Rolex Explorer II - The Perfect Watch?

[@ricflair8863]

Been following you for a while- wanted to update and let you know I FINALLY got the call from the AD and picked up my Polar Explorer II yesterday!!! 🎉

[@cheynewalls]

Congrats!! Great News, it was worth the long wait. Cheers!

[@jrdj7686]

Nice video Cheyne - I share many sentiments with my own Polar! Re your comments on the rotating bezel - is this a clue for the new watch?

[@cheynewalls]

Thank you, Very well could be a clue. I'll drop a few more clues in the coming weeks. We'll be release the new watch videos in a little under a month. Cheers

[@teammacnamara5320]

Man I really enjoyed this video and your opinions. Never seen your channel before.

[@cheynewalls]

Thank you, Got a lot more videos coming out soon. Cheers

[@lovesautodetail]

I just picked mine up last night. Watched your reviews and after 1 week on the list got the call.

[@cheynewalls]

You will love it, a great watch! Cheers

[@JollyRogerVF84]

I have mine for 1 1/2 years now and still love wearing the Polar.

[@cheynewalls]

Its a great watch! Cheers

[@JollyRogerVF84]

@@cheynewalls it is definitiely great. Before I had the Batman and sold it to a friend. Then I bought the Polar and a Tag Heuer Calibre 01 all black. :) Now my friend wants to sell the Batman and asked me if I want it back.

[@Aliassuk]

I’ve been on the list for the Explorer II white dial for two months. Patiently waiting 😬😬😬Curious what your 2nd Rolex is! Hope to see the video soon and hope you’re not moving away from the tool functional proper watches we all love. Explorer II suits you the best. Once yon start with Rolex there’s no way back! You’ll want more and more haha.

[@cheynewalls]

My Rolex Explorer II will always be my favorite and everyday watch. Hopefully you get your Explorer II soon. I don't think you will be disappointed in the new watch, its a tool watch and will be used as such. New video unveiling the watch drops tomorrow morning. Cheers!

[@Aliassuk]

@@cheynewalls thanks, appreciate that. I’ll be a happy boy if I get it by Christmas. Cannot wait to see your 2nd Rolex because there aren’t many real tool Rolex watches left other than the Explorer II.

[@RedwoodAggie]

My AD rep said the white dial is definitely harder to come by. Based on what he told me recently, I recommend staying in touch with your AD rep, stopping in once in a while to chat. Also remind them you are still interested in the watch. I did all those things. I ended up waiting 5 months for my black dial and that was a fair bit sooner than they expected. Good luck on getting the watch before Christmas.

[@Aliassuk]

@@RedwoodAggie fingers crossed thanks :)

[@marcuslieberman3577]

Great photos! I'm a photographer as well. I'm not a Rolex fan boy but the 16570 40mm Polar dial, to me one and done. (Of course you can't eat just one potato chip) The 42mm is also beautiful. Yes wear it with a suit or jeans. It doesn't matter. I like the bezel as it is!

[@cheynewalls]

Thank you! Cheers

[@TheCooliodad]

I'm loving my 226570 over my Batman. Great video!

[@cheynewalls]

Cheers, Thank you

[@TheShane209]

Granted I’ve never owned a Rolex but I think as a tool watch it’s hard to beat this or a Subby. Thanks for the video look forward to the new watch

[@cheynewalls]

Good call, Thanks, Cheers

[@RedwoodAggie]

I've had my black dial 226570 for 5 months now. I do still prefer the black dial (tried on the polar exhibition model last weekend), but the white dial is very unique. While I wouldn't be opposed to a rotating steel bezel, my only real wish would be to have Glidelock quick clasp adjustment like on the Submariner. This is a tool watch, so let's make it easy to adjust. Easylink is at least an option, but it's a more drastic and not fine tunable option. That is interesting about the possibility of the Explorer II being discontinued. I was a bit surprised by that. While I know it's not the most popular, I figure they wouldn't have gone to the trouble of refining it in 2021 with the lug width adjustments, new movement, AR coating, changed hands on the black dial model, etc if they were just going to kill it off after several years. Before I even knew I wanted an Explorer II, one of 2 ADs (not the one I bought from ) said they sold maybe 5 in the previous year (of course, supply is limited), and this is in a metroplex of millions. If they did discontinue it, I think the 226570 could go up in value, as it wasn't produced in as large a quantity as the 216570 run. Think of things like the 1655 Explorer II, which go for around $30K in good condition. I don't know how many of those were made versus the 226570 though. The Milgauss going away this year did not surprise me. I think it had been the longest since a refresh. I don't know if that will be back at some point, but maybe. It definitely needs some changes at this point and I think it's even more of an oddball than the Explorer II as far as design and popularity.

