Looking for advice on first Rolex sports model

[photogeek]

Hi all.

I'm looking to get my first Rolex SS Sports watch. I currently have a Panerai PAM233 44mm Luminor GMT, 42mm Radiomir Chrono and Omega SMP 300M (41mm blue wave dial with Co-Axial 2500). I've got a 6.75" wrist but can pull off my 44mm PAM no problem. I've tried on 38mm and 39mm watches and they feel a bit small even on my smallish wrist. Hoping that Rolex 40mm is the sweet spot, especially on a bracelet.

I started this Rolex journey thinking a No Date Sub would be the way to go. Then the 16570 Explorer II caught my eye. Black dial or white dial? Both look great. Then there was the newer 216570 in 42mm. Was it too big or just relative to all the other 40mm cases?

And when I realized that I really wanted GMT functionality, why not look at the GMT Master II. So, I started looking at the 16710. Love the interchangeable aluminum bezels and the brushed bracelet. Very classic and with a black bezel kind of looks like a Submariner but with the very useful GMT function. And I could swap out for a Pepsi or Coke as the mood strikes. I've also seen some nice swaps to a Jubilee bracelet as well. That's a lot of versatility in one watch.

Then I see that 116710 LN models are the same price as late model 16710. Updated 3186 movement, solid link bracelet, milled clasp, ceramic bezel, maxi dial. But can't get over the polished center links on the bracelet. Really, really wished they were brushed like the 5-digit GMT Master II. Found on the forum here that some are swapping out brushed 97200 bracelets from the Sub and others are brushing their polished center links.

I'm also completely baffled at why a late model GMT Master II 16710 is 50% more $$$ than a late model Explorer II 16570. Same case. Same dial. Same hand set, same bracelet, same 3185 movement. Just a fixed SS bezel vs. a rotating aluminum bezel. If I'm off-base, please enlighten me, without resorting to "Well, that's why the Explorer II is such a great value Rolex sports watch." I genuinely would love some insight here.

I wonder why the 16710 is the same price as a newer 116710. Looks aside, as I do like both, is one a better long-term value proposition? And along those lines, would it make any sense to stretch the budget another $2k and go for a 116710 BLNR?

Alright... so I'm at a loss as to what to do right now. I have nowhere to try any of these options on. No Rolex AD has any stock (obviously), even though I could stroll into my local Panerai, Omega or IWC boutique here in Miami and try on anything I want. I understand the Rolex drill, but it's unfortunate that Rolex doesn't implement some kind of store display program where ADs are required to maintain demos for customers to look at and cannot be sold. This is common practice in other premium retail brands. It seems like the only way I could try them side-by-side would be to purchase both and return one.

Eventually, I could see getting a black dial GMT Master II, (16710 or 115710) a Polar Explorer II (most likely 16570 ut possibly 216570) and a Milgaus Z-Blue for dressier use. Not really interested in Subs or Daytonas.

Sorry for the long post. This would be a lot easier if I was buying three watches instead of one. And it would be easier if I lived close to a place like Bob's Watches in LA where I could simply try all the options on at one time. Any advice would be super appreciated.