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rgwarden · 13 September 2016, 07:08 AM

Just for the BLNR fan club on here, last week I part exchanged my 18 month old BLNR (at a small profit) for a 6 year old black face Explorer II 16570, and I cannot believe how much I prefer it.
I know I know there are a lot of BLNR fans on here who will think 'whaa??!' and I chased after the blue black myself, added my name to a waiting list, and enjoyed it. For about a year.
But then weird things happened to my love affair. And 6 months later we broke up.
I started disliking the polished CLs (many have commented on this), and the size of the lugs started feeling big (I'm a small guy with small wrists) and the crown too - more worryingly a feeling grew on me that this watch was very much 'bezel over dial', and I realised that even with my travelling abroad for work I was never actually turning it, just changing the separate hour hand and leaving the blue hand on GMT.
Whilst trying to make my brother in law buy his first Rolex in the shape of a 42MM Explorer II i found myself staring at a photo of a 5 digit 40MM one, and knew I was in trouble. The BLNR was my first Rolex, I honestly never even knew the Explorer II had grown out of a smaller model.
Then DANGER I tried one on. And instantly preferred everything about it. It's clearly a 'grower' more than a 'show'er', way more understated, less 'I'M WEARING A ROLEX!!' more 'yeah I wear a nice watch. I'm sorry? Yes, yes it's a (ahem) Rolex' but on my wrist I'm happier with the clasp the bracelet the crown the dial the bezel the weight the shape heck even the lower value? I know. Crazy huh?
I'm aware I may well be one of those guys who in 10 years says god I wish I'd never sold my BLNR, but right now, I couldn't be happier.
I look forward to your horror and disbelief, though I suspect there may be a few on here who get where I'm coming from...

zjd168 · 13 September 2016, 07:12 AM

It is your money your watch. Do whatever you like.

karmatp · 13 September 2016, 07:15 AM

I much prefer the more tool look also. I would have done the same if I was you.

mtgjr · 13 September 2016, 07:14 AM

You know what? I completely get where you're coming from. I'm a 5-digit Rolex guy all the way, and I often find myself browsing the 16570s for sale, and marveling at the great value they seem to represent. I know the BLNR is nice, but the chunkier case and blingy PCLs just aren't me.

luvsub · 13 September 2016, 07:18 AM

Enjoy your new exp2, it's a great watch.

And1dre · 13 September 2016, 07:19 AM

Congrats

masyv6 · 13 September 2016, 07:42 AM

Enjoy the Exp II!

Watch Rob · 13 September 2016, 07:42 AM

Good choice! Congrats!

Colin10101 · 13 September 2016, 07:44 AM

A whole lot of watch for the price those 16570s are. Good choice. Welcome to the 5 digit club :)

firstOwatch · 13 September 2016, 08:14 AM

So...you are still wearing a Rolex ?

Welcome aboard

Congratulations!

for your new watch and being true to yourself !

!

CLTRolex · 13 September 2016, 08:17 AM

To each their own!

TimeOnHand · 13 September 2016, 08:33 AM

Nothing wrong here... Wear what you love and love what you wear!

CLTRolex · 13 September 2016, 08:37 AM

Let's see some pics

aekdb · 13 September 2016, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robcassell

Let's see some pics

X2....pics or it never happened.

Congrats on the trade. An explorer II is next on my list (216570 in polar), but the blnr won't be going anywhere

Vinyasa · 13 September 2016, 09:13 AM

If you're happy it was the right call. A few months ago I went in the opposite direction, flipping my 16570 Explorer II for the BLNR. I became enamored with the BLNR color and scratch resistant ceramic bezel and, upon purchase, had the PCLs brushed.

Robrob777 · 13 September 2016, 08:38 AM

You are in the Honeymoon period with the explorer

Old Expat Beast · 13 September 2016, 09:00 AM

I prefer the 16570 to the BLNR, too, but I hope you got a lot of cash with the deal.

Headshrinker · 13 September 2016, 11:38 AM

I have 5-digit Rolexes as well as 6-digit. I enjoy both models. There are great things to be said about both.

Halothane · 13 September 2016, 11:43 AM

2 of my favorites. The 16570 was my daily for a number of years. A true classic and a good value imo.

watchwatcher · 13 September 2016, 12:01 PM

Hey, if we all liked the same thing it would be a boring place. And one thing we can count on, TRF is never boring.

Enjoy your new watch.

HogwldFLTR · 13 September 2016, 12:06 PM

For me I prefer both my 16700 and 16570 to the BLNR. I think you've done well. You could almost have both of them for the price of a BLNR.

sensui · 13 September 2016, 12:11 PM

I don't know.... This would have been a tough decision. I do dig my 16570 polar and my 16710s but the blnr imo is in another special category. Follow your heart op. As long as you love the watch.

