Need guidance on gifting a ROLEX

[mailman]

Originally Posted by JAGERVEGAS

Looks like I have some thinking to do, very good suggestions from all. I'm thinking black dial, due to being easier to read in the sun. And I know the lume on the Explorer is fantastic. I have some work to do it looks like. But then the 114060 has awesomeness too.

Wow, this is harder then I thought it was going to be:

He sent me this text today: "I leave next Sunday" I haven't responded to him yet cause I'm a little emotional about it. Jesus, is not time to bring these kids home !

Esprit de Corps-Semper Fi

Someone flew him out for my wedding last May as a surprise, I was over joyed to say the least as he told me he couldn't come due to OCS training, I cried like a baby.

Here he is with my daughter, they're so close emotionally and best friends.

I'm just a mess right now, sorry






Sent -3 or -7

That's a great picture right there Mark

[SAAS]

Amazing gesture you can't go wrong with any of those options

[Time Collector]

Originally Posted by JAGERVEGAS

Looks like I have some thinking to do, very good suggestions from all. I'm thinking black dial, due to being easier to read in the sun. And I know the lume on the Explorer is fantastic. I have some work to do it looks like. But then the 114060 has awesomeness too.

Wow, this is harder then I thought it was going to be:

He sent me this text today: "I leave next Sunday" I haven't responded to him yet cause I'm a little emotional about it. Jesus, is not time to bring these kids home !

Esprit de Corps-Semper Fi

Someone flew him out for my wedding last May as a surprise, I was over joyed to say the least as he told me he couldn't come due to OCS training, I cried like a baby.

Here he is with my daughter, they're so close emotionally and best friends.

I'm just a mess right now, sorry
Sent -3 or -7

Hey JAGERVEGAS,
I know how you feel, he means so much to you and he is an extension of your brother that you loved so much. I saw your reply to me, about this issue and how you agree that we should show our love one's just how much we love them while we have the chance. It seems like since he is following in your footsteps with the same habits you like to do, you can't go wrong with whatever you pick because the fact that it's coming from you will make the watch even more special. Imitation is the highest form of flattery and he seems to have taken to your fatherhood roll with open arms by coping much of what you do. It looks like you have been setting quite a wonderful example for along time, given his outcome and under his circumstances.
Like I wrote before in my thread, ""everyone has that special someone that has helped them along the way and you are his special someone."

Judging from the words you have wrote, I see that you understand how much joy it will bring you by giving you nephew a special gift. I'm sure your brother is looking down on you blessed that he had such a wonderful brother to mentor his son.

"Sometimes it's bigger than the watch , but the watch will show just how big it is."

[joli160]

Wise words Time Collector, so true.
But we need to choose, Explorer black, GMT function is really useful for your son.

[Htab]

Explorer 2 black dial

[franzy]

I was going to suggest the Exp II Polar, but after seeing the picture of him, I think that watch will be too big for him. I'm a big guy and have a 7.75 inch wrist and even I felt the Exp II was too big for my wrist.

I truly think a non-ceramic older model submariner is the way to go. Good luck and man is that nice of you to gift him a Rolex.

[seand442]

Either the Sub or Exp 2 would be an awesome gift. The 24 hr hand would be a plus but he prob turns everything into military time anyways. The sub would be awesome because it's a sub. Either way, it's an awesome gesture for someone who is well deserving of it.

[Glidelock]

Either the black Exp II or the Sub date, which if it's a 16610 still flys under the radar for 99% of the general population. I say you arrange w/ your source to present him with both models, and let him choose which one he likes best!!!

[IAN1]

You should be proud! I vote for the Sub.

[luvsub]

16710 Pepsi or 16600.

[MalcolmSquare]

Originally Posted by KY5-0

Jager,

Just two cents from a Marine with a little time in the sandbox. Explorer 2 black dial. A) Understated ( In counter intel, the more under the radar the better. Yes it's a Rolex but not as much a world wide Icon as the sub.). B) The depth rating is more than enough for any is he would be doing. C). The GMT function while deployed is a priceless function. D) The fixed flush bezel is easier to maintain in environments where cleaning is not always an option.

I think this is an amazing thing you have decided to do for him. There is no wrong choice.

Semper Fi

+1
The fixed bezel is no fuss. Black dial is covert. Awesome gesture, bud.

