FOLLOWER REVIEW: David’s Rolex Explorer II
Felix Scholz
Name: David
Watch: Rolex Explorer II
What’s the story behind your Rolex?
I’ve always had my eye on this unobtrusive Rolex as it has a aesthetically pleasing white dial, a date, a steel bracelet, is waterproof and has a nice mechanism that keeps reasonably accurate time.
That is, it had the combination of things I was on the lookout for.
A colleague had one and I admired it on his wrist for years; every time I saw him I asked him the time and reminded him one day he would sell it to me, which he always emphatically denied. To my surprise one day he said he might sell it. Curbing my enthusiasm so as not to highlight his about-face and perhaps change his mind, I pokerfaced negotiated a price as if I were disinterested, happy to let it go, but was actually delighted to get it.
It is, essentially, my only watch, and unless I grow another left arm, that concludes my investment in them. I still have my first car, house and wife so I have the requisite degree of commitment to something I admire. To this day I still ask my colleague the time, but then answer myself by glancing at my own wrist.
More recently, evidently regretting the transaction (or perhaps merely tiring of my carry-on) my colleague enquired whether I’d sell it back to him; unlikely, but I suppose I can be no more convinced of holding onto it than he was when our positions were reversed. Life evolves in unpredictable ways.
When – did you get this watch?
I got it about 10 years ago.
Where – has this watch been?
It is, at all times, either immediately in front of, or behind, me depending on the swing of my left arm as I walk. Everywhere, here and afar.
Why – do you love this watch?
See above.
What does this watch say about who you are?
If you’re into watches – I have a reasonably nice piece on my wrist; if not, I have a watch with a white face.
If you could buy any watch tomorrow what would it be, and why?
I have a longcase regulator at home, the type watchmakers had only one of, by which all other clocks and watches in the shop would be monitored. It ticks with the authority of generations and has, as they do, a large minute dial with a subsidiary hour dial at 6 and a second dial at 12. Should, in my travels, I find a watch of quality configured thus, I might be tempted.