MKII Vantage impressions

[fear]

I received a MKII Vantage today her are some of my impressions.

Looks: By looking at photos from Mr. Yao's website, the MKII seem to be an homage to the Rolex Explorer. Yes and no. It does "look" like the Explorer but it's 39 mm size reminds me more of the Omega Aqua Terra. I tried on the Explorer at a local BB and it's small compared to the Vantage. Overall I like the update to this classic design.

Construction: 316L steel on bracelet. Sapphire crystal. 200m water resistance. 2824 movement. Matte dial with date. Superluminova indices (lume is ok not Seiko who I believe has the best illumination). All Swiss made. The build of this watch is amazing! It's put together very, very well. Tolerances are tight. The watch itself is hefty for its size. The bracelet's non-SEL and light, but is well made.

Surfaces are highly polished. And if there's a bad side to the high polish, I already got tiny scratches. Comparing the look of the steel on the SD and the Vantage, the later has a different sheen. It's hard to describe but I like the contrast between the Rolexes and the MKII.

the ETA 2824 keeps good time. when I recieved it I never bothered to change the date and time when I got it. I timed it to the SD and my computer and it keeps good time. I'm not a stickler for absolute accuracy so long as it keeps good time. So far, it's good.

Comfort: The watch is very comfortable. There's just enough heft and lightness to it. I can feel it yet not be bothered by it. The Vantage fits well, is not top heavy. THe weight distribution around the wrist is nice. No uncomfortable wrist twisting.

Overall, GREAT watch!!!! Thanks for reading!

[leopardprey]

Great reveiw and nice looking watch!!!!! MKII does some great work. Now if Rolex will just follow this example and come out with a 40mm Rolex Explorer!

[fear]

Great reveiw and nice looking watch!!!!! MKII does some great work. Now if Rolex will just follow this example and come out with a 40mm Rolex Explorer!

Chad, I agree! Maybe Rolex will eventually adopt newer case designs as they're doing with their other watches.

[toph]

nice review and nice watch- i have been considering making one up from there too- but 24 weeks is a long time

[Ursa Major]

nice review and nice watch- i have been considering making one up from there too- but 24 weeks is a long time

MKII has a pre-built program as well for their watches assembled in Switzerland. In the case of the Vantage, it's in the same configuration that Fear has, i.e. with the Mercedes hands and oyster bracelet (you can also specify the pre-built model with a rubber strap). I ordered the same model Fear has on the 16th, and received an email confirming it would ship on the 18th (yesterday). I expect I'll have it within 4-5 days of ordering.

I'm a real fan of Bill Yao. I have a couple of his modified Seiko divers, as well as a MKII Quad10, and now the Vantage. As Fear said, the workmanship and heft is impressive - quality components carefully assembled. At the price ($615 for the Vantage with bracelet), they're great bargains as well.

[RW16610]

Cool watch and even better review :cheers:

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Excellent review and cool looking watch! :thumbsup:

Congrats!

[Terry Newton]

That is definitely a sharp looking watch.

Terry Newton

[TheDude]

That's a very nice watch, thanks for sharing the photos. I like this one by MK II as well. The "Quad 10", an homage to the JLC/IWC Mk XI pilot's watch.



http://scubawatch.org/sitebuilder/images/1041_001-870x706.jpg

http://scubawatch.org/sitebuilder/images/1045_003-540x430.jpg

http://scubawatch.org/sitebuilder/images/1045_005-540x433.jpg

[Thomas Carey]

I have been thinking about adding one of these as well.

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

[TheDude]

OMG! Drool!

http://www.mkiiwatches.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=cu01.htm

http://www.mkiiwatches.com/images/cu01/lrrp_banner_640.jpg


I think we all know what inspired this one...

http://www.tnsdiamonds.com/Explorer/DSC_0562.jpg

http://www.tnsdiamonds.com/Explorer/DSC_0556.jpg



EDIT - I just put a deposit...

[Brushpup]

I think I am going to order a vantage tomorrow after reading threads here and checking out the website this weekend. Should be a great watch for everday wear, work and play. It will also pacify me during my time of indecision on my first ROLEX. Jeez I wish I could make up my mind!

[TheDude]

I think I am going to order a vantage tomorrow after reading threads here and checking out the website this weekend. Should be a great watch for everday wear, work and play. It will also pacify me during my time of indecision on my first ROLEX. Jeez I wish I could make up my mind!

