I SHOULD HAVE SAID - these explorers were on loan from my fabulous friend Mark! @mr_watchaddict on Instagram! It was far too kind of him to loan me all his explorers!!! THANK YOU MARK!!! 💕💕💕✨✨✨🎉🎉🎉

I find the EXPLORER text on the 40mm makes it look "Top Heavy". I much prefer the 39mm's text layout. I have the EXPLORER 39 (Mk II) in my collection 😉

I'd spent 18 months toying with buying a 39mm and then the 40mm was released, and I just couldn't bring myself to pay over retail for a pre owned watch with an inferior movement. Completely agree that the 39mm wears better and I prefer the proportions, but it wasn't so much of an issue that I would have paid the extra for the older model. Have had my 40mm for 6 months and love it.

You do such a great job with your videos and they always have such a good vibe.

Thank you Britt! I've been searching KZfaq for videos on this exact topic - no nerdiness present at all!!

Great video Britt. I like the detail you provide on each watch and the concept of comparing the two. That was a worthwhile video.

Superb video Britt! I tried on both versions and went with the 40mm on my 7 inch wrist. Let's see more of these comparisons please. 😀

I'm team 39mm too, even with my eight inch wrist. I like a nice matte dial. My favorite Glycine Combat Sub has a matte black dial and it's very easy on the eyes. Plus, I've seen so many glossy and sunburst dials. Matte finishing makes a nice change, and I think it gives the dial a more no-nonsense tool watch appearance.

Have both a OP 36 and an Explorer 40mm. For those of you saying the 40 is a large watch, you're wrong. The OP 41 and DJ 41 feel substantially larger. The OP41, for example, has a large dial surface that the explorer 40 just doesn't have. The 40 has extremely nice proportions not unlike the OP36. I prefer 36 mm Rolex usually, but I can't help but think Rolex were aiming at a "his and hers" duo with the new 36 and 40. The 36mm is actually a 35mm with a extremely tapered and elegant bracelet and the 40mm is actually a 39mm with a robust and sporty bracelet. My advice for anyone deciding between the 39 and 40, do yourself a favour and try them both on, the 40mm will still be very pleasing to folks like myself who generally prefer midsized cases. Because off the top heavy proportions of the 39, I find it wears much larger than the 40. The 40mm is my favourite watch in the current Rolex lineup. The 39 is very nice but the 40 has a nicer lacquered black dial, larger white gold handset, larger crown, 21mm bracelet, clasp, and overall head to bracelet proportionality. You can't go wrong with the 36, 39, or 40, but the 40 is my choice of the bunch.

Don't feel too bad, Britt. I spent hours agonizing over the sizes of the older 39mm or the new 40mm only to decide to put my name down for a new 36mm 😅

I want the 36mm in my life 😭 working in an AD I've played with all of these and the 36mm is just PERFECT for me. I neeeed it! Great Video Britt! Had never realised all of these differences, hadn't even clocked, (haha) the difference in the "explorer" placement!

I'm definitely team 39mm...Only thing you didn't mention, though, is that the 40 has anti-reflective coating which is nice. I wish the 39 had it but i'd still go with that one.

FYI the 40mm Explorer has AR coating. I bought my 39mm Explorer mkII when it was in the display case at my AD. The 39mm can be worn on any large wrist-both are great 😎.

Keep racking them up and knocking them down. Great content

6:50 explorers have historically had their names on the top line. It is just Rolex respecting their past design language which is a good thing.

Great video. Would love to see a comparison between the 36mm Explorer models (114270 and 124270) and your take on them. I'm still undecided on which one I prefer.

They both look good! side note: what watch are you wearing here? is it a datejust?

I haven't been a reg watcher of the channel in maybe two years but this is a very good video. Concise and informative. Very nice. Thank you for making it. I agree about the 39 being the one btw lol.

Agree 💯% I have felt the same since the 40 mm Explorer came out...thanks for giving words to my thoughts 😊

I’m a 36 guy but you really can’t go wrong with with any Explorer!

The biggest contributing factor between these two is the measurement of the dial. I believe the 40mm dial is about 0.5mm larger than the 39mm. It gives it that massive “dinner plate” aspect on the wrist that I feel the explorer should never have. The 40mm is also thicker and the case back does not taper quickly, which makes it wobble around and not wear nearly as close to the wrist as the 39mm.

