Rolex education. GMT Master v Submariner

[ryandoc]

Folks,

I'm not a Rolex expert by any stretch, however I have one on my radar. Currently own a Speedmaster 50th anniversary and a Tag F1 as well as Sieko, and some fashion watches.

Anyway it was always a black dial Sub that I was keen on. However today I had the opportunity to see a GMT Master and a Submariner next to eachother (in shop brand new), and it was the GMT that was speaking to me more.

So what can you's tell me about the two and comparisons between them. Be interested in people thoughts, opinions etc on them.

Thanks in advance

[Miopyk]

Had the same problem 3 years ago and went for the Sub. Very pleased with my decision it's now my favourite and the one I wear more than any other.

Miopyk

[Stuart]

ryandoc said:

tell me about the two and comparisons between them. Be interested in people thoughts, opinions etc on them.

The Submariner allows you to measure time elapsed up to 60 minutes, such as you would need to if you were diving and needed to know how long you'd been down for. It does this by counting from 0-60 minutes around the bezel.

The GMT allows you to keep track of three timezones by instead having 24 hour markers on the bezel and a second hour hand instead.

That's basically it.

Personally, and without wishing to throw in a third option to be deliberately obtuse, I'd go for a Sea Dweller instead. I'd want a date, but wouldn't want the cyclops, and the SD's glass is too thick to allow it. A more elegant watch is the result, IMHO of course.

[hilly10]

Don't know about the GMT all I know is the Sub is so comfortable to wear

[ryandoc]

Stuart said:

Personally, and without wishing to throw in a third option to be deliberately obtuse, I'd go for a Sea Dweller instead. I'd want a date, but wouldn't want the cyclops, and the SD's glass is too thick to allow it. A more elegant watch is the result, IMHO of course.

Stuart thanks for that info very helpful. I googled Sea Dweller and looked at some images and can see what you mean regard the cyclops missing from the date is a cleaner look. However the images I saw had "original gas escape valve" written underneath the bezel.
When I looked on the Rolex website there isn't a sea dweller listed but the Deepsea looks like this model. Is it the case that the Sea Dweller is no more and has been replaced by the Deepsea?

When I look on the Rolex site at the GMT and Sub the Sub looks nicer but the GMT definitely caught my eye in the flesh today.

As you cann probably tell it's just a looks thing for me. The Deepsea is definitely something I'd like to see in the flesh also. Didn't notice one in the shop but might have a pop back see if they have one.

[Stuart]

ryandoc said:

When I looked on the Rolex website there isn't a sea dweller listed but the Deepsea looks like this model. Is it the case that the Sea Dweller is no more and has been replaced by the Deepsea?

Yep, that's basically it. If you're only considering the current generation of all three watches (with the ceramic bezels) then there's a much bigger difference in size and wearability between the Sub/GMT and the SDDS, which is quite a monster. The original SD is a bigger watch than the sub, but not uncomfortably so. For me at least the thickness of the Deepsea is just a bit too much.

Have a look at some of the older models. Buy (reasonably) well with all three models of Rolex and you're reasonably well assured of not losing any money, and possibly even making a bit if you've bought well.

[ryandoc]

Stuart thank you. Between me posting and you replying I've learnt from the power of the net that the Deepsea is Infact a Sea Dweller Deepsea so the latest incarnation.

Interesting you say it's noticeably bigger that may put me off. Could be I go full circle and look at a Submariner without the date for the slightly cleaner look and slimmer design. Next step get some on my wrist that'll be the the kicker when I'll prob fall in love with one.

Thanks again my Rolex knowledge has just tripled today, should be good to go now with a better understanding.

[Stuart]

www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk always have a good selection of all the steel sports models and are worth a look. Personally I find the entire modern range not to my taste by comparison to their predecessors, but that's something you must decide for yourself.

[ryandoc]

hilly10 said:

Don't know about the GMT all I know is the Sub is so comfortable to wear

Just been looking at photos of Subs and Deepsea's on the Blowers site Stuart listed and you can see the difference in thickness between the two. I'm swaying back to the Sub now just on those pics alone.

Need to get them all on my wrist. Think I'm right in saying that on the Sub atleast the 'shoulder' on ach side of the main watch case is more squared then the slightly older models. The older ones look a more clean line in pics I've seen anyway.

Thanks again everyone been a valuable learning curve

[andy_s]

ryandoc said:

Just been looking at photos of Subs and Deepsea's on the Blowers site Stuart listed and you can see the difference in thickness between the two. I'm swaying back to the Sub now just on those pics alone.

Need to get them all on my wrist. Think I'm right in saying that on the Sub atleast the 'shoulder' on ach side of the main watch case is more squared then the slightly older models. The older ones look a more clean line in pics I've seen anyway.

Thanks again everyone been a valuable learning curve

You're right about the new Submariner shoulders or lugs; they are appreciably thicker. It's a matter of taste, but you aren't alone in your opinions of the older version being cleaner lines. Factor into that the fact that Rolex aren't making any more and you can easily see that these will be desirable models in the future.

The older Seadweller was roughly the same sort of size as the sub, but the new Deep Sea is noticeably bigger.

