I don’t like Rolex!
Let me sugarcoat that. I’m not a fan of modern Rolexes other than the Explorer II Reference 216570 with the main reason being is that it looks so much like the vintage 1655 “Freccione” with its flamboyant orange second time zone hand, a collector’s classic dream.
A non-pimped Rolex Explorer II
During a trip to Tokyo a couple of years ago I was in a meeting with a distinguished Japanese gentleman, impeccably clad and wearing the most gorgeous Yohei Fukuda bespoke shoes. Beneath his French cuffs he appeared to be sporting a modern Explorer II. Needless to say, this gentleman captivated me so that basically the first thing I did once the meeting over was look for a Rolex dealer.
But since I’m not a fan of modern Rolex (and somewhat of a cheapo) I naturally didn’t want to pay full price. My guardian angel, once again proving that he or she is watching over me full time, came to the rescue as just around the corner I found a second-hand store that had . . . wait for it . . . an Explorer II in stock.
After having put my amazing negotiation skills to work and obtaining a generous zero percent discount, I walked out with Reference 216570 including box and papers.
The watch nerd that I am, I rarely immediately wear my new watches; I like to put them aside for a few days and let the anticipation grow. When the day finally came that it was time to wear my new Rolex, I took it out of the box, read the instruction manual (I couldn’t figure out how to set the orange hand) and proudly put it on my wrist.
And then horror struck. I didn’t feel anything, not a thing!
It didn’t give me joy, I didn’t look distinguished, I didn’t even look Japanese!
I wore the watch, I wore it quite a lot during that summer. I really wanted to love it, maybe we would grow to love each other and appreciate each other’s company. But, no, it just didn’t happen.
Zilch, nada, niente!
Around that time I was also checking out the different online platforms offering different case coatings and dial modifications, and I started thinking that maybe if I made some modifications it would help me give more TLC to my Explorer II.
I spoke to my buddy, Chris, about this. He is a collector and watch fanatic and takes his watches very seriously. He is often left shaking his head in disbelief when I talk to him about my different watch projects, but this time his reply was, “I don’t consider the Explorer II an iconic Rolex like a Submariner or a Daytona, so why not?”
Yes, I seem to be the guy who needs approval from his peers to go ahead with a project . . . sigh . . . and there I was thinking I was a free spirit!
Anyway, to make a long story short, I collected quotes from different companies who could pimp my Rolex, and each was even more ridiculously expensive than the other. Each quote I got almost doubled in price, but I was ready to make the sacrifice; I was not going to abandon my Explorer II without a fight.
There was no way I was going to go under with regrets, but that’s where my guardian angel intervened a second time: another collector friend of mine told me of a discreet watch shop in Switzerland (names and places have been changed to protect the innocent) who could do the pimping I needed.
Blackened Rolex Explorer II
Emails were sent, contacts made, and the watch was sent for a full makeover that would take two months. The changes I wanted were minimal: a black case and bracelet with lime green enamel numerals on the bezel. The dial and hands were to remain untouched.
Blackened Rolex Explorer II
The reason for my choice was simple: I wanted my Rolex to still look like a Rolex, but since I was pimping it I didn’t want to have the dial redone to look like a vintage model (on a side note, I find the current offers to modify modern Daytonas to look like vintage models, but at an even higher price than acquiring the true vintage counterparts, completely ridiculous!).
Electric green numerals on the bezel on this blackened Rolex Explorer II
As for the green numerals . . . well, they are not because I’m a big Shrek fan. I rather love the color and find that unfortunately it is used far too infrequently in watchmaking. The person in charge of the enameling sent me a few suggestions by mail, even one with orange numerals, but I settled for a strong lime green color in the end.
Blackened Rolex Explorer II
After about two months’ wait, I got a package in the post. And without warning opened it to find my pimped out Explorer II looking menacingly dark yet joyous with its green accents. And I noted with some joy that the pimper (or pimp?) had sent me the watch even before I had paid for it! Kudos to him: I am happy to have people who still work based on trust.
Blackened Rolex Explorer II
So how did I feel?
I won’t lie: it wasn’t love at first sight.
The watch was cool, definitely very cool. It was exactly everything I was expecting and even more. I can’t say that I love the watch, and this remains proof that I just don’t like modern Rolex no matter how pimped up it is. But I wear it with pleasure; it is a great conversation starter and it is a damn good-looking, kick-ass watch.
And it helped me unearth my inner pimp!
Blackened Rolex Explorer II
Do you think that I made the right decision or did I commit sacrilege? Or both? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
For more information on the Rolex Explorer II, please visit www.rolex.com/explorer-ii/m216570.
* This article was first published on June 18, 2016 at Why I Pimped My Rolex. You may find the comments there interesting.