Totally agree, I still prefer the case size of the Explorer 39 over 40 the same way that I prefer the OP 39 vs 41.

Good morning Brit. Great video....I agree the 39 would be my choice as well. What about drilled lugs? Is that also changed? Please advise and thank you 👍.

Britney your spot on in your summation the 39 mm is smaller looking because the actual area that the watch fills is 43 square millimeters less than the 39.7mm diameter version. A = πr2 = π(d2)2 I also think the 39mm is a better option, with the matte dial and the 20mm lugs.

I have the 39mm and bought a 40mm for a friend. The BIG difference is with the width of the bracelet which is much chunkier on the 40mm. The clasp on the 40mm is much bigger. I prefer the 39mm as it's more elegant

Love the details in this video .

Thank you for the video. Both are excellent watches, and I hope to get one of these two some day.

Adding the anti-reflective treatment to the new 40mm clearly makes it the best model (see what I did there…..) I’m biased as I own the 40mm, but I do adore it and it fits my just over 7” wrist perfectly.

40 mm because of the new movement 3230 with the Chronergy escapement, AR coating on the underside, the broader width displaces the thickness better, and it suits my 17 cm wrist.

Well done Britt. I agree. I've owned both and I found the 39 feeling larger or more chunky to me on my wrist. I sold my 40 and went back to my 39 mm for everyday.

Excellent video Britt. But can't believe nobody is talking about the crown!! Always thought the crown on the 39 was a bit too small and dainty. Pretty sure they just took the 36mm crown and used it on the 39. The 40mm now has a "big boy" crown that feels more appropriate to a tool watch of its size. (Might be the same size crown as the Explorer II?) It's a lot easier to get a grip on and looks better in proportion to the rest of the watch.

Awesome video two great watches I own the mk2 39 and love it. I tried on the 40 and love it as well, thinking of adding the 40 to my collection some day but in the interim I will enjoy the 39mm

The only two ways in which the 39 is preferable to the 40 are the text placement (I agree that 'Explorer' below the pinion is more balanced) and possibly the 20mm lug width (although it's not difficult to source 21mm straps these days). I don't intend on taking my 40 Explorer off its bracelet, so that isn't an issue for me. Had they still been making the 39, I would have happily taken one, but I wanted a brand new watch, so took the 40 when one was offered to me in May last year - zero regrets having done so - it's a simple, beautiful, iconic timepiece with mod cons.

I have the 40 and love it... The proportions of the bracket and clasp are just right for me. Everything is balanced just right

I have the 39mm mk2 dial and the 1016, I really like the domed plastic crystal.

If a choice between the 2 it would be 39mmm for me as well with my 6.3" wrist. But I purchased the 36mm that I am actually wearing as I type. I have a few sport models with the ceramic bezels and 40mm works but with the smooth or domed bezels the 40/41mm ones look like a dinner plate on my wrist. My OP's are all 36mm as well.

40 is just perfect, never liked the matte dial on the 39

Okay, a couple of points for the Explorer 40 over the 39 - for me - are that the 40 has anti-reflective coating and also a glossy dial, which looks a little more crisp.

Thanks for the video! Just a note, the Milgauss label is also on the top line! 😊

Very detailed video. Nicely done. 39 for me as well. Friends are overrated, rather obsess over watch minutiae any day.

With a 7.5 inch wrist I can hands down say the 40 fits me better. I do enjoy smaller watches and can even pull off a 36. However, having owned the Explorer 40 since May of last year it has been my daily driver. I tried my friends 39 on and it did wear very slightly smaller - the improvements on the 40 for me were the winner and the whole package is just beautiful.

I liked the video - it is very useful and I subscribed. Edit: I also commented.

What watch were you wearing in this video?

