Messages: 15 Location: East Coast, U.S.A.
Registered: March 2011
Explorer/Submariner Dials
Mon, 14 January 2019 23:15
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.
Messages: 15 Location: East Coast, U.S.A.
Registered: March 2011
Re: Explorer/Submariner Dials
Tue, 15 January 2019 00:48
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!
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
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. :-)
Re: The pics in this thread illustrate how amazingly legible *both* dial types are..
Wed, 16 January 2019 15:00
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.
Messages: 791 Location: Southern California
Registered: December 2003
In all truth, though...
Mon, 21 January 2019 16:08
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.
Messages: 610 Location: Pennsylvania
Registered: June 2007
Re: Explorer/Submariner Dials
Mon, 21 January 2019 19:06
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).
