14 watches. 27 years. Collection complete

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Beef

Yep, between polished center links and the shiny ceramic bezel, it's bling. I've got one and I do like it, but its for dressier wear only.

Seriously how many watches that Rolex makes could be considered true tool watches. Oh they can be used as tools no doubt but they've lost the common appeal and use. My OP ND is reatively new and I feel still classifies.

[roger0770]

this is probably the most interesting thread i've read on the forum. thank you for sharing.

[jhamiltonwa]

Wow. This thread was a expedition all by itself. Thank you OP your wonderful pictures and vignettes. It's bizarre/silly but you've really opened my mind up to the ExpII. From being completely ambivalent I want one now! It would be great to see if there was a blip in sales of ExpII in April. Happy and safe travels. Thanks again.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by jhamiltonwa

Wow. This thread was a expedition all by itself. Thank you OP your wonderful pictures and vignettes. It's bizarre/silly but you've really opened my mind up to the ExpII. From being completely ambivalent I want one now! It would be great to see if there was a blip in sales of ExpII in April. Happy and safe travels. Thanks again.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The Rolex Fourm ought to get a commission!

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by jhamiltonwa

Wow. This thread was a expedition all by itself. Thank you OP your wonderful pictures and vignettes. It's bizarre/silly but you've really opened my mind up to the ExpII. From being completely ambivalent I want one now! It would be great to see if there was a blip in sales of ExpII in April. Happy and safe travels. Thanks again.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Many thanks

[sub2004]

Steve you are a legend! EPIC

When I read your post I feel like I am exploring with you whilst wearing my rolex.

God bless you

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by sub2004

Steve you are a legend! EPIC

When I read your post I feel like I am exploring with you whilst wearing my rolex.

God bless you

OMG! Thanks...

[toomuchtalk]

Not actually posted a decent picture of my a GMT yet, do her it is.

It has been on ice caps in Norway, Greenland and Antarctica, including the South Pole.
In some way this is I think the quintessential Rolex tool and expedition watch, it's featured on more polar related rolex adverts, (strange in a way as you would think the explorer 2 would have been..)
But it's more versatile than the explorer 2; it's a little less rugged, a bit more refined I think.
The rotatable bezel means you can time legs on walks, and makes it easier to measure the second time zone.

Love it...

[willski]

This is no doubt one of the best threads I've ever read.

Great story behind the collection and as to the real achievements - massive respect.

[Beef]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Seriously how many watches that Rolex makes could be considered true tool watches. Oh they can be used as tools no doubt but they've lost the common appeal and use. My OP ND is reatively new and I feel still classifies.

Hmmm, good question. The biggies I guess would be the diving watches and explorers and Explorer II s. I have never had a Daytona or YM, but both of those, while designed as a tool watch, have never "felt" like tool watches to me. Thus, I have never had either. As you say, many can still be used as tools, even with the updates. BTW, I love your Halloween dial. That's my favorite color combo on OPs!

Steve should get done royalties from Rolex, IMHO ! I wonder how many EXP IIs he's indirectly sold or will sell with this thread? I have to say, he's renewed my fire for a 42mm Polar. Steve, check your post every day. I'm sure there'll be a check from Geneva any day!

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by Beef

Hmmm, good question. The biggies I guess would be the diving watches and explorers and Explorer II s. I have never had a Daytona or YM, but both of those, while designed as a tool watch, have never "felt" like tool watches to me. Thus, I have never had either. As you say, many can still be used as tools, even with the updates. BTW, I love your Halloween dial. That's my favorite color combo on OPs!

Steve should get done royalties from Rolex, IMHO ! I wonder how many EXP IIs he's indirectly sold or will sell with this thread? I have to say, he's renewed my fire for a 42mm Polar. Steve, check your post every day. I'm sure there'll be a check from Geneva any day!

I think also in recent years there has been more completion from other manufactures; Omega have raised their game, you have Kobold, Bremont; all making 'tool' watches. In the past a steel rolex was the king; so now I think they have changed their emphasis a little. On to high end tool watches with a bit of bling; that are more suited to the golf course, tennis and yachting..
Only my humble opinion...

[toomuchtalk]

Rolex advert...

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Rolex advert...

And one we took later...

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Not actually posted a decent picture of my a GMT yet, do her it is.

It has been on ice caps in Norway, Greenland and Antarctica, including the South Pole.
In some way this is I think the quintessential Rolex tool and expedition watch, it's featured on more polar related rolex adverts, (strange in a way as you would think the explorer 2 would have been..)
But it's more versatile than the explorer 2; it's a little less rugged, a bit more refined I think.
The rotatable bezel means you can time legs on walks, and makes it easier to measure the second time zone.

Love it...

Great watch; is it and EXP or a II? My clasp doesn't have the safety clasp which has both good and bad points to it. Thanks for the better photo.

I like them both, GMT and EXP II.

,

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Great watch; is it and EXP or a II? My clasp doesn't have the safety clasp which has both good and bad points to it. Thanks for the better photo.

