A newbie needs help

[C.J.]

Hello.
My name is C.J. and I just joined this forum. I've been reading your posts for some time now. I was amazed at how knowledgable and helpful you are. I feel like I already know some of you.
Anyway, a little about myself, I'm thirty-four and a Police Officer in Atlantic City NJ. I have an incredible interest in watches, especially Rolex.
I have only owned two Rolex, a second hand GMT II with red/blue bezel and an Air King. I sold the GMT and traded the Air King for a Seamaster chrono diver (could'nt afford a Rolex at the time). The GMT was just too used looking and the Air King just was'nt big enough for me.
I am ready to buy my first new Rolex. My budget will allow for no more than 4K. My dream watch is a GMT II with red/black bezel, but I already have a big sport watch in the seamaster. With Omega resale values being as low as they are, I'm stuck with it. With my budget being what it is I know that I will not have any additions to my Rolex collection any time soon.
I have narrowed my purchase to either a Datejust in stainless, with oyster bracelette, white dial, polished bezel and stick markers or an Explorer 1. I know that this will become my most prized possession and doubt very much if it will ever find it's way off of my wrist. I am asking for your insight on which is heavier and more durable. basically, which will take a better beating.
The AD's in this area are all in the casinos. The sales people seem to know a little less than squat about the individual watches. Their commission seems to be all they know about.
I feel very comfortable with your opinions. Your feed back will greatly affect my decision. I thank you all very much in advance for your time and consideration in this matter.

[mailman]

First of all let me welcome you CJ to our forum. Hope you can stop by often.

Now as far as the watches go. If the GMTII is your dream watch and you don't have ant plans on ading any other Rolexes' into the mix, then why not buy what your heart desires? If it's going to be your one and only Rolex and you are going to buy new in box (NIB) from an authorised dealer(AD), then why not get what you desire? Forget for a moment that you have another sport watch. There are many here who have multiple sport watches that they rotate, like dman and molex just to name a few.
Don't be intimidated by the MSRP of the watch. There are alot of ADs that will discount a watch. If you know someone who has a good reputation with an AD in your area then ask them to go with you when you purchase. If not then maybe someone here can help you out with their dealer. I would but my AD won't ship out of state. I've already tried that route for someone else. If you were here then I could help you out. If this is the case then you probably talking about a discount of between 5%-10%. There are grey market dealers that some have had good luck with here also. I believe BruceS recently bought a GMTII from one. You will probably will get ten different replies to your thread, but you have to go with suits you the best.
I guess my point is if it's the GMTII you really want for your one and only then by all means, go for it.

[dman]

CJ a huge welcome to TRF, hope you can stop by often and post even more than that!!

Paul summed it up perfect, don't settle if this is the 'one' for you. It will only leave you with less cash and the same desire for the GMT II. Best of luck in the hunt, if I can be any help at all, please PM me.

[JJ Irani]

Hi CJ,

A big welcome to TRF. Have to agree and go along with what Paul (mailman) has to say.

Just hang in there and get the ONLY watch your heart so badly desires. No point in getting something else and then still pining away for the GMT-II. If your budget is 4K, I'm sure you will find a new GMT-II in that price range.

Be patient, CJ, and your dreams will come true.

Good luck and do keep us posted.

Cheers - JJ

[ralphieralph]

Hey cj go with the gmt!The price difference isnt much,and for that being your dream watch go for it!!you'll regret it.Ive had one and lots of people here have it,it's an awsome watch.Bigger and heavier than the datejust or explorer 1,and more durable!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by ralphieralph

Hey cj go with the gmt!The price difference isnt much,and for that being your dream watch go for it!!you'll regret it.Ive had one and lots of people here have it,it's an awsome watch.Bigger and heavier than the datejust or explorer 1,and more durable!

Ralph is right. If you found the 34 mm Air King small, the DJ is just a wee bit bigger at 36 mm. Eventually, you will find that small too.

So do the wise thing - go for the 40 mm GMT-II!!!

[Uncle-AJ]

Hi CJ and welcome to TRF. I'd go for the GMT but with black face/bezel combination. I'm sure Ed will back me up on this.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Uncle-AJ

Hi CJ and welcome to TRF. I'd go for the GMT but with black face/bezel combination. I'm sure Ed will back me up on this.

Here's a gentle reminder...

[Rockrolex]

Let me add my welcome to TRF, CJ. Glad to have you here. Occasionally we need some policing around here, what with all the riff raff and rabble rousers that frequent this madhouse.

As for the watch, the others have said it for me, especially Adrian and JJ. If your heart's desire is a GMT-II, go with it and go with the black bezel flavor. It's one watch that you can dress up or down. It looks equally good with black tie and jeans. It doesn't scream SPORT at you like the red/black or Pepsi bezels. Find a black bezel GMT and try it on. JJ's pic is good, but doesn't do it justice.

As for price, you may find some ADs who will discount the GMT, since it is not as hot an item as, say, the SS Daytona. Ask around (but not in the casinos - they are the biggest rip-offs you will find). Also as others have said, there are some good grey market dealers who will give you anywhere from 10-15% off retail. I know a lot of people turn their noses up at e-Bay, but you can find some good deals there if you know how to look. We can help you vett any sellers for you so you don't get stung.

Good luck on the hunt. And remember - Don't settle. Go for what you really want. You will not be happy otherwise.

