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Old 28 August 2010, 11:51 AM   #1
PAKLOKKEI
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Explorer II or Speedmaster Apollo 17 ?

Dear All,

I am thinking to get myself a daily watch from Ebay, i have 2 options here, which one do you think i should get ?

1) Pre-owned Explorer II

2) Speedmaster Apollo 17 ( limited edition)

Please let me know your suggestion,

Thanks
Anthony
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Old 28 August 2010, 11:53 AM   #2
Dr. Robert
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Old 28 August 2010, 12:08 PM   #3
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I know most on this forum will call for the Rolex, but frankly, I've always liked that Moonwatch. I've got an Titanium Bond Omega Seamaster with the chronograph dials as well as a Rolex TT GMTii. Love them both. You might want to consider going with both eventually as well. But if it were me, I'd grab the Speedmaster first.

My $0.02.
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Old 28 August 2010, 12:16 PM   #4
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why ebay?? the seller here offers better price and service that ebay,
and for a daily Watch i'd choose the explorer II white dial, got mine as my daily watch, very comfortable, durable, and a Rolex.
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Old 28 August 2010, 04:13 PM   #5
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Explorer II all the way.
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Old 28 August 2010, 04:18 PM   #6
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I like the Speedy's design, but both are great...
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Old 28 August 2010, 04:19 PM   #7
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Both my Speedmaster and my Explorer II are my favorite watches. Cal 861 is a great movement and I don't mind winding my watch. Explorer is my favorite GMT watch. You just can't go wrong with a Rolex, but a true WIS should own a Speedy Pro. I can't help you....... too hard.
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Old 28 August 2010, 04:32 PM   #8
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The Speedy Apollo 17 is a great watch and if you can get it at a very good price go for it. As far as a daily wearer is concerned the Explorer II is by far the most suitable if the two in terms of durability versatility and water resistance and you will find a good deal for sure on TRF on an Explorer II. But, get both if you can.
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Old 28 August 2010, 05:12 PM   #9
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I had a Speedmaster and now have the Explorer II. The Speedmaster is a nice watch, but the Explorer II is the one to wear day to day and for all occasions.
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Old 28 August 2010, 05:47 PM   #10
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Owned both; more compliments for the speedy, plexi makes it prettier, has chrono BUT lacks date, not for diving and is manual wind. Explorer fit great on the wrist as the speedy, has the date but not very striking, a simple tool watch.
My opinion, the speedy is more cool but the explorer more practical.
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Old 28 August 2010, 07:31 PM   #11
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Hi Anthony,

I got my Speedy Pro 3 years ago along with my Seamaster Titanium. I only last month got myself an Explorer II (white). I say both are splendid timepieces, each with its own function.....I enjoy wearing all of them in rotation. Having said that, my Speedy is my weekend/ dress watch while my Exp II is my daily use watch besides my Speedmaster. You can't go wrong with either but buy the one that put a smile on your face.

Here's a pic of them....



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Old 28 August 2010, 08:59 PM   #12
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Agree with checking out the trusted sellers on here....better than ebay IMHO..

Also, I'd personally prefer the white exp2

Good luck
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Old 28 August 2010, 09:48 PM   #13
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Explorer II white.
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Old 28 August 2010, 10:00 PM   #14
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I have the Speedmaster. It looks cool, but for me , I find mine difficult to wind. The crown is stiff. I think that is typical of new Speedys and I don't think anything is wrong with it.

I prefer the pop of the white Explorer II to the black dial. Your call!

