MKII Vantage impressions

[fear]

I received a MKII Vantage today her are some of my impressions.

Looks: By looking at photos from Mr. Yao's website, the MKII seem to be an homage to the Rolex Explorer. Yes and no. It does "look" like the Explorer but it's 39 mm size reminds me more of the Omega Aqua Terra. I tried on the Explorer at a local BB and it's small compared to the Vantage. Overall I like the update to this classic design.

Construction: 316L steel on bracelet. Sapphire crystal. 200m water resistance. 2824 movement. Matte dial with date. Superluminova indices (lume is ok not Seiko who I believe has the best illumination). All Swiss made. The build of this watch is amazing! It's put together very, very well. Tolerances are tight. The watch itself is hefty for its size. The bracelet's non-SEL and light, but is well made.

Surfaces are highly polished. And if there's a bad side to the high polish, I already got tiny scratches. Comparing the look of the steel on the SD and the Vantage, the later has a different sheen. It's hard to describe but I like the contrast between the Rolexes and the MKII.

the ETA 2824 keeps good time. when I recieved it I never bothered to change the date and time when I got it. I timed it to the SD and my computer and it keeps good time. I'm not a stickler for absolute accuracy so long as it keeps good time. So far, it's good.

Comfort: The watch is very comfortable. There's just enough heft and lightness to it. I can feel it yet not be bothered by it. The Vantage fits well, is not top heavy. THe weight distribution around the wrist is nice. No uncomfortable wrist twisting.

Overall, GREAT watch!!!! Thanks for reading!

[leopardprey]

Great reveiw and nice looking watch!!!!! MKII does some great work. Now if Rolex will just follow this example and come out with a 40mm Rolex Explorer!

[fear]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Great reveiw and nice looking watch!!!!! MKII does some great work. Now if Rolex will just follow this example and come out with a 40mm Rolex Explorer!

Chad, I agree! Maybe Rolex will eventually adopt newer case designs as they're doing with their other watches.

[toph]

nice review and nice watch- i have been considering making one up from there too- but 24 weeks is a long time

[Ursa Major]

Originally Posted by toph

nice review and nice watch- i have been considering making one up from there too- but 24 weeks is a long time

MKII has a pre-built program as well for their watches assembled in Switzerland. In the case of the Vantage, it's in the same configuration that Fear has, i.e. with the Mercedes hands and oyster bracelet (you can also specify the pre-built model with a rubber strap). I ordered the same model Fear has on the 16th, and received an email confirming it would ship on the 18th (yesterday). I expect I'll have it within 4-5 days of ordering.

I'm a real fan of Bill Yao. I have a couple of his modified Seiko divers, as well as a MKII Quad10, and now the Vantage. As Fear said, the workmanship and heft is impressive - quality components carefully assembled. At the price ($615 for the Vantage with bracelet), they're great bargains as well.

[RW16610]

Cool watch and even better review

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Excellent review and cool looking watch!

Congrats!

[Terry Newton]

That is definitely a sharp looking watch.

Terry Newton

[TheDude]

That's a very nice watch, thanks for sharing the photos. I like this one by MK II as well. The "Quad 10", an homage to the JLC/IWC Mk XI pilot's watch.

[Thomas Carey]

I have been thinking about adding one of these as well.

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

[pwrslider]

Originally Posted by Thomas Carey

I have been thinking about adding one of these as well.

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

Me too..been looking at the Stingray...

[TheDude]

OMG! Drool!

http://www.mkiiwatches.com/WSWrapper...ypage=cu01.htm




I think we all know what inspired this one...







EDIT - I just put a deposit...

[Brushpup]

I think I am going to order a vantage tomorrow after reading threads here and checking out the website this weekend. Should be a great watch for everday wear, work and play. It will also pacify me during my time of indecision on my first ROLEX. Jeez I wish I could make up my mind!

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

I think I am going to order a vantage tomorrow after reading threads here and checking out the website this weekend. Should be a great watch for everday wear, work and play. It will also pacify me during my time of indecision on my first ROLEX. Jeez I wish I could make up my mind!

Did you order? If this one grabs you, you might want to consider a black Milgauss... the non-GVs aren't super hard to find.


Also, I checked today - the wait on a custom Vantage is down to 16 weeks.

