Explorer 2, black or white?

[vinnie_p]

I am thinking of buying a second hand Rolex Explorer 2 but am not sure which one to go for, black or white. Is one preferred over the other? Is one more sought after? I really do not have a preference.

[fergus]

vinnie_p said:

I am thinking of buying a second hand Rolex Explorer 2 but am not sure which one to go for, black or white. Is one preferred over the other? Is one more sought after? I really do not have a preference.

White Make sure you get it serviced before parting with the cash. Out of my fleet, it's the one which keeps the worst time!

[Chaffs]

I second white - I wear mine pretty much everyday and looks great with whatever. Don't have any issues with it keeping time and seems bomb proof, from DIY, to diving (A Sub / SD is on my list!), rafting and anything else I get up to.

[andy_s]

I've had my white one for about ten years and ditto the above; never off my wrist and goes through all sorts without a problem - 5 of those years were in Africa, (hence the 24hr hand). It wears well with anything from djs to tee-shirts and isn't recognised too much.
The time keeping is about +4secs a day and it's never wavered from that - I preferred the white over the black initially as it seemed a bit more flexible to wear. After ten years I'd make the same decision.

[NJH]

I agree the white one looks much nicer in the flesh then in pictures, and its different enough to make the watch stand out against the various black face Rolex sports watches.

[vinnie_p]

4-0 so far to white. I do agree, white does stand out from the usual black face Rolex. I have an Explorer 1 which is black and a datejust with roman numerals on a white face and it just looks so different.

Thanks for the responses so far.

[hungry_hog]

White, that is the rolex I would go for if I had the cash.

As far as I know the only other Rolex with a white face is the Daytona

[huytonman]

well just to be different, but I actually prefer black!

[vinnie_p]

hungry_hog said:

White, that is the rolex I would go for if I had the cash.

As far as I know the only other Rolex with a white face is the Daytona

And my 1983 Datejust which, as I have already said, in my humble opinion, looks really good.

One thing that hasn't been answered is: is one more sought after over the other, is one more valuable all things being equal (other than the colour of course!)

[Dominic H]

vinnie_p said:

hungry_hog said:

White, that is the rolex I would go for if I had the cash.

As far as I know the only other Rolex with a white face is the Daytona

And my 1983 Datejust which, as I have already said, in my humble opinion, looks really good.

One thing that hasn't been answered is: is one more sought after over the other, is one more valuable all things being equal (other than the colour of course!)

Vinnie, with regard to 'which is more sought after/more valuable'? They are both worth the same, neither commands a premium over the other. Choose which colour you like, you can always swap at a later date.....

Dom H

[CmdrBond]

I also prefer the black faced version, but if someone were to give me a white dialled one, I certainly wouldn't say no

Edited by CmdrBond on Tuesday 4th August 15:12

[5150]

I've got a white Explorer II - goes with the work shirts!

I know you said you're buying 2nd hand, but when I bought mine (new 3 months ago) I had two Rolex dealers competing for the sale - I managed to get the VAT off which was over 500 quid in the end. Worth considering . . . A faultless watch and not too blingy for a Rolex which is what I like about it.

[Soft Top]

White for me. I have tried both on now and do prefer the white one.

I have coveted this watch for years, (in white), but each time I try it on I am not entirely convinced. I am getting more convinced each time I try it but am still not 100% sure. I think perhaps this means that it is not the right watch for me.

Plenty of others to buy in the meantime though.

[ross-456]

What do people see as a typical used value for one of these (assuming good condition with all boxes/papers)??

They're not as common as GMT's/Sub's so I'm not too sure how to gauge the price for a good used one.

Edited by ross-456 on Wednesday 5th August 10:46

[Chaffs]

Blowers usually have a few of them .. not sure if that is indicative of them being expensive. Their current stock seems to be £2,800 plus...

[phn]

I have been lusting after a white explorer 2 for ages - I'll buy one once I have paid off the mortgage - which could be a very long time....

But then again I did see a nice GMT Master as welll.

Amazing how much thought you can put into a decision you can't afford to make....