NEW 2021 Rolex Explorer 36mm - Ref 124270

Or our watch straps!
Hands-on with the New 2021 Rolex Explorer 36mm ref. 124270.

[enriqueparedespinel]

Have to admit, the simplicity of this watch is really charming.

[michaeldegregory]

I’ve been drooling over an Explorer I for years but decided to wait for what I assumed would be an upgraded movement and some anti-reflective coating. The 39 seemed perfect to me, but the 36 didn’t seem too small. Once the 124270 was announced, I was planning a move across the country so I had to wait some more to get resettled both logistically and financially. About 6 months ago I got put on a Tier 2 waitlist… I’m told Tier 2 watches like the Explorer I have their own waitlist where watches get allocated to the AD, but not to a specific customer so it’s up to the AD who gets it, while Tier 1 (aka ultra rare or expensive) watches get allocated to a specific customer from the get go… well 6 months passed and no call so I decided to stop by this past Friday while I was in the mall and I spoke to a different salesman, told him my story and that I couldn’t remember who had helped me there. I filled out one of their waitlist forms again because they had no record of me. We spent an hour talking about watches and family. Then Memorial Day weekend passes and this morning, 3 days later, I get a call from the new salesman asking if I still wanted my Explorer I. He said he got a call from their headquarters listing the watches due to them, and when he heard there was a 124270 on the list he immediately had it overnighted to them for me. He enjoyed our conversation and felt bad I had fallen off the radar earlier in the year. So, 6 months and 3 days, or just 3 days? Who cares? I’ve got an Explorer I on my wrist. Some day my son will.

[linnman]

I always loved my 39mm Rolex Explorer and thought it was nearly a perfect watch, but there was always something that was not quite right that I couldn’t explain….until now. I’ve just become the lucky owner of the new 36mm Explorer and the question is not “isn’t it too small?” but the realisation …. “it’s no longer to big”

[ralphbuurman]

I don't own a Rolex, and I probably never will. I simply can't afford one... But if, by some miracle, I could choose any Rolex, it would be this new 36mm Explorer in all-steel. Great design and proportions of the case, dial and bracelet. Definitely a luxury watch but in an understated fashion. Perfect!

[brentgilbert]

I’m in the process of waiting, reminding, hoping I can get one from my local AD. I’ve lusted after a 36 explorer for a long time. I don’t really lust after a lot of watches but that little explorer is perfect for me, I want to wear it every day.

[alexwithwatches]

I have a 114270 and waiting to hear back from my AD about this new reference. I have a running history with them just playing the waiting game. This video has caused more anxiousness. Thank Adrian!

[CanuckWatchFriend]

Yesterday at lunch I received “THE” email from my AD. Picking up this afternoon or tomorrow. I absolutely cannot wait to get it. Coming from a 114270 here as well. A modern 36mm Explorer is a watch that I always thought would be the perfect GADA piece, and it’s something I never thought Rolex would ever do… downsize and return to a size they had abandoned. So excited right now, hard to concentrate at work 😁

[brentlestage]

The 114270 still gets my vote. While Rolex’s continuous improvements (new movement, increased power reserve, ARC, etc.) are indeed welcomed and appreciated, the aesthetic feel of a wider bracelet on a 36mm, combined with the engraved rehaut and SEL’s of the late model “V” s/n I own, make for a more appealing design experience. Nonetheless, thank you, Adrian, for a thorough, substantive and, always, artful review.

[nivero]

I'd rather stick with the 14270. Don't like smaller 19mm lug width and taper to 14mm

[ccarb]

This might be an unpopular opinion, but as someone whose grail has long been an 114270 and who was initially ecstatic to see the 36mm return, I started to cool on it the more photographs I saw and I couldn’t put my finger on why. This video finally helped me do that.

As small as the dimensional changes are on the new one, they amount to a watch with much less pleasing proportions to my eye. The minutely smaller, yet thicker and longer link-to-link case. The 1mm reduction in lug width leading to an even more aggressive taper. The larger numerals. All of those tweaks conspire to make a watch that looks more bulbous and case-dominant to my eye. It’s lost a bit of the under-the-radar charm of the old 36mm and feels more like jewelry to my eye, another crowned bauble on a bracelet.

