Tried a Rolex Explorer 36mm

Yesterday I tried Omega AT 38mm, it was very disappointing, wasn't excited at all then I tried the 41mm version and that wasn't doing anything for me either.  

Today, I went down to my Rolex AD and tried on the Rolex Explorer 36mm and to my surprise, the wearability was good on my wrist. I thought it might be too small but it felt great and had a bit of heft, from the reviews I read so far that this watch can be the 'one watch collection' and a great everyday watch. I would love to hear anyone's experience buying a Rolex Explorer 36mm. Did you love it instantly or it took a bit of time? 

If I am going to get this watch, I may have to depart from TudorBB58 to fund this very expensive purchase (£6k).

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stunning watch, a grail of mine

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I own the tt, love it.

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would get it any day over an AT. love mine

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eliamathias

would get it any day over an AT. love mine

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Looks fab, how does it wear? did you love it instantly or it grew on you? 

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Ibrahim100

Looks fab, how does it wear? did you love it instantly or it grew on you? 

wears great, best daily watch period. has enough heft for it not to feel dainty despite the 36mm diameter and I absolutetly fell in love with it after wearing it for a day straight. Didn‘t come off my wrist for a long time and it‘s probably the one watch I‘d keep if things went rough. Also I never take it of for anything, it goes everywhere and never complains.

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eliamathias

wears great, best daily watch period. has enough heft for it not to feel dainty despite the 36mm diameter and I absolutetly fell in love with it after wearing it for a day straight. Didn‘t come off my wrist for a long time and it‘s probably the one watch I‘d keep if things went rough. Also I never take it of for anything, it goes everywhere and never complains.

That is very reassuring, thank you 

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Had both but the 41mm AT (x2) and 39mm Explorer.

Sold both the AT's and still have the Explorer which pretty much says it all.

The Rolex is miles ahead in so many ways for me 

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I'm in the same boat. And asked this question yesterday. But I can't let the BB58 go. It's going to have to be the Ranger. 😪

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TimeCop

I'm in the same boat. And asked this question yesterday. But I can't let the BB58 go. It's going to have to be the Ranger. 😪

I am wondering if I will regret letting the BB58 go, my perfect fit watch 

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Ibrahim100

I am wondering if I will regret letting the BB58 go, my perfect fit watch 

Brand aside, is the Explorer better than the BB58? If I'm honest, and had to choose between the two, I'd probably rather stick than twist. 

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I sold my BB58 blue. It was a great watch, but we can't keep them all. I enjoyed it for 2 years. I got the call for a 124060 Submariner, so the 58 had to go. I've got a Oris Aquis Date, which I brought when my dad to remember him by........that will never go. 

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bought the watch last month and still over the moon with it.

wears great, would recommend 

worst part of this cool watch is the waitlist. So while you will be on the list you got enough time to do more research and think it through.

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songiang

bought the watch last month and still over the moon with it.

wears great, would recommend 

worst part of this cool watch is the waitlist. So while you will be on the list you got enough time to do more research and think it through.

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That looks amazing, how long did you wait?

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Ibrahim100

That looks amazing, how long did you wait?

I was kinda of lucky, 1 month
plan was to wait 6-12 months (what I was told by the AD) so I bought a Santos to enjoy it while waiting. Was quite an expensive month 🤑

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I was also was initially concerned about the size, and if it would look too dainty on my wrist.  I’m 6’2 and a large guy. All the concerns went away when I went to collect the 124270 from my AD. As mentioned above, the watch has a heft and chunkiness that is far from meek. The bracelet taper doesn’t seem as extreme as has been mentioned, and the clasp feels large and substantial to help with the slight slim down.


 

Having worn it for 4/5 months now, I believe the hype of versatility of the piece. Above all I’ve learned to try watches on, believe with my own eyes, and gently poke a nose into reviews and forums for opinion. I was so pleasantly surprised with what I found.

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Surprised you didn’t like the 38mm AT. What‘s your wrist size?

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I tried it and felt it was too small on my 7 1/4 inch wrist. But the 41 is too big. Sigh. 

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ckim4watches

I tried it and felt it was too small on my 7 1/4 inch wrist. But the 41 is too big. Sigh. 

Agreed. I tried it on my 7.5, and while sure you CAN wear a smaller watch, it just felt too small when I looked down each time. It’s one thing for my medium Santos, that watch feels like it’s meant to be small (square case helps give a visually larger size), but the explorer, in 36 doesn’t work for me. When I tried on a 39, it worked in every way possible, and I wish they had a 36 and 39 option. 

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I have had my explorer for just over a year. I liked it right off the bat, but the more I wear it the more I love it. I have never had a watch that when I put on makes me ask “why do I even own other watches”. I ask that question almost every day that I wear my explorer 

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Wearing my “One watch collection” while reading your article.  It’s a fantastic watch that blends into the wearer.  Love it.

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Donster_125

Surprised you didn’t like the 38mm AT. What‘s your wrist size?

just over 7inches 

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Love mine, just got so used to the size that all my other watches seem too big

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All the explorer owners, have tried to put on other straps ? I hear that it is difficult for some reason or other 

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Gray1972

I sold my BB58 blue. It was a great watch, but we can't keep them all. I enjoyed it for 2 years. I got the call for a 124060 Submariner, so the 58 had to go. I've got a Oris Aquis Date, which I brought when my dad to remember him by........that will never go. 

Yeah got the 124060 too (as well as my 214270). Such a great pair to own.

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Ibrahim100

All the explorer owners, have tried to put on other straps ? I hear that it is difficult for some reason or other 

Never tried mate. The bracelet is too good to even try IMO.

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Badgerracer

I have had my explorer for just over a year. I liked it right off the bat, but the more I wear it the more I love it. I have never had a watch that when I put on makes me ask “why do I even own other watches”. I ask that question almost every day that I wear my explorer 

I spend years trying to convince myself the AT was a better watch than the Explorer 1 but failed. The penny dropped with a clang when i first bought the 214270 that this watch is practically without fault and the best watch out there in this size / genre until you get into high horology.

If Omega released the AT at a 39 or 40 and scrapped the other two they may be a contender but the AT always felt too small in 38 and too big in 41 / 41.5. Killed the watch for me and it wasn't for the lack of trying as i owned a 41.5, a 40 and a 38.

The 39mm Explorer is an out and out classic and for good reason.