Explorer (214270) durability ?

[Chorean]

Originally Posted by theken

I bought the new Explorer reference 214270 as a "golf" watch.
It is lighter weight with a lower profile than the other Rolex sports watches.

Interesting... I've noticed that as my right hand turns over after the release, the beefed-up clasp digs into my right wrist. Never had this problem with other watches, but... OK.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by alexo

FINALLY !

Today I picked up my Explorer ! What a feeling to wear this watch !
It feels so me ... but I guess that's how it is ... a Rolex ... it talks to you.

Enough with the sentimental BS ... down to business.

I had a lot of questions about the durability of this model (that is the Explorer).

I had the watch for 6 hours now and I already got a few hairline scratches .. not that I'm concerned about them more like taking notes about durability.

I will wear the watch all the time at work ( work as a Personal Trainer ), I scuba dive, and do a lot of outdoor stuff. It will be interesting to see how it will hold up as time goes on.

As mentioned in this thread ... my AD wasn't so sure about taking down the watch when I dive below 5-10 m ? any thoughts about that ?

here is a thought, you should have mentioned your intended uses at some point


timing bezel is of great use while training.
the submariner is kind of the watch people buy when they intend to go diving.

[hunz]

Originally Posted by alexo

I will wear the watch all the time at work ( work as a Personal Trainer ), I scuba dive, and do a lot of outdoor stuff. It will be interesting to see how it will hold up as time goes on.

As mentioned in this thread ... my AD wasn't so sure about taking down the watch when I dive below 5-10 m ? any thoughts about that ?

The Explorer can go to 100M as far as I know. So 10m should not be a problem at all

[BOA]

Originally Posted by slcbbrown

I would lean towards saying the Explorer is more robust. A rotating bezel with a bezel insert can't be as bullet proof as a solid stainless bezel.

Actually, I must say something here regarding the bezel of the Explorer, which is that if it's generally the same one on the new, larger model, be prepared for lots of scratches, its being steel notwithstanding.

I've held and studied the new one, and I don't remember focussing much on the bezel, but I've had an Explorer since '92, and it's the one watch I go to the greatest lengths to protect while wearing it because it scratches easily, and I don't like the look of it when the bezel is scratched.

I've never had that problem with the submariner. I just wear it all day without worry. The bracelet and case get some wear, but the scratches don't change the look of the watch in any way. It's hard to explain, and it has nothing to do with the Explorer being durable enough to take it, but it has more eye appeal to lose, maybe because it's dressier, I don't know, but once the bezel got all scratched up, it just wasn't the same, so I don't let it happen, which means I don't wear it in all situations, so I would have to say the sub is more durable.

[hunz]

Originally Posted by BOA

Actually, I must say something here regarding the bezel of the Explorer, which is that if it's generally the same one on the new, larger model, be prepared for lots of scratches, its being steel notwithstanding.

I've held and studied the new one, and I don't remember focussing much on the bezel, but I've had an Explorer since '92, and it's the one watch I go to the greatest lengths to protect while wearing it because it scratches easily, and I don't like the look of it when the bezel is scratched.

I've never had that problem with the submariner. I just wear it all day without worry. The bracelet and case get some wear, but the scratches don't change the look of the watch in any way. It's hard to explain, and it has nothing to do with the Explorer being durable enough to take it, but it has more eye appeal to lose, maybe because it's dressier, I don't know, but once the bezel got all scratched up, it just wasn't the same, so I don't let it happen, which means I don't wear it in all situations, so I would have to say the sub is more durable.

yeah, i have had the same thoughts also when i viewed the new Explorer at the AD. i wish Rolex made the bezel in brushed steel to lessen the visual effect of scratches. or even better if Rolex made the bezel and the whole case was tegimented - (like my Sinn U2) :

TEGIMENT

The stainless steel case hardened using TEGIMENT Technology provides extremely effective protection from scratches on the case surface. To achieve this, we do not apply any coatings of foreign materials; rather, the surface of the stainless steel itself is hardened in a special process.

To keep the cases of our watches in the best possible condition when they are worn, SINN uses the TEGIMENT Technology for several models. A TEGIMENT case has a surface hardness of approximately 1200 Vickers. This value corresponds roughly to the hardness of commonly used zirconium oxide ceramics. By comparison, an unhardened stainless steel case has a hardness of approximately 220 Vickers.

To understand the durability of this technology properly, you must know that a TEGIMENT layer is not a coating of foreign material. Rather, the surface of the stainless steel itself is hardened using a special process. With this technology, SINN effectively protects the surface of the watch case from scratches.

[anilhormis]

I have been a bit disappointed with a couple of big scratches on the bezel of my Explorer 1 with minimal insult.

[Vexp]

Why is the Explorer more rugged than submariner? - because of paraflex shock protection system used in the 3132 movement which is 50% more shock resistant than the industry standard KIF system used in the submariner's 3135 movement. This is true as of 2013. Maybe Rolex will come up with a newer Submariner with paraflex in 2014...

In addition, the Explorer 39mm has the least number of complications (i.e. zero) making it relatively simpler (and hence more durable) than any Rolex watch with date complication in it.

[SALTY]

International Harvester used to say that Simplicity is the Key to Reliability.

I have been blessed to own several Rolex watches but my 214270 Explorer I is the "go-to" watch for dress, casual - whatever.

Simple, reliable, rugged and understated - qualities I seek to self-attribute.

[Castor]

Originally Posted by alexo

FINALLY !

Today I picked up my Explorer ! What a feeling to wear this watch !
It feels so me ... but I guess that's how it is ... a Rolex ... it talks to you.

Enough with the sentimental BS ... down to business.

I had a lot of questions about the durability of this model (that is the Explorer).

I had the watch for 6 hours now and I already got a few hairline scratches .. not that I'm concerned about them more like taking notes about durability.

I will wear the watch all the time at work ( work as a Personal Trainer ), I scuba dive, and do a lot of outdoor stuff. It will be interesting to see how it will hold up as time goes on.

As mentioned in this thread ... my AD wasn't so sure about taking down the watch when I dive below 5-10 m ? any thoughts about that ?

Someone else said that you should have given us more info about what you do. The Explorer is not a dive watch (although I have gone diving with it & had no problems at all). But I have an Explorer II & I do all the things that you do (I'm not a personal trainer but I am at the gym nearly everyday weightlifting). The non-rotating bezel doing outdoors stuff is, I think for this watch a plus, it's not a sand & dust magnet. You're going to get scratches on ANY watch that you take out of the box, the brushed steel (esp the 904L brushed steel) doesn't scratch easily & doesn't show the scratches as prominently as polished steel. An Explorer is not a 'safe queen' (really no Rolex is), & so it is going to get some scratches in the real world. Only time will tell how durable the Explorer II is, but just look at how durable all the other Explorers are...

Enjoy your watch, you'll love it!