I love your review showing and explaining in depth the gmt complication on this watch is what sets you apart from 99% of watch reviewers. And Zelos seem like a lot of value for money brand I can't decide between the world timer or try my luck with some of their older 24h GMT watches that they stopped selling like Mako 3.
Thanks. I had to learn how this type of watch worked and wanted to share it, so people would have it easier to understand them. The brand is great, and so are their watches. You'd be really happy with any of them. The Mako 3 seems like a great option if you only need to check two or three timezones while traveling. It's a really compelling option if you find one.
It's a mustard ridge. You can find one at Watchgecko. Here's a version: www.watchgecko.com/products/watchgecko-ridge-military-nylon-watch-watch-strap-yellow
Hi Mario. I can fully relate to this, and from my own experience, can see exactly where you’re coming from. I really do hope you manage to hold on to it though, and use it as your daily. From your videos I can see how much it means to you and how much you appreciate the design of the explorer. I know opinion is not important, but I’d say take it to the mountains, swimming and other adventures like you have been and continue to make memories. In a world where everything these days seems to be disposable or upgradable, mechanical watches are one of the last things that we own that can last a lifetime with servicing. One day in many years to come, I’m sure you’ll hold your explorer and link all of all the good memories to it… as we know, nothing in life is perfect, even the certified -2 +2 seconds isn’t perfect… so what’s an extra second or 2 my friend. Enjoy it for what it is. Thank you for the superb videos, by far my favourite and most relatable vids and most of the explorer I’ve found. All the best
Thanks a lot @sebstall for your words. As a matter of fact, I've pretty much decided to keep it unless I need the money should things not straighten up soon. As you suggest, I've been wearing through the summer to many places, including mountains, exploring and travelling. It's really a greater watch than I expected, despite its shortcomings. There's kind of a magic in this watch that I can't really point the finger on. This said, I will make a video about it.
Thanks, I appreciate your insights. I was also looking at the Christopher Ward, but the price has kept me on the sidelines, even though I also believe it is a superior product (it's out of my price range). I would prefer that the Aviera had a date function, but at the price point I am leaning to acquiring it.
Yes, the CW is superior and if you like that one, it will not disappoint, but yes, it's more expensive. I think the black version would be the one to go too. I also think the CW is more versatile and wearable given the slimness of the watch. On the other hand I don't really miss the date on the Aviera, but that might just be me :)
Thanks for commenting, but let me unpack a bit, so I can explain my perspective and intention here. Actually, I'm not comparing as "field" watches per se, but as adventure, exploring watches. I mean, civil made watches to alleged exploration and adventures in the mountain, travelling, caves, crossing rivers, glaciers and the like. On the other hand, I think the Explorer is not a "great" GADA, as it's not really designed to go to any place. For exploration and true adventure, it's a bit out of place. While it can do it, for certain, it's not the intention of the watch. It's more of an EDC watch instead. The Summiteer is more of a GADA watch, or even the Alpinist. The third thing is that I'm comparing watches that I owned at the moment of comparison. While it's true I had a Hamilton Khaki Field automatic, I sold it long ago. I have recently bought a Benrus 3061. This one is a great "field" watch but in my humble opinion it's not the best for exploration, as it has important shortcomings, specially water resistance. Still one of my favorite watches and worth talking about it in a future video. I short, I tried to compare four watches that I currently own that somehow resemble or are linked to the Explorer and or the "exploring" lore. Of course, there are a lot of watches that could also be compared here, but the video would surely be way too long :)
@@TheWatchFrame Now I see that our definition of GADA differs. I also did not understand that it was based on your current watches. My interruption of GADA, adds the ability to wear it in a dressed up situation as well. The Explorer add some polish, along with brushed finish. It has the ability to go to the field ,as well as, fit under a dress shirt, with a sports jacket. For my personal travels, that include, hunting, fishing, diving and places I sometimes don’t want to drawn attention to myself, I tend to choose a less expensive watch, brushed finish, easy to read dials and with a date (personal preference), or a G-Shock. For general travel and light field use, I like the new black lacquer Aqua Terra. Another, is the very inexpensive, great field watch, the Bodrrey Voyager. Thankfully there are choices that fit everyone’s needs and wrist size.
@@uncles2000 sure, the Explorer is a great watch, and as a watch by itself, it will reveal itself in the video I'm preparing. There are, as you say, a lot of options fit for many purposes. Thanks for the recommendations.
This is the 3rd or 4th time I’m watching your Explorer video! Great video, great action shots of the watch and I can’t wait to get it in a few years! Thanks friend!
