Rolex explorer 40mm what do people think about this?

36mm is the way to go for this model.

I would love to see an Explorer II in 40mm, but the Explorer I should be in 36 IMHO.

Seems like an odd move to discontinue the 39mm only to bring it back as a 40mm IMHO.

I've already registered my interest today! I was gutted when they discontinued the 39mm. I was on the list for it.

I got the green 41mm OP instead. The Explorer itch has never been scratched! Not fully! 🤣

36mm for definite.

I would rather see a 38mm.

Will be very curious to what the true dimensions are. Rolex loves to overshoot on sizes.

What do you think?

I think they'll make a 37mm next year...

Love the watch but with 21mm lugs? No thank you. It doesn't go with my strap collection. 😜

Came here to say the same thing. I’m not a big fan of these odd lug widths. I’m not starting over! I have a box of 20mm.

I thought I didn't have the Rolex bug because no model was really speaking to me, but seeing this everywhere made me realize I want a Rolex Explorer... I like 40mm watches but I don't know anything about Rolex and the history of their models, so I'd just go with what fits me best if I could try them on! And afford them...

Either 39 or 40 seems great but I don’t like the 21mm lugs. Still, if I had $7500 sitting around I’d get on a list.

I have the 36mm and like it very much... although it has 19mm lugs and I had to get some 19mm straps it lives mostly on the bracelet which is superb. I'm happy to see this 40mm as a lot of people prefer the larger size. I think it is a smart move from Rolex and at the end of they day it all will be a matter of personal taste.

It will be nice to see a comparison with the 39mm though.

Not really, got to do something with the old 40mm Millgauss case's now it's been discontinued!

I think it is awesome. They fixed the proportions that were wrong on the 39mm. Now there‘s an explorer for pretty much everyone. I do prefer my 36 but I can understand someone with tree trunks as wrists finding it to be a little dainty. I sometimes feel it is too small even for me after wearing a bigger watch for a few days… I also like that the price isn‘t much higher on the 40.

Since the explorer design is one of my favourites, I might even get the 40 as well… I‘ll at least go try it on as soon as it hits my AD.

Follow up question: are you put to the bottom of the new list, or does the elapsed lost time get factored in? In essence, if you were on a waitlist for a year, does that insert you into the next waitlist retroactively to where you would have been if you’d been on that list? Or, are perspective customers starting all over?

I'm hoping I stay in place. I will let you know tomorrow with one AD, as I'm speaking to them tomorrow about the Explorer. I'm already on the list for the Daytona. I've had watches from this AD, so I have a good relationship with them.

39 to 41 is a logical jump. 39 to 40 isn't.

And that lug width is ridic.

The increase in lug widths feels like a way to get an integrated look without actually making an integrated bracelet.

I am curious if they went with a gloss dial like the new 36mm explorer or a matte dial like the 39mm explorer. Either way I would say if your AD has some display models you can try on then try them both and see what you like better

I really hoped Rolex would have released a larger Explorer made of titanium, that would have differentiated it a bit more than the old 39mm.

For those that find the current 36mm just a bit too small, I think the answer is to pick up a the previous generation 14270 or 114270 now that the prices are coming down to earth.

I already told my AD I was interested on Friday morning, as there were strong rumors of a 40mm Explorer release. The first thing he messaged me on Monday morning was that he registered my interest in it. I was sad about the loss of the 39 (found the new 36 too small on wrist). While I didn't need it to be 40, I'm glad it's at least not 41 like the OP. However, actual measurements of the OP41 show it to be a bit less than that, so here's hoping that the 40mm Explorer is a touch smaller too. I think it would have been cool to make the 40 a more tool-y version with the new Air King case with crown guards, but clearly that's not where Rolex wants to go.

I think the 40mm is gonna be like the 36mm but wear bigger

I prefer the 36mm.

I would be so pumped for this

They would have sold a lot more with a 20mm lug width and true 36mm diameter imo. 36mm is my ideal watch size, and I still find the current 36mm explorer a little too small.

They would have indeed. You're quite right, the 36mm Explorer in its current form is actually much closer to my 34mm 15210 OP Date than my 36mm 116233 "super-case" DateJust (which is actually 37mm wide at the case). I still think they were banking on women with that release but that didn't work out apparently.

I really like the watch, but sizes are a no no for me.

The 36 mm, that is not even 36 mm, is too small for taste. The 40 mm with 21 mm lugs it’s just to big for my wrists.

Has anyone actually seen one yet?

I don't dislike 40mm, but at 40mm, there are SOOOOOOO many great options. Why not get a GS instead for example?

I can't think of a single 36mm piece that's objectively better (technically and aesthetically) than the explorer.