Which "series" GMT?
Discussion
I read somewhere last night that the "K" series was the one to have (2000-2001?) due to "solid end links and lug holes produced only a few years."
Is it important which series I buy? Now looking at a GMT Master or Master II (don't like the ceramic ones) having tried to convince myself Zenith or Cartier would do. They won't. Neither will my trial "sports" watches from Seiko, Citizen, and Casio. Great quality, good to look at, but I can't leave my OP DJ at home in favour of one of them, hence they're going up for sale after 2-3 months of just looking at them but not venturing out wearing any of them. Lesson learnt, but I had to do it to actually experience the dilemma.
As I said in January...
...then starts the first world problem mentioned above. Which Rolex to leave at home?
Ah well...
Is it important which series I buy? Now looking at a GMT Master or Master II (don't like the ceramic ones) having tried to convince myself Zenith or Cartier would do. They won't. Neither will my trial "sports" watches from Seiko, Citizen, and Casio. Great quality, good to look at, but I can't leave my OP DJ at home in favour of one of them, hence they're going up for sale after 2-3 months of just looking at them but not venturing out wearing any of them. Lesson learnt, but I had to do it to actually experience the dilemma.
As I said in January...
DJMC said:
So I buy a £150 "homage" watch, and the Orients do look rather good, but when do I wear it and how do I feel? I have to leave my Rolex Datejust at home, and then wander around with an "inferior" watch on my arm? What's the point? How long would the infatuation with its look last?
Even if it was a Sub (or Fifty Fathoms!) I'm still worse off as I then have two genuine items of expensive jewellery which I can't wear at the same time yet cost twice as much as just one!
Well, at least if I buy a wisely, as I have with my other hobbies, I can always get my money back on a cheapie when I come to my senses!
Currently looking into a mint GMT II - 16710 from 1991/1992 a "N" series, for £4k.Even if it was a Sub (or Fifty Fathoms!) I'm still worse off as I then have two genuine items of expensive jewellery which I can't wear at the same time yet cost twice as much as just one!
Well, at least if I buy a wisely, as I have with my other hobbies, I can always get my money back on a cheapie when I come to my senses!
...then starts the first world problem mentioned above. Which Rolex to leave at home?
Ah well...
VGTICE said:
The ones to have are the end of production ones which had 3186 movement (used in ceramic GMT's) instead of 3185. Finding one is a bit of a mission since the change was never advertised by Rolex and there's no clear indication as to which serial numbers have them. But since they are so special their more valuable and collectors go gaga over them (despite early 3186 suffering from some teething problems).
Thanks for the info. If there's no discernible difference to the uninitiated (i.e. me) I'd rather keep the cost down and find a good condition one whatever the movement. I'm sure it will be as good as my DJ. Rather liking the Coke insert of the one I've found. But black or Pepsi is also fine too. Waiting a response from the seller.I'm off "across the pond" next Thursday for a few weeks in Florida (our 20th year there) so will visit Rolex in the Mall at Millennia and have a look at other brands too in Mayors and out and about. Not sure where the "used" Rolex dealers are around Orlando, Tampa, or down the west coast where we usually visit?
My eyes are straying a little to Explorer II and Yacht-Master (I)...
I like the white faced Exp.II, (black dial doesn't work for me with silver bezel) and of course it's a GMT, but although it's fine for a tanned Floridian arm I'm not so sure it's an every day look in the Midlands?...
I only started looking at the YM in the last few days when my wife said she liked the look. This one appeals...
But will the same colour dial and bezel lack contrast?...
Of course the YM is closely related to the Sub rather than GMT, so I'm straying away a little...
Cons: Can't interchange bezel inserts on the YM, look may be a little ostentatious but then so is any Rolex. Oh... and that polished centre link. It's one of the things that puts me off the Ceramic GMT but not the only thing - others are: increased size; cost of replacing damaged bezel insert; lack of easy insert change and colours; insert font.
Pros: YMs seem cheaper pro-rata to their cost new and are rarer on the wrist than the dark bezelled "diver" look of the Sub/GMT, although a diver themselves of course.
Anyhow, it'll help me to make my mind up idly mooching around the shops whilst on holiday. Used prices in the USA still seem a little lower than here per Chrono24, but then the tax and duty would be a killer coming back!
My eyes are straying a little to Explorer II and Yacht-Master (I)...
I like the white faced Exp.II, (black dial doesn't work for me with silver bezel) and of course it's a GMT, but although it's fine for a tanned Floridian arm I'm not so sure it's an every day look in the Midlands?...
I only started looking at the YM in the last few days when my wife said she liked the look. This one appeals...
But will the same colour dial and bezel lack contrast?...
Of course the YM is closely related to the Sub rather than GMT, so I'm straying away a little...
Cons: Can't interchange bezel inserts on the YM, look may be a little ostentatious but then so is any Rolex. Oh... and that polished centre link. It's one of the things that puts me off the Ceramic GMT but not the only thing - others are: increased size; cost of replacing damaged bezel insert; lack of easy insert change and colours; insert font.
Pros: YMs seem cheaper pro-rata to their cost new and are rarer on the wrist than the dark bezelled "diver" look of the Sub/GMT, although a diver themselves of course.
Anyhow, it'll help me to make my mind up idly mooching around the shops whilst on holiday. Used prices in the USA still seem a little lower than here per Chrono24, but then the tax and duty would be a killer coming back!
don logan said:
Hi
Explorer 2 is a great but underloved watch, also nice that it's not the immediate choice for most people!
The 42mm gets a bit of stick bit I like the proportions and it wears really flat and comfortably!
I have a black dial that's now on a textile strap, was kind of thinking of selling as mentioned earlier but just not 100% sure, it's a great, not very flash watch! (Which are reasons to keep it)
If a Explorer 2 then I was thinking the 40mm size.Explorer 2 is a great but underloved watch, also nice that it's not the immediate choice for most people!
The 42mm gets a bit of stick bit I like the proportions and it wears really flat and comfortably!
I have a black dial that's now on a textile strap, was kind of thinking of selling as mentioned earlier but just not 100% sure, it's a great, not very flash watch! (Which are reasons to keep it)
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