[@cheynewalls]

Good call, now that I have a Sub too, That Glidelock quick clasp is pretty amazing. I think we will see the Milgauss again. Cheers

[@Bob-ut]

Love my Explorer 2, as well as the rest of my Rolex, but my go to is always the Sub. I like having a bezel to time items and being a diver, it gets used. I’m not as hard on my watches being older than you. 😂

[@cheynewalls]

Fun, yeah with my new watch I'm looking forward to spreading out the the wear and tear.

[@chriscon8463]

Man, I hope they don’t discontinue it! You’re right about the bezel, though…I’d rather it be a timing bezel.

[@cheynewalls]

Yeah, just a small thing. Cheers

[@Voltanaut]

I too prefer the spelling of siznig to sizing. Very phresh.

[@cheynewalls]

Sorry, my mistake. I don't catch everything while editing on the road.

[@Voltanaut]

@@cheynewalls No worries bud, your video is still great..

[@cheynewalls]

@@Voltanaut Cheers

[@Yetifur003658]

Only things I'd change: brushed side flanks (rather than polished) and bigger crown.

[@beagle101ful]

A trip lock crown and mini glide-lock … then I’m sold!

[@paulocesaroliveira9208]

Esse relógio em 39mm seria perfeito....... ótimo vídeo, parabéns.

[@cheynewalls]

Gracias. I like it in 42mm, feels like a true tool watch at that size. Salud

[@sivalipath1707]

best rolex and most underrated

[@cheynewalls]

I Agree.

[@injuredtabletennisplayer1474]

Insightful vid. I have a GMT on order (that my unborn grandchildren may be able to get. May switch to the Explorer 2 because of the travel I do.

[@cheynewalls]

Its a great watch, Cheers

[@darellhunter2205]

I love my polar Explorer II, but if I could only have one watch in my collection, it would be my Batman. The polar definitely takes punishment better tho. I have the Batman for about 1.5 years and it looks like I've had it 10. I've only had the polar since March and wear it for a lot tougher jobs and it still looks brand new! With the exception of some scuffs on the bezel the bracelet and clasp are holding up much better then the PCLs on the Batman. However, I do love the shine of the oyster bracelet with PCLs for office settings. Another great video, excited for the latest allocation reveal. Cheers!

[@cheynewalls]

Thank you! I fully get that, Batman is a cool watch. Will have the new watch videos out in less than a month. Cheers

[@elmonteslim3711]

Yep I have one too (as well as a white dial Daytona). The Explorer is much more versitile.

[@cheynewalls]

Both great watches, Yeah the Explorer can do it all.

[@letempsenboite4939]

Amazing video 🎉 thank you

[@cheynewalls]

Cheers

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

Just curious how long your exposure times are that accuracy matters. If you have a cheaper Seiko with a -20 to +40 second accuracy over 24 hours, when you're doing a 10 minute exposure, that's a quarter second off at the most. Over 10 minutes I doubt that's going to ruin your photo. Over a 10 second exposure that's 0.004 seconds. I don't think accuracy is that important when timing exposures.

[@cheynewalls]

You are right, its not the biggest deal with accuracy on my camera exposures, B&W film development or fine art printing. The longest out of all those things could be about 10 hours, where a few seconds doesn't matter, in short term. Long term however, Its that Rolex watches are tough and durable enough to hold that accuracy over decades of abuse in the filed. I have had a few Seiko watches that after a year or so in the field, lose accuracy up to an hour or two over the day. That then becomes a problem, not only for my camera exposures, but if I'm out on a two week expedition in the wilderness with no cell phone (because I can't charge it). Cheers

[@connorkluth]

Where’d you get the leather strap?

[@cheynewalls]

Have to get it custom made by Wotancraft

[@emmanueltsI5]

It’s a great watch. Would buy it if they had it at 39-40mm though. Enjoy it with health!

[@cheynewalls]

Cheers

[@matteocapitoni3856]

the polar one RULES

[@cheynewalls]

I love mine

[@matteocapitoni3856]

me too ;)@@cheynewalls

[@Will67267]

If you wear casual clothes, then it’s perfect. I wear a suit 4 times a week, my 36 Explorer is perfect.

[@cheynewalls]

Yeah, that would be the perfect fit. Love the Rolex Explorer 36. Cheers

[@jsytac]

Re the bezel. Yes, no ‘24’ ever, and The 12 should be at the top!