[Furbo]

Whatever you decide on will be great, I would not think too hard, he will love any of those.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by JAGERVEGAS

Looks like I have some thinking to do, very good suggestions from all. I'm thinking black dial, due to being easier to read in the sun. And I know the lume on the Explorer is fantastic. I have some work to do it looks like. But then the 114060 has awesomeness too.

Wow, this is harder then I thought it was going to be:

He sent me this text today: "I leave next Sunday" I haven't responded to him yet cause I'm a little emotional about it. Jesus, is not time to bring these kids home !

Esprit de Corps-Semper Fi

Someone flew him out for my wedding last May as a surprise, I was over joyed to say the least as he told me he couldn't come due to OCS training, I cried like a baby.

Here he is with my daughter, they're so close emotionally and best friends.

I'm just a mess right now, sorry






Sent -3 or -7

Wonderful pic.

Look at this then close your eyes and listen to your heart.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Ok, it's narrowed down to black dial. Either Sub Date or Explorer.
I didn't realize that there was a 39mm 40mm and 42mm Explorer, is this correct ?

Has to have crown guards, date function and I would like for him to have the micro adjustable bracelet. GMT hand would be a bonus..but not a deal killer. So that's why the Sub is still in the running.

What does this equal too ??

And thank all of you for your kind comments and suggestions so far, I just need a little more help.

So the explorer 40mm has all this ?
What's the difference with the 40 vs 42 other then size ?

As you can see I'm not an explorer expert and most of you know or have forgotten more then I'll ever know about this reference.

I've bumped my budget up a bit to 6500. This should make it easier.

Thanks for helping me and I've received a few PM's and Email with idea's but am still stuck in the vortex as usual on any watch purchased I try to make.


Anthony (Time Collector), thank you especially cause you understand, right on the point.

My most important purchase ever.

[MP5]

I say older EII black or EI. A Tudor Pelagos or fastrider ceramic should be considered too
for true Counter Ops

[MalcolmSquare]

Originally Posted by JAGERVEGAS

Ok, it's narrowed down to black dial. Either Sub Date or Explorer.
I didn't realize that there was a 39mm 40mm and 42mm Explorer, is this correct ?

Has to have crown guards, date function and I would like for him to have the micro adjustable bracelet. GMT hand would be a bonus..but not a deal killer. So that's why the Sub is still in the running.

What does this equal too ??

And thank all of you for your kind comments and suggestions so far, I just need a little more help.

So the explorer 40mm has all this ?
What's the difference with the 40 vs 42 other then size ?

As you can see I'm not an explorer expert and most of you know or have forgotten more then I'll ever know about this reference.

I've bumped my budget up a bit to 6500. This should make it easier.

Thanks for helping me and I've received a few PM's and Email with idea's but am still stuck in the vortex as usual on any watch purchased I try to make.


Anthony (Time Collector), thank you especially cause you understand, right on the point.

My most important purchase ever.

The 40mm Exp2 is an older model and the 42mm is the newer model. The 42mm is (obviously) larger. Both have the GMT hand, both have the date. The 42mm GMT hand is orange and the 40mm GMT hand is red. The GMT hands are also styled slightly different. Both versions have crown guards. I also believe both have bracelets that allow for micro adjustments. There may also be slight differences (e.g., lug holes, proportions of hands/dial, lug size/distance), but the main differences are size and GMT hand color/shape.

There is no 39mm Exp2, but there is a 39mm Exp1, which does not have a date or GMT feature. There is also a discontinued 36mm Exp1--which is the greatest watch ever produced. :)

If I had to pick, I'd say 40mm Exp2. It will be a little more subtle, yet is still plenty of watch. I find the 42mm to be a bit too bulky, though the orange hand is pretty nice. As I noted above, the no-fuss aspect of the fixed bezel will be critical for a guy constantly mired in sand and storm. I will probably buy a polar 40mm Exp2 one day myself.

[SALTY]

Originally Posted by KY5-0

Jager,

Just two cents from a Marine with a little time in the sandbox. Explorer 2 black dial. A) Understated ( In counter intel, the more under the radar the better. Yes it's a Rolex but not as much a world wide Icon as the sub.). B) The depth rating is more than enough for any is he would be doing. C). The GMT function while deployed is a priceless function. D) The fixed flush bezel is easier to maintain in environments where cleaning is not always an option.

I think this is an amazing thing you have decided to do for him. There is no wrong choice.

