Price differences: Oyster Perpetual vs Explorer

I suspect Rolex pricing is a more matter of what people will pay than the actual functionality or features of a given watch.

Rightly or wrongly, the Explorer has a story (Everest) and consequent history that Rolex monetises very effectively.

And monetising stories does appear to be their core business 🤣

Yours is a very nice watch though.

I like both, your model is lovely, I do think that the explorer is more appealing to me personally as I like the numerals and handset, should be the same price what's the difference in rrp?

I'd assume it is due to higher demand and lower production numbers for the Explorer. If you like it more, then you saved a few bucks.

Was that retail or used market?

I mean technically it's probably more expensive/difficult to manufacture numerals than straight bars. The Explorer also in general comes in larger sizes. So besides the marketing and demand reasons, maybe there is also a bit of a manufacturing/material cost difference.

Both watches run on the same movement.

The case is similar, so is the bracelet.

The clasp is different on the Explorer. It has a “safely flap” not sure what fancy term applies there.

The numerals are made of white gold, not sure about the indices on the OP.

I did consider the OP but was just more attracted to the dial design of the Explorer.

I appreciate that the design has been around for decades but the whole Everest thing doesn’t matter to me. It is not going to make me feel better about myself to wear the same watch as adventurers who topped a mountain a gezillion years ago. At least Rolex has the decency not to engrave questionable statements like “first watch worn on Mount Everest - look at me, I must be an interesting fella because I wear this watch” on the case back.

My choice was also driven by the size. The OP in 41 felt a bit large, other options a bit small.

At the end of the day the Explorer is also an OP. It says so on the dial 😁

Your watch looks amazing with this dial colour! It is very understated while screaming refined toughness.

I found a compromise

I didn't even know what the price difference was but I believe if the hands and numerals are solid white gold there could be more in the explorer 🤷

Supply and demand 🤑

From a cost point of view, it’s not much of a difference (e.g. has a Mercedes hand that doesn’t cost so much more).

But from a branding/design POV, it’s a huge difference 👌

Explorer 40 costs around 7.8K€ but OP41 comes for 6.5K€.

On retail. Explorer 40 costs around 7.8K€ but OP41 comes for 6.5K€.

Thank you

It's a "sports professional" so it has the clasp and the hands with more lume. Other than that...

They used to make very similar dials available in the OP range but they stopped. Makes you wonder 🤔 ...

The only thing i can guess would be the lore with the explorer if your interested in the explorer your interested in the specific line because of the everest marketing, Ian flemming connection, the few changes its had to the dial layout ect . Where as the OP is simple and maybe more of the competative line of watch but a great one at that. Imo the finishing isnt that much different and the tiny bit of gold and laquer arnt a huge price driver.

Also interesting the explorer was born in the op line at first. Early explorers were OP’s with explorer printed on the dial from my understanding

I think the Explorer should have an edge besides the clasp that makes it materially stand out. The Explorer collection should at least have Glidlock, but what would help it stand out more is maybe have more attention to the robustness of their movements to justify the price. A tangential thing that I would like to see generally though, would be to see Rolex offer 316L bracelets or something for customers with nickel allergies.