Rolex doesn’t want you to wear your watch with a strap
Finally got around to putting my 124270 Explorer on a strap…what a pain! For better or worse Rolex end links fit very flush to the case and actually slide under the bezel, so you actually have o push straight out (as in parallel to) the case. Also the lug holes are further inboard than most other watch brands which can potentially chew up the edges of a strap when it comes into contact with the edge of the case (see pics).
Regardless, I got the custom made Handdn strap (arghhhh…19mm lugs?!?) to fit and quite pleased with their quality.
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If it’s midsize, in steel, I want it
Atlanta GA
Member since
Last active: 11 hrs ago
6.80” / 17.27 cm
Looks like it was worth the effort
Bent spring bars will be your friend here 😁
Looks like it was worth the effort
Yes!…and No (when I want to go back to the bracelet)…😫why did they get rid of lug holes?!?
What spring bar tool is that? Looks very cool
Can confirm- I had the same experience with my 124270.
I’ve given up on straps for my 124270. Luckily the bracelet is excellent!
What spring bar tool is that? Looks very cool
I believe it’s an actually a Bergeon made tool rebranded by Otto Frei. Bought it many years ago for a price I cannot remember (and afraid to look up). Simple, but well-built with replaceable forks. Ironically it works better than the fancier tools I bought over the years 🤷🏽♂️
Can confirm- I had the same experience with my 124270.
Frustrating wasn’t it? I used to own a 14270 w/ lug holes many years back…oh how miss it!
Certain brands have two sets of lug holes. One for the bracelet end link, and one for a strap if you so choose. I’ve always liked this little detail. My guess is that this has something to do with brand image. It’s not original equipment, and Rolex has a “look” that they want. They probably don’t want people putting $8k watches on $3 Amazon straps (maybe with good reason) but I wish they had the option, because the Explorer looks SWEET on all kinds of straps. But the bracelet really is king 👑
That does sound like quite a job. I'm glad you got it changed out
I had the same issue with my 114270, any strap I put on would be eaten alive because of the lug hole placement 😡
Ended up trading it away for something else because the OEM bracelet fit incorrectly on my wrists and I would have to go the custom route for a strap
I’ve given up on straps for my 124270. Luckily the bracelet is excellent!
I used to wear all my watches on brown leather straps for #1 comfort and #2 uniformity (so my co-workers were less likely to notice them)…but then I moved down to Georgia and the humidity took its toll and back on bracelets they went! Several years later (after I swore I was done collecting!) I joined this damn forum, and that strap bug hit me again and so here I am, back to my old habits!
I believe it’s an actually a Bergeon made tool rebranded by Otto Frei. Bought it many years ago for a price I cannot remember (and afraid to look up). Simple, but well-built with replaceable forks. Ironically it works better than the fancier tools I bought over the years 🤷🏽♂️
Cool thanks
I used to wear all my watches on brown leather straps for #1 comfort and #2 uniformity (so my co-workers were less likely to notice them)…but then I moved down to Georgia and the humidity took its toll and back on bracelets they went! Several years later (after I swore I was done collecting!) I joined this damn forum, and that strap bug hit me again and so here I am, back to my old habits!
Lived in Georgia for a few years. I miss the fall and winter weather. But not pollen season, and definitely not summer!
Certain brands have two sets of lug holes. One for the bracelet end link, and one for a strap if you so choose. I’ve always liked this little detail. My guess is that this has something to do with brand image. It’s not original equipment, and Rolex has a “look” that they want. They probably don’t want people putting $8k watches on $3 Amazon straps (maybe with good reason) but I wish they had the option, because the Explorer looks SWEET on all kinds of straps. But the bracelet really is king 👑
Bingo! Couldn’t have said better myself! When they finally gave up on the tool watch roots in the 90’s with the extinction of lug holes… I used to own a 14270 Explorer w/ drilled lugs (but those flimsy hollow end links) which was awesome with straps. I then “upgraded” to a 114270 due to the better bracelet and improved movement (but no drilled lugs). I was more than irritated that they moved the lug holes further inboard which chewed up straps… irritated me so much so that I traded in the 114270 and “downgraded” back to a 14270. Flash forward many years later, I “upgraded” to a 124270 Explorer and I’m back to this nightmare 😫
Very nice on the strap!
I have a 114270 and curved spring bars work wonders.
Alas… I bought a strap with straight ends
Yeah Rolex designs their professional watches for the bracelet. As much as I like straps, none of the pieces I’ve had looked good for long on anything other than the original bracelet…
I’ve given up on straps for my 124270. Luckily the bracelet is excellent!
That's what it belongs on ... The oyster bracelet!
Order some curved spring bars and a Bergeon 7825
I wear my rolex on straps. I feel your pain. Curved spring bars work a charm. That also means you buy a whole set of straps for your Rolex because every other watch company cares about their customers and don't want them buying a pair of straps that only fit their watch (apple I see you).
That's a beautiful looking watch. ENJOY!!!
That's what it belongs on ... The oyster bracelet!
Which has taken the sting out of no decent strap option!
Bent spring bars will be your friend here 😁
Spring bar tweezers, too
I wear my rolex on straps. I feel your pain. Curved spring bars work a charm. That also means you buy a whole set of straps for your Rolex because every other watch company cares about their customers and don't want them buying a pair of straps that only fit their watch (apple I see you).
That's a beautiful looking watch. ENJOY!!!
Personally, I don’t mind at this price level. And I think the lugs look nicer on this that previous post-14270 36 mm Explorers
Nice. It looks great with that strap. The lug width is 19 on the Explorer ?
Haven’t had my GMT on a bracelet for awhile now, currently on a epsom leather strap.
Nice. It looks great with that strap. The lug width is 19 on the Explorer ?
Haven’t had my GMT on a bracelet for awhile now, currently on a epsom leather strap.
Yep, the 124270 has a 19mm lug width, which unfortunately limits strap options… I had to have a set custom made for this particular watch
Not bad looking strap though 🔥.
Yep, my Air King bracelet is a nightmare to remove! Worth the effort though.
You should look into spring bar tweezers. Your experience getting the bracelet off will be worlds better. See my recent post https://www.watchcrunch.com/BrandonCLT/posts/psa-you-should-get-spring-bar-tweezers-372201
Is the notch in the case noticeable with the strap in?
#1. I bought a cheap (think $20) set of tweezers from Amazon…they sucked to say the least
#2. Good question! I may do a seperate post on this, but short answer, YES but not as bad as you would think
#1. I bought a cheap (think $20) set of tweezers from Amazon…they sucked to say the least
#2. Good question! I may do a seperate post on this, but short answer, YES but not as bad as you would think
It’s amazing what a difference a quality tool makes. I have a cheap spring bar tool that came as part of an Amazon set that I keep at my office just in case. It’s so frustrating to use compared with the Bergeon 6767. It truly is worth it to buy quality tools.