blau
3466
Help me! Something like an Explorer but more fun
So here's the situation. I own an Explorer 14270. It feels VERY charming on the wrist... but I just don't find that it LOOKS equally charming. I'd love to find something that would fit into the same kind of slot in my collection but has, let's say, a bit more pizzazz.
Help me think of another watch that fits the following profile: smallish, lightish, but robust, and on a bracelet. The kind of watch that doesn't weigh me down and that I also don't worry about banging around. And is more fun than a 14270!
Here's my watch for reference, though you all know what it looks like:
And here's the watch that I bought (and then sold) last year in a failed attempt to supplant the Explorer:
Let's leave price out of the discussion. Assume for the time being that I'd be willing to go either significantly cheaper than the Rolex OR significantly more expensive.
Thanks in advance!
-Ian
Help me! Something like an Explorer but more fun
So here's the situation. I own an Explorer 14270. It feels VERY charming on the wrist... but I just don't find that it LOOKS equally charming. I'd love to find something that would fit into the same kind of slot in my collection but has, let's say, a bit ...
What a dial! Thanks for the suggestion
I think these probably wear a bit too big on that wide bracelet for me, but GS has got to make at least a couple of things that might fit the bill.
Interesting
I was wondering if the answer might actually be "another Rolex". And this one certainly has more pizzaz! I never paid much attention to the Yachtmasters--I'm an explorer kind of guy, sure, but am I a yachtmaster kind of guy? So I guess the question would ...
great question!
For my collection it is the Tonda PF, which I am surprised by the activities I end up doing with it (building things with power tools, etc) Otherwise how about an Overseas (either in 41mm or 34mm?) The other ones I wear for true beater status include an O...
Interesting!
I would not have imagined wearing that Tonda that way, but I'm interested to hear you find it at home in the garage! The 41mm Overseas just wears a bit too large for me for this use, but the 34mm might be intriguing! I was also wondering if a slightly old...
since I got the 2254.50, it is definitely top of my garage list -- favorite beater by far! If the Tonda is on though, I won't take it off.
BUT, I did feel that I would love a lightweight chrono for garage-type activities, as I love timing all sorts of activities. Maybe even titanium...so my first (only?) incoming of 2025 is this titanium zenith chronomaster sport, which I did not realize exi...
I love titanium too
God speed on the delivery, and I'll be eager to see live pics when you've got it!
Yes! Slightly under 12mm. Garden variety ETA..
It’s for when you need a beater but a “cheap” watch won’t just cut it and to think some of the new Seiko prospex lines go for the same amount as an old 2254. One thing I like about the 2254 is that at 41mm, it’s contemporary enough in spite of the 90s sty...
Always loved the dial and hands on these too...
Much better than the 'Bond' version, though I should admit that that watch was the first fine timepiece I ever purchased! Here's a wristshot of that watch, which was traded away many years ago: ...
Honestly yes. It is *quite* a bit of pizzazz!
But also, the head of this watch is surprisingly heavy (300m water resistance?) and the bracelet is *extremely* light. I didn't love how it felt on my wrist on the bracelet, and actually found myself liking it better on straps, which was not the use I was...
Hi Ian
GP Laureato 38 mm may meet all of your specs except “won’t have to worry about banging around.” Although it’s possible some do, because it’s considered a sports watch. You’d be surprised by how similar it feels to a 36 mm Rolex, but even sleeker! For one ...
Thanks, Jesse, but I knew you were going to say that!
Should have just bought yours from you, shouldn't I?
Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic
Shown in solid gold here but the steel model has amazing presence as well. Obviously not on a bracelet but next level nonetheless. ...
Definitely a great watch that can handle what I'd ask of it
But as a strap only watch it just fills a different wrist role than the Explorer (for me).
I agree 100% that the geophysic 1958 fits the “explorer” requirement
But for that added dash of personality, I think we need a shot of your Air King! Thanks, Brian
Two suggestions from MicroBrandLand
Yema Navygraf Micromilspec Milgraph Happy Hunting! M4 ...
Excellent, thank you!
I'd just noticed the Micromilspec watch a couple of weeks ago, looks VERY cool
An Oyster Perpetual with green dial would fit the bill.
The 36mm version is very nice, but the 40mm version would work too if you want more wrist presence.
