When news first hit that AAA Rolex fake watches were launching a 40mm Explorer, those of us who love the model range were instantly struck with fear. Does this mean the 36mm version is gone again?

Luckily, the answer is no. For the first time ever, there are now two Rolex Explorer size options – the 36mm and new 40mm sitting side by side in the collection.

That said, this is not the first time Rolex has upsized the Explorer. In 2010, Rolex discontinued the ref. 114270 and introduced the 214270 in 39mm, which was then updated in 2016 (remaining at 39mm with slight dial tweaks). And in 2021, Rolex replaced that replica watches UK with the 124270 – a return to form at 36mm.

In all of those iterations, there was always only one Explorer in the lineup at a time. Now that changes.

We know about the 36mm model – it’s a fan favorite, a classic. When I saw early images of the 40mm Explorer online on Monday, it was hard to contextualize what exactly had changed. To be honest, it just looked like an Explorer and I like how Explorers look. When I got to see the best selling replica Rolex watches for myself, our Style Editor Malaika Crawford was next to me with her 36mm ref. 114270, which gave me some points of comparison.

While I wouldn’t say the 40mm is a strictly necessary addition to the lineup, it’s always nice to have options. I’m not sure there’s a whole lot more to the reasoning behind this release. One size does not fit all, and many collectors like bigger fake Rolex watches for sale. That’s it.

In fact, for most of the watch-buying population, a 36mm wristwatch with a dramatically tapering clasp can be a tough ask if you aren’t deep into the history of the Everest-inspired timepiece.

Anyway, here are a few details I noticed when I held the best copy Rolex watches for the first time. First, it looks substantially larger than the 39mm model – the eye perceives that one millimeter as a substantial upsize. I found the bezel to be quite thin, making the dial really stand out, and accentuating its size. My wrist is about 6 ⅓ in., and the 40mm case looked a bit too big for me (my colleagues agreed).

Still, the larger cheap replica watches have the same movement, the same steel case, the same bracelet, and the same dial layout. One piece of design that differentiates both larger Explorers (39 and 40mm) is the location of the namesake on the dial. The 39mm had it situated near six o’clock while the new 40mm has it in the same position as the 36mm version, near the top of the dial. Maybe for you that’s a dealbreaker. Probably not.

Honestly, what this release represents to me is Rolex’s ability to sort of do whatever it wants — to make a thing nobody asked for and, in all likelihood, nobody even thought about. It’s like the Puzzle Day-Date, but on the opposite end of the spectrum.

I’m hoping to get some extended time with this top clone Rolex watches in the future, so stay tuned for that. Who knows, maybe the 40mm size will grow on me – or maybe my wrist will grow on it.