Can't Decide What to Buy... Explorer, Datejust, GMT, Sub

[puckbw11]

I do not intend this to be another “what should I buy” thread. People end up buying what they like no matter the input of others. This is more my attempt to put my thoughts on "paper" so that maybe this will help others as they are searching as well. If you think I am missing something please feel free to chime in. I do hope this creates some discussion!

This will be my "one watch" so I have some requirements:

· I want to wear it with everything-- from shorts and t-shirt to a suit. Still deciding if the sporty or dressy models will work best.

· Special, timeless design with round case and not overly busy. Heirloom-worthy for my son

· I do not want it to overpower my smallish wrist (see wrist shots)

· Flair, but not overly flashy

· At least 100m water resistance

· I prefer a date complication just for practicality sake, but not a must-have (hence my love for the 214270)

My background:

· I am 30 years old and I wear a suit to work Mon-Thurs and I tend to dress rather conservatively--my daily uniform is some variation of a tailored blue/grey suit with some Allen Edmonds kicks.

· I am a complete WIS, but want to go to one watch

· I do travel a bit and there is a chance we will be living overseas in a few years for a little while

· I have a newborn who will be inheriting this bad boy someday

· I can spend up to about $6500 max, and I am open to pre-owned mint pieces



Here are the contenders:

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Rhodium

· Perfect size

· Great value

· Sunburst dial adds some flair, makes watch appear dressier than an explorer

· Blue dots could look dated in several years

· Poor night reading due to limited lume

· Grey dial at times looks a bit dull

· Bracelet clasp not as refined as Explorer other sports Rolexes

· No date

Rolex Explorer 39mm

· Iconic, timeless style, great as an heirloom for my son

· Perfect size on my wrist

· Comfortable, adjustable bracelet

· Is it too plain/not dressy enough for daily office attire?

· New model just released, need to wait for a deal

· No date



Rolex Submariner

· Classic design and versatile

· Comfortable, adjustable bracelet

· Amazing diving bezel, could use for timing

· 300m water resistance

· Date

· Super case a bit big on my wrist/person?

· Top of price range

· Most common sports Rolex (for good reason)

Rolex Master GMT

· Classic design and versatile

· Bezel action is perfect

· GMT time zone function useful for my travel, work

· Comfortable, adjustable bracelet

· Less popular than the Submariner

· Date

· Super case a bit big on my wrist/person

· Top of price range

· Potentially too flashy?



Rolex Datejust 36mm

· Perfect dress watch

· Proportions are very classic

· Date

· Not sure about oyster bracelet on this watch

· A bit small on me, not very versatile with casual clothes

· Could see myself tiring of it due to size, lack of versatility



Rolex Datejust II 41mm

· Perfect dress watch

· Classic design and versatile

· Comfortable, adjustable bracelet

· Date

· Proportions are off, new Rolex 41 looks good, but it is one to two years away from release in steel

· A bit big on my wrist



Omega Aqua Terra or Globemaster

· Like them, but at the end of the day, they just don’t speak to me as much as the Rolex design language

Older model Rolexes 16570 polar or 16710 Pepsi

· I love these, but the bracelet really gives me pause. I can’t spend 4-6k on a watch when the bracelet is worse than a $200 Seiko