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Old 8 October 2011, 07:14 PM   #1
RolexGMTman
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New Explorer II 42mm or GMT Master II c

Hi Guys, I am on the door step of my first Rolex after just rounding 50....

The wife has smiled at me and gave me the "you deserve it darling"
So now I stand with the choice of new X II or the GMT Master.....

I have a real need for the GMT function as we live in India moving ( home in Denmark) soon to Bahrain, the GMT Master II has been my grail for life and now I have seen the new explorer black dial..... and I am lost for choice !!!!

I feel like I am betraying my old grail and leaving it on the shelf for a new face in the Rolex brand........

Now is it worth it!! is the new Explorer with new movment that much better than the classic GMT....

I would like to here the opinions of you gentlemen with the GMT and the Explorer.

Br. Regards Michael....
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Old 8 October 2011, 08:34 PM   #2
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Really tough choice. I own the GMT-IIc and i saw in real life the new Explorer recently. Personally i really like the posh looks of the GMT-IIc although the 42mm of the Explorer are tempting.
Saying all this i would not flip my GMT-IIc. Maybe get an Expy one day yes. For now my next one is the DSSD.
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Old 8 October 2011, 08:38 PM   #3
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The GMTIIC still gets my vote.

Either way you can't go wrong, get the one you like the most.
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Old 8 October 2011, 08:46 PM   #4
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I suggest you to go with the GMTIIC.

Here below a pic of mine.

Ciao

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Old 8 October 2011, 09:03 PM   #5
Deyn Man
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stick to the GMTIIC! it is still a notch "higher" than the ExpII... besides, ExpII prices are still crazy now!!!

BUT....

if you really, really like the ExpII, then i guess you already know the answer to your question...

try them both on and see what sings to you more...
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Old 8 October 2011, 10:50 PM   #6
RolexGMTman
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deyn Man View Post
stick to the GMTIIC! it is still a notch "higher" than the ExpII... besides, ExpII prices are still crazy now!!!

BUT....

if you really, really like the ExpII, then i guess you already know the answer to your question...

try them both on and see what sings to you more...
I have not made a choice yet!!! but thanks for the input on the matter!!

I have had the GMT on my wrist and it sits like a glove the braclet is peace of art on its own..... and I like the 3 time zone function which the Explorer is short of!!

Just looking at the picture confirms my direction!! but the orange GMT arrow and the 42 mm is apealing and the phantom type hands....very cool indeed, looks like I will take my grail from the shelf and I will post the event when it comes round!!

This quite hard to make my mind up...but thanks guys
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Old 9 October 2011, 12:26 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deyn Man View Post
stick to the GMTIIC! it is still a notch "higher" than the ExpII... besides, ExpII prices are still crazy now!!!

BUT....

if you really, really like the ExpII, then i guess you already know the answer to your question...

try them both on and see what sings to you more...
totally agree... GMT C all the way
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Old 9 October 2011, 12:59 AM   #8
mldaytona
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Easy choice: GMT II C.
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Old 9 October 2011, 02:06 AM   #9
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GMTC for me
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Old 9 October 2011, 02:10 AM   #10
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Not that 50 is "old," but for you I would recommend the GMT-IIc. The Exp42, with the oversize hands and the orange, just looks a little much IMO.
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Old 9 October 2011, 02:13 AM   #11
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I would opt for the Ex2.
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Old 9 October 2011, 02:19 AM   #12
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Easy for me to say GMT II-C, cause I have one and love it. I did pick up a vintage 1675 GMT master (1978). I put on the 1675 and put the 116710LN in the winder. It's been there ever since!!!! I like not having to think about scratching the PCL's. I think the new EXP-42 will be the bomb!!! You can still keep track of another time zone. If you need two or three than step towards the GMT-C. I suggest look at them side by side. I always though the white face EXP would be a nice addition but when I tried it on, I found that it wasn't me. Decide, side by side IMHO.
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Old 9 October 2011, 02:44 AM   #13
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I'm in the same pickle. It will all boil down to whichever one is available at the AD. If they both are I think I'll flip a coin.
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Old 9 October 2011, 03:54 AM   #14
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I'm in the same pickle. It will all boil down to whichever one is available at the AD. If they both are I think I'll flip a coin.
Here in India both are available...... and the price is very low 7250 USD for new X2 and 6850 USD for the GMT master c.

I am leaning towards the GMT as this has all my needs!!! and has been my grail for ages, but the X2 is fresh and with new movment!!!

This is a bugger of a choice..................I put 8000 USD down and now have the option but what ever the choice I make it will be a Rolex...

Looks like a lot of GMT owners have an opinion but not so many Explorer II owners....

I am chuffed to bits with the response guys ... I think its true though it will be the Magpie in me that makes the final call..

