Rolex Explorer II Fighter?
I don’t quite know what Seiko is smoking but I want a piece of it.
Now, is this blasphemy? Did this uneducated bum just compared a 1600$ watch to a watch 10x it’s value? Well, I did, so deal with it. Don’t get me wrong, the Rolex Explorer II is an amazing watch, and a person getting it probably won’t even look in the direction of a Seiko Alpinist, but for the rest of us normal human beings, this is quite an interesting piece.
As a proud owner of a Brown Dial Alpinist, this GMT model may be my calling to purchase yet another Alpinist, I really do appreciate the lack of the atrocious Cylops lens just makes the Watch so much more pleasant on the eyes. The people working their magic at Seiko somehow keeps striking a home run, as the past few releases they made certainly were eye catchers. The steel bezel is definitely a beauty, and the 12-3-6-9 hour indices give a Tudor Ranger sort of vibe, but some how they fit the proportions better than Tudor.
What are my thoughts? Idk. I can definitely see the inspiration, but this watch still undoubtedly is a Seiko. I quite like it. I may buy it… well maybe after the Sinn and the Longines, but I WANT IT. I was never a fan of the Rolex Explorer II, Explorer I maybe not the Explorer II, but this is definitely an interesting watch. What are your thoughts?
I want more watches but I’m broke
As an owner of a few Alpinists and a polar EXII, I can say they could not be more different, but both are awesome, but two different levels of course. Will probably grab one of in blue later this fall after they get discounted heavily and I can see them being very popular.
As an owner of a few Alpinists and a polar EXII, I can say they could not be more different, but both are awesome, but two different levels of course. Will probably grab one of in blue later this fall after they get discounted heavily and I can see them being very popular.
Yeah they definitely are different watches, but they are both field GMT watches, which is why I made the comparison. I do find it interesting that Seiko went with the steel bezel, quite cool watches.
Is that an internally rotating bezel with compass feature for navigation?!?!?!?!?!?
Whatever they are smoking, they need to have more of it. This thing is genius and, honestly, better than Explorer II
I disagree. During my last round of watch search, my wife explicitly suggested Rolex. I turned her down, hard. Like, no thinking, just no.
Admittedly, the watch I went with is about 2.5 times this particular watch (hey, I haven't gotten anything since 2020). But still. Seiko does have watches at that range, and I did consider various cheaper Seiko (my wife vetoed on the ground that I have 3 Seiko already).
To my eyes, Rolex is just so... boring. I know I know, their designs are "iconic." I know, their finishing is divine (sorry, I haven't seen a Holy Trinity watch in person to compare). But their designs are just so very pedestrian at this point.
To my very personal, very not-haute eyes, Seiko (Alpinist included, although the GMT ones look too thick in some photos) watches look much more interesting and fun.
I disagree. During my last round of watch search, my wife explicitly suggested Rolex. I turned her down, hard. Like, no thinking, just no.
Admittedly, the watch I went with is about 2.5 times this particular watch (hey, I haven't gotten anything since 2020). But still. Seiko does have watches at that range, and I did consider various cheaper Seiko (my wife vetoed on the ground that I have 3 Seiko already).
To my eyes, Rolex is just so... boring. I know I know, their designs are "iconic." I know, their finishing is divine (sorry, I haven't seen a Holy Trinity watch in person to compare). But their designs are just so very pedestrian at this point.
To my very personal, very not-haute eyes, Seiko (Alpinist included, although the GMT ones look too thick in some photos) watches look much more interesting and fun.
Yeah, but in a way you were already against getting one. I feel “Watch enthusiast” with a big quotations appreciate Rolex but don’t put them as the benchmark, and are willing to look other brands. But most normal people view Rolex as a hallmark of success, and won’t settle for anything less. Unfortunate that your wife vetoed your Seiko.
Still going to run 40 seconds a day off directly out of the box.
Still going to run 40 seconds a day off directly out of the box.
Mine proudly does 1 minute 20 seconds get on my level (really should get it serviced soon)
I’ve retrained myself to stop comparing current prices of Seikos against previous model prices. That’s a killer $1.600 watch on its own. It needs a cyclops. As for Rolex comparison, idk but I’d gladly own both!
I quite like the date placement, easier to ignore. Cool watch, tempted 😁
I wouldn't pay $1600 for a Seiko.
I disagree. During my last round of watch search, my wife explicitly suggested Rolex. I turned her down, hard. Like, no thinking, just no.
Admittedly, the watch I went with is about 2.5 times this particular watch (hey, I haven't gotten anything since 2020). But still. Seiko does have watches at that range, and I did consider various cheaper Seiko (my wife vetoed on the ground that I have 3 Seiko already).
To my eyes, Rolex is just so... boring. I know I know, their designs are "iconic." I know, their finishing is divine (sorry, I haven't seen a Holy Trinity watch in person to compare). But their designs are just so very pedestrian at this point.
To my very personal, very not-haute eyes, Seiko (Alpinist included, although the GMT ones look too thick in some photos) watches look much more interesting and fun.
Yes, boring is the best summary for Rolex. It has always been 🤷🏻♂️.
I like the hands on neither sadly. The Seiko has more going on though.
If I was in the market for an Explorer and being held in a strategically constructed waiting list, I'd get this and then think about a charity donation with some of the spare change.
