Decisions, decisions.....your views wanted - I can't decide..

The new movements are pretty amazing. More power reserve and better shock and anti magnetism properties. For those reasons alone I’d get the 124270. 

Fully agree with you Biglona. I have the reference 114270 and am very pleased with it but the new model is in all points better. The only advantage of the older reference is that you might find one model easily on the market today.

For routine wear, I’d 100% go with the newer model, the advances are worth it and it will be a resilient daily wear if you want. If it’s rounding out the collection or you want something soon, the 11xxx will fill that role. 

I would say go for the new one :) it is superior in all ways and it's nice to have the warranty (if ever). Good choice. Looking forward to your "i got the call" post haha 

If you can get one I'd go with the new one.

I owned a new 36mm Explorer I for a solid 3 months. My daughter loved it so much I gave it to her. The new Explorer I is incredible. Of course I wanted to keep the watch foreveforever. My daughter has never expressed interest in a watch. She just fell in love with the Explorer I. The new 36mm feels amazing on wrist. The movement is incredible. The clasp and bracelet are 1000% better. You may be inclined to leave the bracelet on for a good long time. This is the watch to choose of the two IMO.

 I also have an Explorer II polar. I love that watch and it's going to have to be inherited. I am gently suggesting to my AD that I would be a good guy to sell another Explorer I to. In know I'm crazy. The watch is simple perfection 

Personally I wouldn't trust that I'm getting a genuine used one. So get it new in my opinion. 

I believe youreterrific on YouTube did a video of the exact comparison you need. Either way - great watch!

1. All Explorers have that iconic 3-6-9 look, sexy oyster case, and are perfectly capable as robust  “3-hander” watches.
2. Most people (watch nerds are not most people) won’t be able to tell the difference between the new and old Explorers.
3. The 127270 is better spec-wise (e.g. bracelet, power reserve, anti-reflective coating, fully-lumed indices) and sportier looking.
4. The 114270 has a “dressier/blingier” look because of its dimensions, especially the smaller/thinner Arabic numerals, etc. (see my picture below)
5. Explorers look best on their bracelets, IMHO. (If you know, you know)
6. You’ll be happy whichever way you go. Good luck with the hunt!

I'd say whichever one you can get the better deal on. However if the price is the same I would go with the 124270. It feels more refined. The clasp, taper on the bracelet, attention to the indices, upgraded movement, lume, AR coating, all of it offer what feels like a very modern classic. 

This was a great video and goes into the differences with lots of detail

I kind of prefer the older one. Something a bit more blingy about the new. The clasp perhaps. Not to say I wouldn’t like the new - it’s v minor differences.

I have the current 124270 and absolutely love it. If you don’t plan on wearing it on the bracelet though, the current Gen can be pretty fussy when it comes to straps. Not only the 19mm lug width, but it also has the spring bars very close to the case and a notching system for the bracelet that will eat through straps that don’t use curved spring bars. I still custom ordered a Delugs curved spring bar strap (others make them as well) and prefer that look a lot of the time, but it will be much harder to just throw on whatever strap is in your drawer

Go for the 114270.  While I agree the new 36mm launch has all of the desirable upgrades there is also good merits to the fact that the cal. 3130 is a better long term bet because of most solid watchmakers being able to service it and parts being readily available because of it's use in most of the Rolex catalogue for the last 20+ years.

Right decision made - 124270 it is - off to the AD tomorrow to get going on the purchase.