Not trying to change your mind, but it seems to me that every difference you point to in your video clearly places the 40mm as a better choice over the 39 haha! That being said, you're right on one point: anyone spending more than 7 seconds on this needs more friends

214270 Mk 2 FTW!!! Thanks Britt. Great content as always. Cheers.

Arghhhhhh KZfaq ate my comment. HAPPY NEW YEAR BRITT, thank you for all your videos and being my friend! I’d go for the 39mm too, for the exact same reasons. The text bothers me and actually I kinda prefer the older movement. I have several 32XX movement Rolexes (like the current 40mm Explorer uses) and the new movements are more prone to beat rate errors and so are less accurate. I’ve had to have 3 regulated in 3 years! Like you say, the lug profile is changing. Stubbier lugs at more of a downturned angle to give the impression of feeling smaller due to a closer fit. This is why I think lug to lug is way more important than diameter. Royal oaks are classic example. The 37mm is really a 40mm and goes up from there! Hope you and @watch_papi are well (is he still claiming a 7” wrist? 😂) and you get a celebration OP soon! Or a 16710 🙊

OK I think 39 looks better, and in some weird way I find it's easier to read

4:39 you nailed it. I prefer the slimmer, classic shape of the 40 mm. But: the end links protrude too far. The current "41mm" Submariner is shorter than the 40mm Explorer and wears better on a smaller wrist! Quite unexpected!

Daytona has its wording on top too! I always like the 39mm but felt it a tad too huge for my 6.2inch wrist and when I saw the Explorer40 in person, it was a game changer for me.. the newer layout of the whole dial just somewhat creates less empty space and somehow made the Explorer40 looks and feel smaller than its predecessor- at least for me. I’m currently the lucky owner of both the 124270 and the 224270 ☺️

Greetings Britt, from a subscriber in St. John’s, Newfoundland! (I imagine that most of your viewers have no idea where that is but I know you do!) I happen to own a 39mm Explorer and a 39mm blue dial Oyster Perpetual and love how they wear on my 7” wrist. For the life of me, I have no idea why Rolex discontinued the 39mm size in both these models only to increase their size shortly thereafter to 40mm for the Explorer and 41mm for the OP. Were the (many would argue) subtle updates worth the re-tooling and additional expense for the minimal impact, visually and otherwise? I somewhat understood the re-introduction of the 36mm version coincident with the discontinuation of the 39, but can’t get my head around the rationale for adding the 40 very shortly thereafter. Of course, who am I, and many others, to try and understand the logic Rolex often uses to evolve their catalogue! Anyway, love your content Britt and keep it coming! Cheers from The Rock!

Good point about the model name below on the pro models.

One of your best. Thanks

Great review as usual Brit. Loved the spoiler alert 😂. I’ve been on the AD wait train for a 40 but tossing up NOW between a Expl 39 or Ranger 39z.

Brilliant video Brittney. I’ve gotta agree 39mm is definitely the sweet spot, but in this model I’d take the 36mm . Keep up the great content. Wills

The added mm in the lug width makes the 40 (39.7)mm look narrower and is why the lug to lug can be a bit shorter. But the measurement that matters is from the end links, which explains why the 39 wears smaller while looking wider.

Feel like you have a million videos for this watch haha Great job always kiss !!

I went to buy the 36… but it was truly too small for my 7.15 inch wrist. I have the 40 and it’s a dream.

Ahhh Britt....you've got a personality that lights up the screen. You're easy to listen to and look at, and you speak the universal language of love....Watch Talk! I, too, have the Exp 39 and can't say enough about it. I pretty much share all the reasons you love this reference. I had reluctantly bought the 124270 (for the less initiated, the latest Exp 36, which actually measures 35.5). I say reluctantly because my sweet spot in sports models is 40mm, as in my GMT-Master. Liking the idea of keeping with the 'classic' Explorer size, and having read enough posts on forums where 36'ers swore that you quickly get used to the diminutive size, I decided to go for the 36 over the 39. [The 40 was out of the question because of the distinctions that Britt points out, especially the wider lug and bracelet -- just more metal clinging to the wrist.] Well, I should have stuck with my instincts that had told me that I would NOT get used to the size of the 36, even on my not-so-large 6.5" wrist. The nail in the coffin was my wife's reaction at first sight: "It looks like a boys watch". "Boy" that hurt! How does this story end? I sent the 36 packing, welcomed with open arms a 39, and the sun is now shining once again. The discontinued 39 (since 2021) remains controversial within the watch-geek community -- not sure I understand why -- but for this occasional flipper, the 39's a keeper. Thanks again, Britt, for the great, and entertaining, review.

You forgot to mention a HUGE difference with the 40mm - the anti reflective coating on the underside of the crystal. Big improvement. Plus the slightly larger crown on the 40mm.

What watch roll is that? Looks really nice!

