Submariner vs. Explorer?

CB0012

Which in your mind would be the preferable choice for "Bond's watch"?

Submariner - Naval background, rugged tool watch, cinema character
Explorer - Adventure minded, dressier sports watch, literary character

Looking at going down this path for purchase myself. At the moment wind is blowing in the direction of the Explorer but curious to hear your thoughts as well.

danjaq_0ff

Submariner -{

UNCLE27

Can’t go wrong with either! Two fabulous watches.
If you’re just getting one at the moment, I’d go for the Explorer I, it’s more versatile and can be dressed up for more formal occasions yet would be equally at home on the beach.

Nobody would argue that you couldn’t wear an Explorer I with a suit (some will argue you shouldn’t wear any watch with a dinner suit!) but plenty might point out 5hat a Submariner is a sports and tool watch which shouldn’t be worn with any suit. Having said that, the newer Submariners are far more dressier than the older ones.

So, from Bond’s point of view, taking just one watch on a mission, I’d vote Explorer I.
Depends on your usual daily wear though, not his.

Sterling Archer

If I was Bond, I'd be wearing the Explorer over the Submariner. Unless I'm doing a serious deep diving machine, the Explorer will take everything thrown at it like a Sub.

I guess a diving bezel is a useful function in day to day activity.

It really comes down to the fact that the Submariner is so recognizable and that it is the go to watch for anyone who wants to say they made it. What the Sub stood for in the 60s is not what it stands for today. Not to say it still isn't one of the greatest watches of all time, if not the greatest, I just think it wouldn't be used by Bond in 2018.

Go with the Explorer and be different. Unless you personally plan on diving with your Submariner (an Explorer could still be taken diving, just not to the extremes of a Sub), the Explorer is just the perfect all around watch. Cool thing about the Explorer is that it is subtle as well. It's every bit a damn quality piece like the Sub BUT it just doesn't stand out like the Sub. I consider that a positive. Now, some people want their $7k+ investment to be recognized and if that is the case then a Sub is the obvious choice.

If you do go Sub, go no-date. It is just so much more symmetrically beautiful than the date model with the bubble. Also, it is more true to the Bond roots and it makes the watch go more under the radar. To many, Rolex=Date Bubble and not having that will throw off a lot of novices.


Personally, I'd go with a 5-digit Sub or the 2016 updated Explorer I. The new Subs don't do it for me. The lugs are way too square and it has lost its beautiful proportions. Ceramic is hit and miss. It is beautiful for sure and manipulates the light in a way that will leave you staring at your watch all time and it is also durable as hell. That comes with the cost of being a lot more blingy though.

You can't really make a bad decision either way though. You are choosing one of the two greatest watches of all time.

Also, I'd consider the real life history of both models as well. They go beyond Bond. Maybe that could be a deciding factor for you?

Miles Messervy

If you don’t mind pre-owned, I’d probably look for a late generation Submariner 16610 or a 5513 in decent shape. If you want a brand new watch, I’d go Explorer I. It’s maintained more of its character than the new Subs, nice as they are. The new Tudor Black Bay 58 is also a possibility if you’re looking for something with old school Bond flavor.

MikeG77

Sterling Archer wrote:

If I was Bond, I'd be wearing the Explorer over the Submariner. Unless I'm doing a serious deep diving machine, the Explorer will take everything thrown at it like a Sub.

I guess a diving bezel is a useful function in day to day activity.

It really comes down to the fact that the Submariner is so recognizable and that it is the go to watch for anyone who wants to say they made it. What the Sub stood for in the 60s is not what it stands for today. Not to say it still isn't one of the greatest watches of all time, if not the greatest, I just think it wouldn't be used by Bond in 2018.

Go with the Explorer and be different. Unless you personally plan on diving with your Submariner (an Explorer could still be taken diving, just not to the extremes of a Sub), the Explorer is just the perfect all around watch. Cool thing about the Explorer is that it is subtle as well. It's every bit a damn quality piece like the Sub BUT it just doesn't stand out like the Sub. I consider that a positive. Now, some people want their $7k+ investment to be recognized and if that is the case then a Sub is the obvious choice.

If you do go Sub, go no-date. It is just so much more symmetrically beautiful than the date model with the bubble. Also, it is more true to the Bond roots and it makes the watch go more under the radar. To many, Rolex=Date Bubble and not having that will throw off a lot of novices.


Personally, I'd go with a 5-digit Sub or the 2016 updated Explorer I. The new Subs don't do it for me. The lugs are way too square and it has lost its beautiful proportions. Ceramic is hit and miss. It is beautiful for sure and manipulates the light in a way that will leave you staring at your watch all time and it is also durable as hell. That comes with the cost of being a lot more blingy though.

You can't really make a bad decision either way though. You are choosing one of the two greatest watches of all time.

Also, I'd consider the real life history of both models as well. They go beyond Bond. Maybe that could be a deciding factor for you?

I have a little bit different perspective.....

To me the Explorer 1 is way too plain of a watch and is better for a very casual setting and the Submariner is too common! I would say that a GMT Master II with the Black bezel (I prefer the Pepsi) would be a better option for Bond as he can track more than 1 timezone at a time, it has a same depth rating as the Explorer 1 and it has a date function. Now the no date Submariner is nice choice as it has a symmetrical dial but i would want to have a date window but i hate the cyclops. Seeing as a standard Submariner was not an option because of the cyclops i instead opted for a Sea-Dweller which gives me the benefits of both models which is a date with no cyclops

Honestly though if Bond was doing some serious diving he's probably gonna be using some sort of closed circuit
re-breather and a dive watch.

MikeG77

Miles Messervy wrote:

If you don’t mind pre-owned, I’d probably look for a late generation Submariner 16610 or a 5513 in decent shape. If you want a brand new watch, I’d go Explorer I. It’s maintained more of its character than the new Subs, nice as they are. The new Tudor Black Bay 58 is also a possibility if you’re looking for something with old school Bond flavor.

I would stay away from any vintage pieces but if i did i'd look at the Rolex 16660, 16760 or Tudor Submariner 79090.

Commandant

As the Submariner was the British Ministry of Defence's (MOD) choice, I would say Bond would wear a Submariner.