JimSnyder · 13 September 2016, 12:21 PM

It's hard to argue a classic

hun23 · 13 September 2016, 12:26 PM

Great job going with your heart!

BrazenC5 · 13 September 2016, 12:27 PM

'Grower' more than a 'shower,' hahaha I always loved that line.

The BLNR has a huge fan base and rightfully so, but I understand where you're coming from...sometimes it takes a bit of seat time to figure out what you really like.

Sent from my Galaxy S6 using Tapatalk

yukosaturno · 13 September 2016, 12:31 PM

love everything that you said and couldn't agree more!

i just find the 16570 a gorgeous,understated tool watch wich i'll sooner or later own.

good to see that you started to look away from the biggest,newest watch and went for the classics,tool watches! congrats,and lets see some pics!!

sickened1 · 13 September 2016, 12:36 PM

I would've done the same thing.

faz · 13 September 2016, 02:48 PM

Go with what your heart desires. Stay happy.

joe100 · 13 September 2016, 02:49 PM

The 16550 and 16570 are perfect,

rgwarden · 13 September 2016, 04:21 PM

free photo hosting

So the NATO was an attempt this summer to 'turn the BLNR volume down a bit' It worked for a while but I still found it heavy

13 September 2016, 07:08 AM	#1
rgwarden "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: London Watch: 124270 Posts: 537	I sold my BLNR 😵 & bought a 16570 instead. Go figure. Just for the BLNR fan club on here, last week I part exchanged my 18 month old BLNR (at a small profit) for a 6 year old black face Explorer II 16570, and I cannot believe how much I prefer it. I know I know there are a lot of BLNR fans on here who will think 'whaa??!' and I chased after the blue black myself, added my name to a waiting list, and enjoyed it. For about a year. But then weird things happened to my love affair. And 6 months later we broke up. I started disliking the polished CLs (many have commented on this), and the size of the lugs started feeling big (I'm a small guy with small wrists) and the crown too - more worryingly a feeling grew on me that this watch was very much 'bezel over dial', and I realised that even with my travelling abroad for work I was never actually turning it, just changing the separate hour hand and leaving the blue hand on GMT. Whilst trying to make my brother in law buy his first Rolex in the shape of a 42MM Explorer II i found myself staring at a photo of a 5 digit 40MM one, and knew I was in trouble. The BLNR was my first Rolex, I honestly never even knew the Explorer II had grown out of a smaller model. Then DANGER I tried one on. And instantly preferred everything about it. It's clearly a 'grower' more than a 'show'er', way more understated, less 'I'M WEARING A ROLEX!!' more 'yeah I wear a nice watch. I'm sorry? Yes, yes it's a (ahem) Rolex' but on my wrist I'm happier with the clasp the bracelet the crown the dial the bezel the weight the shape heck even the lower value? I know. Crazy huh? I'm aware I may well be one of those guys who in 10 years says god I wish I'd never sold my BLNR, but right now, I couldn't be happier. I look forward to your horror and disbelief, though I suspect there may be a few on here who get where I'm coming from...

13 September 2016, 07:15 AM	#3
karmatp "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Trevor Location: Arizona Posts: 5,740	I much prefer the more tool look also. I would have done the same if I was you. __________________ My grails:

13 September 2016, 07:44 AM	#9
Colin10101 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Real Name: Colin Location: Toronto Watch: 16710 Posts: 1,336	A whole lot of watch for the price those 16570s are. Good choice. Welcome to the 5 digit club :) __________________ Rolex GMT-Master II 16710 "Z" Serial COKE Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea *BLACK*

13 September 2016, 08:17 AM	#11
CLTRolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Charlotte/London Watch: Multiple Posts: 889	To each their own! __________________ ♕ Daytona - 116506 ♕ GMT-Master II - 116710BLNR ♕ Yacht-Master II - 116680 ♕ Daytona - 116520 ♕ Explorer II - 16570

13 September 2016, 08:33 AM	#12
TimeOnHand "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Kevin Location: Hong Kong Watch: Rolex Air-King Posts: 4,468	Nothing wrong here... Wear what you love and love what you wear! __________________ Instagram: timeonhand1010

13 September 2016, 07:12 AM	#2
zjd168 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: US Posts: 2,698	It is your money your watch. Do whatever you like.

13 September 2016, 07:14 AM	#4
mtgjr Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Mike Location: Tampa, Florida Watch: Pepsi GMT Posts: 2,926	You know what? I completely get where you're coming from. I'm a 5-digit Rolex guy all the way, and I often find myself browsing the 16570s for sale, and marveling at the great value they seem to represent. I know the BLNR is nice, but the chunkier case and blingy PCLs just aren't me.

13 September 2016, 07:18 AM	#5
luvsub 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SF, south bay Posts: 5,222	Enjoy your new exp2, it's a great watch.

