SEL and Luminova worth $1500?

[RolexPete]

I have a chance to trade a T serial polar Explorer II to a trusted seller plus $1500 cash.

My watch is in excellent shape and has a 93150 bracelet with little stretch, no box or papers. The watch I would be trading for is a Z serial polar, with box and papers.

So, is it worth the $1500 for a 10 year newer watch with SEL, luminova and box and papers? Or do I keep my T serial and just wear it? Here is the T serial.

[afc1]

Does the Z serial have the 3186 movement?

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by afc1

does the z serial have the 3186 movement?

3185

[DCheeta]

I'd keep the T. But that's just me. I think it'll look awesome when the tritium gets a little patina to it, so the hands and hour markers are creamy on the stark white dial.

But I can also see how a person would want to modernize a little. If that's the route you're going to go, maybe throw in a few more dollars and get a 216570. New movement, new bracelet, new size...hell, pretty much new everything.

Your ExpII looks great, btw!

[afc1]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

3185

In that case it depends what you own the watch for, but I'd probably keep the one you have. That's a lot of money for basically the same watch. The year of a watch has never really made a difference to me unless there were significant changes made from one to the next. While SELs are nice, I still think $1,500 is steep to justify the trade while that money could be put toward another Rolex

[Sperry]

I'd keep it. These watches are meant to last a whole lot longer than ten years,
so you are trading a relatively new watch for another new watch.

[Jason71]

Keep your current Exp II. The new one is not as likely to develop a soul. I don't even think I would do a straight trade, but that is just me.

[Tools]

Everybody needs to make their own decisions when it comes to their watch collecting or enjoyment..

If you want a newer version, you will need to pay a premium to get it. You must decide if a newer version of the same watch is important to you..

Personally I wouldn't do it... they are practically identical and you can easily find a 78790A bracelet for less than that to have the best of both worlds..

[GradyPhilpott]

I don't think that the SEL and Luminova are worth that much, but if you want a newer watch, I guess you have to pay the premium.

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by Tools

Everybody needs to make their own decisions when it comes to their watch collecting or enjoyment..

If you want a newer version, you will need to pay a premium to get it. You must decide if a newer version of the same watch is important to you..

Personally I wouldn't do it... they are practically identical and you can easily find a 78790A bracelet for less than that to have the best of both worlds..

What about the luminova dial and hands? And wouldn't the bracelet cost me at least $7-800? And would it fit? I thought the SEL model case had a ledge on it to take the SEL.

[iLLGT2]

T dial for me...

[Chainring]

I'd need to really see the two watches side by side to be sure but I don't think I'd make that trade.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

What about the luminova dial and hands? And wouldn't the bracelet cost me at least $7-800? And would it fit? I thought the SEL model case had a ledge on it to take the SEL.

Sounds like you are trying to justify the trade... You don't have to jump through any hoops if you really want the newer model.... just do it - I've bought watches with less justification..

As to Luminova dial and hands, some still prefer the tritium since they will never make those again and you can always find a light source wherever you are at if you need to look at a watch..

Yes, an SEL case will have the ledge to seat the bracelet on the backside.. Most T models and even earlier were being machined for the introduction of the SEL bracelets - I would bet a donut that you have it..

A good condition 78790A may cost a few hundred, . You can probably get a new 78790A for $800 with a service at the RSC and when you are done you have a mint watch for less than the trade cost; and you still have the 93150

[vman]

Keep the T.

[RolexPete]

T it is. Thanks for all the different perspectives.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Keep your current Exp II. The new one is not as likely to develop a soul. I don't even think I would do a straight trade, but that is just me.

Pete, here's some logic that's hard to argue with!

[Polemic]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

I'd keep the T. But that's just me. I think it'll look awesome when the tritium gets a little patina to it, so the hands and hour markers are creamy on the stark white dial.

But I can also see how a person would want to modernize a little. If that's the route you're going to go, maybe throw in a few more dollars and get a 216570. New movement, new bracelet, new size...hell, pretty much new everything.

Your ExpII looks great, btw!

Agreed!

[Roller07]

Keep your T serial and save the $1500 for a new bracelet when the time comes.

[~JJ]

Another for keeping your T!

[Brendan]

Lug holes are awesome! I do love luminova though (this is why I bought a serviced sub with a modern dial recently) but this is purely a function thing in my mind. If it were me I'd look into getting a Luminova dial and hand set and having them swapped. Carefully store your old dial and hands and if you ever sell the watch you can do so as "all original."

I know I will take flak from purists for suggesting this but if you want the functionality of the modern lume it's the route I would most likely take...

[Micha]

I would keep it and put the 1500 towards another watch to add or start a collection...

[Survivor]

Originally Posted by Tools

Sounds like you are trying to justify the trade... You don't have to jump through any hoops if you really want the newer model.... just do it - I've bought watches with less justification..

Was about to write exactly the same thing.........no need to now!!!

[azguy]

Keep I and wear it

[subtona]

Lugholes.....priceless!

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by Roller07

Keep your T serial and save the $1500 for a new bracelet when the time comes.

The bracelet on this has almost zero stretch. It is a 1996 band and I doubt this watch was worn much at all. I won't need another bracelet for a long time.

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by subtona

Lugholes.....priceless!

I do like how easy it is to remove the bracelet!

[John in MA]

Pete

Was in a similar situation with my 16800. Thought about trading it plus the same amount for a 16610. Decided against it and went a different route.

2nd matte dial relumed: -500
Service hands: -100
Unused 93250 bracelet: -1000
Sold 93150: 800

Total to update my 16800 and keep the original tritium dial and hands: 800.



And the 93250 fit with no issues even though the 16800 never came with SELs as it has the shelf.

Gotta love lug holes.

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by John in MA

Pete

Was in a similar situation with my 16800. Thought about trading it plus the same amount for a 16610. Decided against it and went a different route.

2nd matte dial relumed: -500
Service hands: -100
Unused 93250 bracelet: -1000
Sold 93150: 800

Total to update my 16800 and keep the original tritium dial and hands:

And the 93250 fit with no issues even though the 16800 never came with SELs as it has the shelf.

Gotta love lug holes.

Very nice John!

[polarinda]

Why is your T on a 93150?

[NKflyer]

Originally Posted by polarinda

Why is your T on a 93150?

The 93150 bracelet was an (extra cost) option on other sports models besides the Sub.