The (Almost) Perfect Rolex! Explorer 214270 

“Sized up for Mr X who’s wrist is pretty much the same as mine” ... yes Jody.. Mr X.. wink wink

Jody keeps claiming he is not Mr X. It's OK,we won't tell your wife.

I prefer the styling of this one over the subbie. Still waiting on the wall clock review.

I really appreciate your sensibility Jody. Its crazy how swept we get up in the hobby and find it so easy to justify hundreds let alone thousands for these things, when really the curve of diminishing returns is so huge. As someone who deliberates for months over a 200 quid purchase, yet find myself spending hours a week looking at pieces over thousands, we all need a slap in face for some perspective more often than not

Cool video! For a few years I was looking at the Explorer (post 2016 version) but when I finally put one one, to my surprise, it didn't wow me in person. I then started looking at Tudor and ended up getting the Northflag which has become my main watch. It turns out its everything I want in a watch and more (sporty but can be worn with a suit plus with a unique character all it's own including the yellow on the dial and power reserve of 70 hours).

Love love the explorer. The perfect balance of simplicity, style, elegance, and sportiness. Someday I'll get my dream watch 😣

"Is it made in space by unicorns?" Made my day and got me to hit that subscribe button. Love the Explorer, but that price though... Cheers!

Hey, Jody. You've been improving the shots you get of the watches. In this case, I loved the part from 11:32 to 11:53. Wow! That second "half-light" shot was something I want to see more in your channel. As always, thanks for sharing. Greetings from Colombia.

For a basic three hander, I just can’t stop looking at mine. Price is crazy but you are rewarded with something quite special. There is something about it as an object that draws your eye towards it far more often than necessary. I was on the fence about the bezel but the flat profile gives it a butch stance which looks just right. Best part for me (and it doesn’t always come through in videos) is the crystal sitting a couple of mil proud above the bezel - it really adds to the visual impact of the piece. Bracelet is a dream to wear and looks incredible as well. Mine has resisted scratches pretty well and I’ve already smacked it about something fierce on holiday last week - looks pretty much pristine bar some dulling on the bottom edge of the case; even the clasp looks fresh. Bezel is still clean as a whistle. If you like it - I don’t think you will regret dropping the money on it. I don’t.

“....borrow it from Mr. X !” Spoken like a true Scotsman 😉👍.

The only Rolex I truly love, I missed the intro while making a brew when I came back and started watching I saw the watch on your wrist and thought yes!! He wearing the self build lol but sadly not....great vid though mate really enjoyed it and I've got to say even the my homemade version of this watch is so so comfortable and buttery smooth on wrist I absolutely love the size and design of it it's perfect. I had this on a nato when I first built it as I never thought I'd be a bracelet kind of guy but it changes the watch completely on a bracelet and makes it wear larger than it is I wouldn't have it on anything else now ever!! Top vid Jody 👍 Kinda hoping you do one on the DIY version...

Thank you for doing this review! The Explorer is one of the most elegant and original watches out there and one of my many grails. Keep up the great work on your channel, I always enjoy your reviews!

Think you summed the Explorer up extremely well. Very comfortable and one of the most under the radar Rolex you can own.

I have a few niggles with the 214270 , it could be visually more balanced if Rolex would use the bezel of the Oyater Perpetual 39. Also it could be 0.5 or 1 mm smaller for a more classic look...while I find the 36 mm Explorer a bit small, I find the 39 sometimes a bit large on my flat 7 inch wrist. The 39 mm case actually wears more like a 40 or 41 mm. Also its not really made for use with leather or nato straps. The distance between the spring bars and the case is too small, which makes use of bent spring bars necessary, otherwise the case damages your straps instantly. On the other hand, fit, feel and finish of the case is top and way beyond more affordable alternative. The bracelet and clasp are easily the best on the market.

Completely agree with you Jody. The Explorer 214270 is almost the perfect watch. It flies under the radar, yet can be used as a sports watch or a dress watch. If your going to own just one watch, the Explorer 214270 is the one watch to own.

