Rolex

My Rolex Explorer 214270 story

This article is not intended to be a review, dear reader (as that has been done to death), but an account of my time with my Explorer. As many young men seem to have done I purchased my Explorer after coming in to some money, as a belated 21st birthday present to myself.  I had participated in a domestic operation in the Army and on return I had decided to do away with my military pursuits and start a new and different life. I'd saved some of my pay and I though that if I didn't buy my one good watch now I never would. Needless to say, I never thought I'd end up engulfed in the madness of our wonderful hobby. My father had told me that when he had the money to buy a Rolex watch duty free when he was young, the model he wanted was out of stock at the airport so he kept the money and never had the opportunity again! Life does have a tendency to get in the way of the most important things, and I'd be dammed if that was going to happen to me!

I bought the watch for too much money from J. Farren Price Sydney in early December 2013.  I later learned that I had payed above retail price, despite them telling me that negotiation on the price of an Explorer was impossible.  However at the time I was entirely unconcerned about the price (within reason), I had been waiting most of my life for the moment I got to buy a Rolex new! I have fond memories from my childhood of sitting on the floor of my grandparents living room and pulling all the National Geographic magazines off the shelves and going through them one by one and putting them back as I went.  My topics of interest were mainly inhospitable places, adventures, and of course the well placed and expertly composed Rolex ads. Even at that early age I loved the aesthetic of Rolex watches, and I always wanted my childhood watches to at least vaguely resemble a Rolex design. My favourite for most of my formative years was the two-tone Submariner with blue dial and bezel.  As I got older my taste changed and my heart was set on either an Explorer 214270 or the Explorer II 216570 with a black dial (I actually like the white dial more now). I have always been fascinated by stories of human endurance and courage, so the association with Everest made the Explorer the obvious watch for me. 

So after the purchase of my new watch, I had the time measuring instrument for the wrist that I was sure best suited me! It was a perfectly made, and stylish reminder whenever I checked the time that I also (at least I like to think) have the guts and endurance of an intrepid mountaineer, polar explorer or desert trekker. My watch felt as if it were the end game, there was no better and certainly no alternative.

Then the rug was pulled out from underneath me, The Prodigal Guide did a review. It was an excellent episode of 'Talking Hands' that I thoroughly enjoyed, but they pointed out two fatal flaws in my newly acquired horological juggernaut.  What has been seen cannot be unseen, the hands and the questionable case proportions.  I don't think I need to say too much about the hands, but what I will say is this: After Baselworld 2016 I felt betrayed by Rolex. They knew, and I think they had a plan. There is no way I can accept that they didn't already have the improved hands designed for the 214270, I think they just did it to drive us all insane enough to buy another.  I am hoping beyond hope that I can have the hands upgraded at service, I have emailed Rolex Australia regarding this and have received no reply for months.

The second point is one that I have not yet reached a real conclusion about.  The execution of enlarging the case.  Sometimes I feel it looks rather like the explorer simply got fat (as pointed out in 'Talking Hands') while other times I feel it reminds me a lot of the proportions of the small crown Sub on it's bracelet. So it does seem to depend on the day of the week, sometimes I love that case and sometimes I don't. The 1019 is a well loved reference and it has a similar case, perhaps it's just the passage of time that is needed.  Given a long enough period I'm sure we just get used to some designs, not unlike Gerald Genta's integrated bracelet watches.

The other issue with modern Rolex is it's so, well, Rolex!  It's very shiny, it's very noticeable and it's very common to see on people's wrists that don't even care about watches. I have gone through many phases of hating and loving the watch and I think once I figure out what it's worth selling it for, it will have to move on.  What I want from this watch is a tough piece with horological clout. The explorer ticks all the boxes, nothing can beat it in its own realm. The problem is it looks like a piece of jewellery! I can't help that think there must be an alternative out there.

Whatever it is it needs to be tough and less shiny.  I almost sold it for an Omega Seamaster 300 at one stage, but again it was too big and too shiny.  Now I'm leaning more towards an Ingenieur automatic.  You just don't see them around much (at least not in Sydney) and it has the option of an OEM rubber strap. I just need to try it on to see.

The Explorer 214270 is a great watch no doubt, but the watch for me? After the fiasco with the hands and of course the 'Rolex' factor, I'm still not so sure. When I find something that I feel can replace it I think I will. Now that I have learnt more and also experienced more watches, it doesn't seem like the Everest watch it should be.

Thanks for reading, all comments and suggestions are not only welcome but looked forward to! 

 

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