Budget Watch Expert Tries ROLEX For The First Time (Rolex Explorer Unboxing)

[@andreleverettejr3747]

Ben, you dont need to air quote Oyster bracelet, when it's an actual Rolex 😂

[@spgk6470]

I have a 116900 rolex air king for 5 years. Interestingly the watch that got me into the hobby was a seiko chrono a year later. They were both gifted to me. I think that owning and experiencing a "luxury" watch at the start of watch collecting was a gift. It made me realize there's very little to justify the huge price deference between this and the good sub 1000$ watches, or the aliexpress "specials" i enjoy wearing. Yes there are many areas that rolex is better, but not by a mile. It is just a watch and don't expect something that will blow you away or justify it's price tag except from the logo on the dial and the prestige that it brings.

[@a0r0a7]

So true, well said.

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

Even though I don’t really like Rolex, that’s one thing they do very well is they don’t make the rehaut and dial so deep into the case. That’s something like 90% of affordable watches get wrong is they make the dial sink so deep into the case when it looks so much better if it’s more raised up to the crystal.

[@Silentjackll]

The slight lip in the lugs is on purpose. This is a perfect explorer.

[@KeepingWatchUK]

Wear an Explorer as a beater. Solid watch. Not overly flashy nor attention seeking. One of my faves from Rolex tbh even though it’s one of the least hyped 👍🏻

[@letsgobrandon33]

I love how on this watch the Explorer text is on the bottom (6oclock position) rather than being crammed in on top as it is in many other versions

[@asura2545]

Anti reflective coating drives the low Saphire test

[@jonathanharvey2156]

This just randomly came up in my recommended, and I thought, “I recognise that voice” and it turns out I’m correct and it IS Ben!

[@polygoncoco]

Yeah the newer versions have way glossier dials. I have the 36mm and it’s very different. Plus the newer models have AR coating now too

[@Silentjackll]

Bro., News Flash!! That watch fits you perfectly. Not sure why you say it doesn't.

[@AdAstraStakePool]

Welcome to the club 😊 Is what I would say ... ... If I had a Rolex myself 😅

[@Calmness1014]

5:13 genuinely think that fits you like a glove doesn't look too big at all

[@xDeVeYx]

36mm explorer is the way

[@garylangford6755]

Nah too big. Ben has girly wrists. He needs the 36mm

[@KeepingWatchUK]

@@xDeVeYxfor tiny wrists yeh. For the bigger armed man even the 39/40 wears modestly tbh.

[@Calmness1014]

@@garylangford6755yeah he does but I thought it looked ok on him. Maybe it was because the camera was closer.

[@G-rig6969]

@@KeepingWatchUK The original Rollys are 36mm it's the best choice for most people and would be better on him by the look of it. Most people don't care about fit and believe you have to rock big watches 🤣.

[@BobbyL2k]

Please compare lume with the Wise watches. I seriously want to know how well Wise compares against a Rolex.

[@racecarjonny8460]

We love you as a budget watch expert.

[@jaywhite1141]

Beautiful watch

[@denniskwok7613]

The endlinks are very much deliberately designed to not be flush with the lugs and are slightly recessed. It's a Rolex design hallmark.

[@KhaiRidzwan]

Hope to be able to afford this one day.

[@albertsylvester2981]

NICE WATCH I LIKE IT

[@thebitterfig9903]

I just wish more Explorer Homage watches were a step or two further away, like how so many divers sorta-kinda look like a Rolex Submariner, but a lot of the small details are unique.

[@ProfessorVanNostrand]

No scratch test?

[@retroransom9861]

The 36mm Rolex Explorer was my dream watch. I had the chance to go to an AD and get the full treatment with the watch, and I left kinda disappointed. Not sure what I was expecting, but just felt disappointed.

[@AMERICANPRIDE1100]

Looks like my 37mm tisell explorer 240$

[@frenstcht]

Interesting. Thanks for uploading!

