I asked a little while ago for suggestions for a way of scratching my Explorer itch without breaking the bank, and somebody recommended the Atticus Daedalus; I had a look, but I actually find myself hankering after their Pelion model instead — it gives me similar Explorer vibes, but also serious Tudor vibes, without precisely replicating the look of any one specific Tudor watch (at least, that I know of). Might not be your thing, but just in case. Enjoy whatever you do buy!
For me, the fixed 24 hour bezel is as unique and specific to Rolex as Panerai’s crown guard or the Glycine Airman bezel lock. So each time I see another 24 hour bezel it loses that personality factor.
so I voted NG
I should add, I too was looking for an Explorer 2 alternative and ended up finding the Seiko Landmaster Kinetic. it’s quite a bit more busy and quite chunky at 14mm but definitely has resolved my yearning for the Rolex
I feel like I‘ve become a spokesperson for the company since getting their GMT last week, but I’d offer up this one. Not sure if it meets your definition of inexpensive, but it costs much much less than a Rolex Exp II
Their white dial version is by far their most popular model, but I picked up the black dial for myself. Given the option, that’s the color Exp II I would choose also.
Not familiar with the Nivada. I voted for the CW C63 Sealander GMT, but...
I purchased/took delivery of one direct from CW earlier this month - white dial - and am returning it for a refund. The watch itself (case/dial/hands/bracelet/clasp) is lovely. However, the movement was a fail - the GMT hand was not in synch with the main hour hand. In other words, when the main minute/hour hand were on the hour, the GMT hand was off by as much as half an hour. Such a shame too. I've got other watches with the same Sellita SW330 GMT movement that are spot on. My example somehow got past both Sellita and CW's QC processes.
I've heard great things about CW quality, so suspect my example is just a one off. I have the CW C63 Sealander 36mm - an eBay purchase - and it's great!
I asked a little while ago for suggestions for a way of scratching my Explorer itch without breaking the bank, and somebody recommended the Atticus Daedalus; I had a look, but I actually find myself hankering after their Pelion model instead — it gives me similar Explorer vibes, but also serious Tudor vibes, without precisely replicating the look of any one specific Tudor watch (at least, that I know of). Might not be your thing, but just in case. Enjoy whatever you do buy!
Not familiar with the Nivada. I voted for the CW C63 Sealander GMT, but...
I purchased/took delivery of one direct from CW earlier this month - white dial - and am returning it for a refund. The watch itself (case/dial/hands/bracelet/clasp) is lovely. However, the movement was a fail - the GMT hand was not in synch with the main hour hand. In other words, when the main minute/hour hand were on the hour, the GMT hand was off by as much as half an hour. Such a shame too. I've got other watches with the same Sellita SW330 GMT movement that are spot on. My example somehow got past both Sellita and CW's QC processes.
I've heard great things about CW quality, so suspect my example is just a one off. I have the CW C63 Sealander 36mm - an eBay purchase - and it's great!
Shout out for Nivada! My favourite resurrected brand since Panerai. Beautiful, and in the case of the Spider, daring retro design. Also, in German, "Grenchen" sounds really cute :)
I was looking for something that scratched the itch of the more modern references of the Explorer II (216570, 226570) and likewise also looked at Christopher Ward and their C63 polar. I sat on the decision some more and thought that the magic of the C63 was too closely reliant on the Rolex as a design, and decided to go with the C60 Anthroprocene, with a frosted dial and ceramic bezel. Hope this helps!
Sadly, this is the new SW330-2 caliber with the 58-hour power reserve. My two SW330-1's - both Steinharts - are spot on. I don't think Selitta cases the movements, so can only surmise that if it past their QC, then it got dorked up when being cased by CW.
I am genuinely considering Chris Ward's Sealander as my next purchase. I actually think it looks WAY better than the Rolex. And you can actually see the movement. And it's got better water resistance. And it's much cheaper. And you can actually get it.
I'm only struggling in terms of saving a lot more for an Aquis instead which I'm definitely going to buy either way.
