Rolex

..1655 or even the 16570.  the new one is too fat in appearance, the engraved numbers and markers on the bezel is too "thick" in appearance and the hour minute second hands are too "thick" too.  imo, 40mm size is just right for Exp II and to go bigger is unnecessary for my own taste.  I cannot find reasons to adore the new one and its no longer special to have the orange hand in the new design..  just my rambling on the new Exp II.  Some may like it and thats perfectly fine.

I was expecting a 40 mm case ala GMT II Ceramic bezel, in fact, and not a 42 mm.

IMO, this would have been a better choice, in terms of balance and elegance.

With Baton Hands, it would have, maybe, be a different thing, but in this case, the rectangular minute indexes would have been :mandatory, even with the round indexes, by the way.

This is this ' in between 2 " which disturbs me... But will see it in the flesh.

If the white dial was the surer choice, after all?

Best,

Nicolas.

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the white version is more appealing as it looks less congested and more proportionate  in the dial display.
No yet  totally convinced by the black version but it may be different in the flesh

what about a white to white comparison?

best

henry

But I do agree that the white version seems to be somewhat more coherent, as it takes more distance with the original, at least.

Best,

Nicolas.

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In the Explo II story, the 16 550 was the heir of the 1655, then we had the 16 570.

Both the 16 550 with its creamy rail dial and the 16 570, with the white or black dial, are superb watch.

More efficient than the 1655, the 16570 added a GMT complication, while the 1655 was a 24 Hour watch, only.

Aesthetically speaking, the 16570 combined two great things: The spirit of the 1655, but in a more modern and less 70ies syle.

I love it!

While the new Explo II is getting some " easy solutions " , IMO.

A pity.

Best,

Nicolas.

It's possible that some companies don't discuss and draw lines between tributes, reissues, updates and end up confusing what are supposed to be already strong product lines.

For Rolex, it was indeed a tall order to build on what are essentially successful lines.  I'm almost of the opinion that they could've probably coasted on the current lines for a couple more decades as long as quality was maintained and innovation on tech/materials for the movement and accuracy and overall performance were periodically injected.  For what are already bulletproof watches, a strong marketing platform/strategy may have been enough.

That is why I like the Milgauss.  Sure it was already in their stable before but it has not been around for decades.  So it was easy to resurrect and play around with this line.  It would've been an ideal playground for Rolex, in a sense.  Maybe it is not as successful but it has nothing to do with being a "disappointing" update.  If they carefully took off from the earlier Milgauss, they may have had a more successful introduction.

For the current sports lines, maybe it would have made more sense to expand the lines rather than update them?

In a world that changes SO much, Rolex classic designs are safehavens that can coexist with "out there" creations.  And in that alone, I think that they already have a strong market to protect.

But definitely not go with "easy solutions" as you aptly described.

As for the new white dial, not sure how it will fare against the test of time.  Those big indices remind me of Tag Kirium's dial design.  Go figure.

 

 

That it was easier for Rolex to re-introduce an all new Milgauss after a roughly 2 decade absence, than to update a model that has been virtually unchanged for roughly 2 decades. 

The Milgauss, a watch that is highly anti-magnetic seemed like it had a function that was missing from the Rolex line up, especially considering IWC has watches that are highly antimagnetic.  While it seems like an unimportant feature to some, I can tell you that when my wife worked in an office that was near an MRI department at a hospital, her automatic Cartier TF became magnetized twice.  Granted it was an easy fix stopping in at our local Cartier Boutique.

I think updated the Explorer 2 was difficult.  The maxi dial seemed logical based on what has been done with the ceramic GMT2 and Sub.  The improved bracelet seemed logical and like a welcomed improvement.  As for the size, I would have to see it in person.  I really like a 40mm watch, and think that in photos above, the proportions don't look right to me and it doesn't look like a good fit on that posters wrist.  Rolex does a great job with 40mm, but I'm not so sure with larger watches.  Sure there are people that like the Deep Sea, but I think its proportions are wrong.  Its too thick and too wide for its bracelet.  To me its bracelet should have been wider, it looks like a standard bracelet on a watch thats too wide and top heavy for it.  As for the Orange hand, I'm not sure if I feel like its cheating and trying to cash in on the fame of the 1655.

Maybe when I see the new Exp 2 in person I will love it.  But for now, I'm not so sure. 

I guess it will be interesting to see how popular it is when all the newness wears off and the people that have to be the first on the block to own one have owned it and production catches up with demand.  Initially, whether it was the original Yachtmaster, the Milgauss or the Green Subs, people were paying premiums to get them.  Once supply caught up with demand and the speculators cleared out they were popular but not to the same degree nor were people paying a premium for them.

Best regards,

Dino

Especially when you say:  "  .  As for the Orange hand, I'm not sure if I feel like its cheating and trying to cash in on the fame of the 1655. '

Like you, I think we have to wait a bit, till the newness wears off, to judge its popularity.

We'l then see, but I doubt it will be more popular than the Milgauss or the GMT II. I feel the new Explo looks less coherent.

Best, and thnaks for your input, Dino.

Nicolas.

Maybe more coherent, compared to the weird black dial...

Well put, Echi.

Best,

Nicolas

I think is is very hard to mach the original and that is always going to be the risk. 
The new orange hand is clearly not a re edition in any way so that satisfies me. 
There will be new fans of this model and everyone has the right to choose.

I am sticking to the 1655 which suits me fine.  Nico wink wink....

Thanks

Bill

Do I have ot understand that you got one 1655???

Best,

Nicolas.

Your are too fast .  One smell and hint and bingo.

Pics soon.

Bill

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Give me old school every day!! The Freccione stands apart - an understated champion!!

Except their 'Mamma'. I view the new one as just a great design New GMT watch from Rolex--one I would take over anything in its price range by faaaar.

But on another side, it is all Rolex fault, as they used this Freccione for the 24 Hours Hand.

So the link is strong with the original.

Strong, and ... Weak at the same time. Weird.

Best and thanks for giving your valuable opinion, Mostel.

Nicolas.

And I do like the new one very much...

Yours,

Andy.

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I love the new explorer2.. Especially with a bigger size...

But with all due respect, next to the Freccione, it is still lacking of character that the Freccione has...

Best,


Sam

You're corrupted by your Panerais.    

I fear that with the increase of the size, the case looses a bit of its appeal, though.

But the watch has to be tried in the real, of course.

Best,

Nicolas. 

I've been thinking to get a submariner for quite a while and what draws me back is the size...

They're very beautiful but on my wrist, the size bothers me... Maybe I'll need sometime to get use to it...

But back to the case size of the explorer 2, you're right, it might loose the appeal a bit... The smaller version, the original Freccione is more proportionate


Best,

Sam

What does really matter is the beauty of the watch, after, you can get used to it, really.

Best,

Nicolas.

And that's what my friends have been telling me..

I'm pretty sure I'm going to try one of those rolex in the future... They're really beautiful!

Best,

Sam

This post makes me want to wear my 1655 straight hand!! Perhaps later this week so thanks for inspiration! Old school rules for me of course!!