Based on what you said
It’s either a Breitling Super ocean or a Sinn 556 Either would be a nice everyday. I’d venture to say the Sinn would be a bit more robust. I think a lot of the watches mentioned would not be where I would place a beater. Which is really what the Explorer ...
Sinn makes a lot of sense
For Breitling I might be thinking a current Superocean, which makes nice visual reference to that Slow Motion
Fun = alarm complication? Memovox (new or vintage)
Many styles to choose from, but finding the size you want and bracelet might be a challenge. But that could be part of the fun, too...
Not going to be easy ….
to find something similar in terms of compactness, weight, charm - and throw in pizzazz. If you find the Zenith top heavy, Doxa is probably out. Would you consider Panerai Luminor Due? Smaller and lighter at 38mm, a number of different dial color offering...
I might not be giving the Due its due...
but I just haven't been able to take it seriously as a real Panerai. Doxa on the other hand... the Sub 300 wears as light and flat as any 42mm steel diver possibly could! One of my ideas is just to sell the Explorer and start wearing this Doxa a lot more:...
I suggest the Tudor Black Bay 36mm.
I personally own and prefer the previous gen. Perfect every-day-do-everything watch. The blue dial gives it energy, but the black one would work very fine too. And it’s very affordable. ...
I was just trying to meet blau's criteria:
"smallish, lightish but robust, and on a bracelet" with "a bit more pizzazz" than the Explorer... And he said he'd be willing to go "significantly cheaper", so the BB36 seems to fill in for me... But if your question means "do I put the BB36 on the same l...
I should weigh in that I think this was a perfectly appropriate suggestion.
FRANKLY it fits my stated criteria better than a lot of the (very nice and appealing!) watches that have been suggested in this thread!
Thank you. Another question would probably be:
isn't the Explorer kind of perfect in its own range and can any other watch replace it in a satisfactory way? Please, let us know if you find such a rare bird! Best.
You might be right
In which case the question is not, "How do I replace the Explorer?" but rather, "Does my collection call for including the Explorer?"
Depends
If you are a collector, replace it with the 1016 or better still a gilt 5500. If you are an enthusiast, the 14270 is a great everyday wear with a solid movement that’s built to take the outdoors. It is called the Explorer for good reason.
I get that.
I just think if you already have an explorer and you want to replace it and price is not a criterion (which is what he said), it probably doesn’t make sense to go to Tudor. Even more so with the Ranger which is the Tudor version of the Explorer itself. Al...
Chopard alpine eagle or new iwc ingenieur.
Both options have plenty colour dials and pizazz. Have fun hunting!
Hello Ian!
What you’re asking is the Omega Seamaster 300 from 2021 Credits: Hodinkee, Time & Tide. Well, I think this is 41mm. But the Trilogy is 39! And it is also historic inspired and so beautiful. They also have that sweet 3, 6, 9, 12 numbers (a 12 more that the...
I suppose everyone has their own threshold for banging around. Mine is rather low. A lot of offerings here I wouldn't call "beaters". Here's my idea of something I wouldn't be too upset
about if it took a hit and it's small, light, fun and capable. Keeps great time and has 200m WR. Even has a splash of bronze and gold (tone?) highlights on the dial to liven it up. ...
Apologies! My mistake! I've reread your question and realize I must have somehow morphed not worrying about banging around into beater in my mind. Anyway that Oris fulfills
that mission you described for me. Its low cost reduces the fear of it getting banged up, which as you can see I still try to avoid.
They aren't *so* different
But, like you, I would object to so abusive a term as 'beater' being used for such fine watches as those mentioned here! If I own anything I'd call a beater, it's this Marathon: ...
Interesting challenge
Which highlights the great balance achieved by rolex with the explorer. I'm more on the tool end pf the spectrum but a few left field options such as the revised LV Tambour, Hermes H08, Breguet Marine (not in love with the way they did lumed indices but t...
Thank you!
Indeed: it's relatively easy to find bracelet sporty watches with more interesting looks than the Explorer, not so easy to find one that wears as smoothly.
The Overseas fills this space for me.
Sporty, casual, no bling, executed in style. ...
I claimed above that the Overseas is, in my view, oversized
But it might be worth trying one on again!
