The GMT IIc Phenomena...........

[Tools]

I'll admit it... I'm a GMT wearer. I have been since about 1972 and they came out with a bezel I could live with.....

But........... I could count the number of GMT's I saw on peoples wrist during the year on one hand.. It was pretty much unknown outside pilot and ATC circles.. It just didn't seem to hold a candle to it's more muscular cousin, the Sub..

But Rolex made a couple of minor changes in 2005, and all hell broke loose..

Rolex had already developed the Parachrom hairspring 5 years before..no fanfare... hardly anybody cared.. And both the Daytona, Datejust Jubilee, and the Day Date had great new clasps and solid link bracelets...

But, the GMT II Ceramic suddenly broke on the scene like it had never existed before.. It made a legend of their hairspring, and spawned at least a half dozen new myths about "the proper way to set your GMT", or bogus histories of the watch which don't even come close to the reality...

Clearly, they have a new flagship in the Rolex line and you can recognise the GMT IIc from across the room......... and everybody wants one...even if they don't have a real clue why..or what to do with it....

I will finally admit.. It's still a beautiful watch, even though I see it as a GMT on steroids. I think it sets a new direction for Rolex Sport Watches..






(Still, I'm going to be in the line for a new Sub Ceramic and that killer Glidelock clasp)

[Sweramic]

Well said and I couldn't agree more!

[armoredsaint]

well put! looks like you align the screw just like me!

[ingoodtime]

yup. It made a lot of hearts throb.

[Lol-x]

Quite an interesting point you make about the 'flagship model'.

A buddy of mine has been wearing his Cartier SS for the last 10+ years. For about the last 3 he's been saying the signature Rolex is the Daytona and been asking me questions about it, and how it is such a great classic watch.

Well last week he starts talking about the "GME" I say you mean the GMT Master and he says "Yes, that is the quintesential Rolex, it looks great, that's the one I want."

Like I told him that years ago.............but no he wanted the coolest model (the Daytona) and because of price and availability has sat on the fence for years.

Anyway, he's selling his house and settlement is mid February, he says he is going to buy a GMT then........lets see....

But the point is this guy knows very little about Rolex except what he sees in magazines and sees other people wearing, and now he says the GMT is the Rolex go to watch.........go figure

[Watch Professor]

I couldn't agree more. Love it.

[bokmeipai]

Originally Posted by Watch Professor

I couldn't agree more. Love it.

That bezel is really mesmerizing, makes my sub look whimpy.

[nedned]

I agree with you larry. I traded my sub for a GMTIIc and the fact is i dont even know how to use GMT function. I love the watch to the smallest detail. its a phenomena.

[jets]

Originally Posted by nedned

I agree with you larry. I traded my sub for a GMTIIc and the fact is i dont even know how to use GMT function. I love the watch to the smallest detail. its a phenomena.

What I did in the store when I was experimenting with it and set the extra hand to reflect the hour of the day so you can see whether its am or pm in the blink of an eye if you're ever...in a cave or something and can't see the sun :)

The other thing I did was point all the hands to 12 o' clock and simply moved the hour hand back 5 hours for my EST time zone. Then all I did was pull the crown out all the way to set the current time (all hands then move in relation to one another) and voila, current time with the 24h hand set to Greenwich Mean Time...

[nedned]

Originally Posted by jets

What I did in the store when I was experimenting with it and set the extra hand to reflect the hour of the day so you can see whether its am or pm in the blink of an eye if you're ever...in a cave or something and can't see the sun :)

The other thing I did was point all the hands to 12 o' clock and simply moved the hour hand back 5 hours for my EST time zone. Then all I did was pull the crown out all the way to set the current time (all hands then move in relation to one another) and voila, current time with the 24h hand set to Greenwich Mean Time...

Thanks for the info Sir Jets. Appreciate it.

[thecoinopcollector]

It's the Rolex that got me to pull the trigger. Prior to seeing the IIC I had probably tried on Subs or GMT's in various jewlery stores on 20 plus occassions but never was willing to step up and make the purchase. Then one day I was going through my usual routine of stopping at the AD, trying on Subs and GMT's and as I was about to leave the sales lady said "we have something interesting in the safe, do you want to see it? Of course I bit and she brought forth the IIC. Well it was love at first site and I had to have it. I am happy to say I was able to score it in July 09 and at a 5% discount which was a big deal back then on a brand new IIC. I love it and wear it every day except on a few weekend days when I wear my Milgaus GV.

[Kevin Barrett]

I would also like to give a shout out to the 116710 as well.It was Oct 2007.
I knew what I held in my hand, and all the new features,some of which were
scorned on this forum,but whatever; I had to have it.