Did you order? If this one grabs you, you might want to consider a black Milgauss... the non-GVs aren't super hard to find.


Also, I checked today - the wait on a custom Vantage is down to 16 weeks.

[SLRdude]

Wow.
That's one sharp watch! :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

http://www.mkiiwatches.com/images/cu01/lrrp_banner_640.jpg

[frostie]

Nice review and watch

Enjoyed reading it

[TheDude]

Wow.
That's one sharp watch! :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

http://www.mkiiwatches.com/images/cu01/lrrp_banner_640.jpg


Jocke has seen this watch in person. He posted pics in this thread...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=44995

[Brushpup]

Did you order? If this one grabs you, you might want to consider a black Milgauss... the non-GVs aren't super hard to find.


Also, I checked today - the wait on a custom Vantage is down to 16 weeks.

Yeah, I went ahead an ordered one. Got the pre-built Vantage and spoke to Bill today. Hope to have it by the weekend. Thought about customizing, but the very slight changes I would have made weren't to me worth the money or the time. I am actually more excited about this watch than any in a long time. Should be my last one until I get a ROLEX.

I love the Milgauss, but If I went with one it would HAVE to be the green. Thanks for the input though, I appreciate it.

Patrick

[Terry Newton]

That watch looks like it's built like a tank. Awesome. :cheers:

Congratulations on the upcoming watch. Don't worry, you'll have the Rolex soon. It's something to work towards.

Terry Newton

[TheDude]

Yeah, I went ahead an ordered one. Got the pre-built Vantage and spoke to Bill today. Hope to have it by the weekend. Thought about customizing, but the very slight changes I would have made weren't to me worth the money or the time. I am actually more excited about this watch than any in a long time. Should be my last one until I get a ROLEX.

I love the Milgauss, but If I went with one it would HAVE to be the green. Thanks for the input though, I appreciate it.

Patrick

Funny you should say that you ordered one. I just ordered one too. I discovered that the no-date isn't the same dial - it has subseconds and numbers around the outside. I got the pre-built too!

[Ursa Major]

My Vantage was finally delivered today after a USPS glitch that sent it back (briefly) to Bill. One thing I hadn't realized is the size of the hands, they're up there in Maxi-Dial class, fixing one of my few complaints with Rolexes. I really like this watch, it's a screaming deal for the money.

[TheDude]

My Vantage was finally delivered today after a USPS glitch that sent it back (briefly) to Bill. One thing I hadn't realized is the size of the hands, they're up there in Maxi-Dial class, fixing one of my few complaints with Rolexes. I really like this watch, it's a screaming deal for the money.


Pics?? :)

I'm jonesing for some additional Vantage images. There are surprisingly few on the Internet.

Mine ships Friday 7/12 according to Mr. Yao.

[fear]

Here are more photos.:cheers:

[TheDude]

Awesome! Thanks!

[pwrslider]

I have been thinking about adding one of these as well.

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

Me too..been looking at the Stingray...:cheers:

[TheDude]

Hey Brushpup...

Did you get your Vantage yet? My target ship date was listed as today - who knows if it will go out or not... Hoping to have it sometime next week. Keep us posted!

[Brushpup]

Hey Brushpup...

Did you get your Vantage yet? My target ship date was listed as today - who knows if it will go out or not... Hoping to have it sometime next week. Keep us posted!

Not yet, but I asked Bill Monday if they could get it our Weds or Thurs. He said they would do their best, but my invoice shows a ship date of 7-8 (tues). After I saw that I was sure hoping for it yesterday since they use USPS Priority, but alas, no watch. Maybe today?? I am sure hoping, but I may have to wait till next week as well..........dangitt!!! I'm very impatient when I order things.

Will keep you posted though......

Patrick

[fear]

Not yet, but I asked Bill Monday if they could get it our Weds or Thurs. He said they would do their best, but my invoice shows a ship date of 7-8 (tues). After I saw that I was sure hoping for it yesterday since they use USPS Priority, but alas, no watch. Maybe today?? I am sure hoping, but I may have to wait till next week as well..........dangitt!!! I'm very impatient when I order things.

Will keep you posted though......

Patrick

Mine was also delayed a due to Mr. Yao's trip to Switzerland. He did mention it on the MKII website. So it was not a surprise. I think that he ships his watches on certain days too, unlike other internet services that have their factories send out merchandise within a day.

