Design Deepdive: An exercise in one millimeter, Explorer 39 vs 40

firebolt

3 weeks ago

When watch reviewers on YouTube put Explorer 39 and 40 side by side, it strikes me that the 40 looks smaller and slimmer. How is this possible when, on paper, the Explorer 40 is larger than the 39, with actual case measurements of 38.6mm and 38.3mm respectively? By making it bigger, they ended up making it "look smaller"? What kind of sorcery is this?

The Magic of the Bezel

One of the most significant factors contributing to this optical illusion is the larger bezel on Explorer 40. The bezel accounts for most of the “1 mm” increase in the case size, making the black lacquered dial appear smaller and more "bug-eyed" as the larger bezel dominates the visual space.

Lug Width, End-Links, and Crown Size

Another change Rolex made to the Explorer 40 was to increase the lug width to 21mm and lengthen the end-links. These adjustments, as well as the larger crown size on the 40, create the illusion of a slimmer watch. At the same time, the longer end-links and the thicker bezel contribute to a more substantial look on the wrist.

Thinner Hour Markers

Another observation is that the hour index markers are thinner on the 40. This subtle change makes the lacquered dial cleaner and pop even more, drawing attention to the center of the watch and contributing to the illusion of a smaller dial.

Conclusion

Rolex has employed several visual tricks to make the 40mm Explorer look smaller than the 39mm. These include:

Thicker Bezel: The larger bezel makes the dial look smaller.
Increased Lug Width: The 21mm lug-width create a slimmer appearance.
Longer End-Links: The extended end-links give the watch a taller look, enhancing its slender profile.

References:

Watch Your Style's "Explorer 40 vs Mk2 (and 124270)" YouTube Video
Hafiz J Mehmood's "[4K] Rolex Explorer 39 vs Explorer 40 Hands-on; Differences Beyond The Obvious | Hafiz J Mehmood" YouTube Video

#explorer #rolexexplorer #rolex #design