Regardless of the price difference, which one would you go for?
I went back to the AD for a chat yesterday, and got to try 41mm models of the Oyster Perpetual and the DateJust.
The DJ:
- has a significantly fatter bezel, which decreases the dial presence
- I am not a fan of the Jubilee bracelet aesthetically speaking and the Oyster bracelet with its center high-polished links is very prone to scratches and finger prints.
- The date snaps from one day to the other with a very satisfying sound. You can feel the high quality of the movement
The OP:
- has the most symmetrical dial in the Universe
- has the thinner bezel compared to the DJ
- does not have the securing mechanism the Explorer has on the clasp
- has a very fine balance between dressy and sporty
The Explorer
- is still my first choice
(The 2 blue dials are in fact the same colour)
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Guillaume
Airline pilot, expat, musician, and a bit of a watch nerd
Toronto, Canada
Member since
Last active: 1 hr ago
7.09” / 18.00 cm
Go with your first choice, the Explorer 1 is easily the pick of the bunch- iconic & a grail for many. Even us folks that don't like most Rolex 😉👍
Explorer for me.
I can't decide. Unusual for me, I guess I like all of them!
First decide if you need the date on your watch ,the explorer is 40mm so just a bit smaller , another mix would be an OP with black dial ,my choice is the explorer Purley for the numbers
First decide if you need the date on your watch ,the explorer is 40mm so just a bit smaller , another mix would be an OP with black dial ,my choice is the explorer Purley for the numbers
We actually think alike. All my watches have date complications, the Explorer is the only no-date watch I ever considered (which kinda opened the door for considering an OP) based on the dial design, which (needless to say) is just gorgeous.
The OP is a very nice watch ,but as we all say always go for your first choice
Sounds like you know how you lean- but I would say the DJ is the most versatile option. The Explorer is awesome, but I think you need to make sure it's what you want - vice being influenced by the strong online positivity towards owning one within the collecting community.
The funny thing is I selected the DJ41. Why funny? Because my first Rolex was the Blue OP41, but I sold it after 3 months of owning as I didn't connect with and (and it funded a different watch I really wanted). Last month I bought the 40mm explorer while I was in Vegas, and I love it. All that said, what I have been wanting is a DJ41 with a smooth bezel, jubilee bracelet, and white dial with stick indices. But for some reason (been waiting for many months) my AD has been unable to source that particular model.
So I voted for the only Rolex on your list that I am yet to own 😂
Had an OP and switched for the DJ41 on oyster with smooth bezel. I like a date and I didn't want flashy (fluted bezel). Didn't like the almost rounded OP bezel. The PCL didn't bother me, scratches and finger prints are going to happen.
The funny thing is I selected the DJ41. Why funny? Because my first Rolex was the Blue OP41, but I sold it after 3 months of owning as I didn't connect with and (and it funded a different watch I really wanted). Last month I bought the 40mm explorer while I was in Vegas, and I love it. All that said, what I have been wanting is a DJ41 with a smooth bezel, jubilee bracelet, and white dial with stick indices. But for some reason (been waiting for many months) my AD has been unable to source that particular model.
So I voted for the only Rolex on your list that I am yet to own 😂
interesting take. I have to admit I really like the simplicity of the OP but I'm wondering if it's not missing a little something to make it just a bit more special. The Explorer definitely has that little something, even if it is almost the same watch
Had an OP and switched for the DJ41 on oyster with smooth bezel. I like a date and I didn't want flashy (fluted bezel). Didn't like the almost rounded OP bezel. The PCL didn't bother me, scratches and finger prints are going to happen.
Fair enough. what dial colour did you get ?
interesting take. I have to admit I really like the simplicity of the OP but I'm wondering if it's not missing a little something to make it just a bit more special. The Explorer definitely has that little something, even if it is almost the same watch
Having owned both I would say the Explorer is a much more exciting and enjoyable wear. I’m a big fan of the 3,6,9 Arabic numerals on the dial which influences that feeling. But I also think the balance of the triangle at the 12 on the Explorer works better than the relatively undersized Rolex crown at the 12 position on the OP.
Also, the fit of the 40mm Exp compared to the 41mm OP is much better for me (7” wrist). It seems to sit perfectly which was not the case for the OP, and that was a big part of the reason I parted with it. And also why when I do get a DateJust it has to be on the Jubilee. The male end links on the 41mm cases just seem to make the watch not the best fit. Again, this is for my 7” wrist.
If they ever did the Explorer with a sunburst blue dial like the OP (and how they did some of their old Air Kings) I’d be all over that.