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Oh dear… not this monstrosity again! It’s still burned into my retinas from the last time.
It was bad at the time, and only looks worse now.
Having said that… I do appreciate the author’s courageous decision though.
Please don’t repost this again. Ever.
To each their own, but this hurts my soul.
Does the green lime on bezel lime at night? Otherwise it’s just a waste. I would prefer to leave the case and bracelet in its original color.
Oh my eyes. My eyes. Wait (*vomit*). My eyes! Courageous dear author but please consider wearing this under a sleeve or jumper always.
I agree, this watch makes me want to spit up. I’ve been wearing a Rolex GMT for 55 yrs. I’m waiting for my AD to call me with the new GMT or sub.
However, the pure madness, feeding frenzy in the past years. So the people that want a Rolex. They don’t know why they want a Rolex, but they have to have one. For someone like me that wants to go through my AD is a relic of the past to get a call.
Seems like gray market boys beat us to the AD.
Don’t kid yourself, they know why they want it . To flip!
Love this watch. It’s your watch and there’s nothing wrong with adding some personality to your watch. Green lantern
I kinda like it. Looks great in the black coating.
The critical issue was glossed over. If a guy does not like Rolex and particularly the big modern sports models why buy the Explorer II? We all have made this sort of error. Most of us just sell it and move on hoping to absorb a personal lesson. Choosing to pour more money into the Rolex seems stubborn and unforgiving. Good money after bad is a fool’s errand.
Hej Rody Nilsson här jag söker dig jag vill beställa klocka blacknend Rolex Explorer ll tack så mycket ha en bra fint dag hälsningar från Rody
Looks alot more interesting. I like it. Dare to be different I say.
Please stop with the reissues of old articles! Or at least let us know at the top of the article that it’s a reprint!! Maddening!!!
Check the top of the article, the title states ‘Reprise.’
Regards, Ian
If your going to f—- up a Rolex it should be an explorer since it’s the ugliest one anyway!!!!
Let me get this straight. You bought the watch because it was on the wrist of someone who had nice shoes. You didn’t like it, and then decided to double down and make it objectively worse (downright hideous IMO). And to top it all off you decided to share this horror story with the world, multiple times it seems? Did I miss something?
Definitely not my cup of tea. At all.
To me it doesn’t look “p*****d” (what a horrible word). It looks ruined. It looks fake. It looks cheap.
I believe you should have sold it and bought a piece you liked. It’s not as if there isn’t enough choice is it?
However, in this matter, my opinion does not count.
But please, don’t allow that word on this website.
It is beneath it.
I think I rolled my eyes so many times at this story I sprained something.
Thanks for sharing. But the description or you journey was rather misleading. Your watch was personalized or customized. To “Pimp Out” a wrist watch requires adding jewels, especially diamonds to definitely increase the value. Your changes aren’t bad, but questionable… Glad you like it but it would have to be “crusty” for everyone to see it as being “pimped out” bro.
If you can’t speak English, please use a translator
Where will you sent your watch for service? All authorized Rolex service centers will refuse service. The serial number of each watch specifies to put it in original condition. Your watch has very little “original” condition.
If you want your Rolex to look like a Timex – then why did you not just buy a Timex?
A value of a Rolex is its timeless, classic appearance – not a circus watch like yours. It really looks cheap and worse then even plastic watch. Sorry! I love Rolex. I own a 1625 Thunderbird, Explorer II and GMTII. My wife also has a Tu-Tone Ladies Rolex. All my watches look like Rolex and go for Service every 5 years. Put it on e-bay, maybe someone will offer you 50 cents for it!
I mean, you *could* have sold this watch with zero effort – likely for at least as much as you paid if not more in this current market! – before deciding to dunk it in PVD & paint. Now? Not a chance. But hey, it’s only money… and we all know that can’t buy taste (or common sense for that matter…)
This was the worst decision you could make in regards to this great time peace. I think you could have got a fossil and do this, but not to the explorer
Definitely to each their own and if it wasn’t a Rolex it wouldn’t be half bad but…..for committing sacrilege you should be made to wear the largest and most obnoxious Invicta watches for a period of not less than one year.
I am sorry to say that now this Rolex looks very tacky and plasticky.Though I am not a big fan of Rolex
It’s not for me, but it’s unique and cool. Cheers!
I love all my sports models just the way they are, BUT I love unique and interesting things too. If someone has the means to create a cool looking Rolex, I say go for it. Its about personal enjoyment. Not about what others might think. Personally, I think it looks great.
You know for a fact if Rolex put this out it be sold out for years to come, but I don’t care for it.
Agreed 100% Ray
Thanks for the that Ian, have a good weekend !