Semper Fi

+1; what he said. Unless the comfort link or micro adjustment is a deal killer, the previous iteration Explorer II at 40mm is a great deal if you can find one NIB, The newer Explorer II is 42mm and, I believe, has the comfort link bracelet.

BTW: Amazing gesture; may you and your nephew receive joy from your act.

[up2nogood]

Tough decision, very worthy gift.
To assist:
Explorer - 39mm, no date, no GMT hand.
Explorer 2 - 16570. Discontinued. 40mm. GMT, etc.
Explorer 2 - 216570. Current. 42mm. GMT hand, but in the style of the original GMT Explorer.

[GradyPhilpott]

I think a Sub is the best choice, if he'll be going into combat. I see that he already has a Combat Action Ribbon.

Harry Wales was a pilot and needed a watch to keep track of Zulu time as well as local time.

A Sub is powerfully robust and the lapsed-time bezel will be very useful.

Also, consider one of these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Military-N...item48650110f8

[landroverking]

I would go ExpII black dial.

[Runnin' Rebel]

The more thought I put into this the closer I am on a move to the Submariner. Why, because I always wanted this particular reference, and that would mean more to me and I know he would run 15 kilometers in record time for the chance to wrap this around his wrist

I like the Explorer, but the polar model. But I don't think that is the best option for where he's going. But what's more iconic then a Submariner, especially as a gift for what he's accomplished. I think because of his promotion he might be doing more desk work instead of in the mix of battle. He can't really talk about his operations but I think that might make more sense. But on the other hand he could be the tip of the spear too, more so then before. I should've interrogated him more.

Now I need to figure out if it should be 16610 or 116610

[AK797]

Originally Posted by JAGERVEGAS

The more thought I put into this the closer I am on a move to the Submariner. Why, because I always wanted this particular reference, and that would mean more to me and I know he would run 15 kilometers in record time for the chance to wrap this around his wrist

I like the Explorer, but the polar model. But I don't think that is the best option for where he's going. But what's more iconic then a Submariner, especially as a gift for what he's accomplished. I think because of his promotion he might be doing more desk work instead of in the mix of battle. He can't really talk about his operations but I think that might make more sense. But on the other hand he could be the tip of the spear too, more so then before. I should've interrogated him more.

Now I need to figure out if it should be 16610 or 116610

Go for the new subc, the glidelock clasp will be very useful to him on a daily basis I imagine.

[Micha]

very nice gesture
have you considered a Seadweller 16600, just a little bit more under the radar than a Sub, due to the missing cyclops...

[strafer_kid]

How about an Explorer 2 black dial and give him a black NATO or Zulu strap as an extra for deployment overseas!

[Baco Noir]

The Exp II gives him the second time zone to track his family & friend back home while deployed. The sub is an icon. Personally from these two I'd go with the 42mm polar Exp II as it's less common.

[toomuchtalk]

Explorer.

[KBM]

Mark, thanks for a very inspiring thread. I love the picture of your nephew and your daughter, and can almost see his face when he receives the gift. It is going to be priceless.

The sub is a fantastic choice, should you head down that road. No other watch can match it in iconic status. If you go with a sub, I would suggest a ceramic, as you said the micro adjustment would be a big plus.

Not to confuse you even further, but may I ask why you haven't considered the 16710 GMTs? I always thought a Pepsi gmt would be a great watch for someone in the US armed forces, as it has the same colors as your flag, if you count the white hour markers. It would also bring the time zones bonus, which is definitely nice for someone overseas, and it seems to be built like a tank. In situations where he needs the watch to be more discreet, there is also the choice to easily install a black bezel (and bezel replacements are cheap to boot!). Just food for thought.

All the best to you and your family, and may he come home safely once again.

Cheers, friend.

[ronburgundy]

Exp II. Since it doesn't have a rotatable bezel to get sand and dirt in, it will be easier to keep clean.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bgbg13]

nothing better than the 16570 white dial for this one...one of the most under rated and under the radar watches Rolex has ever made. Not many at all will look at the bezel and think Rolex and with the white dial and black painted markers it is far from flashy.....most under the radar watch Rolex makes IMHO.... new 42 is too flashy with its size and orange.....awesome gesture BTW!

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[Daytonaman799]

Another thought would be a 16600 Sea Dweller. There are many in mint shape, NOS floating around the forum. It's a tank and can take anything and with no cyclops def flies under the radar. If not the Exp II in either color seems to be a great choice. Good luck to him and god speed. Thanks for letting us have some input but there is truly no wrong choice here.