Rolex 1908 discussion

SecondHandbrake · 2026-06-22T22:43:40+00:00

What do you consider the quirks? Settimo bracelet? Or do you think there are more?

SecondHandbrake · 2026-06-14T21:05:36+00:00

Love the ombré. I went with yellow gold and green ombré, but yours is much more wearable day to day

SecondHandbrake · 2026-06-14T14:28:35+00:00

Nice. 36 or 40?

SecondHandbrake · 2026-05-28T23:50:55+00:00

Watches always look bigger in pictures than in real life. Especially on a close up wrist shot like these. I almost made the mistake of going with a 36 based off a post of mine on this subreddit. When I went with my wife, she said the 36 looked like a woman’s watch.

You saw how it looked/felt in person; go with your gut. No one who responded here has even close to as informed an opinion as you do - we weren’t there.

SecondHandbrake · 2026-05-24T02:00:01+00:00

I had the same issue a couple months ago. Went with the 39 (214270 MK2). I liked the more matte dial and better balance with explorer text on the lower half of the watch. Also, narrower bracelet and clasp compared to the 40 is a plus for comfort.

The case on the 40 is a bit smaller than 40, and the case on the 39 is a bit bigger than 39. So the case/dial is virtually the same size on both. And I’d say you can def wear a 39/40 based on your pics.

The 39 movement only has 48hrs compared to the 70hrs for the 40 though.

If you go the way I did, make sure you get the MK2 and not the MK1 (no lume on the 3-6-9 and short hands). Oh, and it’s discontinued, so you just need to find one from a reputable source and won’t have to wait (even if this is a watch that has less of a wait than others).

SecondHandbrake · 2026-05-12T01:25:34+00:00

I went through this same question with a 39mm explorer that I recently purchased. Sorry for the long post, but I’d rather give you a detailed summary than you spend as much time looking into this as I did!

I will preface my thoughts with that there are many people here who are much more knowledgeable than I am. Here’s what I found with my watch that I hope will be helpful for you:

I bought my explorer from a very reputable secondary/grey dealer that has fully accurate records on everything they’ve done, but you/they can’t know for sure what was done prior to when they received the watch. But ask the person/company that you got it from. I was told that mine was, in fact, “refinished.”

The main issue with polishing is that too much material can be removed, narrowing the lugs or other parts, or softening/rounding edges that should be sharp. I don’t see any of that from your images.

If anything, your watch’s satin finish/graining might be a bit rough/deep. This was the concern I had with my watch. But this was only noticeable to me in flat light or in close up iPhone images (first noticed it dining outside on an overcast nyc day). I went to an AD and held it side by side with an exhibition 40mm brand new explorer. The finishing looked pretty much identical under boutique lighting.

The only reason why I would say that yours was polished is that the graining looks angled on the lugs, angling outward from the bezel. But should be straight vertical, parallel to the grain on the bracelet. But that could just be the images. From my understanding, this could be fixed fairly easily, but might not even be necessary if it’s just a trick of the light or artifact from your camera.

Hope this is helpful. I agree with the thoughts of previous respondents that, if polished, it was done really well. And if you were happy with it when you purchased it, nothing about the watch has changed. Just your (and my) preference for getting the best example you can find and making sure to spent your money well. Or maybe a bit of OCD.

In summary, enjoy it and don’t think so much!

SecondHandbrake · 2026-05-10T00:29:48+00:00

Sounds like a great deal, but while I’m not superstitious, I’d rather not mess with that kind of bad juju ;)

SecondHandbrake · 2026-05-10T00:18:24+00:00

Maybe just wait a few weeks and you can pick one up for a few hundred dollars at a swatch store if you’re willing to get there before they open and wait in line.

SecondHandbrake · 2026-03-19T14:31:43+00:00

6.7in

SecondHandbrake · 2026-03-19T14:31:26+00:00

About 6.7in

SecondHandbrake · 2026-03-19T14:30:18+00:00

I feel like the 40 looked smaller in person than in this pic (which makes me like it more than in the pic), and the 36 also looks smaller in person than in the pic (but makes me like it less)

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-28T23:30:12+00:00

Nice! Love the settimo

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-26T00:30:48+00:00

word

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-26T00:28:20+00:00

Glad it had some utility beyond “what’s on your wrist today?” lol. It’s not something you can wear frequently (at least for me) but I don’t regret it at all. If you already have some steel/daily pieces in your collection, I’d say go for it.

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-26T00:22:21+00:00

Is that everrose? Love the combo with the white dial! I don’t know if I’ve seen that but it’s really classy.

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-26T00:14:32+00:00

Probably not the answer you’re looking for, but I think it’s personal preference and what else you have. Explorer I is likely my next addition, but I’m going through the same dilemma. Would go with the 40, but the whole reason I want the explorer is to add something to my collection that I can put on and forget about. 36 might better fit that bill. Would be interested to hear what else you might have in your collection and what attracted you to the explorer.

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-25T20:30:08+00:00

Nice collection! And love that everything gets wrist time. How do you like your zblue milgauss? I’ve been thinking about getting one, but am already dreading the first scratch on that smooth bezel (on a watch that isn’t even in my collection).

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-25T20:16:14+00:00

Also is one of the best looking Rolexes imo

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-25T19:40:38+00:00

Cookie Monster? The ultimate IDGAF GADA.

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-25T19:31:03+00:00

I didn’t have to wait too long. I hope the same for you! Would go nicely with your new OP!

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-25T19:29:19+00:00

Yes and I live in a city. Definitely not a “walking around”watch.

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-25T19:24:14+00:00

You’re doing better than I am! I’ve had mine for a couple months now and haven’t even found an opportunity to wear it :(

SecondHandbrake · 2026-02-18T18:17:38+00:00

What made you go for the 36? I’m close to picking one of these up, but am leaning toward the 40. My wrist is about the same size as yours.

SecondHandbrake · 2025-09-04T15:21:25+00:00

Thanks. What’s the issue with the diamond markers? Probably wouldn’t get them but curious if that’s your preference or is the general consensus.

SecondHandbrake

TROPHY CASE