Explorer I, the Speedie's Nemesis: poll

[Sea-Wolf]

Steve, these two aren't comparable.
As to icons, Rolex has far too many to mention, eh? ;) As to the Explorer and the Speedy, apples and oranges. Both are iconic, yes, with the EXP line up being among the very best there is. As to "the" Iconic Chrono, that would be the Breitling Navitimer in my opinion. That said, when it comes to Omega, their Speedy is an icon in its own right, too (though the marketing hype/LEs, well, let's not go there; they're hardly the only one as discussed on your other thread). If comparing Rolex chrono as in the Daytona, ...

Yes, Swiss-made is expensive; it's an expensive place to live and wages are tied to the cost-of-living, etc. , such that for some watchmakers who actually like Rolex make most things in-house as opposed to (cough, cough) outsourcing, prices as compared to those who don't are in turn justified, in my op. (Note: if one wants Swiss made and in-house, there's a corresponding cost to that in turn). If that's not so important, then there's tons of other options out there, no shortage in fact. All depends on what one wants, as don't really need a watch to tell the time (and not the reason why most people buy a "good" watch anyway; just saying).

As per your other thread, I like the Speedy in it's own right, serves a different "itch" (OK, so I'm also a Star Trek fan, too; what can I say, different watches speak to me for different reasons, and probably reason why I can't ever see myself ever having just one ... lol). As to date/no date doesn't matter to me; when I get up in the morning, before I go to bed at night, really, the date doesn't change ... Hence, one of each, both nice, but not really comparable, at all.

Cheers.

[LosTresGatos]

Well since this thread is about the Iconic nature of these watches, it all depends on what you'd rather associate yourself with.

Would you rather be a 1950-60s astronaut which comes with a public adulation rating about equal to JFK, pays well enough to let you tool around in a Gen I or II Corvette, and a bunch of nifty endorsements?

Or you can be a 1950-60s explorer/adventurer which comes with knighthood, your face on local currency, and a bunch of missing fingers due to frostbite?

Both occupations had terrible mortality rates and pretty much equal opportunity for lifelong speaking engagements if successful. Personally I'd rather take the Speedy since that includes hero worship from young women and a Corvette

[hydrocarbon]

Excellent post, thank you for that. This is a much better discussion than I would have guessed from the title.

Well since this thread is about the Iconic nature of these watches, it all depends on what you'd rather associate yourself with.

Would you rather be a 1950-60s astronaut which comes with a public adulation rating about equal to JFK, pays well enough to let you tool around in a Gen I or II Corvette, and a bunch of nifty endorsements?

Or you can be a 1950-60s explorer/adventurer which comes with knighthood, your face on local currency, and a bunch of missing fingers due to frostbite?

Both occupations had terrible mortality rates and pretty much equal opportunity for lifelong speaking engagements if successful. Personally I'd rather take the Speedy since that includes hero worship from young women and a Corvette

[jason_recliner]

Explorer is nice enough for a mass produced watch. But this is more my style:

[Ozy]

Explorer is nice enough for a mass produced watch. But this is more my style:

You didnt, did you?!

[Scottish Steve]

"Nice enough for a mass-produced watch"?
Do you live under a bridge?

In response to SeaWolf's post I'd love to know how much of a wage increase the Rolex employees have been getting while the prices of the watches they make have been increasing. I will post a picture of myself naked, covered in eels if it turns out that Rolex are simply covering costs!

As to these two models being incompatible, I can't have been the only person to "either or" these two models. The Aqua does nothing for me. TBH it seems a like a botched effort. Those lines on the small seconds XL make it look like a Jersey Sofa!

[alien1]

I love me a good fight....

[Raza]

Steve, you really have it out for the Speedmaster, eh?

[Scottish Steve]

No, I think it's a great watch. I really do. I probably wouldn't spend the money on it, would get something else instead. I'm just trying to get a feel for the community's opinion or open an opportunity to those who don't generally get involved.
The AT, I don't like so much.

[jason_recliner]

You didnt, did you?!

And how!

"Nice enough for a mass-produced watch"?

Sure. The current gen Rollies are about as nice as a watch can be made using automated processes, similar to Omega, high end Seiko, Breitling, etc. That is to say, very well made. But at that price piont, when looking for a steel 3 hander on a bracelet that can be worn with anything, there are far more exclusive options with much more of a human touch. That appealed to me more than the Explorer heritage and Rolex brand values.

Do you live under a bridge?

I don't understand.