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The Rolex Explorer I and Rolex Submariner: What’s a Better Watch for You?

Writer's picture: Bert LeviBert Levi




The Rolex Explorer I and Rolex Submariner are both incredible watches. In fact, you’d have a hard time coming up with better sports watches. If you plan on buying a Rolex and you’ve narrowed it down to these two, either choice is excellent. You would likely already know your choice if you planned on using the watch for diving or cave exploration. So, let’s take a look at which way you might go depending on your particular sense of fashion.

 

The Submariner is far more popular and in demand at the moment. That doesn’t mean it’s better or right for you. If the popularity of the watch is important to you, go with the Submariner but realize that can mean long waiting lists or purchasing only on the secondary market. You’ll pay more for your Submariner, in general, because you’ll buy on the secondary market.

 

Explorer has slim proportions compared to the Submariner, making it more attractive to some buyers, depending on fashion sensibility. Further, although the Submariner is more resistant to external scratches, the Explorer has better internal shock resistance.

 

For some, the understated appearance of the explorer is more attractive than the “in your face” appearance of the Submariner.  The Explorer is a classier looking watch than the Submariner. For some, that may make it appear boring.

 

This is not to say the Submariner is too showy or too flashy. Its size and design are especially relevant to its purpose as a sports watch designed to be used underwater. The Explorer has different purposes, and the one thing you can count on when it comes to Rolex is that the watches are designed with purpose. Similarly, people are designed with different tastes, likes, and dislikes.

 

If you want a more subtle watch, you want the Explorer. If you want to make a statement, you want the Submariner.

 

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©2025 by Bert Levi Family Jewelers.

Levi Family Jewelers Is a Third-Generation Jeweler Committed to Developing Relationships That Last a Lifetime. Part Of That Is Making Something Clear to You. We are not an official dealer for any of the watch brands we sell and have no affiliation with any of the manufacturers. All brand names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only. We are not affiliated with Rolex S.A., Rolex USA, or any of its subsidiaries, Rolex, www.rolex.com, is under no obligation to warranty-service watches sold by Levi Family Jewelers. Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date President, Submariner, Presidential, Explorer, Sea Dweller, Super President, GMT Master, GMT, YachtMaster, Prince, Milgaus, MasterPiece, Air King, Cosmograph Daytona, and PearlMaster are all registered trademarks of the Rolex Corporation ( Rolex USA, Rolex S.A.) To buy a new Rolex watch, please visit the Rolex website for a list of authorized Rolex dealers near you.

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