The watch was introduced in 2021 to mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first Explorer II, and it continues the model’s glorious tradition in a contemporary interpretation. It rarely happens to us, but we do not know where to begin, so we will talk about the things that, in our opinion, deserve the most attention...
Undoubtedly, one of the model’s most distinctive features is its size – Rolex retains the 42 mm case known from the previous generation, and we like that very much. On top of that, the crown is larger than the 6 mm crowns used in some other models – this Twinlock is 7 mm, which definitely earns red point number 1!
The movement is a “true GMT” – the new in-house Caliber 3285, which offers an increased power reserve of approximately 70 hours, a Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers and Superlative Chronometer certification, guaranteeing accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day after the movement has been cased. All of this allows the movement to be part of the brand’s modern “Superlative Chronometer” standard – red point number 2!
But what are the differences and innovations? The first significant difference is the movement – as already mentioned, the new Explorer II has the honour of housing the new Caliber 3285. The most visible difference, however, is the wider bracelet with its larger folding clasp – as a result of this change, the proportions feel more harmonious, because the lugs no longer appear to “stick out” in relation to the bracelet. Overall, the bracelet has been reworked to be more flexible and comfortable, and the brushing has a much better quality and overall feel. As for the changes to the dial, in the white version presented today they are minimal – the most noticeable is the new way “Swiss Made” is written at the bottom, now “crowned” in the middle between the two words, while the other change is the new hands – slightly modified in this case and with a different finish compared with the previous version.
We think that is enough with the awards, so that there is room to share some personal impressions.
The detailing of this watch, as with all modern Rolex watches we have had the chance to examine, is truly impressive. Starting with the incredible dial – in the case of the watch presented here, this is the classic white, so-called “Polar” version, which from certain angles almost seems to disappear, creating the impression that the hands and markers are “floating” in the air in a kind of weightlessness. The markers and hands feature Chromalight luminescence, emitting a pleasant bluish glow, and the illumination lasts for a very long time. Their size follows the brand’s modern “maxi” style, used in models from recent years.
Moving through the sapphire crystal with “Cyclops”, special attention must of course be paid to the case and bezel – an excellent combination of brushed Oystersteel from the 904L family, with faceted polished edges and details in places. As you know, Rolex pays special attention to the steel it uses and, for this purpose, has its own foundries for producing it – this could have been another red point, but we promised to stop, and this steel is used in most models anyway.
And of course the bracelet, strap, chain or whatever you want to call it – as expected from a Rolex, it is genuinely good... In this case we are talking about the new Oyster bracelet with solid links and a solid clasp, milled from a single block of steel rather than made from folded sheet metal, as with many other brands. The only thing missing, in our opinion only, is the Submariner’s Glidelock clasp, but here we do have an Oysterlock with the so-called Easylink system, which allows micro-adjustment of approximately 5 mm.
