Reply With QuoteSmiths Everest http://www.timefactors.com/smithsprs25.htm
Hi all. Just wanted some opinions on alternatives to the Explorer 39mm. If you believe in such things as Grail Watches, then that is mine. However, with two young children and all the various expenses that go with raising a family, I'm not there yet and won't be for a good 5 years. So, I've been thinking of some alternatives that would scratch the itch in the meantime, and as there's so much knowledge here would appreciate opinions, advice, recommendation etc.
The watches I've considered are the Hamilton Khaki King. Actually recently missed an opportunity to buy one of these due to car problems gobbling up all my spare funds. But they aren't expensive even new. Obviously the dial is much busier, but I reckon it to be a very good value alternative?
Another is the Seiko SARB033. Looks a bit dressier than the Explorer, but still a solid timepiece, in house movement and the minimalist black glossy dial. Also, I have an SKX007 and Alpinist, so in a way this would complete a nice trinity of Seiko's for all purposes (dress, field, sport). Good value too.
The last is the Tudor Black Bay 41. Obviously there's the Rolex connection (although quite what that connection really is I'm not sure?). This is my favourite of the three, especially the brown leather strap version with that beautiful looking deployment clasp. Similar minimalist dial, high quality build, available for under £2k - so potentially good value but simultaneously a heck of a lot dearer than the two above! The Heritage Ranger may be another option but I think if I was gonna pull the trigger on a Tudor it would be the BB41.
I'd have to wait longer for the Tudor given the added cost, maybe a year. Are there any really good alternatives I've not thought of? I'm no expert so that's quite likely.
Last edited by davidj54; 28th January 2018 at 17:08.
Smiths Everest http://www.timefactors.com/smithsprs25.htm
If you want an explorer style watch then Smiths everest or Zeno explorer.
If you want a black dial dressy / toolish watch then Sinn 556i.
If you don’t need something on a bracelet, the Nomos Club offers legitimate-watchmaker cred in an original design with good water resistance and versatility. It’s definitely the one I’d choose within your criteria.
In my opinion (as owner of the current model Exp1, and having worn the Tudors), the BB36 is far, far nicer - and far closer to the essence of the Explorer - than its ponderous and unconfident 41mm cousin.
The Tudor ranger is a nice understated watch too.
I have the same conundrum. As others have suggested, the Sinn 556 is my solution.
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How a about a Bremont airco?
Thanks for the responses gents, I'll enjoy seeking out some of these brands I'm not familiar with.
My advice to the OP, having been down the same road, is; save up and buy an Explorer. In the end, nothing else will suffice.
I speak as the former owner of a PRS-25 Everest, a Theta Military, an Alpha and a MKII.
Last edited by dkpw; 28th January 2018 at 17:51.
^ pretty solid advice. It’s an archetype for a reason...
I've not tried one on, but I worry that the BB36 may be on the small side? But then, I also worry the BB41 may be a shade too big. A 38 or 39 would be ideal.Originally Posted by JGJG
100% agree with your assessment of the BB41
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Here's an article on this very subject:
https://www.chronopolis.co.uk/blogs/...lex-explorer-1
Cheers 👍
Second Hand Omega Railmaster would be an option
Lovely one on SC at the moment.
That's a good shout
No mention of the ZEX* yet ? Or are we not considering 36mm watches.
I think its about the closest in appearance out there in this segment.
*Zeno Explorer
£350 these days apparently;
http://shop.time-design.co.uk/zeno-e...-zex-466-p.asp
While this is very sound advice, I’d say that you’ll not lose much come sale time if you brought one of the cheaper homages as a stop gap while saving, with a win-win that if you don’t like the style you’ve not sunk a boatload of cash into it.
Ponderous and unconfident. I like that.
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I don’t recall seeing the Theta military before; in terms of looks it’s the nearest of the lot to the classic 1016 Explorer. I like the orange tip to the seconds hand.
I have a BB36, which is growing on me, but still wonder whether the 114270 might be a better bet.
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Oops, wrong picture/name.
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I bought that years ago from eBay, IIRC but have never seen one since. I do remember it cost £15, check the gaps between the lugs and the bracelet but the head felt okay. I think I give it away as part of an SC deal, so it may still be lurking round these parts.
EDIT: I see you may have been referring to the MKII - it was a very nice watch indeed, but the date and the red tip put me off, as well as it not being the definite article, which was the point of my post. :)
Sound advice.
The Hamilton and Seiko the OP mentioned — as well as the Sinn and Nomos — seem like better interim choices than a blatant imitation.
Mind you, a budget of up to £2K gets very close to having the real deal with a 14270 or 114270 on the secondary market, which I think edge out the 39 mm version in looks.
I've just received a Sinn 556 Anniversary and whilst its not obviously like the Explorer it has the essentials that make me love my Explorer; no date ( so perfect balance), applied indices (so the dial comes to life) and an astounding dial finish ( the Explorer is the blackest back you will ever see; the Sinn is the best starburst you will ever see).
I've owned a lot of Explorer types, including most mentioned above. This Sinn is the only watch i ever owned that looks as completely right as my Explorer.
Am I missing them on SC or do you not see any 36mm explorer’s on SC anymore. There used to be loads of them a while back.
Last edited by Middo; 28th January 2018 at 20:59.