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I asked a little while ago for suggestions for a way of scratching my Explorer itch without breaking the bank, and somebody recommended the Atticus Daedalus; I had a look, but I actually find myself hankering after their Pelion model instead — it gives me similar Explorer vibes, but also serious Tudor vibes, without precisely replicating the look of any one specific Tudor watch (at least, that I know of). Might not be your thing, but just in case. Enjoy whatever you do buy!
For me, the fixed 24 hour bezel is as unique and specific to Rolex as Panerai’s crown guard or the Glycine Airman bezel lock. So each time I see another 24 hour bezel it loses that personality factor.
so I voted NG
I should add, I too was looking for an Explorer 2 alternative and ended up finding the Seiko Landmaster Kinetic. it’s quite a bit more busy and quite chunky at 14mm but definitely has resolved my yearning for the Rolex
I feel like I‘ve become a spokesperson for the company since getting their GMT last week, but I’d offer up this one. Not sure if it meets your definition of inexpensive, but it costs much much less than a Rolex Exp II
Their white dial version is by far their most popular model, but I picked up the black dial for myself. Given the option, that’s the color Exp II I would choose also.
Not familiar with the Nivada. I voted for the CW C63 Sealander GMT, but...
I purchased/took delivery of one direct from CW earlier this month - white dial - and am returning it for a refund. The watch itself (case/dial/hands/bracelet/clasp) is lovely. However, the movement was a fail - the GMT hand was not in synch with the main hour hand. In other words, when the main minute/hour hand were on the hour, the GMT hand was off by as much as half an hour. Such a shame too. I've got other watches with the same Sellita SW330 GMT movement that are spot on. My example somehow got past both Sellita and CW's QC processes.
I've heard great things about CW quality, so suspect my example is just a one off. I have the CW C63 Sealander 36mm - an eBay purchase - and it's great!
I asked a little while ago for suggestions for a way of scratching my Explorer itch without breaking the bank, and somebody recommended the Atticus Daedalus; I had a look, but I actually find myself hankering after their Pelion model instead — it gives me similar Explorer vibes, but also serious Tudor vibes, without precisely replicating the look of any one specific Tudor watch (at least, that I know of). Might not be your thing, but just in case. Enjoy whatever you do buy!
Not familiar with the Nivada. I voted for the CW C63 Sealander GMT, but...
I purchased/took delivery of one direct from CW earlier this month - white dial - and am returning it for a refund. The watch itself (case/dial/hands/bracelet/clasp) is lovely. However, the movement was a fail - the GMT hand was not in synch with the main hour hand. In other words, when the main minute/hour hand were on the hour, the GMT hand was off by as much as half an hour. Such a shame too. I've got other watches with the same Sellita SW330 GMT movement that are spot on. My example somehow got past both Sellita and CW's QC processes.
I've heard great things about CW quality, so suspect my example is just a one off. I have the CW C63 Sealander 36mm - an eBay purchase - and it's great!
Thank you! Very helpful🙌🏼
Thank you! Very helpful🙌🏼
Speaking of Explorer I itch, the CW C63 Sealander 36mm (aka the C36) is an excellent option. And less expensive than the C63 GMT.
Shout out for Nivada! My favourite resurrected brand since Panerai. Beautiful, and in the case of the Spider, daring retro design. Also, in German, "Grenchen" sounds really cute :)
I was looking for something that scratched the itch of the more modern references of the Explorer II (216570, 226570) and likewise also looked at Christopher Ward and their C63 polar. I sat on the decision some more and thought that the magic of the C63 was too closely reliant on the Rolex as a design, and decided to go with the C60 Anthroprocene, with a frosted dial and ceramic bezel. Hope this helps!
Maybe it's because of #wcwhitechristmas but I'm really into white dials lately.
Sadly, this is the new SW330-2 caliber with the 58-hour power reserve. My two SW330-1's - both Steinharts - are spot on. I don't think Selitta cases the movements, so can only surmise that if it past their QC, then it got dorked up when being cased by CW.
Maybe it's because of #wcwhitechristmas but I'm really into white dials lately.
Same here👊
I am genuinely considering Chris Ward's Sealander as my next purchase. I actually think it looks WAY better than the Rolex. And you can actually see the movement. And it's got better water resistance. And it's much cheaper. And you can actually get it.
I'm only struggling in terms of saving a lot more for an Aquis instead which I'm definitely going to buy either way.