I sold my BLNR 😵 & bought a 16570 instead. Go figure.

[rgwarden]

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Then came the fateful day I tried on my first 16570
Oh dear...(to my mind) it's lighter, it's slimmer, I can read the time without being bezzled sorry bedazzled, the bracelet feels more comfortable, and it's how much?? Wow that's value in a watch.

[rgwarden]

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So after smelling rats up and down New Bond St a TZ-uk forum buddy suggested trying Watchfinder. I gave it to them last Wednesday.

[rgwarden]

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And on Friday morning they got back to me offering over RRP for the BLNR (just) so I'd worn it for 18 months for free! They gave me the option of a cheaper 16570 but I took the most recent (2010) but with no frills, no rehaut engraving, and mint.
I'm sure I could have got one on a forum or kept searching and saved $1000 but she's a beauty, and yes I still got plenty of money as well as a watch I prefer (I can't tell you how much because since the £ nosedived I don't know! but at least $2,500
Also I'm impatient. Getting the cheaper one meant waiting, and I'd fallen for it.

[gossbeau]

As long as you are more satisfied this way, I am happy for you buddy!!
Each to his own!!!

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by rgwarden

6 year old black face Explorer II 16570, and I cannot believe how much I prefer it.

(5 digit 40MM one, and knew I was in trouble.

I look forward to your horror and disbelief, though I suspect there may be a few on here who get where I'm coming from...

Congrats I fully understand you ,luckily my trip to the 6digit references was saved since not fan of them from the beginning(too thick lugs,toonarrow bracelet),the only 6digit i like and own is the 116520 which i m still much prefer over the new D-C.

[ancientmariner]

with you on this one OP

[Snow-Dweller]

Congratulations. You clearly made the right decision for you.

The discussion of preferences between 5 and 6 digit references will (rightly) never end. Whilst I understand many of your points, to me the solid link bracelet with the easylink extension have become a must.

[GSBC]

congrats on the new watch.
I have the same concerns about the BLNR's bezel and CL's.

[Gaijin]

The black dial Explorer II rocks!




I wish I had never sold mine.






Twice.

[breitlings]

I understand completely. I prefer the 5 digit models between a nickel allergy and the shape and weight of the cases. Imo the 5 digits are designed to be worn everyday as a neccessity and they feel great on wrist.

[Relyt]

That's awesome!!! Congrats to you.... heck with selling the BLNR, you could get the polar as well! Lol.


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[ezmarr]

Congrats! Is that really 2010 model? I think mine is 2006 (z-serial) and has the engraved rehaut. I didn't know they offered both options at the same time.

[kromdom]

Some owners have regretted selling their FIRST Rolex...you cannot have another FIRST Rolex ever. Hopefully you will not be one of them. Congrats on your new watch

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by rgwarden

Just for the BLNR fan club on here, last week I part exchanged my 18 month old BLNR (at a small profit) for a 6 year old black face Explorer II 16570, and I cannot believe how much I prefer it.

I know I know there are a lot of BLNR fans on here who will think 'whaa??!' and I chased after the blue black myself, added my name to a waiting list, and enjoyed it. For about a year.

But then weird things happened to my love affair. And 6 months later we broke up.

I started disliking the polished CLs (many have commented on this), and the size of the lugs started feeling big (I'm a small guy with small wrists) and the crown too - more worryingly a feeling grew on me that this watch was very much 'bezel over dial', and I realised that even with my travelling abroad for work I was never actually turning it, just changing the separate hour hand and leaving the blue hand on GMT.

Whilst trying to make my brother in law buy his first Rolex in the shape of a 42MM Explorer II i found myself staring at a photo of a 5 digit 40MM one, and knew I was in trouble. The BLNR was my first Rolex, I honestly never even knew the Explorer II had grown out of a smaller model.

Then DANGER I tried one on. And instantly preferred everything about it. It's clearly a 'grower' more than a 'show'er', way more understated, less 'I'M WEARING A ROLEX!!' more 'yeah I wear a nice watch. I'm sorry? Yes, yes it's a (ahem) Rolex' but on my wrist I'm happier with the clasp the bracelet the crown the dial the bezel the weight the shape heck even the lower value? I know. Crazy huh?

I'm aware I may well be one of those guys who in 10 years says god I wish I'd never sold my BLNR, but right now, I couldn't be happier.

I look forward to your horror and disbelief, though I suspect there may be a few on here who get where I'm coming from...

Good move, congrats!!!!

[rgwarden]

Originally Posted by ezmarr

Congrats! Is that really 2010 model? I think mine is 2006 (z-serial) and has the engraved rehaut. I didn't know they offered both options at the same time.

That is very interesting because I assumed it would have the engraved rehaut (and was actually pleasantly surprised it wasn't there as I like it as unbranded as possible) I have all the papers and they give date of purchase as 2010 but thinking about it that doesn't mean at all that the watch is a 2010 model? Is it conceivable that it's a few years earlier but sat in the store for years? How do you tell the series from the paperwork can someone tell me? The serial number starts with F but on the Rolex service card (serviced 2012) the model number 16570 has a T on the end?
I really like the piece but if it is indeed a few years older I'd surely have a case for getting some money back as it was sold as a 2010, not sold as 'purchased 2010'..... mmmmmmn food for thought

[rgwarden]

Actually I'm now kind of intrigued, and should just state from the off that I'm very happy with the watch however old it is. It's keeping excellent time (+ about a second a day so far!) and I know from the paperwork that was bought new in 2010, but without the engraved rehaut I don't know how old it is, or what '?' Series it is. It has no lug holes so is post 2000 right? Maybe one of you can tell me whether that serial number beginning with F means it's 'F' series and therefore what years they were made? Failing that I'm supposing this is the kind of detail you could get out of Rolex?

[mtgjr]

F serial watches were produced in mostly 2003/2004, before they started the engraved rehaut. If it was sold as new in 2010, then it must have sat somewhere for over five years.

[rgwarden]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

F serial watches were produced in mostly 2003/2004, before they started the engraved rehaut.

Thanks for that. So I guess I have a significantly older model that wasn't sold for years? And that Watchfinder sold me a watch originally purchased in 2010 that wasn't the 2010 model they claimed it to be. My price for the BLNR part exchange was good, so I suppose now the only question I have to answer is am I happy with the watch I got for the money I paid ie 3185 movement rather than 3186 etc. Since I wanted no engraved rehaut it looks like a case of suck it up! Heck I even have a Rolex who's crown lines up which for someone with my OCD is like a sign it was meant to be.
Tempted to question Watchfinder though re their selling of the watch as 2010...

[jrs146]

Glad you are happier with the Explorer II. That's what it's all about. You have to LOVE the watch to want to keep the watch. The wrist wants what the wrist wants

[Gerardus]

Congratz with your 16570, awesome choice!
Wearing mine writing this.

[Lovewatches108]

Love the BLNR personally, but the 16570 looks great on you. Bravo!

[Lovewatches108]

Originally Posted by Clivek

Congratulations. You clearly made the right decision for you.

The discussion of preferences between 5 and 6 digit references will (rightly) never end. Whilst I understand many of your points, to me the solid link bracelet with the easylink extension have become a must.

Couldn't agree more on the point of the solid link bracelet. Absolute must and superior in quality IMHO.

[rollee1]

I am in the same position, but I kept them all.
My 16570 polar (3186) says hi from across the pond.

[dualcarb]

It doesn't matter if your decision is deemed silly or out of this world by others. What matters the most is that you are happy. And that's all that matters. Congrats and well done...