I don’t like Rolex!
Let me sugarcoat that. I’m not a fan of recent Rolexes apart from the Explorer II Reference 216570 with the principle purpose being is that it seems to be a lot just like the classic 1655 “Freccione” with its flamboyant orange second time zone hand, a collector’s basic dream.
A non-pimped Rolex Explorer II
Throughout a visit to Tokyo a few years in the past I used to be in a gathering with a distinguished Japanese gentleman, impeccably clad and sporting probably the most beautiful Yohei Fukuda bespoke sneakers. Beneath his French cuffs he gave the impression to be sporting a contemporary Explorer II. Evidently, this gentleman captivated me in order that principally the very first thing I did as soon as the assembly over was search for a Rolex vendor.
However since I’m not a fan of recent Rolex (and considerably of a cheapo) I naturally didn’t need to pay full value. My guardian angel, as soon as once more proving that she or he is watching over me full time, got here to the rescue as simply across the nook I discovered a second-hand retailer that had . . . look ahead to it . . . an Explorer II in inventory.
After having put my wonderful negotiation expertise to work and acquiring a beneficiant zero % low cost, I walked out with Reference 216570 together with field and papers.
The watch nerd that I’m, I not often instantly put on my new watches; I wish to put them apart for a number of days and let the anticipation develop. When the day lastly got here that it was time to put on my new Rolex, I took it out of the field, learn the instruction handbook (I couldn’t determine methods to set the orange hand) and proudly put it on my wrist.
After which horror struck. I didn’t really feel something, not a factor!
It didn’t give me pleasure, I didn’t look distinguished, I didn’t even look Japanese!
I wore the watch, I wore it quite a bit throughout that summer season. I actually needed to like it, possibly we might develop to like one another and recognize one another’s firm. However, no, it simply didn’t occur.
Zilch, nada, niente!
Round that point I used to be additionally testing the completely different on-line platforms providing completely different case coatings and dial modifications, and I began considering that possibly if I made some modifications it could assist me give extra TLC to my Explorer II.
I spoke to my buddy, Chris, about this. He’s a collector and watch fanatic and takes his watches very significantly. He’s typically left shaking his head in disbelief after I speak to him about my completely different watch initiatives, however this time his reply was, “I don’t take into account the Explorer II an iconic Rolex like a Submariner or a Daytona, so why not?”
Sure, I appear to be the man who wants approval from his friends to go forward with a mission . . . sigh . . . and there I used to be considering I used to be a free spirit!
Anyway, to make an extended story brief, I collected quotes from completely different firms who might pimp my Rolex, and every was much more ridiculously costly than the opposite. Every quote I bought virtually doubled in value, however I used to be able to make the sacrifice; I used to be not going to desert my Explorer II with no battle.
There was no method I used to be going to go below with regrets, however that’s the place my guardian angel intervened a second time: one other collector pal of mine advised me of a discreet watch store in Switzerland (names and locations have been modified to guard the harmless) who might do the pimping I wanted.
Blackened Rolex Explorer II
Emails had been despatched, contacts made, and the watch was despatched for a full makeover that might take two months. The modifications I needed had been minimal: a black case and bracelet with lime inexperienced enamel numerals on the bezel. The dial and fingers had been to stay untouched.
Blackened Rolex Explorer II
The explanation for my selection was easy: I needed my Rolex to nonetheless appear like a Rolex, however since I used to be pimping it I didn’t need to have the dial redone to appear like a classic mannequin (on a facet word, I discover the present gives to change trendy Daytonas to appear like classic fashions, however at a fair increased value than buying the true classic counterparts, fully ridiculous!).
Electrical inexperienced numerals on the bezel on this blackened Rolex Explorer II
As for the inexperienced numerals . . . effectively, they don’t seem to be as a result of I’m a giant Shrek fan. I slightly love the colour and discover that sadly it’s used far too occasionally in watchmaking. The individual accountable for the enameling despatched me a number of solutions by mail, even one with orange numerals, however I settled for a powerful lime inexperienced coloration ultimately.
Blackened Rolex Explorer II
After about two months’ wait, I bought a package deal within the put up. And with out warning opened it to search out my pimped out Explorer II trying menacingly darkish but joyous with its inexperienced accents. And I famous with some pleasure that the pimper (or pimp?) had despatched me the watch even earlier than I had paid for it! Kudos to him: I’m glad to have individuals who nonetheless work based mostly on belief.
Blackened Rolex Explorer II
So how did I really feel?
I received’t lie: it wasn’t love at first sight.
The watch was cool, positively very cool. It was precisely all the things I used to be anticipating and much more. I can’t say that I really like the watch, and this stays proof that I simply don’t like trendy Rolex irrespective of how pimped up it’s. However I put on it with pleasure; it’s a nice dialog starter and it’s a rattling handsome, kick-ass watch.
And it helped me unearth my interior pimp!
Blackened Rolex Explorer II
Do you suppose that I made the correct determination or did I commit sacrilege? Or each? Tell us your ideas within the feedback under.
For extra info on the Rolex Explorer II, please go to www.rolex.com/explorer-ii/m216570.
* This text was first printed on June 18, 2016 at Why I Pimped My Rolex. Chances are you’ll discover the feedback there fascinating.
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