[@basbas63]

To be fair, Rolex makes very normal watches at an insane quality level and that has to be your thing in a sense. Looking at Rolex watch services and seeing how well things fall into place, how good things look and perform after a service after decades of neglect, pure bliss. In essence it looks like, to me at least, it's on the high horology quality level without the extensive decoration or complications. Are they a great value though? Well...

[@lordcharfield]

I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the Steinhart homage. I had one, it was beautiful and compared very well to the Rolex Explorer I subsequently tried on at the AD. The SW200 elaboré movement only gained 2-3 seconds a day. I sold it, because it wasn’t getting very much wrist time, but often wish I’d kept it!

[@wqsnsr8]

Most people say it's the best watch ever made: 39mm size, practicality, feel, case design with 3, 6, 9 numerals.

[@borjastick]

I had this very model, same year etc and loved it to the moon and back. The fit and finish were extraordinary and the comfort was off the scale. The downsides were that it scratched more than I expected and the value rocketed to such a level that I stupidly took the money. Big regrets.

[@dubdub2657]

I think it’s very difficult to review something like an explorer in such a short amount of time. This video would have been much better had you spent a few days actually USING the watch, ideally a week. That is where most rolexes truly shine. Especially something as utilitarian and no frills as a Rolex Explorer. Looking forward to hopefully an update to this video once you’ve actually used the watch.

[@grmpf]

This is an unboxing channel and this video is not a review. He even says in this video that he'll make a main channel video featuring this watch.

[@dubdub2657]

@@grmpf got it. Only strengthens My point then. Thanks for that!

[@garysalisbury8949]

If ever i was so loaded i was in the market for a Rolex, id have one of these, or one of the other less blingy ones, like an Air King. A lot of Rolexes are too "Tarts handbag".

[@curt4930]

I agree for what’s supposed to be a classy quality product some of the blingy models look cheap to me.

[@handcoding]

4:55 - Would you maybe be open to sharing the watch’s measurements, like its lug to lug and all that?

[@TomOliver-m9c]

Its a bit dear! I like small classic design field watches. Have the Baltany Dirty Dozen, Pagani PD-1751 Ranger, Citizen Chandler and Bulova Hack as well as some Timex's and Seiko's in the same style. Would like to upgrade but just dunno if I would get the benefit from spending that kind of cash. Maybe a Vertex or a Benrus? Don't have a Hamilton. At a push maybe a second hand Tudor Ranger...or go for the catchy titled Baltany Discoverer! Wait a minute, I actually need a dress watch.

[@Jobie86]

Come on , Ben: You have to be able to recognize and Explorer when you see one. My favorite Rolex for sure..

[@higgledypiggledycubledy8899]

Hey that looks a bit like my Addiesdive, nice

[@AndraJevtovic]

Would be funny if it turns out to be fake

[@kpanagos]

my thought exactly

[@alho9231]

Not to Chris it wouldn't...

[@bestboy897]

Would be terrifying

[@wongjefx980]

Rolux

[@younusimam-thesalamproject6340]

My question is, is it really worth the thousands more? Would I really like this or a Helm or San Martin more?

[@aesopsphere]

It sure is because supply and demand says it is

[@wqsnsr8]

Once you put this watch, or any Rolex, on, you will understand.

[@Calmness1014]

I really prefer the green seconds hand version Edit😂 I'm on about the air king lool my bad

[@codys5727]

Would love to see you review the spoof of this the relax exploder, coming in at 280 bucks

[@KeepingWatchUK]

I’ll do it: it’s junk.

[@ccooper8785]

Yes, it is very nice but in no way is it 100x "very nicer" than my Addiesdive or Watch Dives equivalent. The fact that mine are quartz is an added benefit as I have no interest in auto movements. I am glad Rolex and Omega watches exist but I personally have absolutely no interest in owning one.

[@PoRRasturvaT]

Thank you, I bought a Baltany then... 😂 Jokes aside, you have to look very close on the hours markers to spot how they are on the Rolex. They are slightly rounded, and this reflects more lights in various angles instead of flat surfaces (no matter how crisp they can be) that only reflect 1 direction. That makes the lot of them look shinier.

