So, I’ve had my Rolex Explorer for a bit now, the classic one, you know. The other day, I got really curious about its actual size on my wrist, not just what the specs sheet says online. Sometimes those numbers feel a bit abstract until you check ’em yourself. I decided to grab my tools and get some real measurements down.
Getting Started
First thing, I took the Explorer off my wrist. Gave it a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth, just to get rid of any fingerprints or dust. Didn’t want anything messing with the measurements, even slightly. I laid it down carefully on a soft mat on my desk, face up.
The Measuring Part
I dug out my digital caliper. Yeah, I know, maybe a bit much, but I wanted accuracy. A simple ruler felt like I’d be guessing too much, especially with the curves.
Okay, step one was the case diameter. This is the main size people talk about, right? I carefully placed the caliper jaws across the middle of the case, making sure not to include the crown or the crown guards. Just the bezel edge to the opposite side. Did it a couple of times to be sure I was getting a consistent reading.
Next up, the lug-to-lug distance. This one’s super important for how a watch actually wears, maybe more than the diameter. I measured from the tip of the top lug on one side to the tip of the bottom lug on the same side. It’s basically the total length of the watch case across the wrist.
Then, I tackled the thickness. I turned the watch on its side. Placed the caliper jaws carefully on the case back and the top of the crystal. Had to be gentle here, didn’t want to scratch anything. This measurement tells you how high it sits off your wrist.
Finally, the lug width. This is the space between the lugs where the bracelet or strap attaches. Pretty straightforward, just measured the gap directly. Good to know if I ever think about trying different straps.
My Findings
After fiddling around for a bit, here’s what I jotted down:
- Case Diameter (without crown): Right around 36mm, maybe a hair over, just like they say. My caliper read like 36.1mm consistently.
- Lug-to-Lug: This came out to roughly 43.5mm. Explains why it wears so comfortably, even on smaller wrists. It’s not overly long.
- Thickness: I measured about 11.5mm. It’s relatively slim, slips under a cuff easily which I appreciate.
- Lug Width: Exactly 20mm on the dot. Makes finding strap options easy if I wanted to.
Final Thoughts
It was actually pretty satisfying doing it myself. Seeing the numbers pop up on the caliper confirmed the specs but also made me appreciate the watch’s proportions more. It’s not just a number online; it’s the physical dimensions I feel on my wrist every day. The lug-to-lug and thickness, in particular, really hit home why the Explorer feels so balanced. Just a simple exercise, but kinda cool to have done it myself.
