Introduction
I’ve had the Rolex Explorer 40 for just over a year now, which feels like the right moment to reflect on my ownership experience. We’ve picked up a few light scratches here and there, so it feels like it’s getting a shift in, but now the initial novelty has settled, what remains is a clearer sense of how it fits into my life and whether it has earned its place in the collection — and more importantly, does it stay.
Returning to Rolex
My last Rolex experience was with a Submariner Date, which I sold about three years ago. I didn’t regret that decision, but over time I realised I missed having a Rolex around. Not for the name, but for the quiet assurance of quality they tend to deliver.
When I decided to come back to the brand, I wanted something more understated than the Submariner — something that didn’t draw attention. That naturally led me to the Explorer over the Oyster Perpetual, which I found doesn’t wear as well.
Choosing the Right Size
Before settling on the 40mm, I looked at the Explorer 39. It’s a good watch, but the proportions never felt entirely resolved to me, which is probably why I didn’t buy back in 2019 when I had the chance. I also considered the 36mm, which has heritage on its side, but on my 6¾” wrist it simply felt too small.
The 40mm version struck the right balance. And, unusually for Rolex, I was able to buy it straight out of the cabinet on first contact. No waiting list nonsense, no theatrics — just a straightforward purchase. That alone made the experience refreshingly normal. This remains a watch that can be bought on the day for most, which is a good thing.
The Explorer’s Character
The Explorer is a simple watch, and that’s very much its strength. It doesn’t try to impress. It doesn’t stand out. It just gets on with the job — understated, you might say, despite what lies in the details.
After owning a Submariner, which is unmistakably a Rolex, the Explorer feels more discreet. It’s the sort of watch you can wear anywhere without it becoming part of the conversation. I’ve come to appreciate that.
Case and Comfort
After a year of wearing it, the 40mm case feels entirely appropriate. It has enough presence to feel modern, but it remains slim and unobtrusive. It’s comfortable, it sits well, and it doesn’t demand attention. That suits me.
Details That Emerge Over Time
Although the watch is simple, living with it for a year has highlighted how considered the details are. The dial printing is clean and precise. The gold hands and indices catch the light in a subtle way. The brushing on the case and bracelet is even and well executed. And the polished bezel edge adds a small but welcome lift.
None of this is showy, but it does give the watch a sense of quiet refinement.
The Oyster Bracelet
The Oyster bracelet deserves particular mention. It has evolved over decades, and that long development shows. The way the links articulate, the consistency of the finishing, and the solidity of the clasp all give it a level of refinement that feels closer to high-end jewellery than to a typical sports watch bracelet.
Other brands often introduce new bracelet designs that take years to settle — years to reach the same level of consistency and confidence. Rolex, by contrast, has simply kept improving the Oyster. The result is something that feels familiar, dependable, and thoroughly resolved.
Rolex’s Approach
A year with the Explorer has reinforced something I’ve always thought about Rolex: they improve gradually, avoid unnecessary changes, and focus on consistency. The result is a product that feels dependable and well resolved — boring even, but in a good way. It just works.
You know what you’re getting, and that reliability is a large part of their appeal.
Looking Ahead
I should mention that I’m currently wait-listed for the GMT-Master II Batman. It’s more of an aspiration than a need, and certainly not a guarantee. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I’m quite content with the Explorer for now — this is want over need, and I’m in no rush.
Does It Stay?
Even after a year, I’m still deciding whether the Explorer is a long-term keeper. It’s extremely competent, and it has never let me down. But it’s also very restrained, and occasionally I wonder whether it’s almost too understated.
That said, there’s something to be said for a watch that simply works without drawing attention to itself. Perhaps that’s exactly why it deserves to stay.
Final Thoughts
So that’s my Explorer 40, one year on — a straightforward, well-made, quietly capable watch. I’d be interested to hear whether you see the Explorer as the ideal everyday Rolex, or whether its understated nature makes it a little too subtle for its own good. Leave your comments in the section below.
