Basel 2011 Display at Rolex Boutique

[Otto]

I went to the Basel 2011 display at Lexia in the Ginza today. Here are the blurry iPhone photos I took.

The Explorer II looks a bit big in the photos, but in real life, I was pleased with the size.

Due to self-imposed constraints, I have to decide whether to keep my GMT IIC or pick up the Explorer II. I'm #1 on the waiting list for the black dial version, or so they say (I signed up a long time ago); and the watch will arrive in September or October.

Do I keep the GMT IIC or buy the new Explorer II ??? That's something to think about in this very hot summer since owning both is not in the cards.

This has probably been covered before, but the brochure for the event describes the black dial as:

"Black, satin finished with orange 24-hour hand. "phantom effect" (black base on black dial)"

The RG Daytonas were very nice, but for now, I prefer the metal bezel.

I forgot to look at the new steel and RG YM II. The store was crowded and someone else was looking at it when I asked. I started looking at the Explorer II again and just forgot. I was halfway across the Ginza before I remembered. Oh well...





]

[MonBK]

I saw it in London last week, looked great.

[93 Turbo]

Thanks for the pics Otto, much appreciated.

[Art 1]

If it were me Otto I would let the GMT go and get the new Ex2.

[kokota]

Thanks for the tour Otto.
The EXP II looks great
Which did your prefer, black or white?

[kokota]

Originally Posted by kokota

Thanks for the tour Otto.
The EXP II looks great
Which did your prefer, black or white?

I forgot to ask, did the EXP II appear to have an AR coating on the entire crystal or just the cyclops?

[esm]

Great pix. Thanks Otto.

Still loving the White EXPII. Getting excited about the orange 24 hand

Received a call yesterday and my order of a White EXPII has been confirmed for delivery as soon as Rolex UK gets them in (okay, soon after-ish more like it ).

Can't wait

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by esm

Great pix. Thanks Otto.

Still loving the White EXPII. Getting excited about the orange 24 hand

Received a call yesterday and my order of a White EXPII has been confirmed for delivery as soon as Rolex UK gets them in (okay, soon after-ish more like it ).

Can't wait

The beautiful blonde sales woman said they expect them in around September.

[esm]

Originally Posted by MonBK

The beautiful blonde sales woman said they expect them in around September.

My "reliable" source/contact says otherwise.....

(yes, I'm sure the blond saleswoman is beautiful )

[dddrees]

Great PICs Otto, thanks for sharing.

The Exp II looks great, but I personally couldn't give up my GMTIIC for it.

[Dob]

[QUOTE=Otto;2604002]I went to the Basel 2011 display at Lexia in the Ginza today. Here are the blurry iPhone photos I took.

The Explorer II looks a bit big in the photos, but in real life, I was pleased with the size.

Thanks for posting these. Just wondering how large your wrist is for comparison. In many of the pics, it looks like the watch is either hanging off the side of your wrist a bit.

[Otto]

[QUOTE=Dob;2604090]

Originally Posted by Otto

I went to the Basel 2011 display at Lexia in the Ginza today. Here are the blurry iPhone photos I took.

The Explorer II looks a bit big in the photos, but in real life, I was pleased with the size.

Thanks for posting these. Just wondering how large your wrist is for comparison. In many of the pics, it looks like the watch is either hanging off the side of your wrist a bit.

7 inch wrist; though RSC Tokyo sized my GMT IIC for 7.5 for the summer!

The bracelet was loose so the watch slid around a bit.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by kokota

Thanks for the tour Otto.
The EXP II looks great
Which did your prefer, black or white?

It'ss close, but the black wins out with me.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Otto

It'ss close, but the black wins out with me.

I prefer the black dial as well.

[Runnin' Rebel]

I'm drooling over the last picture of the ROLEX DAYTONA

[drtooth73]

Otto, reading your comments, you are getting the black Explorer for sure.

I do love that ceramic bezel on Daytona, it'd go nicely with a Panda dial.

[vukotab]

I really, really like the looks of black face Explorer II!
I even think that it`s size is just about right! Can`t wait to see it in flesh!
Thanks for sharing!

[hunz]

Originally Posted by Otto

"phantom effect" (black base on black dial)"

um ok. so what does that really mean. in non-marketing hype terms?

PS I'd take the new Exp II. In black dial it really looks good

[TSW]

Late September here in Sweden as well!

Can't wait to get a second try on black dialed Explorer.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by hunz

um ok. so what does that really mean. in non-marketing hype terms?

PS I'd take the new Exp II. In black dial it really looks good

I guess having the first part of the hands painted black over the black dial is designed to make it appear like the hands are floating?

[Otto]

Originally Posted by drtooth73

Otto, reading your comments, you are getting the black Explorer for sure.

I do love that ceramic bezel on Daytona, it'd go nicely with a Panda dial.

The lady in the store corrected me when I mentioned the white dial on the Daytona. It's ivory, she said. The brochure, in describing the dial, says "Ivory coloured, snailed totalizers in 18 ct pink gold." For the other Daytona, the brochure says, "Chocolate brown, totalizer borders in 18 ct pink gold."

[Lorenzo]

no pic of the sales lady? :) id go for the expII ...

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Art 1

If it were me Otto I would let the GMT go and get the new Ex2.

x2! Without hesitation.....

Re: the post on AR coating, it's on the cyclops only.

[acce1999]

[QUOTE=Otto;2604094]

Originally Posted by Dob

7 inch wrist; though RSC Tokyo sized my GMT IIC for 7.5 for the summer!

The bracelet was loose so the watch slid around a bit.

I just posted a comment over at TZ to your fine report, saying that the 216570 seems to fit fine on your wrist, as the 16570 do on my skinnier wrist.

But ... the difference of our wrists is a centimeter... so now I am hopeful to try the new larger ExII out!

Thanks for the report!

Best,

A

[nauticajoe]

Great pics Otto! Thanks for sharing.

[ingoodtime]

Otto, first I'd say, keep the GMTIIC. What would you really gain by switching? IMHO, while the explorer II may be slightly larger, the bezel is much more prone to dings, dents and scratches and it is a fixed bezel. No doubt a nice looking watch and possibly you like the look more due to the watch showing more SS rather than the black dark bezel of the GMTIIC. It is a real shame that a green ceramic bezel is not available dot the IIC to match the green hand and text on the dial. IMHO, Rolex missed the boat there. Of douse, maybe now that they have had success with the green ceramic bezel on the sub, they will one day do the IIC that way.

[Dan Pierce]

Thanks for the pics, Otto. You do some great modeling.
dP

[scotth42]

White does it for me

[Lol-x]

Hi ya bro
Go for the EXII it looks sensational and from what I've seen it sits flatter on ones wrist than the GMTIIC
Just look at those hands, very wide, great legibility

[Submarino]

It looks great on you Otto. I would go for the white dial one.