Looks Great In Pics..But Not in Person?

[Tseg]

Originally Posted by DCgator

That effect happened with the EXPII 216570 polar. After a few months I traded it for a BLNR, which I lusted after in pics and it was even better in person. Happily wearing BLNR mostly all the time for the past two months.

I know I will add the 216570 to my collection some day. It was that watch that first got me to consider moving from ~$1K watches to... well... Rolex. I didn't even know about Rolex Subs and GMT's. Before seeing the Polar the Omega Great White Sea Master GMT was the pinnacle of my aspirations. I then spent a long time back and forth between that Polar and the BLNR when reading this forum and other forums. Finally, in store I saw the 216570 which looked great but looked a bit big vs. the 40mm watches (and I had a stash of big divers)... but when I saw the BLNR... I just had to have it. It was not just its looks but just a bunch of intangibles. I knew if I got the 216570 I may end up selling it to fund a BLNR not too far own the road, as the OP did. I knew the BLNR would keep me satisfied and be a keeper so I could then hold out for the 216570 until fully funded.

[ronburgundy]

The Daytona, unfortunately. I have over an 8 inch wrist and really want a Daytona. I went to an AD and tried one on. Looks tiny on me. So does my BLNR but the wide bezel/insert with big numbers helps a lot. Don't think I'll go 40mm anymore. I do love the BLNRs subtlety regarding the blue in the bezel....until you step outside.

[Laszlo]

Yes, I had my heart set on a GMTIIC once and when I tried it on in person at a local AD... I found out quickly that it did absolutely nothing for me emotively. Gorgeous looking piece, it just didn't connect. But in pictures... I was drooling over it big time. I always, always go to the AD first to try on a piece before buying it through a trusted seller channel.

[Fiery]

Yes, but in many cases it's not the fault of the watch. On pictures I've always loved the DD and DDII, but when I've tried them on, they just didn't impress me. When I've tried them on, I've quickly realized that I'm simply a sports Rolex kind of guy. It's hard to find a GMT, Sub, Daytona or Explorer variant that I don't love, so that's where I should shop around. Oddly enough, I still enjoy looking at pictures of DD and DDII's.....

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by Mack Bolan

What happened to me was I was amazed by the BLNR in many of the beautiful pics here on the forum...I went to AD and was ready to try on the BATMAN! When handed, I actually thought I was looking at the wrong watch...It was beautiful of course but it didn't have the BANG it does in close up pics..I guess that could be said for any watch really...

The opposite was true with the Sub C TT Bluesy - Pics were ok, depending on angle and sunlight etc...But then I saw it in person and I couldn't believe it...

Damn you HD pics!

I wasn't impressed by the BLNR when I first saw it n the flesh.....then I fell in love with it.

[Nidal]

Originally Posted by Annan

Have to admit I was a little less thrilled with the GMTIIC LN and BLNR in person than I expected. Both are beautiful watches, I would be OK with owning either, both sang to me but just not loudly. I had the completely opposite experience, however when I first saw the EXPII 216570 in person. Once again, all a matter of personal preference and taste.

Agree 100%. I sold my GMT2c less than a year later. The PCL and major bling effect with the ceramic busy bezel did it for me.
He exp 2 is clean, non blingy daily wearer.
Too much flash and bling in the new watches


Nidal

[Presa canary]

The pelagos. I love every picture I've ever seen. In the flesh, I didn't feel the same

[FTX I]

For me the BLNR looks much better in pics than in real life.

[Challenger Deep]

The Submariner for me. Date or no date, i see it in pictures, in places and i think a beautiful watch and i then see it in person and it just falls flat for me. The Explorer II however, pictures i can't stand except some, but in person i go nuts.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Challenger Deep

The Submariner for me. Date or no date, i see it in pictures, in places and i think a beautiful watch and i then see it in person and it just falls flat for me.

So you're the one.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by AK797

So you're the one.

[Old Expat Beast]

Yes, pretty much all of the newer line-up except the GV failed to impress in real life. That's why the GV is my only 'new' Rolex. As an aside, Rolex AD window and in-store displays look the same worldwide...completely dull, uncreative and unimaginative.

