeable 'personalities' in the YT watch space.