Recently, I gave recommendations for 5 alternatives to the Rolex Explorer. The Explorer is one of the most iconic watches around, and with self-isolation still the reality in many places of the world, the best place to buy is often online. Of course, that means eBay. And with eBay’s new Authenticity Guarantee, you can have the confidence that the new watch you’re buying is certified legit.
Better yet, eBay is running a promotion this week: $350 off a ton of watches over $2,000 (until 9/27). With that, I wanted to recommend some of the watches available that make nice substitutes for the Rolex Explorer.
Rolex Explorer Reference 214270
Before we get to alternatives, we have to look at options for the Explorer itself. A few examples of the modern Explorer Reference 214270 can be picked up as part of eBay’s promotion. It’s a great opportunity to get the Explorer for a few hundred dollars less than you might otherwise; it’s hard to find a “discount” on a Rolex, but here ya go:
Explorer Ref. 214270; $7,425
Explorer Ref. 214270; $7,999
Tudor Black Bay 36
Tudor is Rolex’s offered (affordable) alternative to Rolex. And if the upsized 39mm case of the Rolex Explorer reference 214270 is a bit big for your classically-inspired tastes, the Black Bay 36 offers perhaps the closest alternative to a vintage Rolex Explorer in all of modern watches. The Black Bay 36 takes the form of the modern Tudor Black Bay — itself an icon — and strips it away of nearly all diving pretense, leaving a simple, affordable watch. Smooth bezel, snowflake hands, hour markers more inspired by a Submariner than an Explorer, and a glossy dial — the watch has a modern character all its own, but one that’s clearly rooted in the heritage of both Tudor and Rolex. The smiling self-winding text at 6 o’clock is a final detail that really makes the watch sing. Tudor cuts back on price by using an ETA caliber 2824, but by all accounts Tudor works hard to tune and modify its movements so this is as accurate an ETA-powered watch as you’ll find.
For a character that all its own, opt for the Black Bay 36’s glossy blue instead of the black dial. It’s a deep color plays off the light in ways the black doesn’t, leaving you coming back for more.
Tudor Black Bay 36; $2,848
IWC Mark XVIII
Speaking of blue dials. IWC’s Mark line sees the Explorer’s heritage and raises it by about 20 years, throwing in some military heritage for good measure. The IWC Mark XVIII is the modern heir to the IWC Mark XI, the model IWC made for military pilots back in the 1940s and 1950s. Over the years, IWC has added some luxury to the military watch, but the Mark XVIII is still a rugged watch worthy of any challenge you throw at it. Like the Explorer, you can find it on a bracelet, it’s got legible Arabic numerals, and it measures 39mm.
The Le Petit Prince version, inspired by the children’s-cum-adult novel of the same name, features a brilliant blue dial that you just need to see in the metal to truly appreciate — it’s even better than the photos.
IWC Mark XVIII Le Petit Prince Edition; $4,995
Grand Seiko SBGA003
As I mentioned in the Rolex alternatives article, I’m a big proponent of “buying the icons.” At Grand Seiko, that means the Spring Drive movement. It doesn’t get much more pure than the SBGA003. It’ features a glossy black dial, Grand Seiko’s signature Zaratsu finishing, all powered by a Spring Drive movement. Sure, I featured the Grand Seiko “Snowflake” SBGA211 as the ultimate modern Grand Seiko icon, but if you’re looking to pare things back a bit, this is the choice. What’s more, the price here just shows how much value Grand Seiko continues to offer when compared to other brands at similar (nay, higher!) price points. Buy with confidence.
Grand Seiko SBGA003; $3,450