A big problem for anyone looking for pre 2005 Rolex is that they have become such a good investment. Even if you don't want one as a watch anymore, nothing else gives owners such good returns on something that is readily convertible into cash.
PS: And of course the 26mm Explorer is so rare that it's unavailable.
Last edited by raysablade; 28th January 2018 at 19:50.
It was the mkII that I admired.
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Yeah but the £2k budget wouldn't be til about Xmas at least, maybe next Easter. I tend to agree with what your saying though - something that is a great watch in its own right, rather than recognisable as a homage or poor man's Explorer. I'm starting an Explorer fund, but as I said with other commitments it'll be a 3-5 year save. At present I'm edging towards a Khaki King, I've fancied one for a while and I think it could sit alongside an Explorer in a collection rather than as an either/or, plus it's under £500 so not a potential financial black hole!Sound advice.
The Hamilton and Seiko the OP mentioned — as well as the Sinn and Nomos — seem like better interim choices than a blatant imitation.
Mind you, a budget of up to £2K gets very close to having the real deal with a 14270 or 114270 on the secondary market, which I think edge out the 39 mm version in looks.
I'm thinking maybe HKK now(ish), BB36 or 41 next year and then when the Explorer fund is 2/3 full in about 3 years time flog the BB to top the fund up to trigger pulling level!
If you are going for a Hamilton it would be wise to go secondhand and fully depreciated. I've had a few over the years and for one reason or another they consistently disappoint. I've always suspected that this is related to their place the group pecking order.
A particular problem is no AR coating on either side of the crystal and shiny hands, its a deeply disappointing combination. Well worth checking if your choice falls foul of that issue.
Thanks for the advice.If you are going for a Hamilton it would be wise to go secondhand and fully depreciated. I've had a few over the years and for one reason or another they consistently disappoint. I've always suspected that this is related to their place the group pecking order.
A particular problem is no AR coating on either side of the crystal and shiny hands, its a deeply disappointing combination. Well worth checking if your choice falls foul of that issue.
Interestingly I've just read a couple of reviews that state the HKK does have AR coating. Strange. I also saw a review of the Tudor BB41 that says it doesn't have it either - which for a £2,000 watch is pretty unforgivable.
Are you wanting a lookie-Likie or a genuine alternative.
If it’s homage then I’d pay a lot less and get one of the Time factor Smiths.
If you want a genuine alternative then the Aqua Terra stands up very well 150wr pretty bullet proof and the 2500 movement is slimmer, very resilient
Another one I thought was excellent and will not set you back too much is a Certina DS First. 200m WR Great crown . I thought it was quite a bit better than a Hami and actually better than the more expensive Longine Conquest.
Last edited by Mark lowman; 28th January 2018 at 20:14.
Here’s a picture of mine (it’s not the one on SC by the way)
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Think this is a really good idea particularly if buying a first, and potentially only, expensive watch.
I bought a homage before buying a sub, but the homage still gets worn on days out when the watch could conceivably get damaged.
Archimede Outdoor
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That was on my list for a long time. Great value for money! ,Archimede Outdoor
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkSadly I don't think they're made any more.
David
Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
Another vote for Railmaster Here is mine, 39mm. They wear big as they are all dial.
Another vote for Railmaster Here is mine, 39mm. They wear big as they are all dial.
That's beautiful.
They have gone up in price but still available from www.pilotswatches.co.ukThat was on my list for a long time. Great value for money! ,
700 Leather strap version
£718 Silicone strap version
£809 Bracelet version (hardened)
And lots of other colours and strap options available directly from www.archimede-watches.com
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What he said, you'll never be satisfied with something elseMy advice to the OP, having been down the same road, is; save up and buy an Explorer. In the end, nothing else will suffice.
I speak as the former owner of a PRS-25 Everest, a Theta Military, an Alpha and a MKII.
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I had a liking for the explorer - beyond my means for an occasional wearer - ended up with a Tag Carrera - not the same I know but it has echoes of similarity and is a nice thing in the hand and appears well made
If they were 38 or 39 I'd already have one. Same conundrum as you.
Whilst there are some fantastic options presented in this thread I do think that one of the great joys of the modern Explorer is the applied indices. I’d say that if you are looking for something that gives you the same experience a 3D dial is prequisite.
There's a nice aqua terra on sc at the moment. Well priced too
I've been looking for a watch of this style for a while now. The explorer isn't really for me as the dial is a bit shiny. I prefer the Tudor Ranger but just wish it was a little smaller. The BB36/41 don't look right to me, like a regular BB that has lost its bezel.
I did try a Hamilton Khaki King from the Jura sale around this time last year but the AR issue meant I sent it straight back.
Still hunting.
Railmaster is pretty close. If I didn't have an explorer this would be the one. Too similar to justify both.
Smiths Everest is similar looking to the 39mm explorer
Could you not get an AR crystal put in, if you like the watch?
I'm going politely to disagree with that. Superficially they appear similar but there are several important distinctions and they wear very differently indeed. Key is the Everest's lug to lug which I believe is 50mm. It's a big watch! A super watch if you tend towards the larger wrist and great value for money.
^ and that pic is against the 39 exp, right?I'm going politely to disagree with that. Superficially they appear similar but there are several important distinctions and they wear very differently indeed. Key is the Everest's lug to lug which I believe is 50mm. It's a big watch! A super watch if you tend towards the larger wrist and great value for money.
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