Explorer Alternative
I like the style of the Rolex Explorer 1 with the 3-6-9 pattern. I’m looking for alternatives in the general neighborhood of $500 and the 36 to 38 mm size range. San Martin, Islander and Lorier have pieces that seem like good options. Do any of you have experience with them or other suggestions? Thanks a lot.
27 comments
Sort by
Bob
I live in the State of Georgia in the USA. I'm been interested in watches my whole life but just started collecting in 2021.
Georgia, in the Southern USA
Member since
Last active: 10 min ago
7.00” / 17.78 cm
Hmmm… my answer for everything lately…
Let’s Build onE!!! Woot hahaha !!
This case was 36 mm…
https://www.timefactors.com/collections/smiths/products/smiths-everest-prs-25-36mm-black-dial
If you are up to a challenge and are okay with waiting a bit here is another option.
Hmmm… my answer for everything lately…
Let’s Build onE!!! Woot hahaha !!
This case was 36 mm…
Looks nice . Available in black dial? What is the brand?
If you can find one the Smiths expedition seems like a good alternative. Granted, I’ve only seen them never in the metal as the saying goes.
https://www.timefactors.com/collections/smiths/products/smiths-everest-prs-25-36mm-black-dial
If you are up to a challenge and are okay with waiting a bit here is another option.
Looks nice. Thanks.
I’ve got one of those Urban Genrty Rangemasters… never wear it.
https://www.timefactors.com/collections/smiths/products/smiths-everest-prs-25-36mm-black-dial
If you are up to a challenge and are okay with waiting a bit here is another option.
Saw your comment right after I posted mine. You were nice enough to add the link! Nice touch.
Baltany Discoverer. Also available with a red/brown dial. You could buy one of each for $500. Love mine. Click here for more details.
Looks nice . Available in black dial? What is the brand?
That is an @Ichibunz creation! Highly recommend him I have one on order from him. 🥳
Looks nice . Available in black dial? What is the brand?
Silly… I made it lol… we can make one in black if you like 😜
That is an @Ichibunz creation! Highly recommend him I have one on order from him. 🥳
Your too sweet… btw I have surprise for ya when the parts arrived 🤭😜
Your too sweet… btw I have surprise for ya when the parts arrived 🤭😜
Oooo looking forward to it!
Zeno explorer at 38mm
Stieinhart have an ocean 39 explorer homage in black and a few versions in summer colours.
Mathey Tissot also do an exp homage at 34mm
If you can find one the Smiths expedition seems like a good alternative. Granted, I’ve only seen them never in the metal as the saying goes.
Thanks. Someone else suggested Smith. I never heard of them but they are backed up until the end of the year so they must have a lot of fans.
Zeno explorer at 38mm
Stieinhart have an ocean 39 explorer homage in black and a few versions in summer colours.
Mathey Tissot also do an exp homage at 34mm
Thanks. I'll check them out.
Baltany Discoverer. Also available with a red/brown dial. You could buy one of each for $500. Love mine. Click here for more details.
I checked out their website. Looks good, good specs, and cheap. Thanks.
If you're okay with used, I would recommend checking out the Seiko SARG009. I've owned this piece for years and am a huge fan.
I second the build option. But if not the steinhart adventure 39 is really awesome. Slightly larger than you asked for but really well done.
I threw in a photo of my 36mm build that also fills the explorer niche.
Looks nice. Thanks
https://www.watchcrunch.com/MMerc5/posts/help-7-26428
Check out my suggestions that I was stumped with.
Three good choices. Smith and Lorier look very similar and I think better than the Islander. I think I like the Lorier dial better than Smith (I dont have a waffle face) and the Lorier bracelet looks thinner which may be good. What did you decide on?
This one, the Traska Summiteer 36. Own orignal design and true tribute to the original Rolex Exploer 1016 with hardened case and great bracelet that you can truly use traveling and in any kind of adventures. Also quite elegant strap monster with drilled lugs:
https://www.traskawatch.com/products/summiteer-36-charcoal-black
https://youtu.be/MAfiqvOjOeI
You may also check this older video with some alternatives:
https://youtu.be/kjl7ZamESiI
And don't forget the Nivada Grenchen Antartic: https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com/collections/antarctic/products/super-antarctic-3-6-9-tropical
This one, the Traska Summiteer 36. Own orignal design and true tribute to the original Rolex Exploer 1016 with hardened case and great bracelet that you can truly use traveling and in any kind of adventures. Also quite elegant strap monster with drilled lugs:
https://www.traskawatch.com/products/summiteer-36-charcoal-black
https://youtu.be/MAfiqvOjOeI
You may also check this older video with some alternatives:
https://youtu.be/kjl7ZamESiI
And don't forget the Nivada Grenchen Antartic: https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com/collections/antarctic/products/super-antarctic-3-6-9-tropical
I like the Traska. I think I heard of the brand once before but never saw. Thin case. Probably sits very comfortably on wrist.
I like the Traska. I think I heard of the brand once before but never saw. Thin case. Probably sits very comfortably on wrist.
It is very comfortable indeed. Much better than the limited version. The new version is 10.6mm high including the crystal. You can wear with any strap and NATO with total comfort. The dial wears more like a 37mm.
The Nivada Grenchen 3-6-9 options are pretty cool and have some serious heritage too. I’ve not read the book but it looks cool : https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com/pages/super-antarctic-the-book
The Nivada Grenchen 3-6-9 options are pretty cool and have some serious heritage too. I’ve not read the book but it looks cool : https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com/pages/super-antarctic-the-book
Yes, they look nice but I just pulled the trigger on the Lorier Falcon