Another great episode Cheyne and thanks for the shoutout Sir! Our video will be going live Saturday morning on 6/29, looking forward to sharing your collection story, cheers!

I got it few months back and love it

Great review and what a great use of light in all of your videos!

Nice! Thanks. If they ever make a 42 I’m all over it. Enjoy

Great video as always, really appreciate your in depth opinion style.

I own this watch and I love it. It’s simple not too flashy just a do all do anything watch. The proportion are perfect I really like how slim it is. Keep up the great videos!

Position of the watch at night, will affect how fast or slow is per day. So actually if you do experiments and figure out which position gives you + or -, and how much per day, you can actually keep it damn accurate!

Great video Cheyne! Love hearing you get philosophical about the rolex explorer, it is part of being a watch collector. P.S very much enjoyed the Simpson references in the middle and at the end of this video. Made me laugh, cheers

Cheyne, the movement in this watch is literally the base movement in your other watches, they are all the same movement but with added complications. The fluctuations may not happen with another Explorer, every watch is unique.

High horology is probably precious metals and hand finishing etc. and movements with complications like perpetual calendars and stuff like that. I have the 36mm version of this watch and it’s perfect. “Tool watch” is different for each person. A g shock is probably more of a tool than any Rolex. An Apple Watch is most likely a more useful tool on a day to day basis for most people. For me this is a piece of jewellery that just gets out of the way of whenever I’m wearing it, but whenever I check the time I have that feeling of “wow that’s beautiful”.

I got mine June last year..... And love it, although I wish I could be more like you and not care about the scratches.... They freak me out. I got this because of its simple elegant design. But also because my Dad is a huge Bond fan..... And although the Bond of today is Omega..... Ian Fleming wore a 36mm 1016 Explorer and it's believed when he had Bond wearing a Rolex in Dr No it was the Explorer he had in mind. So it's the OG Bond in my view.

I’m on the waiting list

I could wear the 39mm explorer everyday and be happy

Nice pick up…when it comes to design the explorer is truly balanced with alittle bit of Rolex panache 3-6-9 indices and Mercedes handset. Tolerances are amazing, execution and proportions are great….along with the submariner no date these two pieces are PURE no thrills works of art

Fellow owner of the Rolex Explorer (39mm) and Rolex Explorer II (black dial). Watches are a funny game. I wear my Explorer II for a week or so and then switch over to the Rolex Explorer and it takes a few days to feel like the Explorer is not too small. Then, when the brain shifts, I love the Explorer and it feels perfect and I don't want to take it off. And, yes, it is the most comfortable watch on a steel bracelet I own. And, yes, I wear this everywhere, including out to dinner as a dress watch. Nothing like the simplicity of a three-hander.

Hi Cheyne The Explorer is a true classic watch and I think it is a watch that really is for the wearer and not for show as it just is right

I'd be curious about your thoughts if you experience Panerai some day. I've had many Rolex's and a few Panerai's. I like all the Rolex's I've owned, but I've loved the Panerai's. They are such a beautiful unique design, super comfortable for their size, and extremely well made/finished timepieces.

Glad you're liking the Explorer - brilliant aren't they? They just grow and grow on you, then next thing, you find yourself with no need for other watches..! Personally, I do prefer the classic 36mm, which just tones down the shine and slips under the radar as well as cuffs and gloves. It never snags or catches. Mine's 3 years old and almost unscratched despite forestry, farming and the outdoors. As for robustness, well they're really just the same as each other, beyond water resistance. I suppose at the extreme, E2s, Subs, Sea-Dwellers and the Deep-Sea have a thicker case, but for that to be significant in an impact you'd be more worried about your arm! They can be fully re-polished (re-butchered...) more though... Ultimately, the Sub's bezel can jam (sand, mud, wood chip) and break off (as with most divers) and the ceramic can crack or chip and the E2's 24hr hand adds complexity. That said, both those watches are slightly more legible, but as my E36mm's dial is the same size as my 40mm Sub and Sea-Dwellers, its not such a big deal.

The 36mm variant is perfect.

If it was good enough for Ian Fleming and his 007 alter-ego....it's good enough for any man. 😂 People associate the Sub with Bond because of the Connery and eary Moore films, but when Fleming created the character in his books, he gave him his own watch. The Explorer. In one of his best novels, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Bond uses it as a knuckle duster and shatters it against a bad-guy's chin. He is reflecting on what he will replaces it with, and decides "probably another Rolex," partly because he appreciated the bright luminous 3, 6, and 9 for legibility. It really is a do-all watch.

It’s a beautiful watch but I prefer the airking

I have the explorer 40 (first Rolex). It’s a beautiful watch. I do find it a bit small as well. Very versatile piece. Hoping to get the call for a Sub! I waited 3 months for the explorer. Not bad!

Is the Explorer 40mm that much smaller than your Sub 41mm? I recall seeing the Sub measuring at 40.5mm. Thanks for the vid.

My .2 cent thought, It's depend how's the rest position when you not wearing it, usually Rolex little fast come from the factory, Try different rest position it will correct it self.

Just newly minted to the waitlist for this and the airking (very different models by case and length) AD gave his #, we text, is that typical?

I have the 36mm version and I love it. I have two issues with it. First, it always runs slow by about 1.5 secs per day. I have to keep reminding myself that it doesn’t matter and that only nerds like us stare at their watches to check their accuracy. Second, the size is great but it makes my 38mm Aqua Terra look huge for a day or so before I get used to it.

Beautiful watch! Isn't the 3 seconds fast outside of the Rolex standard?

What’s your wrist size bro?

But did you smash it with a sledgehammer?

The explorer 1 is not meant to be worn as a 39mm. It's proportions are off completely and it just doesn't seem right. The 36mm is the historically accurate explorer and how it is meant to be worn and appear. It is suppose to be unseen and hidden under the cuff. It's there when you need it and that's that - not the opposite of where you feel it's presence and trying to be luxurious. It's purpose is subtlety without the craziness of a true luxury Rolex watch such as daytona or a blingy OP etc. You may want to try the 36mm for a month and see what people mean why 36mm is the way it is suppose to be worn. If your wrist is big it may detract from your experience slightly but small watches is the norm back then and it shouldn't be any different now. That is the explorer and what it is, that is why it is special, and that is why it is the quinticencial watch.

I have an Ex1 39mm. I'm considering purchasing the EX2 you have. Is the EX2 much larger and heavier when worn? Feel to very much? My wrist is 18cm (7.1inch). EX2 is 42mm, but on the other hand it is thin - 12.5mm. Theoretically, it should be ok. I know that EX1 is an ultra-comfortable watch, but if it were a bit larger (diameter) I wouldn't have a problem with it.