Spot on Jody - An excellent review and as an Explorer 214270 owner for the last 12 months I have to say you absolutely nailed it with your views and comments. Thing is, it is expensive................but the owning experience is brilliant, so you soon forget what you paid! Cheers Noel

I went to get this and came out with the new datejust 41, I got the smooth bezel black dial and oyster bracelet, they look incredibly similar however you get the 70 hour power reserve a date complication and it looks a bit flashier for the money! Nice review👍🏻

'Is it made in space by unicorns???' :D Made my day!

I have a ceramic sub , two tone datejust and must say my 36mm explore is my favourite out the three , there’s just something about it I really do love it.

The explorer is the most comfortable watch I have ever worn. It get super humid here in HK and the 5mm adjustment works great. I would never change the bracelet.

I have an Explorer, the only thing I think that could be a touch better is the dial. It's not as richly black as some of the other dials from Rolex. The dial on the current GMT2s for example are a black lacquer and it is a deeper/richer black than the Expy. The expy kinda goes a little off colour at some angles and is more matte but just not as black as some of the dials. I love the watch, I bet when it's replaced it gets the new 70hr movement and also a deeper black dial but aside from that looks the same.

We picked up one in the UK last night pre-owned but new from a collector, but an Explorer II 16570 with the Black face from an estate of a collector during the night for 5K AUD plus delivery & insurance that will be another $150, original papers & box that has just been serviced. Looks amazing with the Silver Bezel, great value probably worth about 7-8K here right now, but we buy to keep & collect. So you can get some great deals around on a Rolex on the preowned market. Also got an Oyster Perpetual Date which is similar for $3500 again with the Black face which is very close to this but a 37mm I think from memory (if is. a gift our daughter got for someone to celebrate a milestone).

Great video! I am a huge fan of the Rolex Explorer, in all its versions and iterations! I did want to point out one detail about the price check you did on chrono24...there are two different 214270 references. When Rolex announced the release of the 39mm Explorer reference 214270, it had solid white gold non-lumed 3-6-9-numerals, and they used the same hour and minute hands from the 36mm version. This made the numerals hard to see from time to time, and the hands created a watch that sort of looked out of proportion somehow (at least in my opinion). In 2016 they released an updated version, with larger hands and the 3-6-9-numerals were now fully lumed! However, they did not change the reference! That is why you can find such a wide range of prices when you search "Rolex Explorer 214270" online, because the price could be referring to either one of the two watches. I happen to think that the current version, with the lumed numerals, and the larger hands, is the way to go, which Mr. X seems to agree with, seeing as that's the one being reviewed in the video. Anyway, I love the watch, and I loved the video, thanks for the review!!

Another fine review and video Jody. Thanks for taking the time to create this video. Nice work! Ed

Great video! I love this watch but I think I love the Omega AT (the almost Skyfall version) a little bit more!

Subtle elegance, not overstated. Unicorn craftsmanship. Amazing watch

Thanks for another great vid Jody. The explorer is my personal favorite watch and one I will actively try and save up for to buy. Used of course ha. The 1016 is my favorite version but the prices are insane. I know you prefer the 39mm but for me it’s gotta be 36. I think it just suits the watch better. Plus those don’t seem to cost AS much...

When you started with ‘the one problem I have with the Explorer..’ I thought you were going to say ‘the lume’! 😎

Jody another great review! I’m afraid that if I were to take the plunge and get myself this fantastic three hand offering from Rolex I’d not be purchasing anything else, as this watch is practically perfect. Can be worn with a rubber strap for the beach, on a NATO for casual use, on a bracelet for more sporty feel up to a sport coat or on a nice leather strap for formal occasions, so why have another watch?.....only other timepiece that offers this kind of versatility is the Omega Aqua Terra. So the choice is a difficult one now.

Agree with your comments, bought last Christmas as a present to myself. I would never put it on a nato strap, the bracelet makes the Explorer the most comfortable of the 20 watches I own!