I’ve retrained myself to stop comparing current prices of Seikos against previous model prices. That’s a killer $1.600 watch on its own. It needs a cyclops. As for Rolex comparison, idk but I’d gladly own both!
No, it doesn't. Absolutely not.
Well, first of all, Explorer II's do not cost $16,000 (10 X $1600) even on the secondary market these days. MSRP is about half. Just had to say that.
The other thing is to each their own. Personally I do not find this to be a valid comparison except on the most basic of levels.
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005005940856355.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.59.1e95421buVoEjg&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CAD%21C%24%20265.20%21C%24%20137.91%21%21%21%21%21%402101f49616941023804648989e408c%2112000034947437280%21sh%21CA%21101425154
Same Seiko movement for a lot less.
I built mine for around a hundred bucks
Surely the 6R is a higher grade movement, no?
The biggest difference is power reserve with an extra 30 hours and the stated accuracy is tightened up. Same beats per minute so they use a stronger main spring which puts more stress on the gear train. The powermatic 80 is an ETA 2824 that had the beats per minute reduced for the extended reserve instead. Real world use they are all usually tuned to under 20 seconds per day and if you leave the watch off for more than a couple days you deserve to have to rewind it. They call it their mid range movement because the microbrands are killing them with their own entry level movements.
I don't like it.
I don't like the cream coloured lume and I don't like the cream coloured compass chapter ring. The "blued" hands are painted.
I'd be all over it if it was all brilliant white with heat blued hands.
I love that white, it's a pity that it's a special and limited edition, but at some point I'll go for the blue for sure
@Aaronwilder13
I don't like it.
I don't like the cream coloured lume and I don't like the cream coloured compass chapter ring. The "blued" hands are painted.
I'd be all over it if it was all brilliant white with heat blued hands.
They have a blue dial and a black dial, though their not for me. I do see your qualms with it. I would say it would be the perfect watch if the dial and the compass Color match, but this does has its own charm and usability in terms of legibility if you are actually using the compass feature (which I doubt any of us are, but we wanna look cool).
I love Seiko and the Rolex Explorer 2 but they are definitely different watches and tools. Explorer 2 was originally for caving whilst the Seiko name defines it. Yes they both have white dials and approximately same diameter but the Seiko is thicker has the compass feature which is great but you get an extra wart crown. The Seiko has the Arabic numerals like the Explorer not Explorer 2 and the hands are different (personally not a fan of Cathedral hands but it actually works well on this Seiko model). Seiko is WR200 with a show case back whilst the Rolex is WR100 with the boring plain steel case back. Time keeping accuracy, you may get lucky with the Seiko but you’re getting gouged for the privilege with Rolex. Would I buy the Alpinist? Probably not but any one that loves it definitely should.
Definitely not the same watches, but I just shoot out the comparison as they are both GMT “adventurer” watches? Is that a term? I’m making that a term. They are very different, but I guess for those who are looking for an explorer itch, this may be a interesting direction they could consider. I definitely bought my Seiko Alpinist as I wanted an “Explorer like” watch. I will still one day but a Rolex Explorer, but this is a cool watch to the journey there.
Well, first of all, Explorer II's do not cost $16,000 (10 X $1600) even on the secondary market these days. MSRP is about half. Just had to say that.
The other thing is to each their own. Personally I do not find this to be a valid comparison except on the most basic of levels.
Probably should have clarified that I put my prices in AUD, not USD. It’s between 13k-16k for a Explorer II here in the land down under, and around 9-14k for an Explorer I.
Sorry couldn’t help myself somebody please help I need help 🙏 🤣
Absolute Legend
@Aaronwilder13
This is way better then the black one but it’s not Explorer II.
I don't like it.
I don't like the cream coloured lume and I don't like the cream coloured compass chapter ring. The "blued" hands are painted.
I'd be all over it if it was all brilliant white with heat blued hands.
I agree with the colors crashing a bit. I also don't like the modern numbers and GMT-hand combined with the cathedral hands 🤔
I actually think this would be a better contender for a stark white dial and gmt function:
Surely the 6R is a higher grade movement, no?
No, at least I think the 6R35 is a mishap. There are major deviations from positions to positions, and if magnetised once, the movement will never behave the same. In many 6R35 watches I owned over the years, I ended up swapping the movement with a 4R35; less power reserve but way easier to regulate, way more predictable overall, and less prone to major issues caused by minor flaws.
Probably should have clarified that I put my prices in AUD, not USD. It’s between 13k-16k for a Explorer II here in the land down under, and around 9-14k for an Explorer I.
Yup, we always put things in terms relative to our own location/currency/situation.
Sorry about that Chief.
No, at least I think the 6R35 is a mishap. There are major deviations from positions to positions, and if magnetised once, the movement will never behave the same. In many 6R35 watches I owned over the years, I ended up swapping the movement with a 4R35; less power reserve but way easier to regulate, way more predictable overall, and less prone to major issues caused by minor flaws.
I do actually resonate with that 6R35 sentiment as I have 3 watches with that movement and 2 seem very sensitive and unpredictable in their variations that, while I love the watches, I can't seem to trust them to tell me the correct time! Hence I eventually bought a GS spring drive lol.
I love the polar explorer, but I am really drawn to the blue Alpinist GMT from the range. I am extremely tempted to pick one up with an uncle Seiko jubilee. The one thing giving me pause is the 13.6mm thickness