High-End Alternatives To The Beloved Rolex Explorer

Oh Celine. We all know the Calatrava 5226G isn't an alternative to the Explorer.

It's an alternative to a Hamilton Khaki Field!

True story - but they all play in the same sandbox.

What about the Aqua Terra?

Forgot to mention, I really liked your article and especially the fact that each of the alternatives you cited is actually much more interesting than the Explorer itself.

I still don't really know why someone would buy an Explorer 1 over a mark xx.

I really like the JLC Polaris but I have looked at the blue version and not seen it as an Explorer alternative. The black yes. Even if I am a big fan of JLC I lost a bit of lust over them due to their very aggresive price increases last two years. Beautiful watches non the less.

Love the Aqua Terra! Hoping to get the 34mm version one day. But I see that more as an alternative to the Datejust than the Explorer.

I'm working on a "Understanding the IWC Mark Series" article. Such a cool model.

When I first started my career in watches, I was put in charge of the JLC account at the retailer I worked for. So I've always rooted for the brand. But I agree, their prices are getting out of hand.

P.S. You've unleashed a monster - ever since I came back here to the Crunch, I've been spending way too much time reading, commenting, and posting! 🤣

Thank you!

Your welcome👍

This one ⬆ According to @Aurelian 😉

I'll suggest this Seiko X Shinzone

And now I will read the article 🤪

Yeah, I do like that one. I like the Seiko too. I chose my Explorer homage.

Always a great read @celinesimon .

Picked up the relaunched Tudor Ranger mostly on a whim one afternoon when I was lunching with my family at a large suburban mall that claims boutiques for most of the major watch brands. My preference was an iteration with a bracelet, therefore I waited a few weeks for my call. During that short period did receive offers to add a BB Chrono to my stash of BBs and a Pelagos FXD. The Ranger is a nice watch but perhaps a bit plain, boring so I feel that even a more expensive alternative will have a similar affect on me. I wore it today to confer with an electrician and a plumber who both asked if I was wearing a Seiko? I have noticed that very few tradespersons wear a tool watch or any watch at all.

I've heard the same "it's plain" arguments from a few people; I don't mind it but It definitely wouldn't be the first Tudor I reach for.

That Nivada is gorgeous - I wouldn't expect anything less from you!

Sēl offers a very cool concept!

F that guy. Second place is for loooosers! 😂

Depends on the light mostly. Monta calls it silver, but to my eyes it’s certainly on the grayish side of silver.

The Triumph is a great GADA watch and potentially a one watch collection piece. Sadly soon to be out of production though. But looking forward to what Monta comes out with next to fill it’s spot in the lineup.

Genuine suggestion - later incarnations of the Lip Himalaya, where the Explorer-dial was adopted and the 2,4,8,10 was dropped. The successor to the Annapurna, the first of the watches used to conquer the “Eight-thousanders” in the 1950s.

In-house calibre, nice credentials, perfect wear. I believe that this is probably the best example of an underrated watch. People always bring up the Explorer, and then if you are lucky people will talk about the Smiths “Everest”, but people fail to mention the Annapurna/Himalaya, and it is a shame as the Himalaya was a long-running seller for Lip. Modern incarnation is nice, but an original Himalaya is such a beautiful watch. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I prefer it to my Smiths.

so so so clean, perfection ✨

I have a Ernest Borel Incastar as well that is an Explorer-style

Its patina has given it a yellowy glow, and with a green strap is quite a zesty summer watch. Borel-made case in the style of a Dennison. Borel is a weird brand at times, so when you see something this well put together it should be a must-buy.

I will shut up after this, I promise. Olma Sea Cup, here in the rarer 17J version, is actually more of a diver with its genuine compressor case. The brand has a lot of kudos, very well made, quality AS ébauche.

A LeCheminant Skymaster, although losing the 3 to a date window, is also very much in the style. LeCheminant made their name providing timepieces for the Royal Navy before focusing on watches in the 1950s. “Jobbers” - but quality jobbers. 25J automatic in this and works on a black Perlon, this was a quality pick up this year, one of my best.

I think the Bernex Barracuda is cheating with just the 12 and the 6, but this is a stunning little watch. Semi-Explorer, so a Jaunt, or Ramble? Bernex go for ridiculous money somehow, so it you see one for less than £100 I’d be on it like Sonic if I were you.

So… that was content nobody wanted.

I like the Monta as well, solid choice

Agree! Monta Triumph is a great Explorer alternative and much more attainable and available.

Nice #rolex 😎

love my Explorer as much for the history and back story it carries as the watch itself that said it is a great piece because it joins in and doesn't cry for attention

It goes without saying that all of this is a personal opinion. The Explorer doesn't do anything for me: aesthetically or historically. But that doesn't mean that it shouldn't do anything for you.

All of this is to say don't let me yuck your yum. As long as you love it, then that's pretty much all that matters. I'm just some guy in the internet.

lol, when I refer to the History it is more about the history on how I came to own it than the brand history, that said I do think it it a great piece

This is great alternative

https://www.longines.com/en-ca/p/watch-the-longines-master-collection-l2-919-4-97-6

I like my blue JLC...