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Post by carl on Jan 8, 2017 18:56:20 GMT -6
All of my fears about seeing the new Explorer 1 in real life, and trying it on my wrist have come true! I love it! There are at least four ADs in downtown Vancouver, but only one open on Sunday: the new Rolex Boutique. I had to go downtown on another errand, and thought I would at least walk by the Boutique. An acquaintance of mine, a salesman who sold me one of my Grand Seiko, is now working at the Rolex Boutique, saw me, and beckoned me in. That was it for me. Of course, I asked if they had a new Explorer 1. They did. Of course I tried it on. It felt like I had owned it for a long time. Almost like my previous 36mm model, and the extra 3mm actually make it wear more comfortably on my wrist. I was wearing my Grand Seiko SBGR097, the no date with blue dial. It was of great interest to all the sales staff, and they were very impressed with it. If I had just over 8 grand right now, I would have walked out with the Explorer and never looked back. It just has my name written all over it, is all I can say. The only watch I can truthfully say "If I could have only one watch, this would be the one." I have been putting off looking at the Explorer for months, matter of fact the whole time since Basel 2016. In denial of the fact I would probably love it. It really does, in this new configuration, evoke feelings of my previous Explorer I, but with the couple of niggling small details I complained about, now fixed. And, of course, it fit my wrist perfectly, no need for any bracelet adjustment.    I thought that the matt finish on the dial might be too much, as I really prefer a polished dial. In fact, this one is perfect, matt but not dull. Had a great time looking at virtually every model, and they seemed to have most configurations of the models. Every single dive watch as well. Even Chip's gorgeous gold Yachtmaster. Even more stunning in real life. It really is a beautiful piece. The surprise was, the only one they do not have is the new 40mm Air-King. Apparently it is a big seller! That did surprise me, after all the negative comments I have read on the various forums. Great Sunday afternoon, and now a very pleasant dilemma to consider. Cheers, Carl |
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Post by muckymark on Jan 8, 2017 19:57:51 GMT -6
Ooh I see it now. Tonight on ESPN the brawl for it all. Live from the Drive it's the Explorer smack down! Carl H aka Big Hands vs Mark K aka T-Rex hands....  |
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Post by carl on Jan 8, 2017 20:34:50 GMT -6
Ooh I see it now. Tonight on ESPN the brawl for it all. Live from the Drive it's the Explorer smack down! Carl H aka Big Hands vs Mark K aka T-Rex hands.... It's a fight to the finish! Ha!  Actually, they had your version there as well. To be honest, I never even looked at the hands. I actually really liked both versions, but the newer one has the edge for me because of the arabics. Looking at these photos, I can't see much difference, if any, in either the minute or the hour hand  . I really don't understand what the big deal was/is. I guess if you do look very closely....on either version, the hour hand is still pretty short, though.... I really like that dial. Thought maybe the matt finish would actually be dull, but not at all. In some light, you can't even tell that it is a matt finish. |
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Post by muckymark on Jan 8, 2017 21:17:59 GMT -6
You're right, the hands don't look much longer. I think they're supposed to be a tad fatter but I don't see it. One point I will concede is the solid 3-6-9 indices do disappear at times. I guess we'll have to compare them at a future GTG. Just sayin'.....
BTW does that Boutique carry Tudor as well?
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Post by carl on Jan 8, 2017 21:33:47 GMT -6
You're right, the hands don't look much longer. I think they're supposed to be a tad fatter but I don't see it. One point I will concede is the solid 3-6-9 indices do disappear at times. I guess we'll have to compare them at a future GTG. Just sayin'..... BTW does that Boutique carry Tudor as well? No Tudor, only Rolex. And what a selection they do have! And boy, that place was busy. Almost had to take a number to get served! I think that Lugaro carries Tudor, both at Metrotown and in West Van. Also Rodeo at Oakridge has quite a big selection. The 3-6-9 seem to disappear more in photos. When I tried the watch on at the Boutique, I was actually surprised at how legible they really are. Funny, they had your model in the display, and I had to actually explain to the salesman about the Basel 2016 changes, and one of the other salesmen went into the back and got the correct model. They didn't seem to have a clue that the model had been modified when I explained it. Or, perhaps I am a skeptic, but maybe they did know and they are just bluffing and trying to sell the previous version to those who are unaware of the changes. |
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Jan 8, 2017 22:05:36 GMT -6
My guess is the previous model was in the display case to move it.
The hands are a red thicker and the end of the minute hand extends to the minute markers on the dial on the new model, plus the lumed Arabics as you mentioned.
Carl if you do decide to go that route I know a US AD that will offer a good discount.
