White Exp II vs GMT IIC?

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by Tag.K

You can’t go wrong with either one. I find that I wear my Explorer II more than any other watch in my collection. I just really like that it’s so simplistic, yet elegant….
However, buy what makes you feel good. Explorer II may not be the watch for you…..
Good Luck….

Tag.K

Love the photos!

[karwath]

The EXP II with the white dial gets my vote. I wear mine more than any other watch.

[Jedi]

This thread had expressed many of the feelings I've had about the GMT-IIC but just never gave it them due consideration due to what I eventually felt about the piece... indifference. It just doesn't sing out to me, and the one thing that came to mind again and again was that it just doesn't seem elegantly functional to me in the way the older GMT-II does.

But it does look good on people's wrists and I'm enjoying very much the exuberance and happiness expressed by those who own the watch. As a stand alone piece, it's as good as other classic sports watches, but it's just not me.

The EXP II on the other hand... I'm not allowed to wear mine till Dec 1st when Mrs Jedi and I actually tie the know, but from the moment I had it sized and on my wrist the first time... WOW... I can't wait to be married and I can't wait to Explore that chapter of my life with that classic timing it on Day One.

Just my thoughts.

[Tag.K]

Thanks guys for the compliments on the photos! I just can’t say enough about the Explorer II. I know it doesn’t give you the “Bling” that the new GMT II does, however it’s almost the perfect watch all around. This is my opinion of course. It’s extremely legible, it’s extremely tough, 2nd time zone, water resistant to further than I’ll ever go and it carries the reliability and accuracy that Rolex is famous for. I don’t mean to imply that the new GMT II falls short because it instills all of these same qualities. I own the old style GMT II and I love it as well. However, the Explorer II to me feels more like an every day type of watch. I guess because I’m a worrier about scratches and dings. That new polished bracelet would be a scratch magnet for me and it would probably drive me crazy.

Tag.K

[Downing]

Well, I dropped by my AD today and took another look at the white Explorer II...

Didn't buy it--but only because Tom wasn't with me. If Tom had been there, the Scotch would have been flowing and I almost certainly would have bought it.

Thanks, Tom!

This probably sounds crazy, but I'm thinking about buying this watch but leaving it at the store. My AD would keep it in the safe. That way, I could wait to see if Rolex upgrades the clasp and/or bezel in the next two years. If they do, I could then buy the new model, have the original engraved and give it to my son for his college graduation present. If they don't, I could still buy something else altogether and give the Exp II to my son or wear it myself and give my son an Exp I, which I think is more his style anyway. He's going to graduate in 2010, so time is on my side.

Either way, I avoid a price increase on this watch and don't have to pay for it for a year anyway.

As a side note, we discussed the fact that my AD always fills out the warranty card upon purchase of the watch. Normally, I think this is a good thing so I don't have to worry that I'm buying someone else's "thirty-day buyer's remorse" watch. However, in this case my concern is since I don't yet know who would ultimately wear the watch, I don't want a name on the warranty card until that issue is settled. They assured me that we can "work around this" in this case.

Of course, the drawback to this whole thing is that in the meantime I won't have a second watch.

What to do, what to do...

P.S. Tom thinks I'm going to buy it, leave it overnight then go back first thing in the morning to pick it up and take it home. He may be right.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Tag.K

Thanks guys for the compliments on the photos! I just can’t say enough about the Explorer II. I know it doesn’t give you the “Bling” that the new GMT II does, however it’s almost the perfect watch all around. This is my opinion of course. It’s extremely legible, it’s extremely tough, 2nd time zone, water resistant to further than I’ll ever go and it carries the reliability and accuracy that Rolex is famous for. I don’t mean to imply that the new GMT II falls short because it instills all of these same qualities. I own the old style GMT II and I love it as well. However, the Explorer II to me feels more like an every day type of watch. I guess because I’m a worrier about scratches and dings. That new polished bracelet would be a scratch magnet for me and it would probably drive me crazy.

Tag.K

You just summed up pretty much all my thoughts about my most wrist time Rolex. My everyday wearer. My Black Dial Explorer II. Love it! Expect to get 10% off minimum on that baby with no sales tax it should be $4500 out the door. That to me just sweetens its appeal.

[leopardprey]

I would not buy it unless you want to wear it now. AS for your son in two years, there will probably be newer style watches to choose from by then as well.

Maybe they will come out with an Explorer II with the updated movement and larger hands.?

Again, I will recommend if you want an Explorer II, buy a used one and then send it to the RSC to doa complete overhaul. It will be the same as a brand new one and will save you around $1000 to $1500. The RSC can also engrave it if you like as well.

[Downing]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

I would not buy it unless you want to wear it now. AS for your son in two years, there will probably be newer style watches to choose from by then as well.

Maybe they will come out with an Explorer II with the updated movement and larger hands.?

Again, I will recommend if you want an Explorer II, buy a used one and then send it to the RSC to doa complete overhaul. It will be the same as a brand new one and will save you around $1000 to $1500. The RSC can also engrave it if you like as well.

Chad, I can't buy used, not this one anyway. I promised my AD that I would buy my next Rolex from them as I'm relationship building so they'll quit giving Tom all the best deals.

As far as not wearing it now, I'm still debating that one. I'm probably going to give my son an Explorer 1 and--guessing here-it's less likely that that watch will be updated in any significant way in the next 2.5 years except perhaps a beefier clasp or bracelet, which it really needs IMHO. And if anything else catches my fancy in the meantime, like an Explorer II with updated movement and larger hands (I'd really like a beefier clasp!), then I could get the new model for myself and give my son the one in the safe, still BNIB.

That's my thinking, anyway. I know it's kind of a crazy (stupid?) idea and I'm certainly open to input and willing to change my mind. I'm still thinking it through in any case.