[SLRdude]

Wow.
That's one sharp watch!

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

Wow.
That's one sharp watch!

Jocke has seen this watch in person. He posted pics in this thread...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=44995

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Did you order? If this one grabs you, you might want to consider a black Milgauss... the non-GVs aren't super hard to find.


Also, I checked today - the wait on a custom Vantage is down to 16 weeks.

Yeah, I went ahead an ordered one. Got the pre-built Vantage and spoke to Bill today. Hope to have it by the weekend. Thought about customizing, but the very slight changes I would have made weren't to me worth the money or the time. I am actually more excited about this watch than any in a long time. Should be my last one until I get a ROLEX.

I love the Milgauss, but If I went with one it would HAVE to be the green. Thanks for the input though, I appreciate it.

Patrick

[Terry Newton]

That watch looks like it's built like a tank. Awesome.

Congratulations on the upcoming watch. Don't worry, you'll have the Rolex soon. It's something to work towards.

Terry Newton

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

Yeah, I went ahead an ordered one. Got the pre-built Vantage and spoke to Bill today. Hope to have it by the weekend. Thought about customizing, but the very slight changes I would have made weren't to me worth the money or the time. I am actually more excited about this watch than any in a long time. Should be my last one until I get a ROLEX.

I love the Milgauss, but If I went with one it would HAVE to be the green. Thanks for the input though, I appreciate it.

Patrick

Funny you should say that you ordered one. I just ordered one too. I discovered that the no-date isn't the same dial - it has subseconds and numbers around the outside. I got the pre-built too!

[Ursa Major]

My Vantage was finally delivered today after a USPS glitch that sent it back (briefly) to Bill. One thing I hadn't realized is the size of the hands, they're up there in Maxi-Dial class, fixing one of my few complaints with Rolexes. I really like this watch, it's a screaming deal for the money.

[frostie]

Nice review and watch

Enjoyed reading it

[fear]

Here are more photos.

[TheDude]

Awesome! Thanks!

[TheDude]

Hey Brushpup...

Did you get your Vantage yet? My target ship date was listed as today - who knows if it will go out or not... Hoping to have it sometime next week. Keep us posted!

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Hey Brushpup...

Did you get your Vantage yet? My target ship date was listed as today - who knows if it will go out or not... Hoping to have it sometime next week. Keep us posted!

Not yet, but I asked Bill Monday if they could get it our Weds or Thurs. He said they would do their best, but my invoice shows a ship date of 7-8 (tues). After I saw that I was sure hoping for it yesterday since they use USPS Priority, but alas, no watch. Maybe today?? I am sure hoping, but I may have to wait till next week as well..........dangitt!!! I'm very impatient when I order things.

Will keep you posted though......

Patrick

[fear]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

Not yet, but I asked Bill Monday if they could get it our Weds or Thurs. He said they would do their best, but my invoice shows a ship date of 7-8 (tues). After I saw that I was sure hoping for it yesterday since they use USPS Priority, but alas, no watch. Maybe today?? I am sure hoping, but I may have to wait till next week as well..........dangitt!!! I'm very impatient when I order things.

Will keep you posted though......

Patrick

Mine was also delayed a due to Mr. Yao's trip to Switzerland. He did mention it on the MKII website. So it was not a surprise. I think that he ships his watches on certain days too, unlike other internet services that have their factories send out merchandise within a day.

One the Watch was shipped it took only a few days to get here, pretty fast. USPS is pretty good.

[Brushpup]

[QUOTE= One the Watch was shipped it took only a few days to get here, pretty fast. USPS is pretty good.[/QUOTE]

Mine must have shipped after the invoice date, so watch today, so maybe Tuesday.....arrrgghh.

[TheDude]

Oh the anticipation!

The MkII order status portal has a note stating that my watch is going out today... So hopefully I'll have it by the end of the week!

[fear]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Oh the anticipation!

The MkII order status portal has a note stating that my watch is going out today... So hopefully I'll have it by the end of the week!

I can't wait either. Be sure to give us your impressions! Pics are must too!

[TheDude]

Well, I have a tracking # now, and I know it went out on the 15th. Too bad it's USPS... I don't think I'll have much visibility into the delivery details.