Rolex

Here is a picture I found on the net featuring the new Explo II versus the 1655 aka the Freccione. I have to thank Hodinkee for this excellent initiative, as it helps us to better see the differences between the original and the re interpretation: What do...  

I would like a tropical explorer 2. Hey that could be my pseudo name from now on Best Tyler

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I find each of these two watches is attractive. Each has its own particularities that makes it special. I would personnally go for the new version. Best regards, George

42 mm, I have no idea of the proportions in the real... The case is, with the dial, the thing I want to check in the real, yes. But I fear, from what I see, that it is not for me. Best, George. Nicolas

that I will still like it. I find sometimes that you guys are a little harsh with the people at Rolex. I personnally find that there is huge progress in the quality of the watches they have been producing. I find it rather normal that the size of the watc... 

sorry but the half painted mercedes hands are just terrible :-(

Tend to agree, Jeff... The last modern Rolexes which did something to me were the GMT II and the Milgauss Verde, in 2007... Another " bot for me " year, I fear. Best, Nicolas.

But I hate it. The hands look awful. The size is wrong. It looks like it is a jigsaw watch. So much of what is great about vintage Rolex is that nothing new is anything like as good. Really disapppointed.

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The half painted black portion of the hands are more black than the dial is black. They need to paint it in a color that can hopefully more closely resemble that of the dial.

Like an alien thing. Not something we see about Rolex. Best Tyler

rules sat for the explorer II , correct me if im mistaken but rolex DO need more than an orange arrow hands to bridge between the two models ...however explorer II is a beauty in it own context ... " its been a while im keeping this inside " TRITIUME SHOU... 

The bridge between the original and the re interpretation would have been more obvious... Good point, Faisal. Best, Nicolas.

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I was pretty "hot and heavy" on the new Exp2 as well but when sitting next to the legend, it almost look too "super-sized" and yes, frankenwatch comes to mind per DrStrong. Its weird, the new one can probably stand by itself but next to the legend, hmmm..

One was well balanced, with nice proportion, when the latest is testosteronized... But, the latest has a big pro, mechanically speaking: It is a true GMT, while the 1655 is a 24 Hours watch. Best, Nicolas.

The original is probably one of my most favourite watches of all time, and whilst I like the new version I'm really not sure what to make of it, a little underwhelmed at the moment but will reserve judgement until seeing it for real. I can't help wishing ... 

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but from the photo the new Exp 2 looks almost too large for the person's wrist while the 1655 looks like a perfect fit. Yes it may depend on the person's build, but one thing I do not like is when someone with a small wrist and small build wears a giganti... 

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I like the new Explorer II and if the price is similar to the prevous model Ithink it offers fair value. I look forward to buying it and creating my own battle scars and memories. Who knows, maybe one day my son will think the new Explorer II is a cool vi... 

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wait till you see it in the "flesh", especially the white........... my wish list for this year... 382, 372 , TT1931 and now this.... Best, Imran

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..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 un... 

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 m... 

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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,... 

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... 

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 func... 

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... 

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... 

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 ... 

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!!

This is exactly what I planned to do this week, too! Best, Nicolas.

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...1655 looks more catchy to me. but don't know why stefan

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