Easily my favourite Rolex. Thank you for such an excellent review Jody :)

I have watched this fabulous review maybe 20 times over the last (almost) two years. I owned the No date sub 114060. The sub believe it or not was so blingy I felt it had eyes watching it every time I wore it and not in a good way. Thus the reason I sold it and switched to the understated Explorer. It’s been three years now missing the Sub and I’m back watching Jody’s review trying to convince myself to keep it or re-purchase the 114060 since I can get one preowned Mint for 10k full kit. secondary prices are going through the roof. I may not be able to afford one in the Future used and forget trying to buy the new one from an AD. I’m torn. Thanks for space to vent. Cheers!

Great review Jody, very well presented indeed! Just got one for my 50th. Love it. Keep up the good work sir

Haha. Wore mine on the bracelet for 2 days. Only because i was waiting for my rubber strap to come in! Leather ad NATOs are awesome too. Been thinking about sampling the bracelet again though.

Great and complete video, really love the simplicity on the dial. Can I ask you where did you buy the automatic GMT wall clock behind you? It’s still working? Thanks!

Great review Jodie. Love the macro shots, hope you are incorporating more of those shots in future reviews. Keep it up son!

This was my grail until I tried on the Omega Railmaster Denim. That is a lot more comfortable on my 8.25 inch wrist.

I was hoping to see you review the Explorer! Thought about getting one many times. It's just about perfect, I agree. Beautiful piece, very much under the radar. For the price, I'd probably go for the older Polar Explorer II 16570 in 40mm though. Gives you a date and a GMT complication. Cheers!

Actually I think the unicorns in space who make these watches are easier to find than a lot of the steel Rolex watches at the minute. Maybe owning a cosmic unicorn would be fun...

Love your channel man ! Keep up the good work !

This is my favorite Rolex. The 39mm with the lumed numbers is great. I remember a few years ago nobody would even consider a new Explorer and now it's popular because it's hard to get a hold of the more popular sports models. No way would I take it off the original bracelet, it looks to good with it.

Bought an Explorer 3 years ago and love it. Your review was spot on. Also live north of Boston so I love your shirt too. If you can comment on where the wall clock comes from that would be great. Just subscribed to your channel. Thanks!

Picked this up earlier this year as my first Rolex. Love it! I’d have this as a single watch collection.

Hey, that GMT clock behind you looks amazing. You should review it and tell us where to get 1 from. 👌🏼👍🏼

Fantastic watch. I was sad to send it back when I reviewed it... I can recommend the Tudor Black Bay 36 or Glamour Date Day (more dressy) for anyone looking for a similar watch but that's cheaper. :) Great video as always.

This and an Omega Speedmaster would be my perfect 2 watch collection

Nice review, Jody. Bringing the review up to date, i.e. 2024, I begin with the adage "size matters". I typically wear my neo-vintage GMT-Master which, at 40mm (or possibly a smidge under), fits my 6.5" wrist to perfection. I find that sport watches larger than 40mm appear a bit chunky or clunky for my smallish wrist. Wanting to add another Rolex to my one-watch collection, I set my sights on the venerable Explorer. I bought the 36mm 124270, to remain true to the historic Explorer size, but before too long it just felt and looked too small even for my smallish wrist. I suppose that happens when you're used to 40mm as your daily wear. I was luckily able to quicky trade it for the 39mm Explorer and, wow, what a difference 3mm makes. (It's actually more than 3mm, since the case diameter on the "36mm" 124270 actually measures closer to 35.5.) If you're used to wearing a 40+mm sports watch, and enjoy the wrist presence of that case size, there's a pretty good chance you'll find the 36mm Explorer noticeably small. Having said that, I appreciate from the many posts that 36mm is the preferred choice for many, even larger-wristed folks. To those on the fence, I'd say, go for the now-discontinued 39mm on the secondary market, or the newest 40mm Explorer, to avoid potential disappointment. I took a pass on the current 40mm because of its other dimensions, namely the slightly heavier and thicker (albeit shorter) case but, more notably, the 21mm lug width and correspondingly wider bracelet compared to the 39 Explorer. My 6.5" wrist doesn't do well with the added girth of bracelets wider than 20mm at the lug and correspondingly so at the clasp.

