The Explorer is my all time favourite watch…….this was a totally epic video Lucy 👌🏻. I think that you can wear the explorer in a dinner at the fanciest restaurant in the world or even at the top of a mountain, that for me is the charm of the Explorer.
Great video, Lucy. I have the very same OP. It's one of my favourite watches. When I first got it, I thought I would miss the mercedes hands, but I don't. The blue dial is great when it catches the sun. I have watches with the fold over clasp, but I the love the simplicity of the OP clasp even more. Fantastic watch. Great comparison.
Great vid Lucy, the newer OPs now have the easy link which brings them even closer in line, for me the newer size and shape bracelet on the Explorer makes the overall Watch look and feel too small now, exacerbated by the printed coronet and extra line of text on the dial.
yup I sold my older Explorer 36 ref 114270 for the same OP36 in the video with the 369 numerals, I actually like the OP significantly more than the Explorer, that sunburst blue dial is just a stunner!
I think the Explorer hype is justified, but I wish Rolex would make the blue 3/6/9 OP again. One thing I like about the Rolex clasp is the ability to just push on the end without the folding lock part and get it to pop up. I can't remember where I learned that trick, but it's useful if you don't want to dig your nails under to pop it up.
Fine video, & I actually got a notification from RU-vid this time too😁 OP for me, ok, I'm biased as I have a later 41mm version with the silver dual. Just love it's understated simplicity though.
Haha that's good to hear! RU-vid is finally doing its thing! Oh I do love the silver dial too. You're right! Its simplicity is what makes it so special.
Great video Lucy. I also own the OP 116000 with blue 369 dial. The Explorer is so cool, but the OP is a winner too. I would love to see a white dial 'polar' Explorer. That would shake it up.
Great video and channel. Your obsession shines through with the little details in you descriptions. As I have the same wrist size I’ve got a lot of the same tastes. So will definitely subscribe.. As to the matter at hand. I’ve got an explorer and previously had a day date. Now I’ve got a taste for the Mercedes handset with the pointed ends, it would be hard to go back to the more boring stick hands… (though I’d try it if they were sitting above a green lacquer OP dial… 😊)
I have the blue OP and am on the waiting list for the Explorer but I may just pass on it. Seeing them head to head makes me want to hang on to the OP. I adore the blue dial, applied crown at 12, the case shape and actually prefer the embossed clasp on it. It’s such a classy understated watch. I do like the Explorer but I think the OP is just that bit more versatile and with the 3-6-9 dial you’re getting a nice mix of the two. A lottery win would see me having both obviously!
I really like the blue dial on the OP (blue is my favorite color) but the stubby looking case is deal breaker for me. I also prefer the Mercedes hands on the Explorer. So my daily is the 114270 36mm Explorer.
Excellent video. I currently have both but looking to keep just the one… which one though?! It’s been a dilemma of mine for the last few weeks since I picked up my explorer. I’ve had my OP 369 (silver dial) for nearly 9 years. It’s been my daily wear and I love it. It can sometimes be difficult to read though due to the dial colour against the thin hands (mine is from 2014 and has the thinner hands in comparison to the chunkier stick hands that were added to the later 116000 models). I also really like the explorer as it’s very easy to read, better movement, easy fit clasp, better lume etc
Thank you! Ahhh see that is a tough decision. It depends what you want out of a watch! If there's no sentimental value to the OP, I'd probably suggest the Explorer as it really is the perfect boring watch. And you can actually tell the time clearly on it 😂
when you service the OP, they can replace it with the thicker hands so you can view the time easier.i do like the steel on steel look...very masculine imo
@@TheWatchBoxDiaries I consider it more tool watch than the oyster perpetual! the blue dial is very nice but i prefer it on a dress watch! But that's just my opinion!
I have the Explorer, was considering getting my girlfriend the blue 369 Air King as a his and hers type thing. But she’s probably going to go with a 31mm mint green DJ now, as she does have very small wrists and I got the mint 36mm DI just this week, so we’ll still have nerdy matching his and hers watches☺️
OP for me. Never seen the point of the Explorer. Rolex’s blue dials are the best blue dial out there for the money imo. VC Overseas is out of my budget! 😂 P.S. love the new hair. I’m impressed with myself for even noticing!
😂 not the response I was expecting! But one I'm happy about! But I'm there with you on the Overseas! 😍 Why thank you! I'll tell you a secret though. It's not actually 'new' hair. I'm just WAY overdue a hairdresser appointment and it's gone blonde 🙈😂
The Explorer is obviously the better watch 🙄 joking aside, I think they're both great choices and you definitely wouldn't go wrong picking either of these as your "one and done" watch collection!
I've been comparing these 2 for ages. the OP has a prettier dial, but the explorer has a better bracelet with micro-adjustment. My brain tells me to go with the explorer but my heart says OP. One of these will be my next pick up.
I’m confused, doesn’t the OP also have the 5mm easy link extension and the 3 micro adjustment points spaced 2mm apart that you need a tool for to set? As far as I knew, the only difference is the slightly more secure fold over clasp lock on the Explorer
Rolex have upgraded the OP bracelet to include better adjustment but as this one is older and discontinued it only has the micro adjustable spacers that you need tools for.
@@TheWatchBoxDiaries @lihanou on the fly would be great. The easylink is better than nothing, but 5mm is often too much and I wish Rolex would just use a shortened glide lock system in all their watches. 6 or 8mm of adjustment in 2mm increments would be amazing and would’ve require a clasp as large as on the submariner. Maybe tudor is paving the way with their T-Fit. I hope the BB 58 gets upgraded with it as well.
What about comparing the explorer with the latest OP model? I beleiv the latest OP has the easylink and same movement. Seems like the biggest diffrentiator for exploerer now is the dial with the indicies design, the handset, and the oysterlock. Is that right?
The jubilee is one of the best bracelets out there. So insanely comfortable. That's a tough choice! DJ is smarter, OP is a good all rounder and the Explorer is a little more tool watch looking. So I guess it depends on what you're wanting!
Yes! Another itty-bitty-wrist-committee member!!👏 I'm right there with you! 36mm with a strong case is such a good size for most people! Thanks so much for watching!
Even though I've a Ex1 homage from @A1watch the OP is for my money a blue version of the Explorer with better hands, never a mecedes fan. The very cheapest way to get an Explorer btw is to import from Japan, even with tax you can pick one up for about £4, I've noticed smile dial Tudors out there for about a G too.....
Nice video and great work thank you for bring a excellent comparator and i thing that 36 ml is too small and the 39 is so perfect but the op got a beautiful dial i can't choose one i stay with both in the 39 mil
Great comparison Lucy. For me personally, having handled both, the Explorer would be my choice. With its better movement and bracelet construction, and that classic explorer dial.
The OPs are gorgeous too, but I love my Explorer. I just really really hate that aggressive taper and dainty 14mm clasp. The bigger your wrist, the longer the bracelet, tye more noticable it is. It makes no sense to me and should have been reserved for a smaller 34mm watch. All the 36mm OP/DJ/DD have bigger clasps, so why not the only “tool watch” in the 36mm lineup? This goes to show that Rolex perhaps truly does not want people to change straps and is therefore putting the spring bars closer to the case and making the edges on the lugs sharper on recent designs, so that aftermarket straps either won’t fit or will be chewed up. Also, i had to buy a bunch of new 19mm nato straps. They work, if they aren’t too thick.
The point of the video is to highlight the small differences as they can appear very similar at first glance. If this isn't your cup of tea then you can find lots of other videos on other channels 👌
