YM42 from AD or Batman from Grey

[Casio_fan]

Hey all,

Looking for some advice on my first Rolex purchase. I’m keen on the Batman or YM42 WG - I really like them both and would normally go for the Batman given the 3x price difference, but as we all know the GMTs are just about impossible to get at retail. I’m in Australia so I’d need to import a Batman from an overseas grey dealer and pay tax/duty, probably looking at ~$30k AUD for a 126710BLNR on oyster (120% over retail) which seems totally insane…

Given how crazy GMT prices are, retail on the YM42 ($40k AUD) doesn’t seem so bad… would appreciate any thoughts. Seems like it shouldn’t be too hard to pick up a YM42 at retail, but any insights on that would be great too. The rest of my collection is a Tudor Pelagos in black, Sinn U1 and a few high end Japanese quartz.

Cheers!

[rmlovett1]

Welcome to the forum! I’d go with what you will enjoy looking at the most on your wrist, if you love the condition of the pre-owned gmt, and prices are close. Both are great pieces, but for me personally, in your scenario….I’d go with the YM. It is a stellar piece that needs to be seen in person. Such a great presence, and being a PM, it’d be an easy choice for me. I wouldn’t have said this a few months ago, until I had the experience of having the YM on my wrist and seeing it in person, vs the GMT.

[HMHM]

Once you try the YM42, you will not want the GMT…. It’s that good and personally I’m hoping to get one in the future.

[seosub]

Originally Posted by HMHM

Once you try the YM42, you will not want the GMT…. It’s that good and personally I’m hoping to get one in the future.

I dont know if you would not want the GMT after trying the YM, but I agree that its incredible - tried the YM40 rose gold and it might be one of my favorite watches in the lineup now

[joli160]

AD or grey doesn’t matter, they both come from Geneva.
Get the one you really like. Price will be forgotten against a lifetime enjoyment

[JRell]

Just say no to greys.

[Submaster1675]

The Yachtmaster 42 is not the most sought after Rolex, it is quite easy to get one from an AD (1 to 3 months). Order one and when you have it, your AD will surely take your request for a Batgirl more easily, with a wire cutter (AD do whatever they want with their "lists" ...) which could be quick (a few months anyway). Afterwards, if you can, keep the 2 since you like them. If you want to keep that Batgirl, sell your YM 42 at a loss, which in this case will be less than the premium for a Batgirl in a gray. If you want to keep the YM 42, reselling the Batgirl will give you a bonus ... and you'll be a gray

[ap1]

Originally Posted by Submaster1675

The Yachtmaster 42 is not the most sought after Rolex, it is quite easy to get one from an AD (1 to 3 months). Order one and when you have it, your AD will surely take your request for a Batgirl more easily, with a wire cutter (AD do whatever they want with their "lists" ...) which could be quick (a few months anyway). Afterwards, if you can, keep the 2 since you like them. If you want to keep that Batgirl, sell your YM 42 at a loss, which in this case will be less than the premium for a Batgirl in a gray. If you want to keep the YM 42, reselling the Batgirl will give you a bonus ... and you'll be a gray

Can’t argue with this. If your wrist is greater than 7 inches I’d much rather have the YM

[dannyp]

If you’re alright with a PM watch on a rubber strap as your daily, there’s not a question in my mind: YM42.

Easier to get (logistically), full factory warranty, and a beautiful watch.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that, in your position, I’d at least ask the dealer about the steel YM40 blue dial, as it’s closer in size and price to the GMT.

[Casio_fan]

Originally Posted by Richris1

Welcome to the forum! I’d go with what you will enjoy looking at the most on your wrist, if you love the condition of the pre-owned gmt, and prices are close. Both are great pieces, but for me personally, in your scenario….I’d go with the YM. It is a stellar piece that needs to be seen in person. Such a great presence, and being a PM, it’d be an easy choice for me. I wouldn’t have said this a few months ago, until I had the experience of having the YM on my wrist and seeing it in person, vs the GMT.

