Echi
[Photo Forum Moderator]
8126
Very tricky to pull off updates...
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.
New Explorer II versus the Freccione.
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...
From 1st impression I like the 1655 more. Maybe i'm not used the bigger size
I would like a tropical explorer 2. Hey that could be my pseudo name from now on Best Tyler
they are both nice in their own right.
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
One thing I don't see very well is the proportions...
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
I am cerain that one I have in hands
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...
The new one looks like a Frankenwatch !
sorry but the half painted mercedes hands are just terrible :-(
Perfect on the baton hands, too weird ( cheap? ) on the Mercedes Hands.
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.
I sooooo wanted to like this new Explorer II
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.
I agree with you regarding the hands...
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.
That's exactly what I feel when I saw these very fat hands.
Like an alien thing. Not something we see about Rolex. Best Tyler
new ROLEX
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...
If only they used the rectangular indexes ...
The bridge between the original and the re interpretation would have been more obvious... Good point, Faisal. Best, Nicolas.
Thanks for the photo...
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..
The comparative pic is indeed killing the new one ...
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 and always will be: Stunning!
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 ...
I'll have to see this one in person...
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...
I prefer the 1655, but
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...
Honestly, I loved it... Iast year I never ordered the sub date, but this..already I have,
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
the new Exp II is drifting further from the original be it the..
..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...
Yes, you pointed out another detail, the thick and small numbers on the bezel.
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...
perhaps
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
The white Freccione never existed, in my book.
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.
Well, the Explo II 16570 was / is a great watch.
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,...
Very tricky to pull off updates...
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...
I agree...
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...
I have the same feeling ...
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...
For once, I feel the white dial will be the favourite.
Maybe more coherent, compared to the weird black dial... Well put, Echi. Best, Nicolas
I have to say. I am partial to the original 1655
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...
They just don't make them like they used!!
Give me old school every day!! The Freccione stands apart - an understated champion!!
They have so little in common, Nicolas
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.
You're right, I may be too obsessed by the 1655 ...
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.
First impression...
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
Aaah 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.
Yes I know 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 ...
Big or small sizes, this is all a matter of habit, Sam.
What does really matter is the beauty of the watch, after, you can get used to it, really. Best, Nicolas.
That's really true...
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
Ps Nicolas....
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!!
my straight sense tells me...
...1655 looks more catchy to me. but don't know why stefan