I think the EXPII 42mm case is just about perfect for a sports watch - I love it.
I have an Explorer 2 polar and a Sub 16610. I really like the Sub, but I also like the size of the Explorer case. I don't like the 'Sue Ellen' shoulders on the Sub C particularly though.
My question to the experts on here is do they use the case from the Explorer 2 on any other models?
I think a new model Sub, with the Explorer 2 case, would be an ideal size and also look a lot nicer than the Sub C.
Any ideas?
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I think the EXPII 42mm case is just about perfect for a sports watch - I love it.
It's just a matter of time...
AFAIK, the 216570 case is a unique Rolex case (no other 42mm watches in the catalogue) which gives it an equally unique USP, for better or worse.
For me, the 216570 would have been perfect at 40mm but Rolex, in their wisdom, thought differently.
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100% agree, it's a far more preferable case profile IMO than the maxi-case Subs, just wears too big for me, why upsize a traditionally 40mm design to 42 ??? I believe it was to keep distance between the Subs / GMTs and protect those watches integrity as the flagship models. As the previous 5 digit Sports watches used roughly the same case design, I always wonder why Rolex decided to go off in all directions with the 6 digit case designs and provide too many variations in size and profile.
The 214270 Explorer is another one, great case profile, just wears too big for me.
Last edited by oldoakknives; 8th April 2020 at 11:07.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Perhaps someone kind who is good with photo editing could show the result of having a Sub in that case? Might give us more idea of how it might look.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Well I had a go and came up with a comparison.
The new maxi case sub.....
And the Sub dial and bezel on the Explorer 2 case.....
Given my poor editing skills, I think it still shows the difference. I think the sub would look better with the slightly slimmer lugs.
Any ideas?
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
My perfect watch would be a ceramic Sub date with a 40mm SD43-shaped case (lugs) and red ‘submariner’ lettering and a slightly smaller glidelock clasp. I think the lug shape of the 216570 and SD43 are relatively similar...
Wouldn’t the Explorer II case end up quite a bit thicker with a rotating bezel and perhaps a deeper case back? Added to the longer case it could still end up quite a big watch.
GMT-Master II case would have slightly thinner lugs without adding length.
The old case was perfect. The new case is fat and ugly. End of story.
The sub is great and always will be. But I find the SD43 case and lugs to be a better more in proportion look, which solves the maxi-case appearance of the sub.
That's why l love my sd. That and the lack of a cyclops.
Some people have a minor crisis about how the bracelet meets the case, but it's hardly unique in rolex history...
It wears slightly higher too but l have a fairly slim wrist and can honestly say it wears just as comfortably as my planet ocean and looks nicer on my wrist than the no date sub it replaced.
All my opinion of course.
- - - Updated - - -
Thanks for your opinion... l actually feel the old case lugs were just a little too thin...and let's not start on the bracelet...Again, just an opinion, not a fact.
Beginning of story...
Last edited by Umbongo; 16th May 2020 at 11:10.
I’m an old case fan.
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I must be a heathen then, by preferring the later models. Good that we are not all the same hey
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5 digit case for comfort for me. And more subtle,
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Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
When you see them side by side like that you realise how bloated they have become. I think it looks even worse on the two tone Subs.
Even the 6 digit SDs don't taper anywhere near as beautifully as their digit predecessors which is why I ended up with a 16600. I'm 6'3" & 15 stone and the old shape doesn't wear even a little bit too small IMO.
Anything after the five digits seems like a badly worked attempt at following fashion - the problem Rolex have is that they "nailed the case dimensions" early on. Just my opinion obviously.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
The five digit cases are pretty iconic. However the later larger cases did follow the trend for larger watches overall you are correct. In proportion I think they can work, it’s the blocky oversized lugs of the Sub which are an exception.
There can be no ‘right’ answer and everyone has their own opinion on it.
My opinion is quite limited as it's based upon a 16800 and a 16520, over the years I've tried on a number of subsequent Rolex sports models but always been somewhat underwhelmed, latterly I've arrived at the conclusion that only "beer goggles" could induce me to find them attractive.
Last edited by number2; 19th May 2020 at 10:15.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.