Thank you! I have a large wrist and I prefer the 39. I think there's a sort of optical illusion that makes it wear larger. The longer "wheelbase" (lug to lug) makes it look stretchier, and therefore somehow larger. And at the same time those end links make it look chunkier. (I've edited this 3 times trying to say it...I'm starting to sound like somebody else...but I hope it makes some kind of sense?). Also, you do know that you have over 130,000 friends, right? 😃⌚ 👍 And as always, your singing is appreciated!

Happy new year Britt and Pappy! Wishing you a great 2024 P.s. I'm so so so so tired of Rolex ha ha! Loving my IWC Mark XVI which has the same dimensions, although a little thinner, and cost me £2500 eek.... love that watch I think I've realised that i have a panic attack with the idea of spending over 4-5k on a watch I've had some great watches recently which all cost a lot less, and i feel that the companies raising their prices like crazy, don't deserve our hard earned money. As an example I've had these in the past 4 years: Speedy 1861 - £3200 Aqua Terra 39mm first gen - £2700 Hamilton Pilot Pioneer - £550 Omega Seamaster 2541 - £1900 G shock 5600 - £60 Seiko Turtle - £500 All are sold, because I'm in a bit of a journey and like to try watches out, but there is still great value out there, especially in watches from the past 10-20 years, like my 2011 IWC or many Omegas for example I don't know if I'll ever get a new Rolex, and if i did, it would be the bright blue OP 36mm

Hey Britt, I can’t believe you don’t prefer the 40mm more !! Go to your room without any supper and don’t come down stairs until you can apologise. The 40mm is a sleeker case, better balanced bracelet and an alround better movement. Love your channel and fabulous review, even though your obv wrong 😈😈😈

Happy owner of a 39mm Explorer - the script is too busy with the Explorer logo at the top imo. That said the 72h reserve would be nice. Got my Smith's Everest recently & will get the 1016 one day to complete the collection around the Everest story to go along with the Moonwatch collection in the making. Nothing beats those two for backstories & that's what counts for this particular collector....

Completely agree Brit. I had the 39mm Explorer and it was perfect. They shouldn’t have changed it.

The 124270 36 mm introduced in 2022 is far superior to either of them.

40 beats the 39 in every possible way. Gloss black lacquer dial. Rolex does lacquer oh so well, so having it on a time only watch without a rotating bezel is excellent. Bracelet to head radio. Sporty big crown > little button crown. Larger hand set. Upgraded movement. AR coating. Power reserve. Amazing clasp dimensions. Smaller lug to lug measurement. Overall just a more refined product but the 39 is nice too. The mad watch collector just mentioned he’s selling his 39 because of the little crown. I tend to agree. Same with the OP41, the crown is small. Rolex leave room for refinement at all times. It’s their version of planned obsolescence.

''You can really feel that millimeter.''

Are there schematic drawings of these you could overlay on each other at scale?

Great video as always Britt. To be honest, you can’t go wrong with either the 39mm or 40mm. Me personally I opted for the 40mm because of the updated movement and longer power reserve. Although I own a pepsi, a starbucks and a number of APs, there is something fascinating about the explorer, It's soo handsome and addictive, I just can't take it off my wrist.

Wow I literally thought about this today just before the video came up

I prefer the longer beak at the end of the hour hands Mercedes circle on the 40mm.

Great comparison, and the 39 is an excellent fit for you, Britt. You forgot maybe a few details: the 40 has AR-coating, the winding crown is much bigger (I don’t like it), and the ‘tip’ of the hour hand is much longer and sharper (also a negative imo). I just compared the tip of the hour hand in several other professional models, and they all seem to be the same as the one in the new Explorer 40. The relative short tip of the hour hand in the 39 (mark II, in the mark I it is also longer) seems to be unique; another nice feature of the 39.

💯 right about "EXPLORER" should be at the bottom of the dial like on all other professional models.

I couldn't agree more with your assessment of the name placement on the professional series. The 39mm wins simply on that point.

Hi Britt. Comparing these watches is like comparing yourself with Jenni Elle. They are both adorable but out of my price range. Anybody would be happy with either. Happy New Year ;-)

Having just got a Sinn 556 which is 38.5 - I think I’m more likely to prefer the 39mm. Though it’s unlikely I’ll ever see one. Or own one.

Well the right answer is 36mm - for me. 😉 *With all jokes aside - both seemed to wear well on your wrist Britt.

