BB 36 or Explorer 36
I signed onto the “Wishlist” at the local AP.for an Explorer 36 124270. I was a little bothered by how small it is…and the fact that I still love it. While there I noticed the BB 36. I didn’t try it on because I already have a BB 58. The BB 36 kind of styles like a BB Hybrid between an Exploer & an OP. What do you think? Worth saving money and going for the BB 36? I’m not married to needing a “Rolex” but do love the Explorer.
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Sam
Hello, my name is Sam and I’m a watchoholic….i mean enthusiast. It started 7 years ago when I bought a wooden watch from True wood. Terrible watch but I loved wearing it. My wife; who works in luxury...
Victoria, BC, Canada
Member since
Last active: 5 days ago
6.75” / 17.15 cm
My collection. Does it need an Explorer 36 or will a BB 36 make equally as good an addition for much less?
Both are pefrect watches - no change would make them better. People love both for those reasons.
It really depends whether you want the "classic" or the "toolish" aesthetic.
My collection. Does it need an Explorer 36 or will a BB 36 make equally as good an addition for much less?
I think equally as good, if you go for a coloured dial BB36.
You mean the Exploer being more toolish? Good point, the BB has the jubilee which makes it more dressy…I need to try it on for sure.
For your collection, I see the Rolex Explorer fitting best since you already have a Tudor
Agree with what @Chadtx43 said above. On top of that, I think they are of similar style but if you are nerdy enough to care about the craftsmanship that goes into the movement and the overall finishing of the watch, I would then suggest you go for the Explorer.
To me, the Black Bay 34/36/39/41 (I hate the watch’s name) is not a substitute to/analog for the Explorer, but is to the Oyster Perpetual (all things being equal, I personally prefer the BBX to the OP, but to each their own).
The BBX has the same shininess and clean dial as the OP that make it feel more dressed up, as opposed to the more casual feel of the Explorer, due to its brushed finish 3-6-9 dial. I’d say a BBX/OP and an Explorer could easily coexist in the same collection (especially if you got them in different colors). But, for me, a BBX and an OP would feel redundant.
You should go back and try on the BB 36. How a watch looks in the case and how you feel with it on your wrist can often be different.
But if you have eyes for a particular watch - the Explorer 36 in this instance - and you can afford it, wait and don’t accept a substitution - unless you find a substitute you like better 😉
The old bb36 was an excellent explorer alternative and excellent watch generally. I sold one a while back and see the prices have risen considerably since
It's not small, everything else is too big.
I own the BB36. If I could have afforded/accessed an Explorer at the time, I would have bought an Explorer.
I 100% do not regret a thing. I’d also never sell my Tudor to fund the Rolex!
Thank you RT_19X....I really liked the BB but the Explorer put a big smile on my face and a warm glow from my heart to my bowels.....and as Chadtx43 stated since I already have a BB58 time to go with the Explorer.....I'm going to keep visiting the AP and wait for the call......