The Best Independent Alternatives to the 2023 Rolex Explorer

Certain models of watches are iconic because of their unique design and history. Generally speaking, this history is associated with some human adventure or exploration. You know, climbing Mount Everest, skirting the North Pole, or exploring the Marianas Trench in a submarine. The Rolex Explorer is one of these iconic models that some of us consider the quintessential adventure watch. Many brands have taken inspiration from the best Rolex Explorer to create their own versions. And there is no shortage of explorer watches in the micro-brand/independent watch market. In this article, we’ll take a look at four alternatives to the Explorer from the aforementioned family of brands.
This versatility lies in its design and size, making it suitable for many situations in which we find ourselves. Moreover, it is a robust watch with decent water resistance, a sapphire crystal, and solid movement. In addition, it looks simple but not boring. It has a certain subtle elegance that makes it fly under the radar, and yet, it is a capable watch. My definition is not a scientific one, but more of an emotional/subjective one. But I think you get my point here. So, without further ado, let’s look at my choices below.
Lorier is in the business of making elegant, vintage-inspired timepieces that most of us can buy. I own several Lorier models, the most recent addition to my collection being the Falcon SIII. The Falcon Mark III is also a solid horological piece. It is equipped with a quality Miyota 90S5 movement that beats at 28,800vph (4Hz) and offers a 42-hour power reserve. Lorier’s movements are not regulated, but mine runs at +6 seconds per day, which is pretty good in my book.
I recently talked about the Traska in my review of the Sealander and Venturer GMT. the other model I wanted to mention the Commuter, which has a 36.5 mm case diameter. Traska released the first version of this watch in 2021 and the third version this year.
Looking at the selection above, all of the watches have a few things in common. First, they all have fixed bezels and, with one exception, no date complication. Explorer-type replica watches usually do not have a date to keep the design simple and readable. I do prefer a date window, and I would love to see the brands mentioned above try to release a dated version of their models.