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Oysters11


Messages: 15
Location: East Coast, U.S.A.
Registered: March 2011
Explorer/Submariner Dials Mon, 14 January 2019 23:15 Go to next message

Do the new Explorer and Submariner dials have a glossy or matte finish? Does anyone experience difficulty reading the dial because of reflective surfaces? I am debating the purchase of one of these watches but prefer to have a matte, easily read dial. If not an Explorer or Submariner, I will have to resort to a black dial Patek, which have matte finishes.

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Kevin C.


Messages: 2879
Location: Sonoma County California
Registered: February 2006
Re: Explorer/Submariner Dials Mon, 14 January 2019 23:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message

Matte finish on the Explorer. My 60+ year old eyes have no problem seeing this dial.
Untitled


"Never mistake activity for achievement" John Wooden

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diracpoint


Messages: 337
Registered: April 2010
Re: Explorer/Submariner Dials Tue, 15 January 2019 00:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message

As already mentioned, explorer dial is matte. Submariner dials are glossy, I think.

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Oysters11


Messages: 15
Location: East Coast, U.S.A.
Registered: March 2011
Re: Explorer/Submariner Dials Tue, 15 January 2019 00:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message

Thanks very much for your observations. You made have saved me from going over to the dark side. I love that matte finish on the Explorer I. Beautiful!

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Oysters11


Messages: 15
Location: East Coast, U.S.A.
Registered: March 2011
Re: Explorer/Submariner Dials Tue, 15 January 2019 00:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message

Thanks! Great looking matte dial.

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athens7


Messages: 20
Registered: June 2018
SubC dial Tue, 15 January 2019 19:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message



Gloss dial, but no trouble with legibility.


Brad

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rick j.


Messages: 5708
Location: USA
Registered: September 2004
The pics in this thread illustrate how amazingly legible *both* dial types are.. Wed, 16 January 2019 11:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message

So, imho, the preferred strategy is to pursue the reference that speaks to you the most, not the dial finish. Both watches are exceptionally legible and both can be worn in a variety of environments. The Sub emphasizes ruggedness and water resistance with a more pronounced look and profile. The Explorer is more understated, but just as versatile and go-anywhere. Pick the watch whose proportions and aesthetics appeal to you, and the watch you see best fitting into your vocation, lifestyle, hobbies, and pursuits. If all else fails, you could go after both. They do not duplicate each other. :-)

Kind regards, -Rick.

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athens7


Messages: 20
Registered: June 2018
Re: The pics in this thread illustrate how amazingly legible *both* dial types are.. Wed, 16 January 2019 15:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message

rick j. wrote on Wed, 16 January 2019 11:18
So, imho, the preferred strategy is to pursue the reference that speaks to you the most, not the dial finish. Both watches are exceptionally legible and both can be worn in a variety of environments. The Sub emphasizes ruggedness and water resistance with a more pronounced look and profile. The Explorer is more understated, but just as versatile and go-anywhere. Pick the watch whose proportions and aesthetics appeal to you, and the watch you see best fitting into your vocation, lifestyle, hobbies, and pursuits. If all else fails, you could go after both. They do not duplicate each other. :-)



Kind regards, -Rick.


Sound advice, IMO. Additionally, if you're looking to purchase new from a Rolex AD, the Explorer might be slightly easier to source than a Submariner and is $1-2K less.


Brad

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rip


Messages: 1951
Location: TEXAS
Registered: October 2005
Re: Explorer/Submariner Dials Thu, 17 January 2019 18:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message

I enjoy rotating both of these highly legible watches:

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Oysters11


Messages: 15
Location: East Coast, U.S.A.
Registered: March 2011
Re: Explorer/Submariner Dials Thu, 17 January 2019 19:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message

Those two must be the most iconic and legible dials ever! Very well thought out indeed.

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Jason Oliver


Messages: 791
Location: Southern California
Registered: December 2003
In all truth, though... Mon, 21 January 2019 16:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message

dial legibility has just as much to do with the crystal as the sheen of the dial. All Rolex, unfortunately, suffer from a "white out" condition at certain angles when glare/light reflection strikes (watches with anti-reflective coating aren't as affected by this condition although they of course have their own issues). The "white out" condition isn't typically apparent in most of the pics you'll see online since they're often taken indoors under controlled conditions, but just wear a Rolex outside on a sunny day and you'll immediately see the issue. For me it's not a deal breaker, but it does occasionally force you to change the angle you're looking at the watch to see the dial and hands at all.

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H


Messages: 610
Location: Pennsylvania
Registered: June 2007
Re: Explorer/Submariner Dials Mon, 21 January 2019 19:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message

I bought my Sub date in 1985. I've never considered whether the dial was glossy or matte. Its always been extremely legible - one of the reasons I love wearing this watch. OBTW, I just looked - the dial is glossy.

ROLEX: GMT II (Pepsi Bezel), Submariner Date (1983). BREITLING: Navitimer, Aerospace Evo. OMEGA: Speedmaster Date (1997), Speedmaster Pro (3573.50). TISSOT: Chronograph (circa 1966 and still keeps great time!). CONCORD: Chronograph Quartz (1988).

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ReXTless


Messages: 101
Location: US
Registered: May 2011
Re: Explorer/Submariner Dials Thu, 24 January 2019 14:14 Go to previous message

Sub is glossy.

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