Over the years, Rolex has released something like 35 different versions of the Explorer. The Vast majority (30ish) have the word Explorer at the top...

Hey Brittany, could you make a video about the dimple in Rolexes with black dials? The dimple is located, where the hands are inserted. Some models have it, some don't. My 36mm Explorer (114270) and my new 2023 124060 Submariner don't have it. The dials are completely smooth, but I have seen an earlier 124060 Sub , that does have a dimple around the hands. I've tried to look it up on forums, but I wasn't any wiser afterwards. Btw, if I have noticed correctly your Pepsi has it.

Great video as always! I'm curious did you measure the dial sizes (by measuring the crystal)? Seems to be a .5 mm increase in size according to Hafiz J Mehmood. See his excellent video comparing the 39 and 40 mm if you want even more nerdy details and measurements. Well worth the time :). Also, hello from the GTA!

8” wrist. I picked up the 40. I prefer the glossy dial. I do think the Explorer text at the bottom looks better even if it isn’t historically accurate.

case and shoulder lugs are deceiving. the explorer 2 polar wears quite bigger visually because its a very WIDE watch case. i prefer the older 40mm case for 6.5-7" wrists.

No! Now I know my 124270 has its name in the wrong position, and I just can't unsee it :..(

I agree with you on this one. 39 mm my favorite.

The ultimate geeky video about my grail watch 🙌🏻. I have to agree with you that the 39 mm looks better. And it’s crazy how small the 36 looks when compared to these two 😅. Great video as always Britt. This Gringa Sunday was on another level 🙌🏻.

The “Explorer” on top killed the 40 for me. It just looks so crowded.

The Explorer II has the name on the top as well.

I have the 39. THE most non-pretentious, under the radar watch in the Rolex lineup (except for the OP models). If you know, you know. It doesn’t attract unwanted attention, and I don’t need to prove anything to anyone anyway. It makes ME happy! Ha! I bought mine new from an AD. It seemed to immediately skyrocket in value. But, I’d never sell it. I like it too much. It shares wrist time with my Sub, DJ, and my Cartier Tank; but I seem to wear this one as much as the other three combined, due to its non-showy aesthetic. Great video.

I'm team 36 mm all the way!

I'm with you, the 39's elegance is unbeatable! 💯

Both are great but as I own an OP 41, a Starbucks submariner, and an explorer II I’ll probably never feel the need to get an explorer I. If I get another Rolex it will be a Daytona or a skydweller

39mm Explorer = my grail watch

114270 36mm has the best symmetry, propotions and fit. The 124270's 19mm lug width n aggresive bracelet taper to 14mm makes it too dainty wears too small for my taste.

You really don't get the Matt black dial till you see in person. Particular in natural light. This is what I like most. Same goes for an SD43 rolesor. I wouldn't trade my 39 but if I didn't have it, I'd consider the 40 over paying more for the older watch second hand. That said the more elegant 39 does formal just a bit better.

So the 40 diameter is .7 larger but lug to lug is .9 smaller but it feels so much bigger? I wonder what the dial and bezel measurements are. When I got the call for the 40 at my AD they also had a 39 in the CPO area for $2K more. I took the brand new 40!and love it!!

Britt, you are delightful... mostly because you are nuts! You are right, but only those folks with smaller wrists will see the wow factor in this video. I have so many watches that make me scratch my head because the specs defy the reality of how the watch sits on my wrist. Some 39 mm look too large because of the lug to lug and/or because of the non flexing wide curve of the bracelet at the top. The only way to know if the watch fits is by putting it on your wrist. Glad you are making good use of your watch calipers.

Thank you for the comparison ......36 and 39 too please

I think ‘Explorer’ above the pinion is a bit of a tight fit with the other two lines of text, and the coronet needing to be under the triangle, when there is so much space under the pinion, but it looks worse in shots where the hands cover it. The benifits of a bigger case, crown, and lug width, far outweighs the position of the name IMO.

Well, having the name Explorer at the top or bottom of the dial did not bother me … until you pointed it out. LOL. What is more annoying than that, is that Oyster Perpetual is written on every Rolex. It would be nice to just see Oyster Perpetual reserved for the dial of the Oyster Perpetual proper and remove it from all other Rolex models. This might another topic to mull over and do a video on. Thanks for all your great videos.