[Spencer]

Welcome aboard buddy

As a resident of Atlantic City my advice is to hit up Trump Palace and let it ride on black, if you do that you can get a Daytona

[dman]

Originally Posted by Spencer

Welcome aboard buddy

As a resident of Atlantic City my advice is to hit up Trump Palace and let it ride on black, if you do that you can get a Daytona

All or nothing eh? Rolex or Timex.

[TARDIS]

My dream watch is a GMT II with red/black bezel, .

Hey CJ a warm welcome to TRF

I bought a newbie 16710 with RED/BLACK bezel last November. I had to work on getting this, because like yourself, it was the model I really wanted. It dug a big hole in my savings, but it was well worth it in the end.

You'll just have to save up for it mate, then you can have one like this:



Take care out there

[padi56]

Welcome to TRF CJ the choice of the GMT its quite a versatile watch,the bezel inserts can be easily changed.For not a lot of money,you could have all 3 bezel inserts, 3 different look watches for the price one one.

[TARDIS]

Hey padi56:
Where do you get the interchangeable bezels? I know there are some on eBay, but they are for the Replicators. I was hoping you knew where i could get the genuine bezels at a reputable on line outlet?.


Does changing the bezels on a GMT Master II require tools, materials (glue?) and a technique?

[Kromax]

I picked up my SS black/black GMT II in the beginning of December, and I haven't looked back. I agree with the previous posters--get the watch you really want. If it means saving for another month or two, wait. You're probably going to have the watch for the rest of your life, so the additional cost is worth it.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by TARDIS

Hey padi56:
Where do you get the interchangeable bezels? I know there are some on eBay, but they are for the Replicators. I was hoping you knew where i could get the genuine bezels at a reputable on line outlet?.


Does changing the bezels on a GMT Master II require tools, materials (glue?) and a technique?

The genuine insert from a AD would cost fitted about $60-$75,but a genetic
one would cost a lot less.And the ones from this site fit perfect.
http://www.watchmaterial.com/static.asp?st=home

Link for insert change.

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...oto=1032&rid=2


Link for bezel removal.

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...o=635897&rid=0

[mineral]

Hi CJ, Big welcome to TRF.

In my opinion, being a Polica Officer and need handling tough job, the GMT is more suitable for you.

Fyi, I own a All Black bezel GMT II (same as in JJ's pix) for 5 years already, he never failed me, is an excellent watch!!

Good luck in your hunting.

[TARDIS]

Hey Padi56

Thanks very much for the locators and info regarding interchangeble bezel inserts.

Much appreciated.

[maverick]

You may be able to find an AD that will sell one of less than 4K and you can find LN pre-owned for $3300.00-$3800.00 easily. Mine gets a lot of wrist time. I have all three bezels. =) maverick

[SSB]

Well, I would first reccomend that you take a trip down to an AD and try on different sports models. I would reccomend the Submariners for their toughness and reliability.

I think deals for Subs can be had for $4k or under.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by TARDIS

Hey Padi56

Thanks very much for the locators and info regarding interchangeble bezel inserts.

Much appreciated.

Not a problem glad to help.

[molex]

UPDATE: I just re-read your post, everything below still applies if you are choosing between the DJ and Explorer, but let me add my voice to the crowd saying: If the GMT is the watch you *really* want, GET THE GMT. Forget about having "too many" sport watches, get the watch you truly want or you'll never be completely satisfied.

I haven't read what everyone else said yet, so pardon me if I'm being repetitive:

#1. You can't go wrong either way, both the Datejust (DJ) and the Explorer are great watches that will last a lifetime if serviced regularly.

#2. As for durability, it's very unlikely that you'll ever have a problem with either watch, they're both tough as nails. However, the date function on the DJ *is* more moving parts and you know what they say, the more stuff that moves the more stuff there is to break. And, if you get a new Explorer you'll get solid end links where the Datejust has the folded metal end links, and the SEL is an improvement from a durability standpoint.

#3. The Explorer has a slightly "better" movement, in that it has a few improvements that the DJ does not yet have that make the Explorer an incredibly accurate watch, mine is my most accurate watch that I own.

#4. Both will do double duty as work and dress, though the DJ is more suited to dress and the Explorer to work.

#5. Comparitive values aside, unless the date function really matters to you GET THE EXPLORER. The Explorer is an incredibly nice watch with just the right mixture of flash and subtlety. It also has a very deep historical place in the world of watches, as well as being nowhere *near* as "common" as the Datejust. I actually have owned both a Datejust and an Explorer for just over a year, and the Datejust is on the auction block right now while the Explorer will be my companion forever. 'Nuff said.

[Lol-x]

Molex, could you please explain the enhancements of the Explorer movement over the Datejust? I thought they had the same base calibre movement (31XX)?

My pick would be the GMT, but I would wait until the new models are unleashed in April, you might be surprised. In the meantime, O.K. get the Explorer, it will keep you happy, but if you need a date then the Datejust is the way to go.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Molex, could you please explain the enhancements of the Explorer movement over the Datejust? I thought they had the same base calibre movement (31XX)?

My pick would be the GMT, but I would wait until the new models are unleashed in April, you might be surprised. In the meantime, O.K. get the Explorer, it will keep you happy, but if you need a date then the Datejust is the way to go.

The Datejust runs the same 3135 movement as the Sub-date, SD and YM (40 mm).

JJ