Fun brainstorming: Where the Explorer 1 could go next

It’s only a matter of time before a full gold explorer in 36mm is introduced. It’s also possible that the steel 124270 is phased out, leaving only the 40mm in steel.

That white explorer though 😍

I agree. It is interesting to me though, that the two-tone was not extended to the 40 mm.

I don’t see it being phased out for a few reasons. On the social side, since women are more and more becoming attracted to “masculine“ wristwatches, I think the 35.5 mm it is like at the perfect spot for many women, whose wrists are usually smaller than most men’s. As well, there are many men who are coming back to less big sizes.

I think if Rolex were going to stick to one size, it would’ve been a 39 mm, but from a mass market perspective 40 mm appears to be a number that many brands’s consumers like and we have one now, so there is that. From a Rolex catalog perspective, it makes sense that the explorer 1 line has sizing options similar to the OP, date just, and day date. However, it does seem that Rolex wants to keep the Explorer collection lean. And from a legacy perspective, Rolex appears to sees value in keeping its non-dive watches available in their classic sizes.

White is ok but not with silver hands and hour markers. The thing is gonna be illegible.

Probably better black hands/hour markers like what they did with the polar dial explorer 2.

I’d love white Explorer 36mm!

But Rolex never give us what we want so maybe in full white gold🤣

I think they got the Explorer right with 39mm mk2 version. I have the 114270 and it’s great. Better than the current model, imho. I have tried the 40mm and the lugs splay out a little too long for my liking. I don’t think it would be comfortable for me long term.

One option I’m considering is to pick up a 39mm Explorer and a 39mm Speedy reduced once the used market stabilizes in my favour.

As far as I know, the 124270 hasn’t been a great seller. Rolex does care about sales and profits, so if the steel 40mm does better than the 36mm, it will only make sense to keep one stainless steel model. It also appears to me that Rolex is gradually trudging towards more watches in precious metal. Stainless steel watches will be produced but less in number, keeping the scarcity alive.

Rest what they end up doing, no one knows and that’s kind of where the fun is. Cheers!

Where did you hear that about the 124270? Not that this is necessarily indicative of anything but I’ve only seen the 124270 in my local AD once, whereas the 224270 is always in the display case.

I disagree about Rolex moving away from steel. It has a good balance, the durability of steel makes sense for their main models and it’s also less costly than going to the Patek route of precious metals being the main metals. They don’t have to produce fewer models in steel to keep the demand for the steel models alive, just to be conservative about increased their overall watch production. And I think people forget that Rolex is current having another massive building or two being built.

San Martin is excited to see what their next model will look like from Rolex. They're hoping it's not precious metals though.. fingers crossed it will be easy to duplicate.

2 tone.

I personally went with the 224270 and I love it. A white dial version would be cool, but I would be all in on a blue dial version. My partner has an Air King from 2005, the 34mm blue dial version with the applied 3, 6, 9 indices and it is stunning. Especially with the crown logo at 12 like the OPs, and no Mercedes hour hand. Rolex does an amazing blue dial.

I think full gold is a monty to happen - seems to be the way the brand are going more and more.

Titanium wouldn't surprise me either, obviously it makes sense for the Explorer.

I'm not sold on the white dial Explorer - I wonder if they wouldn't offer alternate colours on an OP with a 3-6-9 dial again and leave the Explorer dial alone.

But if I was asked what I'd like to see in an Explorer it'd be 39mm, titanium and on a Jubilee ... with a box domed crystal.

☻

If anything to change, I'd say an all gold version. I think what makes the explorer iconic is the fact that it stayed consistent, with a black dial after so many decades. A white dial will ruin its heritage in the long run imo. If more color is needed, I'd look into op and dj for that

White in 40mm and I might just stop lusting after a Polar E2.

Bingo! I’ve been waiting for a “polar” Explorer for years…the closest Rolex came to the dream Explorer was the 34mm OP 114200

If I had the money to collect Rolexes, I’d get this alongside a 124270 and a funky pink one.

Personally, I’m glad that Rolex doesn’t. It would give more chance for the glass to be chipped

They already make the two tone in 35 ½ mm

If the polish is good on the hands and silver edges of the marker, a matte white dial can be very legible. Check out the the white Oyster Perpetual or Grand Seiko Snowflake.

Polished surfaces generally look black except when they are reflecting a light source. I personally think silver/white would look super cool.

Oh, not following the brand that much, or perhaps not leave any impression on me, prefer the cellini line.

Say, @TheHoroSexual , what do you think of the one in the middle here, leaving aside all the baggage. I’d say that it’s an homage in the real sense of the word.