Explorer II

[By-Tor]

This is probably the only watch I really regret of selling. Correct hand stack ExpII... really under appreciated Rolex among the members.

This is a photo job I once did... hope you like it.

[indyberetta]

Very cool pic!

[its_urabus]

amazing pic. I will never sell my correct hand stack white exp II. I love it too much

[cableguy]

i have the incorrect stack white dial...its such an understated watch. i love it for when i dont want attention.

[tmg]

Yup, great pix By-tor. The entire Explorer line is just a little under the radar.

[By-Tor]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, it's one of those "forgotten" models. Would like to see more of them... great reps!

I'm planning to re-purchase this watch, and buy one of the wrong stack models of the ExpII eventually. Dunno which color though... let's hope the factories get the hour markers changed from grey to black for the white version.

[its_urabus]

I agree with the dial marker issue bytor. funny thing is, i have 2 white dials, on one of them the circle markers are the dark gray color, but the main markers are jet black. the second one has all dark gray markers. I am looking for a gen dial, but the cheapest ive found if $250usd. I am going to experiment on one of the dials, just need to research refinishing techniques a bit more. but it would be nice for the factories to make a good dial, with correct colors, correct printing, etc.... anyway great pic...

[cableguy]

maybe one day ill buy the black dial version too....

i want a UPO thou....which it seems i'm never gonna get....i keep talking to different dealers and keep getting flaked on. =/

[Stephane]

Agreed.

For some weird reason the Explorer II is at the bottom of my list.

Well I guess it's because there are so much variations of subs and vintage Rolies.

I'll get one one day, if a correct version pops out tough.

White ? Black ?

Same dilema here

Cheers

Stephane

[World Traveller]

I got an Explorer II recently with white face and I really like it, it is perfect size and shape for my wrist. I like it but it has been overshadowed by the Tag Aquaracer that I also got but I think in the long run I will wear the Explorer more over time.

Do you guys know how to manual wind this watch? I tried turning it clockwise after unscrewing the crown and it didn't start the watch movement.

[Slartibartfast]

I have read many times about the hand stack on these explorers being (generally) wrong. Correct me if I'm wrong but I understand that the hour hand should be at the bottom of the stack with the GMT hand above. I have been lusting after an Explorer 2 1655, and have noticed in this pick of a "genuine" found on the bay......

that he GMT hand is at the bottom of the stack (you need to zoom in a bit). Is that peculiar to this model (1655) or do some Explorers differ from others? Or .... good grief, could this be a rep!! If so I would love to know where they got it, I'll be there with my CC at the speed of light

[its_urabus]

i believe some of the orange hand exp II's had the orange hand at the bottem. its funny i just saw a guy today on the street wearing an orange hand, i nearly drooled.

[Slartibartfast]

its funny i just saw a guy today on the street wearing an orange hand, i nearly drooled.

Not surprised, my tongue would have been on the floor as well!

[millemiglia]

This is probably the only watch I really regret of selling. Correct hand stack ExpII... really under appreciated Rolex among the members.

This is a photo job I once did... hope you like it.

Thanks to your review this was my first order from PT (black dial correct hand stack), stunning watch, best RLX rep I've seen.

By any mean, thanks for the review (and all your reviews at that) and overall great suggestion!

[By-Tor]

Thanks to your review this was my first order from PT (black dial correct hand stack), stunning watch, best RLX rep I've seen.

By any mean, thanks for the review (and all your reviews at that) and overall great suggestion!

Thanks man. Glad you found the review useful.

@startibartfast: You're correct... GMT hand is placed under the hour hand on the vintage models. Also on GMT Master I.

[Mark Phelps]

Never paid much attention to this model UNTIL your review. Definitely on my "to get soon" list now. I never noticed the grey hands until you pointed them out

Has anyone tried the ones from Silix? Hard to tell from the pictures if the crystal sits above the bezel as it should.

[its_urabus]

not to hihack, but here is that dial with the circle markers that are "dark gray" and the main markers in black. I hope they get it right someday.

[bklm1234]

Exp2 was extremely popular when I worked in Hong Kong. I bought and sold 2 gens. I was a little obssessed with scratches at the time. I scratched the bezel on the 1st one, got [censored] off, sold it. Got another one, scratched it again, sold it. I plan on buying the gen (used) again because when I look at the entire line of rollies, the Exp2 (and GMT 2) has the most unique movement, at the same price as a sub. Of course the Daytona movement is special but I'm not paying $15K+ for a watch. Besides, no other movement in a rep replicates that movement's function while ETA or Asian movement is sufficient for a sub or ym rep.

-bk

[its_urabus]

excellent points bk, it is an amazing movement. in my area, they actually go for less than subs. gmts are in line with the subs, when you can find them.