I've been a hip hop fan all my life lol but because people like you I'm a watch enthusiast! (All hip hop artists have the best pateks , a.p, rolex , and ofcourse jay z just bought his Richard mille for 2.2 million ! )

I am lucky enough to have one and for me its worth the cost. Its a gorgeous watch and I can’t get over how verstilde it is. Love it.

Bought a homage version of this yesterday from Ali Express. No logo, will let the design speak for itself. Can’t wait!

Got mine a week ago! Lovin’ it

I still love the black dial, yellow gold numbers of the Cellini Danaos Rolex!!! I think that's how you spell it. It's the only type of Rolex I would be interested in!!!

One of my end-point grail watches. Add a Grand Seiko Snowflake and that's pretty much a two watch collection to last you a lifetime.

Still can get some great pre-owned near new models at a reasonable price of this or the Explorer 11. I got the current model, a few of them off a Grey Market dealer on RU-vid brand new (Explorer II) prior to Basel for 6K AUD each thinking it would be good to sit on as I had thought they would discontinue the current Explorer range or Upgrade them. I still think we are going to see some BIG changes to the Explorer range in 2020.

I have a watch suggestion for you, the Deep Blue Juggernaut iv. It's a sub/sea master mix, sapphire crystal AND bezel, very long lasting and bright lume, AND less the $400.00 usd. I also bought a Phoibos 1000m diver on your review. Absolutely love it. Lots of great features.

Enjoyed your presentation, Thanks 🇨🇦

Nice watch as always, you don’t ever go wrong with an explorer!

I really enjoyed this video and I’m looking forward to more watches from Mr X’s collection!

Love it! And...fun fact...this is the original James Bond watch. Ian Fleming wore this watch and, when he wrote Bond's watch, he simply said it was a Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Likely looked at his wrist while he was typing. LOL The Submariner became the Bond watch in the 60s as Connery wore one...but the Explorer is the real deal.

Although I think a date complication with a black date wheel would look good at the 4:30 mark, I still think it makes the dial too busy. That is DEFINITELY one of my grail watches though!!! 😍😍😍 Thanks for the review, Jody!!

Just subbed your channel Jody.no anti reflection coating gives rolex a lovely shine

i genuinely enjoy your accent, the content of this video too

No one ever regretted buying quality - great review of a very special watch.

As much as I'm enjoying you wax lyrical over this/my watch, I want to add my perspective to those reading here. This is a lovely understated piece that can be dressed up and down, making it so versatile. The bezel does gather some tiny scratches though this is not a real issue. I find the bracelet ok comfort wise, but when it's hot and my wrist swells the extension makes it too big. So I have a tight uncomfortable watch or one that is too loose. The datejust with a jubilee is in a different league in comfort on your wrist. Also personally resale value is not really a factor as why would you sell a watch you like, it's like selling a necklace you buy, it's an odd phenomenon. The dimensions of this watch are great and modern, but the old 36mm size has a totally different and more vintage feel which is probably what I would prefer. I feel one of the best things about this watch are the simplicity of it and it's elegant curves, the lustre of 904l steel, the things you notice from odd angles while wearing which you don't really see in videos online.

HELLOOOOO and welcome to JOMW! Love that intro

Really Nice vídeo sir,o like to see comparison to airking! Sorry my English...cherrs from Portugal 😉

this is a classic watch forever a must have in anyone's collection

Love the lume on that one.

Rather spooky, I've been reading up on the Explorer a lot the past two weeks - it is the only Rolex that I eventually want. But I really want an older 36mm one rather than the 39mm... even if I have 8" wrists and hands like shovels. It is the perfect watch in my opinion as it is tough, simple, sporty and dressy all in one. I would really love an Explorer 1016, but I do not have 13k for one! Instead, I ordered a Tiger Concept 1016 homage... just to be sure I really do like the 36mm size. Waiting on it to arrive.