13 September 2016, 07:19 AM	#6
And1dre "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Silicon Valley Watch: Rolex Posts: 4,182	Congrats

13 September 2016, 07:42 AM	#7
masyv6 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Real Name: Mike Location: 35000ft Posts: 3,771	Enjoy the Exp II!

13 September 2016, 07:42 AM	#8
Watch Rob "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Chicago Watch: 114200 Posts: 1,265	Good choice! Congrats!

13 September 2016, 08:14 AM	#10
firstOwatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Real Name: Nathan Location: Disneyland, Calif Watch: 20th Moon, ND Sub. Posts: 931	So...you are still wearing a Rolex ? Welcome aboard Congratulations! for your new watch and being true to yourself ! !

13 September 2016, 08:37 AM	#13
CLTRolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Charlotte/London Watch: Multiple Posts: 889	Let's see some pics __________________ ♕ Daytona - 116506 ♕ GMT-Master II - 116710BLNR ♕ Yacht-Master II - 116680 ♕ Daytona - 116520 ♕ Explorer II - 16570

13 September 2016, 09:13 AM	#15
Vinyasa "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Real Name: Steve Location: Maine Watch: Explorer II 16570 Posts: 1,396	If you're happy it was the right call. A few months ago I went in the opposite direction, flipping my 16570 Explorer II for the BLNR. I became enamored with the BLNR color and scratch resistant ceramic bezel and, upon purchase, had the PCLs brushed.

13 September 2016, 08:38 AM	#16
Robrob777 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: WA Posts: 272	You are in the Honeymoon period with the explorer

13 September 2016, 09:00 AM	#17
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,826	I prefer the 16570 to the BLNR, too, but I hope you got a lot of cash with the deal.

13 September 2016, 11:38 AM	#18
Headshrinker "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NJ Watch: Day-Date Posts: 4,056	I have 5-digit Rolexes as well as 6-digit. I enjoy both models. There are great things to be said about both.

13 September 2016, 11:43 AM	#19
Halothane 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Real Name: Anonymous Location: location location Watch: Rolex, Patek Posts: 2,375	2 of my favorites. The 16570 was my daily for a number of years. A true classic and a good value imo.

13 September 2016, 12:01 PM	#20
watchwatcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Larry Location: Kentucky Watch: Yes Posts: 35,055	Hey, if we all liked the same thing it would be a boring place. And one thing we can count on, TRF is never boring. Enjoy your new watch.

13 September 2016, 12:06 PM	#21
HogwldFLTR 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Lee Location: 42.48.45N70.48.48 Watch: Too many to list! Posts: 33,697	For me I prefer both my 16700 and 16570 to the BLNR. I think you've done well. You could almost have both of them for the price of a BLNR. __________________ Troglodyte in residence! https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=808599

13 September 2016, 12:11 PM	#22
sensui 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 12,446	I don't know.... This would have been a tough decision. I do dig my 16570 polar and my 16710s but the blnr imo is in another special category. Follow your heart op. As long as you love the watch.

13 September 2016, 12:21 PM	#23
JimSnyder "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Jim Snyder Location: Ohio Watch: Ask me later..... Posts: 7,726	It's hard to argue a classic __________________ "You ain't lived, 'til you've had your tires rotated by a red-headed women."

13 September 2016, 12:26 PM	#24
hun23 Banned Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: USA Posts: 872	Great job going with your heart!

13 September 2016, 12:27 PM	#25
BrazenC5 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Real Name: Chris Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: 1665,1675,1680,SD4 Posts: 1,837	'Grower' more than a 'shower,' hahaha I always loved that line. The BLNR has a huge fan base and rightfully so, but I understand where you're coming from...sometimes it takes a bit of seat time to figure out what you really like. Sent from my Galaxy S6 using Tapatalk

13 September 2016, 12:31 PM	#26
yukosaturno "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Real Name: george Location: Montreal Watch: 1603 Posts: 148	love everything that you said and couldn't agree more! i just find the 16570 a gorgeous,understated tool watch wich i'll sooner or later own. good to see that you started to look away from the biggest,newest watch and went for the classics,tool watches! congrats,and lets see some pics!!

13 September 2016, 12:36 PM	#27
sickened1 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Real Name: Ed Location: SoCal Watch: ugiveiswatchuget Posts: 9,054	I would've done the same thing.

13 September 2016, 02:48 PM	#28
faz "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Real Name: Faz Location: California Watch: like'em all Posts: 4,689	Go with what your heart desires. Stay happy.

13 September 2016, 02:49 PM	#29
joe100 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Joe Location: New Mexico Watch: Explorer Posts: 12,840	The 16550 and 16570 are perfect, __________________ It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982-

13 September 2016, 04:21 PM	#30
rgwarden "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: London Watch: 124270 Posts: 537	free photo hosting So the NATO was an attempt this summer to 'turn the BLNR volume down a bit' It worked for a while but I still found it heavy

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