That said, excellent video, Adrian. This is the most thorough, spec-driven comparison of the two watches I’ve seen so far. And who knows, it’ll likely sway more viewers to desire the new one more than the old one. Like I said, my opinion is probably an unpopular one.

[kunvh]

Purchased one last week and have the older 39mm version, need to do a side by side comparison to show how different it is from the 39 in all the right ways but the 39 is also fantastic

[netei]

I got one! Exactly because as you have said everything about this watch has been designed for this watch. The original explorer was 34 then many decades the 1016 at 36 mm. This watch is a tool watch. A field watch. You can wear it for work for dinner for a walk for shower for a trip and it just completes you without over-rolexing. You have a gem on your wrist that acts subtle while others will bling with oversizes and effects. Its a watch of true gentlemen, architects, sportspeople, designer and people who show off with their passion and ideas rather than with their watch.

[twang]

I had a really hard time keeping track of which one was the new one.

[beginningbourbon]

Best reviews on YouTube. Love your approach and “voice”. You have what can’t be taught...”authenticity”. I trust your reviews. Furthermore, I got on two Rolex waiting lists using your advice. Thanks again from North Carolina in the US!

[BoyJiDo]

I want to post about my journey to getting the Explorer and my thoughts throughout regarding choosing between the older references and the current one.

I was torn between the 114270 and 124270. Constantly jumping between the 2 models and being nitpicky about every aspect of the watches - was getting obsessive about all the details. Despite the 124270 being the "better" watch in every way (on paper), I had gripes with the 19mm bracelet and aggressive 5mm taper. So there began my search far and wide online for a 114270 (Chrono24, watchfinder etc). Also spent a fair amount of time sauntering around Hatton gardens and Bond street hoping I'd find a good deal...months go by...and nothing. So I thought to myself, why not have a proper look at the 124270 in the flesh - maybe I'd like it? So I popped myself into Rolex Harrods to have a look. And I must say...I oddly didn't mind the smaller bracelet/taper...and something in me felt an unexplainable affinity to this watch. I felt the proportions between the case size and bracelet width + taper just felt so...comfortable to look at and aesthetically pleasing. It was bizarre...something that was previously a huge negative for me...was now an aspect which I appreciated. I guess Rolex did design this reference from the ground up and every aspect of it has been carefully thought through. So I ended up putting my name down on the waiting list, which I was informed would be around 2-3 years, possibly more (tbh even the AD had no way of predicting when). Fast forward to just under 2 months later...I was about to seal a deal on a preowned 114270 (2008), which ultimately fell through, I get a call from Rolex Harrods literally the NEXT DAY to inform me that the 124270 was available and I could collect it immediately. I could not believe my luck. Currently sitting here, 5 days later, writing this with my beautiful new timepiece on my wrist and falling more and more in love with it. To anyone that critiques the size, bracelet width, taper, "plainness" of the watch, dimensions, proportions etc, to that i say - Rubbish! This. Watch. Is. Perfection.

[jaredwillson]

What’s the motivation for going back to 36mm? Simple.

1) Sell the watch to both men and women
2) The “big watch” craze is ending, so having a smaller sized “professional” watch in the lineup makes sense

Simple as that in my view.

[Halfmoon]

I’ll stick to my 214270, but I’m very happy for you that Rolex brought the size back down to 36 bc I was sure you were gonna love it ! Thanks for the vid Adrian ! Cheers

[lexusuk]

I am 100% with you on this one. Literally word for word. I had the chance to side by side the 36mm 124270 with my 39mm 214270mk2 at my local AD last weekend and whilst there's literally no reason for me to buy it, if i didn't already have the 39mm i'd be 100% gunning for the new 36mm. It's just perfect and returns the Explorer I back to it's roots as a 36mm. As a package it's just spot on, new movement, new case, new dial, new bracelet... Best watch that Rolex currently make by far. It's an end game watch that could be worn every day.

[YoungXLNC]

Look forward to your coverage of the Tudor announcement next Tuesday...

[ewoo]

Hmmm. Mixed feelings about the slimmer bracelet. Thanks for posting so quickly!!!