Explorer I: the subtle Rolex
I had a worry when I purchased my Explorer I, namely that people would see it and leap to conclusions about me. I'm a low-key, non-pretentious kind of person. My usual look is jeans and a t-shirt, though I usually wear them with Italian leather shoes I picked up in Florence but I digress. I didn't want people to see my Explorer and think I'm a knob.
That hasn't happened. I think it's partly that the fact I'm wearing a watch is not newsworthy but also that the Explorer I is not a shouty watch. Rolexes with ceramic bezels, gold cases and bracelets are, in my hunble opinion, shouty.
It's interesting to think that a mechanical watch that's worth more than my car is subtle, but that seems to be the case. What do you think? Do you agree the Explorer I is subtle? What about other Rolexes? Where do you think the line is between subtle Rolexes and those that shout for attention?
Just your average watch obsessed lesbian, really. Learning more about watches and my tastes every day.
It’s subtle by Rolex standards. Is does have a bit of shine to it, and that shine attracts glances at the 12:00 on the dial. The logo is obvious.
In some crowds it will go unnoticed. In others it will get attention.
Totally agree. I absolutely LOVE my Explorer. No one knows what it is. I wear it every day as my beater. Truly a one-watch-collection.
People who appreciate watches will notice, not all will be impressed, most citizens will just carry on living their worthy lives oblivious to the timepieces that we care so much about. They will think about jobs, family, a million other small events.
I think for the most part, it will go unnnoticed and it’s a great everyday watch. Something to note, us as watch lovers think that people will notice our watches, but no one cares. And if they saw my watch and automatically based an opinion on me because of that, I personally don’t care.
It is subtle and the ‘boring’ Rolex which is good for going under the radar. My Rolex on the other hand.. that would be classed as loud. The light play off the jubilee bracelet and fluted bezel is incredible, but attracts a lot of attention.
It just goes to show that nobody cares about your watch. My Hulk doesn’t attract attention because I don’t attract attention to my Hulk.
IMO when I see an Explorer I in the wild I see a person who loves watches. This watch is classic, timeless and elegant. Explorer wearers are typically very different from the solid chunk of metal most Rolex wearers project.
It just goes to show that nobody cares about your watch. My Hulk doesn’t attract attention because I don’t attract attention to my Hulk.
Fair enough. May I ask how you don't attract attention? I've always thought that the blingier a watch is, the more attention it will naturally attract.
People who appreciate watches will notice, not all will be impressed, most citizens will just carry on living their worthy lives oblivious to the timepieces that we care so much about. They will think about jobs, family, a million other small events.
Ah the unknowing masses, gotta love 'em.
Ah the unknowing masses, gotta love 'em.
I always find it embarrassing when a person sort of new to horology or just a decent watch wonders why the world doesn’t stop because they are wearing a watch they love. One of the most successful, brilliant guys I know wears a cheapie Seiko that we found in a restaurant that nobody claimed. He was thrilled that I surrendered ownership to him! Lol.
I always find it embarrassing when a person sort of new to horology or just a decent watch wonders why the world doesn’t stop because they are wearing a watch they love. One of the most successful, brilliant guys I know wears a cheapie Seiko that we found in a restaurant that nobody claimed. He was thrilled that I surrendered ownership to him! Lol.
In the 3+ weeks I've owned the Explorer I've told a total of two people, both friends from work. I learned the hard way that talking about watches with most of my friends draws a negative response. So I just don't talk about them with muggles.
Part of people not noticing is, as I said in the original post, that it's normal for me to wear a watch. One of my friends from work notices when I wear a new watch but I like to joke that he's my unofficial style consultant. 😀
In the 3+ weeks I've owned the Explorer I've told a total of two people, both friends from work. I learned the hard way that talking about watches with most of my friends draws a negative response. So I just don't talk about them with muggles.
Part of people not noticing is, as I said in the original post, that it's normal for me to wear a watch. One of my friends from work notices when I wear a new watch but I like to joke that he's my unofficial style consultant. 😀
Even my family do not want to be around me when I talk about watches. It was a long time ago when I finally sourced an AP Royal Oak perpetual Moonphase my wife said that it wasn’t that nice. She meant it so humbling but true. The Explorer is generally regarded as the one true Rolex to own. But you would piss off a lot of folks if you said that.
Cheers
J
Fair enough. May I ask how you don't attract attention? I've always thought that the blingier a watch is, the more attention it will naturally attract.
I put on my watch and forget that it’s there. I don’t stare at my watch or swing it around making a show. I don’t dress flashy and don’t draw attention by being loud or brash. The watch is there but it’s not a focus of my appearance or personality.
Most people, apart from us and watch thieves, don't notice our timepieces at all. I've had a Middle Eastern friend mistake my GS spring drive (half hidden under my double cuffed shirt) for a Rolex when I complimented him on his Batman. Otherwise almost nada, except from other collectors. In fact the only time I can remember when someone said to me, "nice watch!", was recently when I was in a hotel gym and the attendant clocked my Tag Aquaracer. From which I concluded that although my GS and Pelagos are far superior, Tag still has brand recognition as a "luxury" watch with the general public.
I put on my watch and forget that it’s there. I don’t stare at my watch or swing it around making a show. I don’t dress flashy and don’t draw attention by being loud or brash. The watch is there but it’s not a focus of my appearance or personality.
That's pretty much what I do.
Even my family do not want to be around me when I talk about watches. It was a long time ago when I finally sourced an AP Royal Oak perpetual Moonphase my wife said that it wasn’t that nice. She meant it so humbling but true. The Explorer is generally regarded as the one true Rolex to own. But you would piss off a lot of folks if you said that.
Cheers
J
I agree that the Explorer I is the quintisential Rolex and I don't care who that statement pisses off. 😀 You have your fellow Crunchers to ooh and ahh with you over watches.
It’s a great piece. And honestly, except for freaks like us, no one cares what you have on your wrist. You love it, you want it, you wear it for you. That’s it.
Yep,got to agree that just about everone couldn't give a rusty rats ass about watches that I know anyway except my newsagent who I noticed wearing a GS 5 which he loves but says he'd love to get a Rolly soon.I didn't have the heart to show him my Explorer 36 124270 in case it broke his!.God! how I love this baby,so classily understated. Two months after I bought it the price jumped six hundred bucks!.Well said MarkCO BTW.