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Post by carl on Jan 8, 2017 23:46:44 GMT -6
My guess is the previous model was in the display case to move it. The hands are a red thicker and the end of the minute hand extends to the minute markers on the dial on the new model, plus the lumed Arabics as you mentioned. Carl if you do decide to go that route I know a US AD that will offer a good discount. Thanks, Roger. The more I think about it, I am sure that not only was the previous model in the display case, but the newer one really is known to them as well to being the updated one. The updated one, when it was brought out, had none of the usual protective stickers on it at all, it had obviously been shown before. And I thought it very odd that none of the sales people in the Boutique would be aware of the updates to the model. If it was an AD who is selling multiple brands, some of the ignorance about modifications to a model might not be known. But these are very significant changes to a historical model. Anyway, I don't feel that I will be going back to the Rolex Boutique. Unfortunately, with the currency exchange as it is right now, the USD MSRP of the watch exceeds the CAD amount by about $1100. Even if I got a discount, after tax and customs fees I would probably exceed the amount it would cost me here. But if and when the time comes, I am going to shop around. |
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Post by rw16610 on Jan 9, 2017 6:25:47 GMT -6
See Carl, I knew you were in trouble lol. It's one heck of a good watch and suits you very well.
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Post by carl on Jan 9, 2017 20:51:46 GMT -6
See Carl, I knew you were in trouble lol. It's one heck of a good watch and suits you very well. To be honest, I have been in denial since Basel 2016, better part of a year ago. I realized that, at some point, I would have to see one in person, but tried to find details in the photos that I didn't like about it. Only thing I could come up with, is that it has a matt dial, and I might find it a bit dull as I usually prefer watches with polished dials. Turns out that the dial is perfect. There are a lot of bright white features on that dial, and I think the matt dial tones them down a bit without making the dial dull. Works very well. I have tried to be a rebel, and steer clear of the watch as I was certain that there were other watches out there that I would like just as well or even better. Not to be unfortunately. Resistance is futile! I kind of liken my situation to a person who has a choice of three or four partners to choose as being his/her spouse. Does one go with the best looking, or the most in shape, the prettiest or most handsome, or with the one who they are most comfortable with, they love the most, and is most suited to their personality? Each watch in my collection has a beauty of it's own, and in certain ways each one could be said to be more beautiful than the Explorer. Like the GS, there is certainly nothing to fault in the quality. Apart from that, there is not any point of analyzing it any further. Too much analysis is often a waste of time, and one has to go with gut instinct. And it would be silly to not get such a watch because it is a Rolex and not a Grand Seiko. As you say, "It's one heck of a good watch...". |
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Post by Baco Noir on Jan 9, 2017 21:14:41 GMT -6
There are a lot of design elements and stats on a watch that will eliminate one from further consideration but once those all point to it as a "possibility" then the gut is the right decision maker, along with the wallet of course.
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Post by carl on Jan 9, 2017 22:08:30 GMT -6
Before and final decisions are made, I must also see this one in real life: Tudor Black Bay Heritage 36  web hosting pngAnd, of course, the wallet does pay a very important part! |
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Post by carl on Jan 22, 2017 19:21:22 GMT -6
 Well, that's all there is to it! The hunt is over. I went back to an AD today who I had used in the past, years ago for two Rolex models. Although the same sales person is no longer there, I talked to a very knowledgeable, pleasant and honest young gentleman. I knew they had the new version of the Explorer 1, as it was in the window. The first thing he said when I mentioned that I would like to see the Explorer 1 is "We have the one with the newly modified dial and hands." Now, this is an AD that carries no less than 14 other high end brands. Yet, when I visited the Rolex Boutique last week, they "didn't know" that the model had been updated. And it's always a good sign when an AD likes to talk about watches - any watches - and not just the one you have come in to see. I had my GS SBGV011 in my bag, as I had brought it along to show the GS AD in the same mall, who has never seen one. Showed him that, and we talked about other watches for a while, including the Tudor Black Bay models I had just seen. Soon as I slipped the Explorer on my wrist, that unmistakable feeling that it belongs on my wrist came back. Even though I am really not looking for a diver watch, I did try on the Black Bay 41mm with the red bezel and gold accents on the dial, one of my favorites. It is actually less than 4 grand in CAD, with the in house movement. Only about $300 more than the previous model with ETA movement. I thought for a diver which has only 200M WR that it is too thick. Maybe it is a mistake for me to use the Rolex Deep Sea 4000 as a benchmark, but that's how it is. Much like using a Grand Seiko for a benchmark quartz. They also had one 36mm Black Bay, but it was in it's case on hold for another client, so I just got to look at it in the box. Very nice. But soon as I saw it, I knew it is not the one. Now I have found my next watch and a reputable, honest AD. All I need now is to come up with 8 grand! |
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Post by Baco Noir on Jan 22, 2017 21:31:32 GMT -6
Love this! It's good to know oneself. |
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Post by CHIP on Jan 22, 2017 21:41:33 GMT -6
Carl, I'd buy mint pre-owned and save a whole lot of money.
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Post by rw16610 on Jan 24, 2017 6:27:44 GMT -6
It's a great watch for you, Carl! Seems like you're making the right choice to me.
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. I really don't understand what the big deal was/is. I guess if you do look very closely....on either version, the hour hand is still pretty short, though....