The Subs, GMTs and Explorer IIs (old versions, i/e. a oouple of years ago) are basically the same case size, the GMT has the moveable 24hr bezel (in a variety of colour combinations) and independently settable 24hr hand, the Explorer II has a fixed bezel and independent 24hr hand, the Sub is perhaps one of the most iconic watches ever, is popular (within the £3-4k watch realm anyway) but for good reasons, it's well made and will last forever and you'll probably get out what you put in if you ever sell. I've an Explorer II I bought in 2000 for just over £2k, if I sold it now I'd probably get £2.5k, which pays for the one service it's had.

Trying them on is the best way to tell though, and depends if you would find the 24hr hand/GMT function/24hr or 60min bezel useful to have or what you think of the aesthetics of the different models. The cyclops lens bothers some, bothers not others, it's personal choice. The GMT is quite eye catching and perhaps less commonly seen than the Submariner.

For me, I'm happy with mine, I wore it for ten years straight with no problems and my wife now wears it (cyclops is good if your eyes are starting to go! ), if I was buying another Rolex it would probably be an older Sea Dweller. I wouldn't be too bothered about something being 'second-hand' unless it's to mark a particular event or you specifically want a new one, in the Rolex world second hand is just short-hand for 'nearly vintage'

Good luck.

[ryandoc]

Andy thanks for taking the time to post all that. It seems despite the apparent similarity to the untrained eye between certainly the 3 models I'm curious in, Sub, Deepsea and GMT. That there's actually a lot of personal decisions to be made to make the right choice.

Ceramic bezel, newer large shouldered against older sleeker design. Date, cyclops, slimmer sub versus bulkier Deepsea etc etc. it's a minefield this Rolex thing lol.

I really like the look of the Deepsea and imagine I'd plump for it on looks alone, but I just know I'll like the slimmer look and feel of the Sub and GMT. One things for sure I need to get some on my wrist.. Curious now if the shop I was at yesterday has a Deepsea.

[Bosshogg76]

Ryan I see from your profile that you are in the North East, Northern Goldsmiths (Newcastle) on the corner of Blackett Street have a Deepsea in at the moment. I saw it last week.....ended up the a GMTII which hopefully arrives tomorrow. The Deepsea for me was just far too massive, but it does look at very nice watch, if that makes sense.

Edited by Bosshogg76 on Sunday 11th March 12:36

[ryandoc]

Boss thanks for that, good to know. Im teesside way myself, I'd love to think I could get to Newcastle to take a look but with non stop working and commuting I'd need to book a day away with the wife lol

Will definitely keep the jewellers in mind though thank you for that. Getting the Rolex itch more now. I'm not an avid collector of watches, but what I buy I'd keep for the rest of my days. Started off fashion watches, then a Tag F1, then fell in love with the Speedmaster 50th anniversary which I bough and love. Rolex is next for me and I'll be happy with what I have. Got a spare place in my watch case is screaming out for a Rolex!

[Bosshogg76]

ryandoc said:

Boss thanks for that, good to know. Im teesside way myself, I'd love to think I could get to Newcastle to take a look but with non stop working and commuting I'd need to book a day away with the wife lol

Will definitely keep the jewellers in mind though thank you for that. Getting the Rolex itch more now. I'm not an avid collector of watches, but what I buy I'd keep for the rest of my days. Started off fashion watches, then a Tag F1, then fell in love with the Speedmaster 50th anniversary which I bough and love. Rolex is next for me and I'll be happy with what I have. Got a spare place in my watch case is screaming out for a Rolex!

ahh so best book a day trip including a meal in the toon, followed by "whilst we are here do you mind if we spend 5 mins in the Goldsmiths )

I'm not a big watch aficionado, I got a Seamaster from my wife for my 30th, and the Rolex is for our 10 years anniversary...stainless steels is close to tin isn't it?.....well it was when I chose it.

[BondandBigM]

Market Cross in the Boro always have a good selection of pre owned Rolex, worth a look if you are passing by although after someone legged it with one from one of their other shops recently they are a bit more careful about letting you try them on.

And contrary to what you might have read on another well known watch forum it wasn't me.

Edited by BondandBigM on Monday 12th March 21:15

[ryandoc]

Lol yeah I always have a nosey in the window there. When it comes to buying from whoever though I'll definetely want to be trying the different models on, if they do say no they can close the door behind me on the way out as I wouldn't buy. They can lock me in a private room if they want lol but I'd definetely need to try them

[mrh1275]

the gmt2c also has polished centre links..sub all stainless steel..

[LukeBird]

mrh1275 said:

the gmt2c also has polished centre links..sub all stainless steel..

Both bracelets are all stainless steel, but as mentioned, the GMT2C has polished links, the Submariner is all brushed.
Not a problem, it's not difficult to the polished centre links in a brushed finish.

[mrh1275]

polished centre links do show scratches easily and very quickly
the gmt2c is slightly more bling in style.
awesome watch and the strap design is the same as a daytona.

[hiltonig]

Subs far too common, do i go diving errr only in the bath , do i go abroad oh yes i do GMT please if i am going to spend that amount it has to be functional otherwise ill get a gshock. I went for the two tone GMT