[@pzwolski]

First! Compare it to $50 Pagani Design.

[@BensWatchClub]

I've gone one better than that, keep your eyes peeled on Ben's Watch Club!

[@gavinwhite9743]

Rolex focus on tool watches, not high complications. And they have taken the tool watch to a high point of bling and quality, relatively. Simple and robust. You clearly play a premium for the brand, but I’m guessing all products over 2k start to get into that category, even holy trinity have machine made parts. So? If you compare to even a Christopher ward, they are overpriced. But if you can afford one, they are nice watches. I use a 14060m neo vintage sub as my daily wearer, and enjoy thoroughly.

[@curt4930]

Casio for the win😂

[@thenotanclan]

Once you attain this level of collecting? Unless you MUST own a Rolex just buy a Grand Seiko - arguably more refined

[@seanthomxx2694]

Do you think Rolex would be petty enough to send a cease and desist because their watch is in an IWC case😂

[@suckthebox]

They should offer better travel cases..

[@typebflieger]

I’m no Rolex fanboy, but I had to cringe when you criticized the endlinks for not being “flush fit” with the case, as if it was an oversight. This recessing of the endlinks is very much deliberate. It does 3 things: 1) It reduces the weight and visual presence of the watch head by reducing the steel between the lugs. 2) It allows the male endlink to terminate at approximately the same LTL distance as the lugs, thus not protruding too much. 3) It makes the case and bracelet conform better to the wrist. You can’t blindly prescribe a specific design attribute a “good” or “bad” rating across all watches. You should try to understand why a brand does something a certain way before you criticize it.

[@curt4930]

Subtle differences? There’s nothing subtle about the price difference, a lip on the bracelet end link? You’ve got to be kidding, I would love to see an actual cost breakdown of the watch I.e. what its real value is vs the marketing value. No doubt its a very good watch but having been in manufacturing & seeing some of the mark up in normal “ consumer goods” I’m betting the overheads of all those fancy Rolex boutiques & salaried sales staff make up a huge % of the actual sales price.

[@taham33]

Be careful not to drop it, Benny boy

[@1nvd]

I’m selling my beloved Nissan Silvia for a watch because I don’t know why. OP tho, not too much

[@deepitkujur5486]

WHY ARENT YOU WEARING A PAIR OF GLOVES????

[@7prs965]

Not impressed.

[@lihanou]

finally someone willing to compare homage to the real deal

[@kyledriscollmusic]

cmon Ben, start shilling for Raid Shadow legends and pick up an AP

[@BrianNovak-gk5rb]

Its crazy that that watch costs about $300 to make.

[@mcfly3510]

Does it?

[@divertiti]

That's 100% bullshit

[@kims2r]

That’s a pile of crap… I don’t know a lot about Rolex but I know the hour markers are white gold, not steel, so that alone is worth something, high end steel, sapphire crystal, glide lock, lots of neat features

[@petergradilone4784]

The 36mm generally considered the aesthetically more pleasing presentation. That's why Rolex recently returned to it from the 39. I've worn mine for 20 years now, taking it on many a worldly adventure. Remember, the "mystique" a watch offers can be quite important. The Explorer was worn by Ian Fleming when he wrote the James Bond Novels and Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay when they summited Everest (granted, an Explorer prototype). It has an iconic status hat is part of the price you pay for one.

[@michaelgreenhalgh3369]

It's all name and snobby for what is a average well made watch

[@mariedoyle8834]

I just bought one from a market in Rhyl, it was a good price, £380.

[@fredochinaski9968]

Fake ones😆, i Can sée it from a mile away....didn't you?

[@tropicthndr]

Know what the crown means, your coming out a queen or a king for the day, Rolex is the transgender watch. Anyway Nothing in the world can give the value of the “new” San Martin watches with the exact same Miyota movement as a Grand Seiko.