On the Wrist, from off the Cuff: Rolex Explorer I (214270) vs. Tudor Ranger (79950), 39mm Comparison

[michaelbyrne]

I have a Submariner and several Omega's which I love but I've recently bought a Ranger and despite all of the criticism about it's dial I found that it was that that drew my attention. It's plain and simple and that to me was the selling point that made me impulsively buy it and its now my daily go to watch. I have an Air King on order and when that arrives I still think that my Ranger will be the watch that I wear each day.... Well done to Tudor :)

[djdunn]

I appreciate how you set the watches to the same time. Very satisfying.

[happytravels]

I have the Explorer. Love it. That Tudor looks fantastic too. I don’t see the Ranger dial as boring. I see it as super clean, simple, and extremely legible!

[jpoonyo]

Just got the new 39mm Tudor Ranger yesterday as BD gift from my wife. Love the brush steel and the simplicity. I wear my Pepsi Rolex GMT II daily for the last 25 years but the recent crimes in many cities gave me 2nd thoughts about daily wear. I started wearing my old 30 years old recently re-serviced Omega Speedy. This new Ranger gave me a new meaning to daily wear again. I loved the Rolex/Tudor family style and feel of watches. We bought a Tudor Black Bay for our son last year and thought it was beautifully crafted! I like it even more than the Submariner. Nice job Tudor!

[roamy]

Yes I've read and looked online at the Ranger from when it first debuted 3 months ago. Some of the negative features about the dial were of concern for me as I really wanted to love it in this new size. Finally got to see one in person and I can say that the criticism is overblown. I liked this Ranger enough to buy it and I'm glad I did. Don't pass judgement too quickly before you have a chance to get a watch on your wrist. This Ranger just works!

[satherton]

Cool comparison - I have the Ranger. It's a great watch. If I replace it it will be with a 39mm Explorer because it is tooly but can also be dressed up. I wish the Ranger just had applied indices to class it up a tiny bit. Bracelet and clasp are great, legibility is off the charts. Simple and solid watch.

[jodybruce]

great video, i like both but the Explorer is flashy. i think the Ranger can be a great under the radar daily wear

[flipperds]

I had the 39mm Explorer and have the new Ranger now. The Rolex is defiantly built with better tolerances (slightly) but it was too pretty for me to use as a daily toolwatch. The Ranger meanwhile is a very well made toolwatch at a fair price. Always enjoy your content…good job!

[robertdean]

I love the new Ranger 79950 dial. For me i was always put off by the Heritage Ranger 79910 full red second hand, smiley self winding text and Tudor Rose logo that seemed to make the watch feel less serious. Whereas the new Ranger looks more comparable to the Explorer as a tool watch. Some may argue that it has lost its unique ‘character’ but i appreciate these subtle changes.

[Milofchg]

Great comparison video, a first on YouTube. The Ranger looks bigger (dial) and it’s longer. The Rolex looks more compact, but for a 39mm. The Rolex wears big for an Explorer. For me it felt more like a 41mm. It was bulky like a Milgauss or Air King.

[MPerry-oxqb]

Several years ago I decided to go with the Omega Railmaster over the 39mm Explorer. When the new Ranger came out I went to the AD to compare my Railmaster to the Ranger. I still prefer my Railmaster. However, I do prefer the clasp of the Explorer and Ranger over the butterfly clasp the Railmaster has. Also, if I only had one watch I’d have chosen the Explorer over the Railmaster because it’s more versatile in formal attire.

[RedwoodAggie]

I absolutely agree that blocked lume like on the BB Pro would have been the smart move here. I also would have preferred white versus the shade they went with, but even the creamy color of the BB Pro would have been better. That's just a preference though, and I can't really knock what the Ranger offers at that price. It's a great value. I would love to see a Tudor Ranger 2 with that orange seconds hand and a date + block lume, or maybe call it a Ranger Pro! Alternately, I'd love to see them bring the Northface back with an orange or red motif instead of that yellow/green shade from before, shrunk down to 39mm and no power reserve. Heck, if they did everything else and left the power reserve, I'd still get one. Thanks for this comparison. The Ranger has crossed my mind, but I think I may get a Monta Triumph instead. It really impressed me on wrist and it seems to be the right balance of tool vs. dressy, plus also has a great clasp and a cheaper to service movement. Plus, I talked to the owners and they're really great guys.

[oleg]

Tudor is doing fantastic job. I prefer Ranger over the Explorer though

[MrHavk]

You NEED to see the Ranger in person. Seeing them both up close actually turned me away from the Explorer and to the Ranger. Super underrated watch.

[jeremydahm]

I have am fortunate to have both and I have to add if you are serious about one, you shouldn't really consider the other as a sort or replacement. The wearing experience is so different. The style in person is very different. Have you not experienced the Exp39 consider this. It wears considerably larger than say a Khaki Field 38. The Exp39 style is way more Datejust dressy than under the radar tool watch. Chose it over the Rootbeer for a black tie event recently. Great with a Tux. The Ranger wears slightly larger still and is very under the radar, tool, cool. The Ranger is the strap change king. The Exp39 is too blingy to go off bracelet (for me anyway). The beauty of the Ranger is the way that glass plays with the dial. Looks amazing and very different from all angles. Wears nicely on my 17cm wrist but I'd welcome the 36 IF it comes.... (wanna bet). Love it.

[WatchDanReviews]

Great video, Mark! I’ve been shopping for an Explorer lately but after looking closer the Ranger, I’m just gonna “settle” for the Tudor at this point. My big reasoning is I want a nice watch that isn’t too flashy I can wear around the neighborhood, in the pool and out ‘n about without attracting too much attention. I do love the explorer but it’s definitely blingier than the Ranger. And considering they’re so similar otherwise, at $2, 400 brand new used, I just couldn’t find anything better! Not gonna stop me from “submitting my interest” in the explorer soon at the AD so that I can pick it up a couple years from now 😂

[TC-tdjt]

Many thanks for this; it was the review I was waiting for!

[ryanstafford]

Both beautiful. Rolex is a grail but that Tudor is knocking on the door. White markers on the Tudor would have made it that much more perfect.

[underachievingwatchcollect]

I love my39nn Explorer—maybe a little bland but trust me it grows on you 😎!

[kenrankin]

Great video! I like the look of the Ranger but there is some negative space on the dial. It would have been nice to see RANGER in red to match that splash of red on the seconds hand and perhaps 100m to balance it out.