I finally tried a gmtII coke bezel....

[Tudor66]

I finally got to try on a gmtII coke bezel watch. It's the classic look I am seeking. I've admired this watch since the 90's, and there it was on my wrist. It looked better than I thought it would. My old Tag professional 1000 looks like a smaller / good copy of this style of watch.

Now I see what everyone has been writing about regarding the case back difference between the GMTII coke bezel and the new GMTII with the ceramic bezel. I like the thinner coke bezel watch, and less flashy bracelet it has, though the ceramic bezel on the new gmtII is really nice looking- Damm, I might have to buy both at some point....

[dddrees]

They are both really nice. The GMTIIC looks fantastic, and it has a great wrist presence. The GMTII is more versatile. Its like 6 watches in one when you have all three inserts and the Oyster and Jubilee bracelet.

[Tudor66]

Hey Man, Great photos, thanks for posting them. Just when I think I want to start with the older GMTII, someone posts a photo of the new GMTII and I think, man I've got to have that design first. Buying new and shiny can be fun- same with cars, houses, etc...

How is the older GMT more versatile...?
How old is your pepsi...?
What year/serial would you recommend on the older GMTII..?
More importantly, which would you recommend for a daily use watch for an office jockey...?

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Newbieone

Hey Man, Great photos, thanks for posting them. Just when I think I want to start with the older GMTII, someone posts a photo of the new GMTII and I think, man I've got to have that design first. Buying new and shiny can be fun- same with cars, houses, etc...

How is the older GMT more versatile...?
You can change inserts with the older GMTII. Coke, Pepsi, and Black.
If you get both bracelets, Oyster and Jubilee this will also give the watch a different look.
How old is your pepsi...?
It's approximately a 99, however you can get them as new as 2007 when they stopped producing them. Doesn't matter that much though as these things were built to last a very long time.
What year/serial would you recommend on the older GMTII..?
Year and serial didn't matter that much as there haven't been that many changes in regards to how the GMTII was made. However because I was using 2 different bracelets it does make it nice that mine has lug holes.

Evolution:

1997/2000: Tritium -> Luminova -> Superluminova
2000: Solid end link bracelet indroduced (SEL).
2003: Laser crown introduced.
2003: No holes case starting (late Y-series).
2007: New certificate (plastic/credit card size) introduced (Z-series).


More importantly, which would you recommend for a daily use watch for an office jockey...?
Either one of these will work just fine. You just need to determine which one you like the most, or get one now and the other later.

See comments above in red.

[Johnnie]

Originally Posted by dddrees

They are both really nice. The GMTIIC looks fantastic, and it has a great wrist presence. The GMTII is more versatile. Its like 6 watches in one when you have all three inserts and the Oyster and Jubilee bracelet.

Totally agree, buy 1 get 6

[rolio]

GMT II Classic: one of the finest, among many, that Rolex has ever produced. It is also very comfortable! As said many times before, with the 3186 movement, you've hit a home run every time. Wear it and enjoy it. But remember, it's just a watch

[dddrees]

This refference should also help you a bit in your decision.

http://gmtmasterhistory.com/index.html

[A.J.R.]

Originally Posted by dddrees

http://gmtmasterhistory.com/index.html

Great website, thanks!

[Rollie2011]

Both are top notch.

I prefer the look of the Pepsi but I love the upgrades to the bracelet and bezel on the new model!

Get both!

[DCgator]

If you can get a Coke GMTII with the 3186 movt then you have the classic GMT with the same movt used on the newer GMTc. I'm a coke fan myself. My 2c.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by DCgator

If you can get a Coke GMTII with the 3186 movt then you have the classic GMT with the same movt used on the newer GMTc. I'm a coke fan myself. My 2c.

But there really aren't that many differences movement wise really. Besides those using the previous movement will still function just as good and will last just as long.

But this just like lug holes or no lug holes is kind of a preference thing really.

[warrior]

They are both great watches. What kind of guy are you? Do you like the classic, more retro look of the older GMT? Or the more flashy/modern style of the new?

I prefer the older style myself. Coke for a more subdued and serious look... and Pepsi for a slight bit of fun/vintage look.

[ingoodtime]

I love the Pepsi look on jubilee bracelet but own the newer GMTIIC which I also love. The black dial/ bezel goes with everything.

[Tudor66]

Just curious if any of the GMTII-c buyers have reverted back to the older style of Rolex sport watches, Sub, GMT, etc...

I've tried on the GMT II-c again at an AD, and I have started to realize why I am back to leaning in the direction of the newer model GMTII-c:

-My 27 year old daily use tag is somewhat of a copy of the submariner (bezel numbers), and is also has some likeness to the GMTII coke bezel (overall shape and bracelet)--See attached. Getting the older GMTII would essentially be getting a similar looking watch to my current tag, albeit much improved.

Now that new GMTII-c is quite simply latest, greatest, shiny new product from Rolex, in my opinion. If I go with this shiny new toy, I can always pickup the the older GMTII, though something tells that I won't want to once I get used the larger size and superb commanding awesomeness of the GMTIIc

[Watchdog]

Both are so great; however, the Coke/Pepsi old style bezel is/are so versatile that I doubt any of the new ceramics can ever match that. Having said that, from the old style, I prefer the Pepsi on the jubilee. What a watch.

[Tudor66]

Related to my earlier point, here is sub compared to my very old Tag: Looking closely at this comparison I see the similar dial, hands, bezel, and overall design copy of the Sub.. Hey, how did TagH get away with copying Rolex...?

[Runnin' Rebel]

Dan, you ever switch bezels out..
Like Pepsi to coke ?

[drockadam]

Congrats! The Coke is very nice! Regarding TAG Heuer copying the bezel and dial, all companies get away with homages to Rolex. No worries though mate :)

[jmsrolls]

I started with a M/3186 Explorer II and went to this:



It was a beautiful watch but it didn't take me long to realize it was a mistake. The ceramic bezel is poorly designed, the green "fourth hand" is virtually invisible against the black dial, and the polished center links have no place on a sport/tool watch IMO.

So earlier this year, I acquired this M/3186 GMTII Master with coke bezel:



I also have a black bezel for a change of pace:



For me, the earlier models are classic and I love mine.

Fr. John†

[drockadam]

[QUOTE=jmsrolls;2712963]I started with a M/3186 Explorer II and went to this:




That is one gorgeous watch!

[RC2]

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

I started with a M/3186 Explorer II and went to this:



It was a beautiful watch but it didn't take me long to realize it was a mistake. The ceramic bezel is poorly designed, the green "fourth hand" is virtually invisible against the black dial, and the polished center links have no place on a sport/tool watch IMO.

So earlier this year, I acquired this M/3186 GMTII Master with coke bezel:



I also have a black bezel for a change of pace:



For me, the earlier models are classic and I love mine.

Fr. John†

Fr. John...oddly I tried a new black bezel today at my AD and it was 2mm too think and would not go on my GMT...they are following up with RSC to see what happened...very odd...

[RC2]

made the change to coke today!

[HDHNTER]

When it comes to the GMT I prefer the classic. Love the new watch feeling after a simple bezel insert swap.

[RC2]

I just went from pepsi to coke about an hour ago!

[Onikage]

Pepsi at the moment but I'll be going back to this in the future.

[horseco]

Coke or Pepsi, you really can't go wrong...