I like it too Mate...
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As I have yet to find a bracelet for my explorer I thought I would try a few options this morning and settled on this brown aged leather one from Stowa
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I quite like it.
I like it too Mate...
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Hum. I think only the original bracelet works for me. I'd say bite the bullet and get one from Rolex direct if you have problems finding one?
martyn.
Looks nice. I like them on NATO's also.
With regards to the bracelet, have you PM'd MarcJ? I think he normally keeps a selection in stock.
I think it looks good on that strap.
Given how many millions of Rolexes there are in the world happily attached to bracelets, I understand how hard it can be to accept them on a strap. However there's nothing in that watch's case shape which suddenly looks maimed by the removal of the bracelet, no clumsiness or weirdly bare bits of metal revealed between the lugs - the join to the strap looks natural - and I think that that choice of strap goes really well with it. If you're longing for a bracelet though.... ;)
I almost always prefer a strap to a bracelet for me it gives a watch a more 'carefree cool' like it simply doesn't need to try that hard to impress, and that is no exception. I'd go as far as putting it on a really distressed leather, something akin to a BB.
The entirety of my sense of self worth is based on my vintage watches how very dare you
I have a custom made strap, and I admit that I had it made from knackered leather, but the reason was to avoid shaming the ancient irredeemably-battered chrome-plated case it was going to be attached to. Honest.
I imagine the folks who think this combination looks ok would also think it's fine to wear brown shoes with a black suit.
Anyone can buy a watch.
Finding 'the' right strap in the absence of a discernible sense of personal style is something else and if starting with the wrong watch it's impossible.
I refuse to admit the possibility that I may have made mistakes and persist unbowed with my still growing collection of 'experimental' straps.
It's all a matter of attitude, surely.
Have to agree with the pro-bracelet faction, most Oyster cases work far better on a bracelet than a strap. With the Explorer, the case and bracelet design flow together nicely, in the same way that an integral bracelet /head design does. This is a subtle effect that you only grasp by wearing the thing, it's almost like an integral watch, particularly on a larger wrist. I think people overlook this, it's part of the appeal of the pre 'fat lug' Rolexes and that's why I think they look fine on a larger wrist.
If you must have a strap, I wouldn`t go for brown with a black dial, particularly quite a glossy dial. As for the distressed leather thing, that's something I just don`t get. I dislike anything that's deliberately aged.
The watch is crying out for it's bracelet IMO. I'm speaking from experience, I own a similar watch and in my view the watch and bracelet have to go together. Same for all the smaller Oyster cases, forget all the rubbish about casual/cool/trying hard etc; they're Rolex watches and they look how they're supposed to look when on the right bracelet.
Paul
Last edited by walkerwek1958; 17th October 2016 at 12:21.
I think the brown leather with deployant clasp is a really good look on that watch.
Black faced watches and brown straps are a good match.
I like the strap and I also like the Explorer but I just don't think they look right together.
(Sorry OP, but) I've yet to see a compelling photo of an Explorer on a leather strap. Which is odd, because I think the Everest PRS-25, which bears obvious design similarities, is an extremely versatile watch that looks great on almost any type of strap, be it the bracelet, NATO or leather. It even works on a nice rubber strap. This, for instance, is my favourite and I've got a couple of similar Toshi straps for my PRS-25.
However, I don't think this would work on the Explorer. So if the Everest can pull it off, why not the Rolex?
Can't really explain, I just always feel a watch looks dressed up on steel / bracelet and dressed down on a strap, be it leather, perlon or whatever, just less showy for me. The fact it looks tatty/distressed makes it look even more dressed down for me. Absolutely no justification for my feelings as most dress watches wear leather. . Nope I can't reason it out either.
I have an Explorer as well OP (albeit a 214270). I actually like the brown strap and black dial combination but I would echo other comments. The Explorer just looks so much better on the oyster bracelet in my opinion. Get yourself one and I don't think you will be disappointed.
One of the very few Rollies I like on a leather strap. Other than that only bracelet and nato.
It works, but I think the bracelet is better. The custom Hiliary Tenznig version (not official afaik) looked good on black leather:
Looks great to me on that strap. The case shape is worth showing off. Has anyone tried curved springbars and a strap on one of these?
I tried my 114270 on brown leather, tan leather, black leather, black rubber and various NATOs a couple of years ago. It went back on the bracelet after about a month and is staying on the bracelet.
Neil
I think the Explorer is pretty versatile. Personally, I like to swap straps on my watches occasionally. Makes them seem fresh and brings them out of the watch box more often.
Yes I know it would be an expensive option but would a Rolex AD sell you a genuine Rolex strap and deployant clasp to go on an Explorer ?
I was in an AD once and a customer was asking for a new strap and the assistant asked to see the watch before selling the strap.
I think that looks perfect, its the same route I went with my Ranger.
I took it of the obviously distressed strap and back onto this one
have you a link for where you got the strap?
I have to agree though brown shoes with a whistle is just naff as hell along with top knots etc.
@ Soapy
Strap is a Stowa item which came with my Marine Auto along with a black one. Just looked on Stowas site and can't see these exact straps so not sure they are still available.
Thanks I looked on Stowas web site and couldn't see it myself.
What was there was pricey.
Looks pretty good to me. I popped my El Primero onto a similar style strap and rather like it. I'll post a picture when I get a chance.
Not too shabby, not too shabby at all!
My beater on an old and worn (though not distressed) strap I had made for a PAM0048 a few years ago.
Not an Explorer style I admit (have my Heritage Ranger on the bracelet as I like the quirky straight end links), but I like the look of a black faced watch on a brown strap sometimes - especially for casual wear.