Why is the Explorer "the tool watch" while the Oyster Perpetual is just "the entry level model"?
So it was Rolex and Smiths who supplied watches to climbers who challenged the Everest in 1953. In this post, we will just focus on Rolex for now.
It seems to me that the sporty/tool watch image of the Rolex Explorer (i.e. the Explorer 1) is largely attributable to the linkage between the watch itself and the Everest climbing challenge.
If I understand the timeline correctly from Rolex's website (link), the Explorer 1 was actually introduced after the adventure, and in fact it was the Oyster Perpetual that the climbers brought to the Everest.
I am scratching my head as to why Rolex wouldn't market the Oyster Perpetual as the "tool watch" or "the watch you would bring when you climb the highest mountain tomorrow", etc, whereas it's the Explorer who gets the spotlight. What do you think was Rolex's decision to develop a separate line (the Explorer line) in addition to the Oyster Perpetual that arguably deserves more credit in this case (considering it was the watch that also went across the English Channel)?
Welcome any thoughts from you all. Please do correct me if you think my understanding on this is not right.
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. . .and also why is the Explorer so much more expensive when it and the OP are basically the same watch but with minor cosmetic variations.
. . .and also why is the Explorer so much more expensive when it and the OP are basically the same watch but with minor cosmetic variations.
That's also the question I have.
Marketing! Rolex are by far the best at it!
Why sell a watch you already produce that sells well when you can make a new model, give it some bullshit "stolen valour" story, whack the price up and have another profitable line??!
Agreed, the OP is their original tool watch, the Explorer 1 is purely marketing.
I do like them both tho 😉👍🏻
One word: Marketing
Because of reasons.
Marketing
Launching the new watch (the Rolex Explorer) was a way to celebrate the achievement, as this was really important for the Brand.
By the way, the first Watch to reach the peak was the Smiths Deluxe and the Company also launched a comemorative version (the Smiths Everest) after the achievment.
The Explorer also has different shock settings for the balance jewels I do believe
Also, as others said, marketing. Rolex’s logo is a crown because they are the king of marketing.
Simple answer... Marketing. Most of Rolex's watches are very similar, with only small differences for "specific purposes." Rolex may just have the best marketing of any company, ever.
Launching the new watch (the Rolex Explorer) was a way to celebrate the achievement, as this was really important for the Brand.
By the way, the first Watch to reach the peak was the Smiths Deluxe and the Company also launched a comemorative version (the Smiths Everest) after the achievment.
I suppose the Explorer being the design to celebrate the achievement has overshadowed the Oyster Perpetual then.
Simple answer... Marketing. Most of Rolex's watches are very similar, with only small differences for "specific purposes." Rolex may just have the best marketing of any company, ever.
I've heard that saying about Rolex's marketing campaign before, and I think I'd have to agree with that.
It’s all nonsense. If you want to buy a Rolex, get the one you actually want.
. . .and also why is the Explorer so much more expensive when it and the OP are basically the same watch but with minor cosmetic variations.
Malibu Stacey’s new hat!
Well, it has to be said that the early OP supplied for this expedition didn't actually make it to the peak. So it would have been awkward to market it as such, especially when Smiths was advertising their triumph.
I think the answer lies in the eventual fate of both companies. Smiths became defunct (the current owners have no heritage) and Rolex is completely dominant. As others have said, it comes down to marketing. Rolex's strength in market obscured the truth.
Marketing?
. . .and also why is the Explorer so much more expensive when it and the OP are basically the same watch but with minor cosmetic variations.
Exactly plus I think the OP looks even more elegant and therefore more luxurious, so Explorer should be the entry level model. At least both should be positioned in the same rank. Otherwise you have to shift the DJ to a much higher price tag.
Completely agree. The OP is the hero of the Rolex line and should definitely be considered Rolex's sport watch par excellence. However, as others have noted, when Norgay and Hillary climbed everest, Rolex took the opportunity to release what was, effectively, a commemorative watch: the Explorer. Once you create a commemorative watch, you have to push it. So the legend was created to sell it and it revolved around the idea of the Explorer being the daring Explorer watch. For that legend to work, there needed to be differentiation and so the OP was shunted aside. If it hadn't have been, it could have created confused messaging for the masses who wanted the "Everest or explorer's" watch and would have wondered which is which.
Having said that, I think it's a mistake that Rolex classified the OP as a classic watch alongside the Datejust, Cellini/1908, Day-Date, and so on. It really hurt the OP and reduced it's popularity until the stella OPs came out. Personally, I love the OP and think of it as a sports/professional watch.
Marketing! Rolex are by far the best at it!
Why sell a watch you already produce that sells well when you can make a new model, give it some bullshit "stolen valour" story, whack the price up and have another profitable line??!
Agreed, the OP is their original tool watch, the Explorer 1 is purely marketing.
I do like them both tho 😉👍🏻
Still is. Technically it’s the original sports watch from Rolex
I believe you used to be able to order the Explorer with “special oils” that withstood greater temperature fluctuations, and could survive the extreme cold of mountain climbing. Today’s technology means that, like the Milguass, there’s little separation between it and the regular OP. But if you’re like me, then that 3/6/9 is well worth the price of admission.
Never let the truth get in the way of a really good story.
Marketing. They did not get first to the top, but the lies told a thousand times over became a truth …
Simple answer... Marketing. Most of Rolex's watches are very similar, with only small differences for "specific purposes." Rolex may just have the best marketing of any company, ever.
Like them or hate them Rolex 100% does have the best marketing of any company in existence. No doubt about it.