I'd keep it. How often would it need servicing? Maybe 1x every 10yrs and your brother in law can significantly reduce that cost. Use your other watches for the adventures. That said I completely understand the point of feeling too nervous to use the the thing (watch, car etc) there has to be a sweet spot of cost to benefit to translate to enjoyment. Anyway keep up the good work man
Gracias. No recuerdo el envío, pero no suele ser mucho. Sobre los veinte y pico euros (si es que lo cobraban, que me quiere sonar que sí) y de aduanas la cosa anduvo en torno a los 130 euros. Creo que no llegaba a esa cifra.
Great review, really detailed and unbiased. Great camera work too. One question please, although it has female end links, the second link in the middle of the bracelet sticks out slightly. What is the effective lug to lug taking this into account?
Which watch would you take with you if you were going on a long trek such as the Appalachian Trail or Spain's Santiago de Compostela? One watch for months, on the go, weight is too tight to to carry extra straps and such
Well, good question. I guess it all depends. My first thought is towards the Summiteer. It is a worryless watch with a reliable movement, easy to adjust on the fly with the bracelet, and not out of place in any situation. Very light, on par with the Explorer. The Explorer is more comfortable, though. The other option would be the Ranger on a single pass strap, maybe with just another one to change every once and then, an elegant looking one, but not with the bracelet. Although you can easily adjust the bracelet, it might be just a bit too much of a weight for such long periods wearing it. It would withstand anything, but I'd try to make it as light as possible with, as mentioned, using a single pass strap.
@@TheWatchFramethe budget friendly approach has great merit. I think I’d be interested in the idea of a more iconic watch being along for the adventure of a lifetime would be cool to say that it was your “***** watch” Maybe the Ranger cause the Explorer might be too risky.
@@F15ACC2001 sure. That's a very good point, and I've been considering it since my first answer. Either the Explorer or the Ranger would surely work. The idea to attach memories to the pieces. Right now, I'm going to the mountain and the Ranger will be the one I'm carrying.
Why is a 39 diameter watch larger than a 41? The last thresher was a 43 but it was larger than a 44 dia Hammerhead 2. I am confused. Great video by the way.
Well, it's not larger. It looks larger, maybe because of the bezel of the Thresher. What I mean is that being 41 doesn't really appear to wear too large or anything.
Awesome video, I do agree with others that point out the disproportionate low scores for the explorer. On scratch resistance 1 should be solid 18kt gold 10 being sinn tegimented steel. Legibility was also disproportionate. The only place it deserved the low low score is the lug hole placement. While I agree with your views the actual scoring was disproportionate. The reason for this is probably proportional to how you feel scratching a watch that price and the high expectations. That leaves us with the old problem of diminishing returns above 2 or 3k priced watches. Great video!
Sure. You can add three or four points to the scratch resistance, but the fact is that it's not really scratch resistant at all. It is the opposite. And the opposite of what you would expect from this type of watch. I even managed to scratch it with my plastic calipers. Maybe the steel of my unit is even softer. I don't know :D. About legibility, I stand by it. If you have good sight, it's ok to average. But with certain light conditions and will all the shininess inside, including the dial, and the bold branding, can be really difficult. That is not the case with the other three watches. It could be a two or three. Maybe, but this is an adventure watch, and being the way it is, maybe as you say about the diminishing returns, seems like a sin to me. The strap-ability is very bad. Very, very bad, and the 19mm, something that really bothers me a lot. And all of that seems weird in an "exploring" watch, unless it's not really conceived to be us such. But I love this watch. And as a watch, is way better than I expected. Even as an adventure watch even. So good is it in general.
Have you tried the solar powered gshock g5600ue-1jf? I feel like for exploration, this is the complete and perfect watch. It is aesthetically pleasing as well.
Most of my mountaineering years have been while wearing a Casio DW310 from my childhood that I still have. And it's still working. I also got a couple of Casio G5600 one with battery, the NASA approved and the one I use when I really need a beater, and a solar one that now belongs to one of my kids. The problem with these watches is that I can read them easily because of my poor eyesight. I need hour and minute hands. Other than that, these are the true best exploring watches.
I, too, am a huge fan of the look of the Explorer. But to my mind, the value of a Rolex is not there. On a lark, I decided to order the $60 Pagani PD-1692, which is a close copy of the Explorer with a Seiko-made NH-35A movement. As a test, I felt it was easy to spend the $60 to see how I liked the watch. As it turned out, I LOVE the PD-1692. The case, bracelet, build quality and time keeping of the NH35A totally won me over. I am quite pleased and. fully satisfied with the Pagani Explorer copy. Awesome watch and a truly incredible value! I would buy this watch again in a heartbeat.