Had the first-gen 214270 for two years : build quality is superb, it’s an iconic Rolex model, the Oyster bracelet is extremely good, the case shape and dimensions are perfect. And it looks stunning in professional studio shots. On the less positive side : combination of glossy black dial, white gold indices and no A/R is not a good idea. Under the wrong lights, makes the watch look cheap (which it is not). The minute hand jumps ever so slightly backwards when you push the crown back in place, making precise time setting unnecessarily awkward. And, like all new Rolex steel sports models, it is way too scratch-prone and expensive to be used as, well, a sports watch. So I sold mine. Two years later, discovered the Sinn 556A which is, at a sensible price point, a modern Explorer 1016, with the additional benefit of having a 200 meter depth rating and a nice wee date window. Go Sinn !

Perfection in a watch. Understated but at the same it has amazing wristpresence. Looking forward to your review of the upcoming Borealis Adraga.

Wonderful watch. Would like it even more if the seconds and minute hand were in sync.

You really should show at least three other positions (dial-down, crown-up and crown-down) on the time-grapher. Especially in the case of a Rolex movement. Would have been only 30s more of video.

was waiting for this review. explorer has been my grail for a year now

“... more watches than sense” 🤣🤣

Wow! What a perfect time piece 👍

Beautiful watch! I love it, I don't know if this one fits you best or the submariner.

I think if I was ever lucky enough to be in a position to get a Rolex, this would be a contender.

Ok, what's up with the blue dial Phoibos and the connect-the-dots willy at :48?

Got this watch for my 50th. It’s amazing.

An orgasmic (literally!) Jody. Well balanced and spot on. It really is the perfect watch isn't it?! Thanks for reviewing this gorgeous piece. A Grail Watch if I ever saw one!

I own this watch too for the past 3 years or more, really love it.. my daily watch

Beautiful watch of course but at this level of price, I wish that the logo on the crown would be at the perfect angle when it is fully screwed (at 4:28min)... just a detail for sure, but aren't we looking after details at this price range? By the way, still loving it and dreaming of it even more than the Suby.

I think the Oyster Perpetual 39mm is an underrated watch (as Rolex goes). That dark rhodium dial with the blue marker dots... And such a bargain at ONLY $5700 USD. See if you can borrow one from Mr. X, Jody!

Could you review the Orient Star Classic please?

Loved "Some youtuber's will pop this on a nato strap" LMAO

Jody what do you think of the Oyster Perpetual? Similar appealing case, smaller price tag. I prefer the stick hands to the Mercedes ones. I think my perfect Rollie would be a Dark Rhodium OP 39. Still too much money for me.

Funds permitting, that’s the Rolex I’d go for too! In the mean time I’ll carry on using my PADI Turtle 🙂

Jody ya gotta do a review of the Tisell Explorer homage now that it’s out.

Great video and great watch! Can you tell me if it also has any micro adjustments (with a spring tool) for the bracelet besides the easylink? Thank you.

Like the 39 mark II but own and love the 36mm, truly a perfect watch

Would like to see your review on the 39mm oyster perpetual!

Another Great Review. I really like the Rolex Explorer would buy one if could afford one.

Couple of questions...where did you get that wall clock? What watch are you wearing in this video besides the Explorer?

As far as I know 904L is not an exclusive Rolex SS. It has applications in piping systems, pollution control equipment, heat exchangers, and bleaching systems. Sorry I’m an Rocket Engineer and work with allows like this daily

I love your wall clock. Where did you get that?

Thanks for helping

I love this watch but ponder whether to pay an extra grand or so for the no date sub or get this and a doxa/tuna/sinnU1 separately... there’s just something cool... an X factor to the explorer and an inverted snobbery for the fact it’s the only understated/tool Rolex left that I keep coming back to.

I have the same Rolex wall clock, except in Batman color. Lol With the fixed gmt hand of course.

I can certainly see why Rolexes are so popular. The size, dimensions and balance of that Explorer are absolute money!