Br. Michael
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Old 9 October 2011, 03:56 AM   #15
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Old 9 October 2011, 04:10 AM   #16
RolexGMTman
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Originally Posted by rossi46 View Post
Not that 50 is "old," but for you I would recommend the GMT-IIc. The Exp42, with the oversize hands and the orange, just looks a little much IMO.
Thanks for the 50 comment, but I am using a Benarus GMT world diver 44mm as my daily keeper and Fortis 42mm carbon chrono as runner up, so I am very fond of the large scale ......

But they both are so good a choice.... looks like GMT is leading 7:1

Br. Michael
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Old 9 October 2011, 04:24 AM   #17
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The Exp has more of a sports look. The GMT is more of an allrounder.
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Old 9 October 2011, 04:47 AM   #18
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GMTc two-tone gets my vote. It's a masterpiece.
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Old 9 October 2011, 04:48 AM   #19
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Try them both at the AD to give you a better feel for them on your wrist. I would pick the GMTc out of choice.
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Old 9 October 2011, 04:55 AM   #20
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Even though I own a GMT IIC I'd have to opt for the older version. I'm starting to loss the love for these super sized watches. Too in your face. They look kind of funny to me.
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Old 9 October 2011, 05:03 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RolexGMTman View Post
Hi Guys, I am on the door step of my first Rolex after just rounding 50....

The wife has smiled at me and gave me the "you deserve it darling"
So now I stand with the choice of new X II or the GMT Master.....

I have a real need for the GMT function as we live in India moving ( home in Denmark) soon to Bahrain, the GMT Master II has been my grail for life and now I have seen the new explorer black dial..... and I am lost for choice !!!!

I feel like I am betraying my old grail and leaving it on the shelf for a new face in the Rolex brand........

Now is it worth it!! is the new Explorer with new movment that much better than the classic GMT....

I would like to here the opinions of you gentlemen with the GMT and the Explorer.

Br. Regards Michael....
For a couple of weeks, I've been working on deciding whether to keep my SS GMT IIC or sell it and buy the new Explorer II. I was #1 on a waiting list and the new Explorer II was in the store. Yesterday, after wearing the GMT IIC for three days and "reconnecting," and after having tried on the Explorer II one more time; I decided to keep the GMT IIC. It's not that the Explorer II is any less of a watch, and I still hope to have one some day; but the GMT IIC just seems to be more flexible as either a sport watch or a dressier watch, and, to be honest, I found myself also debating whether I wouldn't just prefer the "old" polar Explorer II. In the end, however, the GMT IIC just felt right after three days of wear; and I just couldn't bring myself to give it up.

You really can't go wrong with either; they are both great watches; but my infatuation with the new Explorer II waned proportionally to my renewed fascination with the GMT IIC as I wore it daily.

I also don't think there is any meaningful difference in timekeeping quality between the two models. It just gets down to personal choice. Get the one you really want. You really can't go wrong on this one.
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Old 9 October 2011, 06:02 AM   #22
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I really like my GMTIIC but I have not tried on the Exp 42 yet so I guess I'm not much help. I think you really need to decide which makes you say "perfect".
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Old 9 October 2011, 05:37 PM   #23
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I have not seen the new Expy yet, but I know I will like my GMT IIc more. I want the Expy, but it doesn't change my opinion that the GMT IIc is the best all-around watch in the company's current line. It's incredible. The fact that it is currently cheaper is crazy, and IMO only due to it being a design that is more than half a decade old at this point... which doesn't change the fact it is a better watch.

For reference I have a black-dial Exp2 from the prior edition and the GMT IIc, but I have not, frankly, seen or tried on the new Exp2.

I will say that after purchasing an Exp2 as my first Rolex, the GMT was the first most obvious upgrade I went for. I loved the GMT hand on both watches, and I wanted a bezel that interfaced with it well for additional functionality.
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Old 9 October 2011, 05:47 PM   #24
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It depends which one you like more. For me I would choose GMTIIc as the new Exp II doesn't do anything for me. If its your first and only Rolex then the GMTIIc would be a better choice, Exp II looks little plain compared to it but I have not seen one in real life so take what I said with a grain of salt.

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Old 9 October 2011, 06:10 PM   #25
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gmt ii c is a great watch, perfect for any moment in your life. Sporty and classy at the same moment. Take it with no doubt
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Old 9 October 2011, 06:59 PM   #26
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Explorer II.
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Old 9 October 2011, 08:29 PM   #27
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Old 9 October 2011, 08:34 PM   #28
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I've still not seen a Exp42 yet in the fleshl; so I'm biased. GMTIIc
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Old 9 October 2011, 08:35 PM   #29
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RolexGMTman, GMT IIC will still be more suitable for you i guess, You still have to decider as you will have to wear it everyday, i will go for GMT IIC, i want to get it by Christmas... :)
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Old 9 October 2011, 08:37 PM   #30
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