Seeking a New Explorer II, Black 3186 movement, is $4200 for too much?

[MountZ]

Hello all, I am on the fence about a new 2009 "Z" Rolex Black Explorer II gmt Watch 16570 with the 3186 movement. I have collected old watches for years and have several Illinois and even a 1930 Rolex. I have never thought of purchasing a new Rolex until recently (my wife wears a '96 just date). I have a white faced maurice lacroix that I have loved for years and a solid rose gold maurice lacroix Masterpiece for special occasions. I guess I am seeking a new sporty watch that I can wear in the snow or hot tub. I was taken with the looks of the Explorer and thought that the black face had a stunning look. The only other watch I might be interested in would be the 114270 (but I don't believe this comes with the 3186 movement) with numbers 3, 6 and 9.

Any insights members might be able to offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Cru Jones]

Welcome! Is this price for a brand new in box example from an authorized dealer??

[MountZ]

Yes, this is from a an authorized dealer in the Southeast.

[Cru Jones]

A Z serial would indicate the case was made in 2006, so, the rough guesstimate is that the watch is 4 years old....But, the AD is also correct in saying it's a "brand new" watch, and you'd be getting a full warranty as if it were a brand new watch.

I *think* retail in the States is in the $5,500-6,000 range, so, it would seem you're being offered an exceptional deal.....Better for someone in the U.S. to comment, but, that's my take, having recently picked one up in Europe.

[thirsty5]

I do not think this is a bad deal at all if. Although I perfer the white dial. ;)

[rollieguy]

I believe this is a very good deal, I could never get one for that price here in Canada at an AD.

[jmsrolls]

Sounds like a great deal to me.

Love the black dial!

Fr. John†

[padi56]

Originally Posted by MountZ

Hello all, I am on the fence about a new 2009 "Z" Rolex Black Explorer II gmt Watch 16570 with the 3186 movement. I have collected old watches for years and have several Illinois and even a 1930 Rolex. I have never thought of purchasing a new Rolex until recently (my wife wears a '96 just date). I have a white faced maurice lacroix that I have loved for years and a solid rose gold maurice lacroix Masterpiece for special occasions. I guess I am seeking a new sporty watch that I can wear in the snow or hot tub. I was taken with the looks of the Explorer and thought that the black face had a stunning look. The only other watch I might be interested in would be the 114270 (but I don't believe this comes with the 3186 movement) with numbers 3, 6 and 9.

Any insights members might be able to offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

A Z series is from 2006/7 and would doubt if it would have the 3186 most properly the 3185.But both movements are excellent the 3186 is a modded 3185 both movements as accurate,and the 3185 has a well proved track. record.

[MountZ]

Originally Posted by padi56

A Z series is from 2006/7 and would doubt if it would have the 3186 most properly the 3185.But both movements are excellent the 3186 is a modded 3185 both movements as accurate,and the 3185 has a well proved track. record.

I have to say this was a very insightful posting, because I insisted the jeweler open the watch up to verify the movement. Low and behold, he was mistaken and it was a 3185 movement. Touche

[George Ab]

From Larry’s (Tools) excellent post: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=30808

Movement: 3186
(excerpt from Henk Hoving)
The cal.3186 has exactly the same features as seen on the previous cal.3185, so there is no quickset date feature added as some guessed. The main difference between these calibers is the more precise setting of the 12 positions for the 12-hourhand when switching to another timezone.

The 12 hourhand clicks into the 12 positions without any play, and very precise and smooth, as the fixed positions where the hand clicks into, were moved from the center of the movement into the driving train of the hands, this eliminates the play that the older caliber has.

This resulted into a slightly higher caliber, from 6.4mm to 6.8mm, which resulted into a slightly higher case for the new GMT Master II when compared to the older GMT Master II.

Also, in this new GMT Master is the new, own hairspring fitted, the "Parachrom Bleu". This new Rolex-patented hairspring is very easy to recognise as the spring has a very dark blue shiny color. It consists of an alloy made of Niob (most part), Hafnium and a very small ammount other metals not described. This blue color is created because the Niob oxidizes in contact with air and formes a protective layer this way.

In comparison to the regular hairsprings, this new one consists of only non-Ferro materials, and is as such completely unsensitive to magnetic fields. Another major advantage is that this new spring is much less sensitive to temperature-variations, the frequency does not vary due to differences in temperature, which results into one of the most accurate mechanical watches you can buy today...

[padi56]

Originally Posted by George Ab

From Larry’s (Tools) excellent post: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=30808

Also, in this new GMT Master is the new, own hairspring fitted, the "Parachrom Bleu". This new Rolex-patented hairspring is very easy to recognise as the spring has a very dark blue shiny color. It consists of an alloy made of Niob (most part), Hafnium and a very small ammount other metals not described. This blue color is created because the Niob oxidizes in contact with air and formes a protective layer this way.

In comparison to the regular hairsprings, this new one consists of only non-Ferro materials, and is as such completely unsensitive to magnetic fields. Another major advantage is that this new spring is much less sensitive to temperature-variations, the frequency does not vary due to differences in temperature, which results into one of the most accurate mechanical watches you can buy today...

But would doubt in the real world if the average wearer would notice any difference whatsoever no matter what hairspring was in case.And all Rolex watches today if a chronometer tested pass the same test no matter whats in the case.While on paper the Parachrom might show some slight advantages IMHO 95% of it is just pure hype.As Rolex watches some 40 years
old can still perform to a few seconds a day.Accuracy comes mainly how a watch is set up and regulated.One old Rolex I have some 88 years old and made a long time before Paraflex Parchrom the COSC was even thought of, still runs almost to the now antiquated COSC spec.

[sea-dweller]

$4200 for a BNIB (new, old stock) Explorer II is a great deal...