Pagani DesignPD-1693
Homage to the Rolex Explorer II
about$162
Regular price at paganidesign.com, checked 31 Oct 2026. Marketplace prices change often.
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The Pagani Design PD-1693 is a homage to the Rolex Explorer II, with the same 42 mm case size. It uses an automatic movement. It costs about $162 at the official store.
Side by side with the original
Compared with reference 226570. Values marked ≈ are estimates, such as a reviewer's measurement.
| Spec | PD-1693 | Explorer II (226570) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case diameter | 42 mm | 42 mm | same |
| Lug-to-lug | Not published | ≈ 50.3 mm | Can't compare |
| Thickness | 14 mm | Not published | Can't compare |
| Lug width | Not published | Not published | Can't compare |
| Water resistance | Not published | 100 m | |
| Movement | Automatic, DG5833A | Automatic, 3285 | |
| GMT type | None | True GMT (jumping local hour) | |
| Power reserve | 43 h | 70 h | |
| Crystal | Sapphire, anti-reflective | Sapphire, cyclops | |
| Bezel | Not published | Fixed, 24-hour graduated | |
| Case material | 316L Surgical Stainless Steel | Oystersteel | |
| Lume | Not published | Chromalight | |
| Bracelet | Not published | Oyster, three-piece solid links | |
| Weight | 180 g | Not published |
- ≈ Explorer II, Lug-to-lug: median of 2 agreeing independent measurements (50–50.5 mm); the maker does not publish it.
The original
Rolex
Explorer II
Reference 226570, black and polar white dials
- Case
- 42 mm
- Lug-to-lug
- ≈ 50.3 mm
- Thickness
- Not published
- Water resistance
- 100 m
- Movement
- Automatic, 3285
- List price
- $10,600
Why it scores as it does
Proportions and movement are computed from specs. Design details and functions are judged from the brand's official images. How we score
Lug-to-lug is neither published nor measured for one of the two watches, so there is not enough data to score.
Proportions— / 30
- Case diameter12 / 12Same size
- Lug-to-lug0 / 8Not published, left out
- Thickness0 / 6Not published, left out
- Lug width0 / 4Not published, left out
Design signatures— / 40
- Fixed steel 24-hour bezel12 / 12Fixed steel bezel with a 24-hour scale in the official images.
- Orange arrow-tipped 24-hour hand8 / 8Orange arrow-tipped hand on the black and white colourways.
- Mercedes hour hand6 / 6Mercedes-style hour hand (circle with three spokes) with a lance minute hand in the official images on all three colourways; one reviewer also names it a Mercedes hand.
- Crown guards5 / 5Crown guards visible in the images and mentioned by two reviewers.
- Three-link Oyster bracelet5 / 5Three-link steel bracelet with solid end links and screwed pins, per two reviewers.
- Polar white dial with black-coated markers2 / 4A white colourway exists with an orange GMT hand. The main black colourway has vintage-coloured lume markers instead.
Functions and materials— / 20
- Complications4 / 8GMT hand and date. A reviewer says the GMT hand is set freely by the crown; the brand gives no GMT type.
- Bezel action4 / 4Fixed bezel, the same as the original.
- Case and bezel materials4 / 4316L stainless steel, the same material family as the original's steel.
- Crystal shape and date window2 / 4Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment and a magnifier over the date; reviewers say the magnifier only partly enlarges the date.
Movement type— / 10
- Movement type10 / 10Same movement type.
What reviewers and owners say
Reviewers
From 7 reviews we read or watched, 1 of them with a watch supplied by the brand.
Reviewers describe a 42 mm case that is thick for a GMT, with a large dial that one reviewer finds too spread out and another calls big on a 6.5-inch wrist. Several reviewers note the date magnifier only partly enlarges the date. Several describe a solid bracelet with screwed pins and solid end links. Two independent reviewers note the diver extension on the clasp is pressed metal, and one of them criticises it. The lume on the black colourway is coloured to look aged. One reviewer describes a Chinese GMT movement with no long track record and a freely settable GMT hand. Reviewers are mostly positive on the finish and design for the price.
Good
- Fixed 24-hour bezel with deep numerals and an orange arrow-tipped GMT hand
- Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Solid bracelet links held by screwed pins
- Signed crown and clasp
- 20 mm lugs take standard straps
Less good
- 42 mm wide and 14 mm thick; reviewers call it large on small wrists
- The date magnifier only partly enlarges the date
- Clasp diver extension is pressed metal
- The brand does not publish lug-to-lug, lume or bracelet type
Known quality issues
Each reported by at least two independent sources.
- Two independent reviewers say the diver extension on the clasp is pressed metal, and one of them calls it poor.
Versions and colours
- Orange colourwayIts own colourway, not on the originalabout $162
- White colourwayIts own colourway, not on the originalabout $162
- Black colourwayIts own colourway, not on the originalabout $162
Compare
Sources
Checked 31 Oct 2026. Every figure on this page comes from one of these pages.