Originally Posted by HMHM

Once you try the YM42, you will not want the GMT…. It’s that good and personally I’m hoping to get one in the future.

Originally Posted by JRell

Just say no to greys.

Originally Posted by ap1

Can’t argue with this. If your wrist is greater than 7 inches I’d much rather have the YM

Originally Posted by seosub

I dont know if you would not want the GMT after trying the YM, but I agree that its incredible - tried the YM40 rose gold and it might be one of my favorite watches in the lineup now

Originally Posted by joli160

AD or grey doesn’t matter, they both come from Geneva.
Get the one you really like. Price will be forgotten against a lifetime enjoyment

Originally Posted by dannyp

If you’re alright with a PM watch on a rubber strap as your daily, there’s not a question in my mind: YM42.

Easier to get (logistically), full factory warranty, and a beautiful watch.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that, in your position, I’d at least ask the dealer about the steel YM40 blue dial, as it’s closer in size and price to the GMT.

Appreciate the welcome and all the input! My wrist is about 7.25 inches and I tend to go for 41-42 mm and larger, which is another point towards the YM. I'm a fan of rubber straps and bracelets (not so much leather) so the Oysterflex certainly isn't a turn off - I think it works really well with the matte black bezel.

Originally Posted by Submaster1675

The Yachtmaster 42 is not the most sought after Rolex, it is quite easy to get one from an AD (1 to 3 months). Order one and when you have it, your AD will surely take your request for a Batgirl more easily, with a wire cutter (AD do whatever they want with their "lists" ...) which could be quick (a few months anyway). Afterwards, if you can, keep the 2 since you like them. If you want to keep that Batgirl, sell your YM 42 at a loss, which in this case will be less than the premium for a Batgirl in a gray. If you want to keep the YM 42, reselling the Batgirl will give you a bonus ... and you'll be a gray

Thanks, this is a great approach! I've heard supply is typically even worse in Australia, but hopefully a YM42 purchase would at least give me a shot at a Batman/Batgirl at retail. If this worked out I'd definitely be keeping them both!

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Casio_fan

Appreciate the welcome and all the input! My wrist is about 7.25 inches and I tend to go for 41-42 mm and larger, which is another point towards the YM. I'm a fan of rubber straps and bracelets (not so much leather) so the Oysterflex certainly isn't a turn off - I think it works really well with the matte black bezel.

In that case, I think you have your answer! From a value perspective, it certainly makes more sense (given that it retails for more than 3x the price of a new Batman) and I'm always a fan of the AD route. Plus ordering from overseas and dealing with importing one yourself is always a potential hassle (delays, seller not properly completing paperwork, etc.).

[mg18]

I think the YM looks very nice. My only gripe with the oysterflex is that the rubber feels a bit too structured to me. It's tough to describe, but close to the lugs, and the top view of the watch in general, the strap kind of flares out a bit instead of conforming perfectly to the wrist. At least that was my experience trying them on.

[BigAppleBill]

I never really gave the YM42 much thought, and always kind of wrote it off as unnecessarily big and nonsensical. After all, 40mm seems to be the Rolex standard.

Then, on a whim, I made the mistake of actually trying one on. It looked and felt spectacular and I just had to have it. Placed an order with my AD and got one a few weeks later. I was recently told by my AD that they haven’t been able to get one in a while (probably like everything else). All I can tell you is that it’s a very easy watch to wear. Thin profile (for a Rolex) at 11.8mm compared to 12mm+ for a Sub or Daytona, and I like the curved case compared to the more blocky maxi case of the Sub.

I also love the black and white theme with the matte ceramic bezel. Very stealthy. And very legible with the larger hour indices, which also balance better with the date window. And perhaps the best feature of all is the Glidelock clasp, which makes adjusting the size very easy and intuitive. IMO - the Glidelock is one of Rolex’s best inventions.