One the Watch was shipped it took only a few days to get here, pretty fast. USPS is pretty good.

[Brushpup]

[QUOTE= One the Watch was shipped it took only a few days to get here, pretty fast. USPS is pretty good.[/QUOTE]

Mine must have shipped after the invoice date, so watch today, so maybe Tuesday.....arrrgghh.

[TheDude]

Oh the anticipation!

The MkII order status portal has a note stating that my watch is going out today... So hopefully I'll have it by the end of the week!

[fear]

Oh the anticipation!

The MkII order status portal has a note stating that my watch is going out today... So hopefully I'll have it by the end of the week!

I can't wait either. Be sure to give us your impressions! Pics are must too!:thumbsup::cheers::thumbsup:

[TheDude]

Well, I have a tracking # now, and I know it went out on the 15th. Too bad it's USPS... I don't think I'll have much visibility into the delivery details.

[Brushpup]

Got mine Tuesday and LOVE IT!! I will try to post more and pics by the weekend, but it will be showing some use by then...

Later guys,
Patrick

[TheDude]

The good news...

http://www.dcgambits.com/albums/album17/MG_4397.jpg

http://www.dcgambits.com/albums/album17/MG_4398.jpg

http://www.dcgambits.com/albums/album17/MG_4399.jpg

http://www.dcgambits.com/albums/album17/MG_4400.jpg



The bad news...

http://www.dcgambits.com/albums/album17/braceletscratch1.jpg

http://www.dcgambits.com/albums/album17/braceletscratch2.jpg

http://www.dcgambits.com/albums/album17/crystal_lint.jpg



Sadly, it would appear that the position the watch shipped in created the dark scratches in the bracelet. They are darker in real life than my pictures indicate. The last picture shows some white lint that's inside the crystal. Waiting to hear from Bill - I'm sure he'll make it right. I am really enjoying the watch, it's a beautiful piece.

[Brushpup]

Wow I got a perfect wach as far as I can tell. No lint but already putting a few light scratches on mine. Congrats Dude and keep us posted on what happens.

[fear]

TheDude,

Congratulations! Mine was shipped in perfect condition. No scratches, lint or any imperfections. I'm sure Mr. Yao will make it right.

Congratulations!!!!!!

[TheDude]

I finally spoke to Bill last night. He seems really swamped - I am glad I continued to call as he said it would have taken him days just to get to my email from the end of July.

Long story short, I'll be sending the watch in and they'll tear it down to get at the lint, and he'll correct the link abrasions.


He did say something that cleared up a question I had which was that the Swiss watches have more of an issue with the lint inside. I had been wondering what would be better, a Swiss assembled watch, or one by the Mk II custom shop. I guess now we know... :)

[Brushpup]

I finally spoke to Bill last night. He seems really swamped - I am glad I continued to call as he said it would have taken him days just to get to my email from the end of July.

Long story short, I'll be sending the watch in and they'll tear it down to get at the lint, and he'll correct the link abrasions.


He did say something that cleared up a question I had which was that the Swiss watches have more of an issue with the lint inside. I had been wondering what would be better, a Swiss assembled watch, or one by the Mk II custom shop. I guess now we know... :)

I wondered how your watch was doing or if you had worn it. At almost a month now mine is running about +2/3 secs per day. It started out at about 12+ and it has worn in nicely. Pretty surprising actually. I love this watch though, and it will be my everyday workhorse until, and maybe even after my first Rolex.

[TheDude]

Yeah, I really love this watch. I have been wearing it since speaking with Bill, but I have to drop it in the mail this week. I really really like it, but after not wearing the Rolex for a week or so I was struck by the differences when I put it on yesterday. Nothing wrong with the MkII, but the Rolex really is in a different league. I think it's probably the solid bracelet on my GMT-IIc that contributes most to the feel, but it feels a lot "smoother" on the wrist and it sits more squarely.

Anyway, I really like the Vantage.


I think all the photos I have seen don't show how three-dimensional the watch is. Generally, the photos I have seen make it look rather flat.

I have attempted to capture what I think it looks like. Nothing special about the photos, just some quick snaps.


http://www.dcgambits.com/albums/album17/DSC_0418.jpg

http://www.dcgambits.com/albums/album17/DSC_0426.jpg

http://www.dcgambits.com/albums/album17/DSC_0423.jpg