Thanks for commenting. It is true that the Explorer is overpriced but mainly because of the brand Rolex. Taking the brand aside, the watch is worth well around 4.000-5.000 euros easily. The movement is simply awesome and the finishing unbelievable. But that's price, not value. We give value to our watches. I'm very happy with the Explorer despite its flaws, but also I really enjoy the Addiedive Rolex 1016 direct design copy, that, on the other hand, allows me to have a glimpse of what the true Explorer, the 1016, could feel like. We find nice watches in all price points and of all natures.
Fantastic review!!! Personal, honest. Been honest I don’t like how it looks on you. Looks so tiny. But… in your wife wrist looks amazing. Your video help me to decide to buy it to my wife. I’m not sarcastic. I was very eskeptical about buy it to her and now It’ll be her next birthday gift. Thanks and congrats for your amazing video.
Thanks a lot. Glad you like the video. I've gotten used to smaller watches, maybe because I'm a bit vintage and I look the classic look of this size of watches back in the day when 36 was kind of a jumbo size. So much so, it's really hard to go back to normal 40mm and bigger sizes, except for divers. No I have a 39,5mm Benrus that I really like although the larger size, and the Tudor Ranger, also 39, but I wish it was 36 or 37 the most. The Explorer looks good on my wife, but her size is more around 30 to 34 in the most. Now she's wearing a Swiss Army our brother-in-law gave us, which is quartz. It's a diver style watch and that size really does look spot on her. But she's been wearing 36mm for some time. Hope your wife enjoys the Explorer. It is so comfortable, and for you, give it a try once in a while. It takes a few days to really understand the appeal of this size.
As a tough adventure watch, the Ranger is awesome. It also works as a one watch to own, but there I will make a comparison too and things change a bit. The Explorer is a great watch, only not that well adapted to adventure as one would have thought. Enjoy your Ranger!
I am about 9 months into my ownership of my Addiesdive AD2123-1 quartz Everest homage and, unlike you, I am still absolutely delighted with it. I would recommend this watch to everyone due to its beauty, perfect size and amazing accuracy (+1sec/week). I find it amusing that you mention the "scratched Rolex problem" which is due to 904 steel being softer than 316. Funny how rolex never mentions this.... The reason that people have not mentioned your watch is that everyone, EVERYONE assumes it is a fake!
Sorry but your views are only based on aesthetics because the Explorer is more robust than those others. Sure, it scratches easier, but it can take a beating better
Actually, I try to take the aesthetic away from the considerations, because the Explorer is the most beautiful watch of the bunch, for me at least. I will tackle the capacity to endure in the other comparison I'm working on, where I compare the watch not as an exploring tool, but as a watch by itself.
@@tab3Gator that is a good point. To be fair, this is going to be central when talking of the watch by itself, in the other video I'm working on. I have the feeling, totally unscientific of course, and probably flawed, that the difference of endurance is marginally better with the Explorer but that other modern movements are very resistant too. Couldn't quantify as I have had no issues with either and have used and abused some movements of some of my watches, being humble, vintage or modern. From the perspective of pure adventure, which can take somewhere from a few days to a couple of months at the most, any movement with a good case I think is going to endure. That is the reason, too, I wanted to highlight some aspects of the Explorer, like the power reserve and the resistance against magnetism. But to be honest, you have a very good point there. I hope to give more weight to the next video's conclusion, taking all your great feedback!
Great video 👍and I agree with your sentiments about the explorer. I guess wealth is realtive, but with Tudor and many brands out there, why would you mountaineer with an explorer in todays age?-I got offered the 36 explorer in april by my AD but went with a slightly dressier silver dial OP which ticks more boxes for me. My hiking/camping watch is my Citizen PMD56-2951 - hardened titanium case, 40mm, domed sapphire, perpetual calander with day and date, its quartz, but solar and it deviates about 1sec a month so its like a HAQ.
I have a real SUB but I also bought one of these replicas from amzwatch for piece of mind if I go to another country or if I am doing activities that can damage the watch. I don't see anything wrong with that.
Its the weird yellow-green colour for me. Got offered one few years ago- nice watch, really liked the boxy crystal and how the hands caught light, but i would go for the first gen, if only they made that in 37mm with the master chronometer movement..
The price as new is too high. I agree. I don't mind the printed indices, actually I like them like that as a tool watch. As a forma everyday watch maybe not that much.
Nice comparison. I had the black 36 Summiteer. It was so comfortable on bracelet. I sold it too but the blue one, but the blue one’s bracelet had some sharp edges. So I ended up selling the blue one despite enjoying the dial color lots
I guess the QC is not as consistent with these watches. I have two Traskas and the bracelets are good in both, but there are, for instance, more lume in the Sandstone hour hand than in the Black version.