Personally, I would nver buy anything of value off of ebay. If you do , I would make sure the seller has a stellar reputation and lives in a venue where you can get legal recourse if necessary. Sorry to be so cynical, but expensive items demand extra scrutiny.
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Old 28 August 2010, 10:01 PM   #15
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Stay away from Fleabay. You are just asking for trouble IMHO.
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Old 28 August 2010, 10:07 PM   #16
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are you okay wearing the limited edition everyday?

i've always adored the speedy. but i soon realized after purchasing one that the size and weight were a bit too much for me. i could pull it off, but it was not nearly as comfortable as with, say, the exp2 i used to own.

there have been some great pre-owned exp2 prices on the forums recently. if i were currently looking for a watch, at those prices, i would definitely go for the exp2.
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Old 28 August 2010, 10:10 PM   #17
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Do you want a chrono or a GMT? The Explorer II and the Speedmaster Professional are both classics and you can't go wrong with either but they are clearly different watches.

I've owned a couple of dozen Speedy Pros including two Apollo XVIIs over the years. If you plan on wearing it, I would not pay a premium for the LE. Omega overplays the Speedy LEs and for wearing, the standard 3570.50 would be my choice among the modern models.

In 2008, I was looking for something to fill the GMT niche in my collection and went with the Explorer II. Three months ago, I flipped it for a GMT IIc and made a bad mistake. Fortunately I was able to require my EXPII and the GMT will be put on the market.

Comparing watch to watch, the EXPII has the advantage of the date and greater WR. The Speedy Pro has unparalleled history and legibility:



Fr. John†
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Old 28 August 2010, 10:26 PM   #18
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I would say the Speedy Pro as I believe all watch collectors should own a version of the moon watch and the Submariner as they both have so much history behind them with little changes over the past 50 years. Due to this I am sure that there is a strong chance you will keep this watch forever if you get the exact model your looking for. If you end up using ebay, PM me as there are 3 extremely reputable Omega dealers that you will have 0 issues with, I am sure Mr. Fr. John with concur as I got the list from him. GL.
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Old 28 August 2010, 10:38 PM   #19
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I love both of the watches. They are classics. I would get the Speedy first and then the Explorer II. You can't go wrong either way. Good luck in your decision.
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Old 28 August 2010, 10:48 PM   #20
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Exp II Wht Dial
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Old 28 August 2010, 10:49 PM   #21
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Both nice but EXP II White goes anywhere. Whatever you buy avoid Ebay at all costs. Just asking for trouble.
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Old 28 August 2010, 11:17 PM   #22
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EII. why even ask?
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Old 29 August 2010, 01:31 AM   #23
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Go Speedy, but don't get the limited edition. Save yourself that extra cash and put it toward the Exp-II.

I seriously didn't think the Speedmaster would compete with my GMT-IIc, but it sure as hell does. I would say the Rolex still gets 60-70% wrist wear, but the Speedmaster is creeping up and taking more wrist time than I thought it would in the month that I have owned it.
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Old 29 August 2010, 04:15 AM   #24
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My choice, the white dialed Explorer II,better watch IMO.
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Old 3 September 2010, 12:52 AM   #25
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If you are lazy to wind the watch, go for the Explorer II. If you are a true WIS, you do need a Speedy in your collection, no doubt.

If I were you, I'd get the Speedy now and save up for the NEW EXPLORER II coming next year or so.
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Old 3 September 2010, 01:10 AM   #26
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Love my Speedy...non SE. Prefer the GMTll over Expy ll.

But whatever you do...PLEASE stay away from Flea Bay!!! OK???
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Old 3 September 2010, 01:14 AM   #27
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sorry but I'd have the speedy all day every day
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Old 3 September 2010, 01:54 AM   #28
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I have never liked the Explorer II. I gave my gf an Explorer I, but it is too small

for present-day wear by men. The new Explorer is 39mm, a much better size. As far as the Moonwatch, I hade one of them and had to sell it. The painful chore of winding it every day was not pleasant. The crown is very tight, quite recessed and has sharp corners. I have no idea how one would live with such a watch unless one is a masochist.
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Old 3 September 2010, 02:07 AM   #29
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explorer
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Old 3 September 2010, 02:40 AM   #30
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If you're looking for the watch you'll wear everyday (and maybe own no others) always take Rolex over Omega. I like the Speedy and hope to have one, one day, but would not pic an Omega/Swatch over Rolex for my everday watch.
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