Rolex Explorer Two-Tone
Reference 124273
NOTE: This review is not sponsored by Rolex or the Authorised Dealer. I bought it, I wear it, I love it!
Photography - All photos are taken by me and are © to @watch_girl_life / www.behindthelume.com
The Anticipation
I have been wanting to write this blog for a while and it has taken me a while to feel comfortable about doing so. Now I have had the Explorer TT for a while, I feel like the time is right.
Watches and Wonders 2021 was everything the watch community was waiting for. What would be released? What would Rolex surprise us with? Then Rolex announced a two-toned 36mm Explorer and I think the watch community went into meltdown. The initial response to the announcement wasn’t positive, to say the least. Most jumped onto the “I don’t like it” bandwagon.
It is ironic that when I woke up in Australia to the announcement, I jumped on my Instagram Story to share how much I loved it. Before I hit send I had a look around the different forums for reactions to the announcement. I watched a few YouTubes, jumped on Club House, Watches and Wonders 2021 room, other Club House daily announcement reviews. I remember only a couple of people being brave enough to say they liked it, most didn’t like it at all. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. So needless to say I removed my Story.
Do you think Rolex reads the press and public reaction after a release? Maybe and I don't think they make business decisions based on feedback from you or me. They have a brand and a product that highly sort after around the world. Let's face it, all AD’s in Australia have a 12-18mth waiting list for a Rolex coloured dial Oyster Perpetual, now trading for more than double the RRP on the Australian grey market. TRUE!!
Anyway, back on my two-toned Explorer.
The general reaction to the release was the two-tone is contradictory to the name “Explorer” and the history with Edmund Hillary and his summit of Mt Everest. I wonder if anyone these days is wearing a Rolex to climb Mt. Everest (unless they were sponsored to do so of course)? There are too many cool smartwatches from Garmin, etc for mountaineering.
After all the public watch fam backlash I lost interest. I felt like I was a small pea in a big pot of soup. However, the watch just appealed to me. The gold didn’t seem too blingy, the dial and numerals surrounded by gold to make the dial pop made me love it even more.
So the story goes, great opportunities only come along once. Who cares what everyone thinks, why should I care, right?
How, why, done!
I have purchased a few watches from an AD in Sydney. We are often in touch, especially when there are new releases. Earlier in the year, I had discussed with them I had a special anniversary coming up and I wanted to purchase a special piece to celebrate. At the time, the only piece that was possible in the timeframe was a white 41mm Date Just. So I put down a deposit to secure the purchase.
When Watches and Wonders released the new Rolex Explorer we discussed the options. I was offered the two-tone within a few weeks. I said yes. Opportunities to purchase a Rolex with such a special character only come along once. It would be a few weeks to wait, but I was ok with that. So I put the DJ on the back-burner.
I finally got a call to say it was in and it has been reserved for me. I said I wanted to try it on and see it in person before pulling the trigger.
Walking into this AD in Sydney is a joy. They are all very kind without judgment. The Explorer came out of the safe, it was in the sealed plastic case. Funny how you know straight straight away it is a winner. All the negative press in my opinion was wrong.
Even though the dial is just short of 36mm it sits really well on my 6.75in wrist. I was really surprised that the gold centre link didn’t look too blingy. Yes, it will scratch easily as it is highly polished. Like a new car, it looks amazing when you pick it up, but over time there will be signs of wear. I'm ok with that as it will show me how much I love it.
It is often talked about buying fancy watches and how to take them out of the shop. I split the paperwork over different bags just to be safe. The only thing in the bag was the box. Again I found myself racing back to the car. Lucky it was a fairly quiet day in the city.
Why I think this is a Smokin Hot watch
It is pretty easy to immerse yourself in hype -positive and negative. It is easy to be influenced by what people think. It was easy to be drawn in or out of a decision to spend a lot of money on a watch. Let’s face it, it is a lot of money. Do I consider it a personal (not financial) investment, yes I do!
My thinking about watches has changed. I now try and connect a purchase with a story. The Explorer TT has a story. It represents 25 years of bloody hard work. It represents a time in my life that I feel is significant to me. It is not often these days that people stick with one company for a long time, much less a quarter of a century. BTW, no, the company did not fund this - I funded it.
The characteristics of why I think it is a hot watch:
The gold accents surrounding each of the indices are incredible. It is not until you have the opportunity to get hands-on with it do you understand what I mean.
The lume is incredible!
The size - controversial I know. It has been slated as a women's watch. No, it is 100% unisex.
The wearability is so good. There is the 5mm extension, the tapering of the bracelet, the way it sits on the wrist.
The longer 70hr power reserve is always a sweetener.
The accuracy is incredible even after 2 days of not wearing it.
All photos are © to @watch_girl_life / www.behindthelume.com
The Specs
(references: Rolex official website and Bark and Jack Youtube review)Case:
36mm
19mm lug width
Oyster Steel with 18k Yellow Gold
Twin-lock crown
40mm lug to lug
3, 6 and 9 numerals are filled with a luminescent material for a long lasting lume glow
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Smooth bezel
Waterproof to 100m
Bracelet:
Yellow Rolesor - combination of Oystersteel and 18ct yellow gold
Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link
Movement:
Cal. 3230
70hr Power Reserve
Bi-directional winding
+2/-2 secs per day
COSC Certified
The final word!
Am I happy with the watch?
Yes, very happy!
Do I have any gripes?
19mm lug width, but I don’t mind as I would not be game to change from the bracelet.
What do I love most about it?
Its character, the point of difference without being over the top, the dial is incredible.
What makes it pop?
Hopefully, the photos give you a sense of how good the dial is.
Do I have any buyer regret?
No, it represents a significant time in my working life.
If you have any questions please DM me @watch_girl_life or comment below.