It's beautiful and I don't ever think I could go back.I wondered for a few days what made me spend over 8 grand for a watch,and was it overreaching?

Well, I think not;and last year my wife got her Rolex ,178274(had to get out
the box to know the model #)but it is also a VERY nice Datejust.

We are true fans,if my life permits I would love to own another .Hello Blue
Ceramic Sub, would'nt that be awsome?

[1000ftSub]

[therolexguy]

[Zanuf]

Originally Posted by Tools

I will finally admit.. It's still a beautiful watch, even though I see it as a GMT on steroids.

Totally agree. I recently had a similar experience. My first Rolex was a GMT I bought in 1983. A few weeks ago I was at the AD scoping out my next purchase. I looked at the new GMT2c and was surprised at how big it was compared to the older GMTs.

The GMT2c is truly a beautiful watch, but much girthier than the GMTs of old. Guess you could say that about all Rolex models though!

Since I no longer have my old GMT, if anyone has a GMT 16750 or 1675 and the new GMT2c, I would greatly appreciate seeing some side by side shots (especially thickness). I need to see if my memory is accurate.

TIA

[mike]

Originally Posted by Zanuf

Totally agree. I recently had a similar experience. My first Rolex was a GMT I bought in 1983. A few weeks ago I was at the AD scoping out my next purchase. I looked at the new GMT2c and was surprised at how big it was compared to the older GMTs.

The GMT2c is truly a beautiful watch, but much girthier than the GMTs of old. Guess you could say that about all Rolex models though!

Since I no longer have my old GMT, if anyone has a GMT 16750 or 1675 and the new GMT2c, I would greatly appreciate seeing some side by side shots (especially thickness). I need to see if my memory is accurate.

TIA

[bokmeipai]

a very nice picture comparison, I had the old 1675 and liked it then but with the new CII it just blows it away. I think it's the nicest of the sport line, even nicer than the subs.

Originally Posted by mike

[Singslinger]

Am I mistaken, or are we two pages into a GMTIIc thread and we haven't yet heard from JJ?

Never mind, I'll say it for him - it's a GENIUS of a watch!!

[Psmith]

Interesting post and great photo. I just wish they'd pushed the diameter out to 42-43 mm and kept the braclet in proportion. Drifting off topic a bit, but seems odd to me that we have 40mm Sub/GMT, 41mm DJII, 43mm DSSD. If I ruled the world it would be 40mm DJII, 42-43mm Sub/GMT, 44-45mm DSSD.


Cheers

[petesjag]

Originally Posted by Zanuf

if anyone has a GMT 16750 or 1675 and the new GMT2c, I would greatly appreciate seeing some side by side shots (especially thickness). I need to see if my memory is accurate.

TIA

Go to you tube and type GMT IIC, you will get a list of videos, one of which is a great comparison of the watches you have mentioned!!!
pete

[swatty]

I love my GMT IIc also , but have to say that some of the older GMT's in Mikes pics are just great

[Mockingbird]

I personally can't live with the ceramic bezel (I'm a rugged guy) and plan on picking up a Sub LV before they "ceramitize" it.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

I personally can't live with the ceramic bezel (I'm a rugged guy) and plan on picking up a Sub LV before they "ceramitize" it.

I agree with this sentiment

Rolex has taken what was a tool watch, and made it into a bling piece of jewelry. The bezel insert is much too expensive to replace and cannot be replaced by the end-user. There are already several reliable stories of bezel inserts falling off, cracks of the bezel insert, and bracelet-welds failing.

No thank you. I will take the standard 16710 Coke any day over the IIc

[Zanuf]

Mike, you're golden! I knew the old ones felt thinner! Goes to show, the 40mm diameter that we often use to refer to watch size does not even begin to describe the size of the watch.

[zlin08033]

Mike:
Every time I looked at the pictures your posted, I was blown awayyyyyyyyyyy.

[Damage Inc.]

Having worn a 1675 all day, and then switching to a IIc this evening I can say that the IIc wears 'bigger'. The 1675 seems to disappear on the wrist, where the IIc has much more 'presence'.
I love them both and simply appreciate their differences.
I also think that the IIc (or any of the more 'modern' GMT's) are more practical for travel than the 1675 given the decoupling of the 12 and 24 hour hands...makes for seamless time changes w/o the need to hack the movement.

[scl6118]

Beautiful pic of the IIC Larry!

[Speed]

I admit...I am liking it more and more. However, I love my Pepsi/Coke so I may be looking at a Daytona next.

Ahhh...Patience!

[carlhaluss]

Simply put, I would say that it is the most luxurious diver watch I have ever seen or tried.
Cheers,
Carl

[bodybump]

Mike your driving me INSANE with those photos!!!!!!!