[@galbow6770]

It was this or the white dial Omega SMP for me. Aside from being much cheaper, I also feel like the Omega can take anything a G Shock can. When I told the AD that I would beat up on the watch, he said "I challenge you to break it." So I've been trying. I do have to say, it is nice to be able to time things on the rotating bezel, and the ceramic on the bezel seemingly cannot be scratched. These quality tool watches really are lifetime purchases.

[@cheynewalls]

Omega make great watches, keep me updated. Cheers

[@VanderJam]

IMO we can't call it the perfect watch for anyone based on price alone. Other watch manufacturers can do the same thing for far less with equal performance and reliability. One pays the Rolex tax when buying a Rolex. If the masses can't get one, it can't be the perfect watch. I realize this is debatable, but that's a key part of my own definition. It is an excellent watch though to be sure. Maybe the perfect luxury watch, but that too is very debatable with Grand Seiko out there.

[@cheynewalls]

Thank you for the comment, Yes Grand Seiko makes an amazing accurate watch and could be the perfect watch for someone. However for an outdoorsmen I need a traditional automatic movement with not batteries or electrical parts in the movement, they don't handle big temp changes well. The Rolex 3285 traditional automatic movements are far tougher movements than the hybrid movement that is the 9R Spring Drive (still an amazing movement). I need that tougher movement from my "perfect watch". As well as, Rolex certifies to + 2 - 2 seconds a day, but most watches exceed that. Both my Rolexs are about a quarter second fast a day. IMO and in my experience, I don't think any other watch brand can match Rolex sports models in toughness, performance and reliability. Like I said in the opening this is all so so so subjective, pricing included. I saved up for years to purchase my watches and a lot of times the highest quality comes with a cost and to know my Rolexs will last many many decades, in my mind makes them more affordable than say buying a $1,000 to $2,500 watch every few years. All that being said, I would love to own a Grand Seiko (SLGH017) one day, it would be a treasured watch for me, but not my "perfect watch" Cheers

[@elefantrising]

Killer watch from the crown probably the last of their tool watches only one left not made in precious metal.

[@cheynewalls]

Love the Explorer II, I think the only other watch not available in precious is the Air King. Cheers

[@charliekennedy91]

It needs a glidelock clasp for it to be perfect

[@cheynewalls]

That would be nice to have the glidelock clasp

[@jiroyamada7983]

tldw; Rolex GMT with Explorer II dial would be his perfect watch

[@RB-xv4si]

I don’t believe for a second that Rolex would kill off a model that has a wait list. What company in their right mind discontinues a model that they can’t produce enough of? AKA, a non-stop money-maker.

[@cheynewalls]

They just did it last year with the Milgauss! I was on a waiting list for over 6 months hoping to get one.

[@RB-xv4si]

@@cheynewalls that’s crazy

[@marcatallah5125]

Patek Philip killed their most demanded model, the stainless steal basic nautilus

[@longboardluv2]

why are we using "tool" it's not a screwdriver. it tells the time, thats what all watches do

[@cheynewalls]

Well that is a very narrow definition. I use my camera as a "tool" and it only takes pictures. I use the term tool watch because it is an important instrument in creating my photographs. I use it to time my exposures of my photographs, time my hikes, track another time zone, timing my dives underwater, and just keeping accurate time. As well as being made tough enough to do this in all environments. Something digital gear (iPhones) can't do. Definition of tool : a device or implement, used to carry out a particular function.

[@letmebe79]

Would want it in 40mm

[@cheynewalls]

I actually like the 42mm, feels like a tool on your wrist.

[@thegraciefighter102]

I think there is a good reason it’s not super popular. The dimensions just aren’t good

[@cheynewalls]

I have heard that from people, but for me I think the dimensions are perfect for my 7inch wrist. I like a little heft and size in my watch. Cheers

[@discountmorty213]

I like tool watch I just dun like the date.

[@cheynewalls]

I get it, I just travel so much and hate always having a cell phone on me, so a date function is needed for me.

[@discountmorty213]

@@cheynewalls My other issue will be me being too clumsy and forgetting the 6.30 rule lol

[@andylondon1972]

This is not a high end dinner watch…

[@cheynewalls]

You may be right, but I think the Rolex Explorer II can at least be considered respectable in that situation, even if its a bit of a faux pas.

[@WxAxNxDxExRxExR]

Is this the weekly re/run of the same content?! Come up with something new, mate.

[@cheynewalls]

We got some videos coming out with a brand new watch soon. Cheers