[Rameez-Q]

Another one for the BLNR! tried it on at two different AD's and it just didnt have the wow factor you see in pictures

Fast forward a month or 2 and I try it on again at an AD on holiday and I bite the bullet, go for it and I've not looked back

[Rickn]

For me it was the AP 15400 with a silver dial. I thought for sure it was going to be my next watch based on all the interweb pics. But when I put it on my wrist it was just meh. Conversely, the diver went from mediocre to knockout on the wrist and I am hoping to have enough saved up to buy it in january

[sennheiserz]

Honestly, when I'm researching a watch, any watch, for months online and looking at wrist porn all the time, when the watch shows up and it isn't the size of my monitor in HD, and just a small piece of metal, it throws me for a second. But just for a second...

[roklee]

16610 lv

[venom43]

The Omega Good Planet Foundation PO GMT. looks great in pictures....I was totally shocked at how thick the case was for it. I have 2 of the old PO 2500 cal. and think they are the most comfortable watches I own...I didn't know the switch to the in house 8500-8600+ were so thick. Total let down for me. It turned out ok though....bought the 42mm Exp2 "polar". Perfect SS Rolex GMT.

[osamu]

Originally Posted by viper9669

Yes, the white dial Milgauss, it looked very nice in promo pics. I considered buying one, then I saw it at the AD.
I guess different folks like different watches, which makes Rolex such an interesting brand to me.

I felt the exact same way. I was looking for light dial, so was limited to like the white Milgauss and white Exp II. The white Milgauss just seemed..... not sure how else to explain it, but cheap. Funny thing is, I liked the bolt hand more than I thought I would and ended up with the GV.

[LBHQ]

BLNR looks great in pictures, but NOT really in the flesh. Again different feelings. But the YM II actually looks much nicer.

[Starbucksboss]

The new day date...too clunky so I hunted down a NOS classic...loved it!

[ejvette]

Originally Posted by flagada2009

The same could be said about online dating...>!!

She said she was model....I didn't realize she was a model of a large watery mammal...


....hmmm...I feel guilty writing that yet...can't get myself to remove it....

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Rickn

For me it was the AP 15400 with a silver dial. I thought for sure it was going to be my next watch based on all the interweb pics. But when I put it on my wrist it was just meh. Conversely, the diver went from mediocre to knockout on the wrist and I am hoping to have enough saved up to buy it in january

I had the opposite feeling, was surprised by how striking and silvery the 15400's white dial was esp over the black dial which I thought I would prefer on an SS case, but I do prefer the Diver to them both so def stick to that plan.

[c.rod]

Originally Posted by Mack Bolan

I know a lot of the time one must see a watch in person because pics can be misleading, but has anyone ever been disappointed by the watch in person after being thrilled by pics on internet?

ALL THE TIME!!!! Lmao. Regardless of brand price or style. I'm non discreminatory when it comes to hatin on watches!

It happens quite a bit with me.

[Landshark33]

Milguass Gv for me. Just didn't look the same as it did in pictures to me.

[GTC]

Being actually from the City of Daytona Beach I had always thought that the Daytona was my obvious go to Rolex; loved the pics, but strapped one on at the AD and wasn't prepared for it to feel and look just a bit diminutive. Wrong expectations perhaps.

[jenniferjanef]

It is just the opposite in this case... With my DDII.. I am always wondering, why it is not a popular choice.. Very seldom I see this in the wild!

This a very ugly watch looking at the photos and nothing special until it is in certain lighting, it is my favorite dial from the DDII selection!







(... These photos turns out bad highly due to my hopeless photography skill and I am very sorry!)

ps: those are not dirt or fingerprints, those are scratches on the bezel! LOL

jen

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by CWIN

Yes. I try to reserve all judgement until I try it on in the flesh.

Exactly...

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by jenniferjanef

It is just the opposite in this case... With my DDII.. I am always wondering, why it is not a popular choice.. Very seldom I see this in the wild!

This a very ugly watch looking at the photos and nothing special until it is in certain lighting, it is my favorite dial from the DDII selection!







(... These photos turns out bad highly due to my hopeless photography skill and I am very sorry!)

ps: those are not dirt or fingerprints, those are scratches on the bezel! LOL

I was ready to not say anything about this because I think it's WAY too fem, but then I noticed your screen name and assume you are, in fact, female.

I'll bet that looks awesome on you...

[mfserge]

Yes, the polar ExpII. Huge disappointment after I waited 7 months for it. Felt the case was too long and the dial didn't pop in person like it does in photos. I was so bummed because I wanted to love it but ended up selling it.

[The Libertine]

Rolex, no. Other brands (which will remain nameless), yes.