I like them both, GMT and EXP II.

,

Safety clasp is a must in my opinion..

[s4dan]

Wow!! Epic read from start to finish...Thanks mate

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by s4dan

Wow!! Epic read from start to finish...Thanks mate

Epic writing it...

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Safety clasp is a must in my opinion..

For real serious duty I'd likely switch off from the bracelet to Nato anyway. Not much risk for the pool or office with either bracelet.

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

For real serious duty I'd likely switch off from the bracelet to Nato anyway. Not much risk for the pool or office with either bracelet.

Probably agree with you, have worn the nato strap in anger in Antarctica. As some people think the steel can stick to you. Yet in reality it doesn't.
Yet in real life never really swap bracelets.
I think with the new bracelets-shiny bit in middle - I would wear a a nato all the time...

The nato strap turns the modern stainless GMT into a tool watch....

[kultschar]

I hear a lot lately of Rolex not really being a "Tool" watch however both agree and disagree depending on the model

Does glossy Ceramic really make the Submariner less a tool watch then the Subs 20 years ago? How many ceramic inserts have really honestly been shattered??? I would say the bracelet etc is more solid and time will tell on that front.

GMTs certainly been "blinged" unfortunatley.

I guess that leaves us with the Explorer II prob resulting in being the more "Tool" watch which is made today by Rolex. I guess thats prob why it is number uno on your list Steve!

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by kultschar

I hear a lot lately of Rolex not really being a "Tool" watch however both agree and disagree depending on the model

Does glossy Ceramic really make the Submariner less a tool watch then the Subs 20 years ago? How many ceramic inserts have really honestly been shattered??? I would say the bracelet etc is more solid and time will tell on that front.

GMTs certainly been "blinged" unfortunatley.

I guess that leaves us with the Explorer II prob resulting in being the more "Tool" watch which is made today by Rolex. I guess thats prob why it is number uno on your list Steve!

Hah! Agree completely. The new explorers are better watches. And truth be told the ceramic bezels are better..
And the hew subs better too.
My only point is that the new explorers are too big. They stand bigger on the wrist and are more prone to Knicks.
Less is more.
But in terms of technical ability the new ones are better;
But I like Tennyson.
"We are not that strength that in old days moved earth and heaven...

[kultschar]

I guess that also brings us on to the GMT. Ok it's got polished links, does that make it less a tool watch if one doesn't give a crap about scratches?? Surely tool does not = looks

Interesting subject really.

I actually prefer the 42mm Exp II. Very visible (not sure if this was the main reason for size increase or just to put something bigger and bow to the current trend). Judging by the fact they have not super sized the sub and Daytona it's prob due to visibility / legibility (though most people don't use them for exploring lol)

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by kultschar

I guess that also brings us on to the GMT. Ok it's got polished links, does that make it less a tool watch if one doesn't give a crap about scratches?? Surely tool does not = looks

Interesting subject really.

I actually prefer the 42mm Exp II. Very visible (not sure if this was the main reason for size increase or just to put something bigger and bow to the current trend). Judging by the fact they have not super sized the sub and Daytona it's prob due to visibility / legibility (though most people don't use them for exploring lol)

I think as long as you don't mind scratching the centre links, then it's just as good as it ever was. Actually better, better movement etc...

The explorer 2 white dial is far more readable than the previous one...as a tool watch the new explorers are far better than the previous ones..

I think one of main issues is nostalgia....

We like the old ones because they were the rolexs we saw as kids...young men...
and we harp to those days..
the boxes were better and you got wallets and little anchors...depth tables etc....

So it goes on and we debate...

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Great watch; is it an EXP or a II? My clasp doesn't have the safety clasp which has both good and bad points to it. Thanks for the better photo.

I like them both, GMT and EXP II.

Meant to write is your watch a GMT or GMT II. Too many watches and too little time. Not the first time I've called the right watch the wrong thing. Sorry.

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Meant to write is your watch a GMT or GMT II. Too many watches and too little time. Not the first time I've called the right watch the wrong thing. Sorry.

Gmt 2...

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

I think as long as you don't mind scratching the centre links, then it's just as good as it ever was. Actually better, better movement etc...

The explorer 2 white dial is far more readable than the previous one...as a tool watch the new explorers are far better than the previous ones..

I think one of main issues is nostalgia....

We like the old ones because they were the rolexs we saw as kids...young men...
and we harp to those days..
the boxes were better and you got wallets and little anchors...depth tables etc....

So it goes on and we debate...

Nostalgia...

[toomuchtalk]

Thanks!

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Seriously how many watches that Rolex makes could be considered true tool watches. Oh they can be used as tools no doubt but they've lost the common appeal and use. My OP ND is reatively new and I feel still classifies.

Now, that actually looks cool...

[try714]

It a addiction, just like women.

[cedargrove]

Can't believe I only stumbled on this thread today. Glad I did. Awesome. Thanks for sharing Steve.