These are quite similar watches in many ways. But the Air King has that nice splash of colour. So, as a pre-increase purchase (😜), is the AK a sensible choice given the current paucity of Explorer stock?
i just looked at the new air king a few minutes ago when i was trying to find comparison pics of the mk1 and mk2 explorer 214270 and my first impression of it was not good, i didn't like the colour or the military dial
i didn't like the size either but if someone was considering this a s an alternative top the 214270 then that wouldn't be an issue
Sorry to be a boring old git but I dont think either are an improvement on the older smaller versions
Out of the two modern versions then the Explorer looks better to me
I have just sold a Milgauss, largely because it was not used. Now I am thinking about buying another watch with the same case. Oh, the irony. But I do love the yellow and green highlights, plus the military style dial, and also the absence of PCLs. The limited lume and size are not issues for me either.
I think the very fact that the Air King is easy to come by is all the info you need. A bit of searching will find you an Explorer before the magic price rise I'm sure :)
i like the old air king too, i like that it's a bit smaller than the old explorer or datejust, hard to see the new one as it's replacement, does it mean won't make the 34mm any more, it's not on their site
I think the buy now bug might be biting!
Agreed, the 36mm Explorer is right at the top of my shortlist.Originally Posted by Velorum
Does that make me a boring old git too?
Explorer all day long for me
Another old fart here - to my eyes the 36mm Explorer and original Air King still have the edge over the new models.
Got to be the 2016 Explorer over the Air King.
A comparison:
I'm not an old fart but I agree 100%.
New explorer wins it for me, all day.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Last edited by BenN; 24th August 2016 at 21:23. Reason: Fat fingers.
It's the Explorer for me, much classier dial.
It's the Explorer for me, much classier dial.
Which do you prefer! For clarity!
Also not an old fart, also agree :)
Check out:
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/Th...xplorer-214270
That's pretty unanimous then!
Hi,
Looking at Hodinkee's excellent review and comparing the two new models: clearly the Explorer (214.270). the deisgn is classy and legendary.
The dial markings (how many 5 does a man need on a dial) are just too much. I have no problem with a splash of colour, but yellow and green?
36mm is a little bit too small for my manly wrists, but 39mm (and finally the right length in hands) could convince me.
Have fun with whatever model you choose.
Really? What size wrists do you have?
Great comparison review, thanks for posting Scott. I understand what everyone is saying about the understated classic styling of the Explorer (& the previous Explorer model too), but I'm sticking my neck out on the new 40mm Air King being a grower. There's a lot going on with that AK dial but the colour is a bit different. A trader said something a while back about this being the first model with a yellow crown & green signature logo (also mentioned in this Hodinkee review), I like details like that.
All the best to the OP in making that choice.
Well, going against the majority on here - I went for the new Airking. I know the dial could be conceived as fussy, I know it could do with more lume, I've heard lots of arguments against. However, it really does grow on you, I love the nod to the Bloodhound SSC and it really is that little bit different. Unfortunately I still quite fancy the new Explorer too but to me the Airking is pretty adventurous from what is generally quite a staid company.
Sizewise it wears at least as large as my LVc, and as the guy in the shop said, it's effectively a re-dialled Milgauss now.
Enjoy whatever you decide to go for though, picture for comparison purposes.
James
Last edited by Crouchy; 26th August 2016 at 11:30.
I saw one of the new Explorers today in Leeds, really nice. I was able to compare it to the outgoing 'Trump' Explorer (which I thought I preferred until now), and it's a definite improvement.
I've just bought a new Air King a couple of weeks ago and had the same experience as Crouchy did in that the salesperson commented that it had the same case as the Milgauss. I've also bought a 2002 34mm Air King for my girlfriend this week too. Not had them side by side for a comparison yet. They both seem to be totally different beasts!
I just can't cope with the mixture of numbers/markers on the Air-King
Thanks for all the input guys. I could not quite bring myself to go for the AK for some reason. A nagging doubt was there, which I could not quite overcome - I suspect the fact that the case is the same as my recently outgoing Milgauss. So, a deposit has been placed on the Explorer for December delivery.
I made the same choice and put my name down yesterday- I kinda like the quirky looks of the AK but the explorer was the only way to go. I was told Christmas/ new year so I was very surprised when I got a call this morning saying the new explorer had been delivered in their weekend consignment! So, hopefully you will get a pleasant surprise as well and it won't take quite so long.
^^^^^what a great result. Well done and enjoy your new acquisition, which looks superb.👍
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