I guess not. That said, I reached out to Traska with pics and they said they believed the bracelet was not a QC issue. Having had a number of Traska watches, I think it was QC. I’ll be checking out their updated Summiteer though😊
@@anthonyjack1859 I had this issue with one of the on the fly adjustment clasps I got for my Traskas. One of them worked flawlessly, while the other was a bit hard to close. It has solved itself after some time, but nothing changes the fact that one of them was a bit stiff at the beginning. I guess this can happen with other things. Having had a lot of bracelets from Traska and all very comfortable, it stands within possible that one of them is too sharp, but well. These things happen in the best of families.
Great comparisons and I really agree with the importance of each of the categories. As a fellow Explorer owner, I agree 100% about the Explorer not being the most convenient adventuring watch…in my collection, the Hamilton Khaki has taken it’s place as it is less blingy, lighter and far easier to replace if ever lost (heaven forbid!). And yes, my eyes are also getting older and legibility isn’t the best on the Explorer in all lighting conditions. Whenever I go for a hike, a run and I’m not 100% sure I’ll be in a “watch comfortable” situation, I prefer to strap on the Hamilton Khaki Field that I feature in many of my videos. Thank you for the enjoyable video, Mario.
Thanks a lot. To take the Khaki field really makes sense. It's not like you don't have to be careful, but it hits the right balance of taking care of oneself and the watch.
I'd make a few more changes. I'd use white color for the numerals, polished bezel and drilled lugs. With 36 or 37, it would be awesome and probably perfect.
A very beautiful video and review of four lovely watches. Your experience with the watches and ability to directly compare creates very valuable information for us enthusiasts. Thank you 🙏
Very well made video, again. I do think we have almost the exact same taste in watches, kind of a mix between vintage and modernized field/explorer watches which easily both can be dressed up, but also possible to "explore" the mountains with. I am also a big fan of vintage dress watches, especially Omega's. Would that be something you possibly have thought of diving into?:)
Other category contenders ?: CW63 36 or 39(?)mm - adjustable clasp, good lume, natos no problem, all brushed; Hamilton Jazzmaster 34mm or 38mm& 40mm - anti magnetic but needs more lume ( i need to trest mine more), haven't used natos, all brushed (95%!), luckily (?) good fit with butterfly clasp.
Great video. You are so right that there is no such thing as a perfect watch. Once you think you found “the one” either your taste changes or it will be short lived. I am currently on the waiting list for the 36mm Black Summiteer. It has that classic explorer design but yet still it’s own thing. I love all the watches in your comparison. Cheers!
I think a lot of people have underestimated the newest Tudor Ranger. When it first came out I underestimated it for sure. I listened to way too many reviews that were saying a lot of negative things about it. I'd never had the chance to try one on and when I did all those negatives reviews just went away. It truly is a field watch in the best possible ways. I've owned mine now for almost 2 years and find it hard to swap out with my other watches (Omega, Tudors, etc.).
I was waiting for this video. Very interesting comparison. I kept the Explorer and the Alpinist, too. They are all great watches and each one is something special... Greetings!
The alpinist is such a beauty, i ignored it to my peril lol but the sarb017 has shot up in price as they are getting harder to get. I would keep it forever.
If you are going to score the Explorer 1/10 for scratch resistance you must in turn mark the other watches 1/10 for corrosion resistance as that is only fair. Rolex swapped over to 904L steel in the late eighties as many of their watches previously made of 316L steel were showing signs of corrosion, particularly under the bezels and where the end links meet the watch case. You see this a lot on watches over 20 years old that are worn as daily watches in all environments. Overall Rolex think the 904L steel leads to better longevity for the watch so to score it down for its scratch resistance doesn’t make sense, it will outlast the other watches. It will have more scratches but it won’t be corroding in these vulnerable areas.
Thanks for the feedback. That might be something to reconsider with the scoring, but it's really really soft, to the extreme. I guess there could be other solutions in this case. On the other hand I have had a lot of vintage 316L steel watches with no issues whatsoever. I think it's more important to take care and washing them after contact with salty water. And I do that with the Explorer too.
@@TheWatchFrame Grade 904L stainless steel and Grade 316L stainless steel score 130 and 150 on the Vickers hardness scale respectively so Grade 316 is 15.38% harder. I’m an engineer sorry 😅 so you should have scored the Rolex 8.5 if you are scoring the other watches 10, there is no logic in what you’ve done, I mean that with respect. The Vickers scale is a linear scale so that would be the correct scoring.
