GMT II vs Sub

[vivasg]

Hi All.. I'm new to Rolex.. and very interested to buy one. Now still doing research. not sure which one is good
anyway I have a question here. hope you people can advice me.

I notice the appearance of GMT and Sub is quite similar.
Actually what are their difference?

And wat is TT and SS stand for?

Thanks in advance

[SSD]

Hi, and welcome to TRF! Hope you enjoy your stay. The GMT is a watch with a fourth hand, that is used for keeping track of other time zones. If used with both the dial and rotating bezel ring, one can actually track three time zones at once. It was originally designed for pilots, but obviously its popularity became more vast. The Submariner was originally Rolex's dive watch, and is very similar to the Sea Dweller, which has a higher depth rating and no magnifying "cyclops" over the date. Subs with the date feature will have that. Both are classics and very popular in their own right. I'm sure other members will post with more informastion soon! TT= Two Tone, and SS= Stainless Steel. As you can tell, this is one hobby that quickly turns into an addiction! Herer's to more fun!

[frostie]

Welcome to TRF.

SSD explained you everything. Good luck with your purchase

[DS/B MINI S]

The best advice I can give is...Don't try and decide which ONE you want, but decide which ONE you want FIRST

[frostie]

Originally Posted by DS/B MINI S

The best advice I can give is...Don't try and decide which ONE you want, but decide which ONE you want FIRST

Cool advice.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Welcome to TRF!

You might wanna learn all the various abbreviations we use here:

Abbreviations! CLICK!

About the difference between the GMT II and Sub Date, I would like to add that the NEW GMT IIc ("c" standing for "ceramic bezel") has been updated as compared to the predecessor GMT II.

Those updates make the new GMT IIc appear much different (and IS different) than the SS Sub Date.

The updates of the new GMT IIc are:

• SuperCase (also referred to as "block case" (= larger lugs, different, more refined satination of the lugs with vertical "strokes" instead of diagonal strokes in the satination).
  
• Ceramic bezel insert (stratch resistant) instead of the anodized aluminium bezel insert of the "old" GMT II and SS Sub Date.
  
• Triplock crown (extra seals and an O-ring on the crown tube and bigger crown overall) instead of the Twinlock crown on the old GMT II. (the SS Sub Date has the Triplock crown, too.).
  
• SOLID and POLISHED centre links of the bracelet (as compared to hollow and matte finished centre links/bracelet of the "old" GMT II and SS Sub Date.
  
• More solid construction of the clasp (as compared to the bent sheet steel blades' clasp of the old GMT II and SS Sub Date).
  
• "Easy Link" hidden inside the clasp (allows for a quick adjustment to compensate for a swollen wrist in a hot or damp environment).
  
• No external holes in the clasp in order to adjust it, but three hidden INNER holes.
  
• AR (Anti-reflective) coating of the cyclops (magnifying lense) over the date).
  
• Green GMT hand (also called 24-hour hand) and green GMT II lettering
  
• New movt. (Cal. 3186) with PB (Parachrom Bleu) hairspring instead of the predecessor Cal. 3185 movt. of the "old" GMT II (the SS Sub Date uses the Cal. 3135 movt., by the way).

Some pics to compare:

SS Sub Date:





GMT IIc (NEW version), socalled ref. 116710LN (Lunette Noir - Black (ceramic) bezel):

[sheldonsmith]

Look in the watch review section and you will get more info on both watches.... (and the site in my sig file).

-Sheldon

[Dave Kopf]

Bo,

Thank you for posting up the photos and the info.

But all you've really done is made my decision between a Submariner and the GMT IIc all the harder. The only way you could have made it worse is to have posted up a black bezel GMT II.

Dave K

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Dave Kopf

Bo,

Thank you for posting up the photos and the info.

But all you've really done is made my decision between a Submariner and the GMT IIc all the harder. The only way you could have made it worse is to have posted up a black bezel GMT II.

Dave K

The pic by Bo WAS a black [ceramic] bezel on the newest version of the GMT. The previous version, discontinued last year, came with red/ blue [pepsi], red/ black [Dr. Pepper or Coke], and all black bezel inserts.
Here's a few pics of the older style.
dP

[DSJ]

Do you DIVE (not swim, all Rolexes are fine for swimming)? If so, go for the Sub.

Do you TRAVEL ACROSS TIMEZONES? If so, go for the GMT.

If neither, then go try them both on a few times with a mirror and with someone who's opinion counts (GF, spouse, best friend).

Then choose, and realize you will probably end up getting the other one at a later date!

Another way to look at it, is if you ever want a TT, figure out which one you like best in TT, then get the SS in the other first!

[Texsubmariner]

All sound advice above. I have both, and have to say that appearance-wise, the GMT IIc blows away the Sub, IMO. I will probably sell my Sub sometime.

[vivasg]

hi all,

Appreciated and thanks so much for all your advices.
It is really informative. Well initially i was attracted by my friend's rolex a TT datejust wit white dial and diamonds. It really looks very exclusive and classy.

But later i notice a lot of ppl are talking about sub and GMT. That makes me start noticing both of them.

I would assume TT - Two tone means is a mixture of gold and steel right?

Well... my location is in singapore. So far I saw a lot of thread mentioned HK and Singapore is the best price.
do you guys think singapore is good place to get rolex?

[johan]

weclome! enjoy ....

[^fai^]

Well...if you want something that could brighten your day, you may get red/black dial or pesi dial red/blue.

Cheerio,

Here the red/black dial SS GMT II

[^fai^]

Originally Posted by vivasg

Well... my location is in singapore. So far I saw a lot of thread mentioned HK and Singapore is the best price.
do you guys think singapore is good place to get rolex?

Singapore difinitely is a good place to hunt for a rolex whether it's used or BNIB. RSC also locate in Orchard road which is convenient if buying an used rolex that requires for verification, service and etc.

Cheerio,

[Dave Kopf]

I'll decide on Saturday while I'm at the AD. My other option was a very reputable UAD but he raised his prices today to the point that I can save more with the 5% off I was offered from the AD and I get the Rolex warranty.

GMT II, GMT IIc or a Submariner, it'll be an interesting Saturday morning. LOL.

[Rawhyde]

Can't go wrong with Sub or GMT.

If you really want to rock the house, go BLUE!



Rawhyde

[SSD]

Originally Posted by Dave Kopf

I'll decide on Saturday while I'm at the AD. My other option was a very reputable UAD but he raised his prices today to the point that I can save more with the 5% off I was offered from the AD and I get the Rolex warranty.

GMT II, GMT IIc or a Submariner, it'll be an interesting Saturday morning. LOL.

As they say, get the one that SMILES at you. Try both on, take your time, and enjoy! Bear in mind the bracelets may need to be re-sized (I'd have the AD do it) when considering comfort. Best of luck to you, and don't forget to post pics when the big day arrives!

Hey Rawhyde, that's a pretty good pic, who took it?

[haakon59]

I'll share my own current decision points with you.

First, I buy based on functionality. The GMT function is handy if you travel or make calls to different time zones often. The submariner is great for water, as it is rated 300m--a rating which is deeper than more than 99% of us will ever use in our lifetime. Most divers (recreational) don't go much more than 33 meters down.

Another factor is that the case and bracelet of the GMT have been updated and most people judge them as more comfortable than previous models. The GMT also features 100 meters of water resistance which is more than good enough for swimming.

My understanding is that the Submariner will be updated soon but the current models you can buy have their older case and bracelet--but it otherwise performs admirably.

Both watches will have the same quality.