Wednesday, February 2, 2011

BaselWorld 2011: New Rolex Explorer II


A day before Basel 2010 a video of a Rolex commercial showing the 2010 Rolex stainless steel Submariner, the new Explorer I and new Datejust's was leaked on the web. There was one more watch in the video, a new Explorer II with a orange hand a maxi-dial. But come the official announcement of the 2010 Rolex releases and there was no Explorer II to be seen. The video is no longer available for viewing, but it was the same the official Rolex commercial, sans the Explorer II.

Mr. John B. Holbrook, II in a post at the WatchTalk Forums confirmed the new Explorer II was genuine, but that a the last minute Rolex decided to pull our the new Explorer II. This makes a lot of sense. With the much awaited release of the new ceramic bezelled stainless steel Submariner, the success of Rolex's 2010 line-up was guaranteed. An Explorer II release would have eclipsed the launch of the new 39mm Explorer. 

We took some more screen captures from the promotional video. 


The new design has been well received. From the captures it clearly has the new Rolex dial, the maxi dial with larger markers. The orange hand harks back to the original Rolex Explorer II. We do also expect it to have a new clasp, which has already found it ways into all the new Rolex model releases. What it does not appear to have from the screen captures is a triplock crown and the beefier maxi case being used with the GMT Master and Submariner. I for one am hoping it won't come with the maxi case, but yes the triolock crown would be nice.

For comparison, here is an image of the 2010 Submariner. 

Rolex Submariner Rolex Submariner 116610LN. Photo is from the 
JK Watchstore and is used with their permission. No republication of the same
 should be made without permission from the source.


Even though we have no doubt about the legitimacy of the screen captures, Rolex would certainly have gotten a lot of feedback on the new Explorer II, an may make changes to accommodate this. Well, we are not going to find out anytime soon. Forty-nine more days or waiting to go.


About Rolex. Rolex SA is a Swiss manufacturer of wristwatches and accessories founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. Rolex is the largest single luxury watch brand by far, producing over 2000 watches per day. Rolex is the best known and most sought after watch brand in the world.

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