@@Anonymouslyme1 you are probably right. However I address the durability of the watch in the other video I'm preparing comparing the Explorer to the others as pure watches to own :) Thanks for your input. I really appreciate and have learned a lot.
If he scored the watches for corrosion resistance, then yeah, maybe. Could also score it a 10/10 for attention seeking, but that wasn’t a category so keep it moving…I own an explorer and a ranger, and I will agree with this review, especially on the Scratch Resistance aspect. Polished 904L gets scratched reaching into my soft sweatpants pockets, my ranger purchased 7/19/22 looks better than my explorer I got back from rsc for a full service including polishing ($1100…) in October of 2023. Ranger is a daily wear and the explorer is basically a drawer dweller now because I legit like the ranger so much more…and I LOVE my explorer. I just feel like I’m always watching out for the explorer to not get scratched (I also chipped my sapphire crystal in three places prior to servicing) but with my ranger, I need to watch out for whatever could get damaged when my wrist smacks into it.
So, you didn't end up selling your Explorer, or did you purchase it back! Great comparison, and great video as always. If they made the ranger in 36, I'd sell my explorer. I love the ranger, but 39 is just too big IMO - And i have a 7 In wrist. I like the smaller sizes for hiking and everyday wear.
I love the Ranger, I own one. I agree it's too big. I got a San Martin "homage" to wear daily and they nailed the proportions. Available in 38mm and 36mm.
Excellent video as always. Love your channel. We have similar tastes in watches. I have two that I would love to get your opinion on. The Wolbrook Outrider no date and the Nezumi Terrain. I have the Wolbrook amd really like it, the Nezumi is in my short list.
I'm going to try to keep the Explorer and this will be more clear with the video comparing it as a watch by itself. The Ranger is awesome, but, besides true true hard exploration, the Explorer hits the mark. Even if the Ranger was smaller, I think in some regards it's more toolish than elegant.
@@DennisBible I don't have direct experience with the Wolbrook but generaly I'm attracted to them. In this case, however, I personally don't like the hour hand and having a date, while the Nezumi looks more vintage and classic. I have the Nezumi Aviera and it's really well design. But the specs of the Wolbrook are impresive. I got two straps from the brand, and the quality is superb.
Really appreciate this honest video. Was thinking of getting the Traska Summiteer as well. But I assume it's not as accurate as the Explorer or do you find it's fairly close?
Thanks. Well, of course, the Summiteer is not as accurate, but keep in mind that the Explorer is "Superlative chronometer" which means it can range from -2 to +2 seconds a day, currently running around +0,5 - 1 seconds a day if not right without any gain or loss many days (combining wearing it during the day and face up during the night). My Traskas can run from anywhere from +1 to +8 a day, depending on, but I have had a lot of experience with this 9xxx series movement and they are pretty reliable solid movements. The Summiteer is somewhat regulated by Traska, but, at the same time, they are pretty simple to adjust, so I usually don't worry too much as I don't really expect the level of accuracy in these watches that I do expect from something costing 12 times more. As a matter of fact, this gives me some peace of mind I don't get from the Explorer or the Ranger. The more you pay, the more you expect from them, but +1 to +8 from a 600 Euros watch, is quite good. Actually pretty good.
@@TheWatchFrameThat accuracy in a Traska is actually pretty good. They are beautiful watches too. I would feel terrible banging up an Explorer (and would naturally be more careful with it) but I wouldn’t feel I’d need to watch myself carefully wearing the Traska. Maybe a good reason to get the Traska then
@@Newsthink of course. I have been using the Traska in the mountain, no worries at all. If I take something more expensive, like the Ranger, then I'm usually more careful. The problem with the Explorer is that I worry more for the watch than of myself, thus not a good policy... :D
In case Eddie is still checking out recent comments to this video, just know that it cost you yet another potential customer. I will never spend money with a company that treats customers in such a disrespectful manner.
Now it seems his son is in charge of the store, as it seems Eddie is having some health issues. I really hope the customer support has improved, but I have no clue about it. And while I will not buy from this shop again, I also hope Eddie gets better.
After more time considering, I no longer have things as clear as I thought. As an adventure watch, the most logical option is the Ranger. As a watch by itself, able to take something else to the mountain, I'd say the Explorer.
@@relosapulso again, I actually don't know what will do if I have to sell one. I hope to keep both, but at the same time there's a chance I have to sell both, so you never know. Lately I'm moving towards the Explorer 36 because of the size and how comfortable it is. But as a watch for everyday use, in rough situations too, the Ranger is the wise decission.
