For a number of years, modern consumer trends have been favoring larger watches. As a result of this, Rolex’s 34mm references have become somewhat forgotten in all the excitement and shuffle that surrounds their larger, sport/professional watchlines. However, recently it seems that smaller-sized watches are starting to make a comeback, and Rolex’s once-overlooked, 34mm watches now represent some of the best values for the money among all Rolex timepieces, both vintage and contemporary.When it comes to Rolex sports watches, the Submariner and Explorer II are amongst the most beloved. And despite the fact that they are both tough, purpose-built timepieces, they’re just about as different as it gets in nearly all respects.But if you’re not very familiar with either watch, comparing these two industry titans can seem daunting. So here, I’m breaking down everything you need to know – and compare – about the Rolex Submariner and the Rolex Explorer II.True sports watches, both the Submariner and Explorer II were built by Rolex with specific jobs in mind – and the hint lies in their names. Unsurprisingly, the Submariner is a divers watch, built to time out scuba dives and withstand the unrelenting pressure of 300-meter (1,000 foot) depths. In fact, this watch has been one of the world’s top diving watches since it was first released back in 1953.The Explorer II, on the other hand, was originally introduced in 1971 for speleologists who work in deep underground caverns. But like the original Rolex Explorer – the watch that provided its foundation – the Explorer II appeals to adventurers and explorers of all kinds, especially since its popular 40th anniversary remodel.
Are they likely to issue a Coke at some point in the future? It is impossible to tell, to be honest. There is already a decent amount of color in the range, with the blue and black ‘Batman’ pieces and the pair of ‘Root Beer’ examples. And with there actually being a total of three Pepsi’s – one in steel and two in white gold – maybe Rolex has decided that’s enough.That being said, the Fat Lady (that ref. 16760 original) turns 40 in 2023, and as already discussed, the brand loves a birthday. So, just maybe…Until then, we will have to content ourselves with the references available on the pre-owned market.Just about the rarest thing in the world (the world of horology at any rate) is for Rolex to succumb to audience pressure. Yet, in 2009, that’s exactly what happened when that venerable old warhorse, the Datejust, was issued in a new 41mm size. The largest Datejust option had been 36mm model since before the Earth cooled, but the trend for ever-increasing watch sizes was one the brand could only ignore for so long.However, the so-called Datejust II not only added a significant 5mm but also changed the proportions of the watch’s individual elements. The bezel grew broader, and while the case got wider, the bracelet didn’t, leading to thicker lugs. Overall, it traded the former model’s graceful, sweeping lines for a more muscular sporty profile, adding bigger hour markers on the dial to fill up the extra room.
No, I’m not talking about the Submariner and Explorer II’s famously good looks – we’ll get there in a minute. Both timepieces have a pretty long history with Rolex, and over the years, they have been worn and beloved by many famous faces.The Submariner is famous for its James Bond appearances, author Ian Flemming writing, “He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex.” Over the years, Sean Connery’s 007 wore a Submariner ref. 6538 and Roger Moore sported a ref. 5513. And as one of the most popular Rolex models ever, we often see the Submariner sported today on the wrists of celebrities and dignitaries alike – whether they’re scuba divers or not.The Rolex Explorer II has graced its fair share of celebrities and famous explorers too. Hollywood actor, Jason Statham can frequently be spotted at red carpet events sporting a vintage ref. 1655 – the very first Explorer II reference. Meanwhile, Prince Harry prefers the modern version of the watch, and owns the 42mm Explorer II ref. 216570 with a white “Polar” dial.This is where the differences between the Submariner and the Explorer II become very apparent. First up, the Submariner has a colored unidirectional timing bezel that today is available in black, blue or green. And before Rolex started using modern, scratch-resistant Cerachrom (aka ceramic) bezels on the Submariner in 2007, it featured an aluminum bezel. The bezel is really one of the main selling points of this watch, as its color really adds some great personality to the wrist, and is one of the defining characteristics of the Rolex Submariner collection.The waterproof Oyster case on the Submariner clocks in at 40mm, and along with the bracelet, can be either constructed from Oystersteel (904L stainless steel), solid 18k yellow gold, or Rolesor (two-tone steel and gold). This is another big selling point for a lot of collectors, as the combinations of alloys and bezels really allow for a lot of style and creativity. And before I forget: the Submariner has always featured an Oyster bracelet, but in recent years was updated with the improved Glidelock clasp, which allows for tool-free adjustment for a perfect fit.
Frontal crystal is made of sapphire, the surface has a layer of anti-reflective coating that looks a little purple when seeing at a certain angle. This features on the replica is 100% the same as genuine. Black dial does not have special points, like other diving watches, it has a strong lume effect. See the dial lume picture below, you can see there are three different lume color on the dial. The skeletonized design of hour and minute hands is also my love about the replica. Central second hand has a red tip that just echoes with the red “Seamaster” lettering below OMEGA LOGO. I have to say the skeleton design of hands is a little similar to the feel which the bracelet gives to me.Finally it comes to the band, which is fully brushed stainless steel bracelet. I can not find a professional word to describe the bracelet, but actually I find its design perfectly matches the whole theme of the replica watch. I can not find any other bracelet on this watch that will have such a design similarity to its hands and bezel. Perhaps a vintage nato strap will also work fine.The bracelet looks a little loose on my wrist, but the watch body seems to be very nice, I love big watch.
On brown dial, each detail is very close to genuine, cream yellow Arabic hour markers are three-dimensional and plump. Blue steel hour and minute hands are wide, they are applied with luminous material, so are hour markers. The dial has a perfect lume effect at night. The Lume light is green and lasts for a long time. At 3 o’clock, date is displayed through a small square window, date font is white and has the correct thickness. More important, the date font is centered in the window, not too right or too left.Genuine IW327006 titanium watch is equipped with IW35111 in-house movement, which is actually developed from Swiss ETA 2892. The replica uses a Sea-Gull 2892, which has the same construction as ETA 2892, maybe the decoration on rotor and movement plate is different, but the watch has a solid case back, so I do not care the decoration, as long as it is stable. Absolutely if you do care about the subtle details, you can install one genuine ETA 2892 inside the replica by yourself, it is easy. The improved Sea-Gull 2892 movement of the replica has the same winding feel, its date adjusting direction is also correct.
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