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Post by carl on Aug 27, 2017 17:19:31 GMT -6
Ha! The GMT has a way of bringing people right back to an AD lol. Hands down my favorite Rolex! I'll still get a Submariner but can't see it getting as much wrist time. The GMT is perfect for work or play, I'm a huge fan of the polished centre links and they're holding up fine for me thus far! For some reason, I never was really drawn to the GMT. I looked at it when I got my first Rolex, which turned out to be a Milgauss. It's a funny thing, though, when you start to learn more about a watch - in this case, many years for the GMT - you start to really gain a liking in many cases. When I found out about the possibilty of reading time over 3 time zones with the movable bezel, and found out more about how the movement has evolved since it was introduced. I even find the aesthetics far more pleasing than I did when I first saw it. I often stay away from a diver watch, as I have no use for the bezel, other than it looks great. But that is getting too sensible, after all it is a luxury item. However, learning about the bezel on the GMT admittedly sheds a whole new light on a watch with bezel for me. Not that I never owned a diver watch, and still often think of the 114060 as being a possibility sometime. What really gets to me most about the Rolex diver watches (sorry for repeating myself, but I said this often), is the crown operation. Absolutely never been anything like it that I have tried. Although the water resistance on the GMT is 100m as opposed to 300 on the Sub, it still has that wonderful large crown and Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system. That just always gets me every time. I think at some point I will have to have a Rolex diver or GMT with that system just for those reasons. This has to be my favorite all-time GMT photo - not only of the gold GMT, but of any GMT - inside the cockpit:
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Post by rw16610 on Aug 27, 2017 17:41:21 GMT -6
carl, you should go for it! You'll see there are SO many uses for both bezels. For example, during lane swim I time myself with the bezel, it's easy for quick reference of how long I've been in the pool. Also, for open water time I can just keep track of it simply that way (time flies when you're having fun! Also comes in handy for timing breaks at work, short trips, cooking, etc etc. The GMT bezel can sort of be used to mark the minute hand and count the hour markers to figure out elapsed time within an hour long. I like having the 24 hour scale because I seem to forget sometimes since I hardly use that. Also, love the way both of them look! I think you should really consider the bezel, the ceramic's incredible!
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Post by carl on Aug 27, 2017 17:50:48 GMT -6
carl , you should go for it! You'll see there are SO many uses for both bezels. For example, during lane swim I time myself with the bezel, it's easy for quick reference of how long I've been in the pool. Also, for open water time I can just keep track of it simply that way (time flies when you're having fun! Also comes in handy for timing breaks at work, short trips, cooking, etc etc. The GMT bezel can sort of be used to mark the minute hand and count the hour markers to figure out elapsed time within an hour long. I like having the 24 hour scale because I seem to forget sometimes since I hardly use that. Also, love the way both of them look! I think you should really consider the bezel, the ceramic's incredible! I really do prefer the 24-hour clock. Really got used to it working in Europe, and never quite forgot it. Same goes for the metric system. Especially working in a print shop. So much easier to measure in mm than inches, quarter inches, etc. And although I can't say I paid attention to the detail, but I believe the dial has more of a polished surface than the Sub and SD models?
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Post by rw16610 on Aug 27, 2017 18:08:59 GMT -6
The dial should be the same, but I've never really had the two side by side in person to see. The GMT over all has a much more flashy look, partly because of the center links but I can't quite pin point it. I LOVE the glossy dial! As much as the matte models now are cool, I wouldn't dare buy one (why I like the Submariner as the next).
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Post by carl on Aug 28, 2017 21:05:15 GMT -6
Excellent history/timeline of GMT Master: www.fratellowatches.com/fasten-your-seatbelts-rolex-gmt-master-history/Up until very recently, I never paid a lot of attention to the GMT-Master II. And I really thought that the Pepsi bezel was kind of a novelty, although I have seen on many vintage pieces. When I discovered that it was the bezel insert on the original 1954 model, it gained a whole new respect from me. That happens often to me, after I learn about a make/model that I knew little about. Even watches that I never found attractive aesthetically take on a new meaning when some of the history is learned. Pepsi dial available only in white gold. A good or bad thing?
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Post by rw16610 on Aug 28, 2017 22:17:32 GMT -6
The history behind the GMT Master is truly special, like pretty much all of the other Rolex watches that came to life around that time. I know a lot REALLY wanted to see this bezel on a steel version once Rolex was finally able to do this. The 16710 did have three variations, though. Red and blue / Pepsi, Red and Black / Coke, and all black.
I always thought the red and black was more subtle or versatile yet had that striking appeal and gave the ability to more easily distinguish night or day etc. Who know's what they'll do BUT if they ever added another variation on the steel version it would be awesome! The BLNR's killing it right now in popularity, so they'll likely want to spread it out if anything and capitalize off of it as much as they can.
Even for the 16710, for versatility sake I wanted the all black even more. It just goes a bit better with everything in my opinion.
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Post by carl on Sept 2, 2017 17:15:31 GMT -6
I think that my dream Rolex gold watch has now been replaced by the newly announced Cartier 100 Anniversary Tank Louis Cartier. A perfectly sized and configured gold watch IMO. I realize that I said, or thought, only Rolex from now on. I thought that Cartier would never do such a re-edition, to be honest. And also got tired of the direction Cartier was taking, introducing all the newer models which never really work for me. Not that I haven't tried!
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Post by rw16610 on Sept 2, 2017 19:20:54 GMT -6
This watch, especially because of the history behind it is ideal for you! That's the perfect strap for it to be on, too!
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Post by carl on Oct 27, 2017 16:59:46 GMT -6
Finally went to my favorite AD - and favorite Sales Associate - today, as I decided that now is the time to try on the DD40. The only one I am interested in is the Everose gold, and it did not disappoint. I am delighted at how rich it is without being too pink. In certain lights, I actually was surprised how close it looked to the yellow gold. Unfortunately, the yellow gold really doesn't work for me, I think it must be that it just doesn't suit my skin tone. The watch is super comfortable, and the President bracelet is a work of art, especially with the new ceramic pins which hold the links together. The bracelet is so fluid and smooth, best I have ever tried, and is amazingly comfortable. The bonus for me is that the watch is an absolutely perfect fit without having to do any adjustments at all. Equally as comfortable as my OP34s. The 40mm size is deceiving, I didn't think it felt even like 40mm, more like 39 or 40. It is the perfect size for most wrists. They don't have one is stock with the olive green dial, so I tried the sundust and chocolate brown. I wanted to try the brown because it has the beautiful applied gold Roman Numerals, and wanted to make sure that I really like them better than the baton markers. No contest IMO. The Romans with the fluted bezel are just the ultimate: To be honest, I thought that the watch might be too blingy, shiny or showy for me. But I felt none of those things when I wore it. The DD40 in Everose feels totally at home on my wrist, both from a comfort and an aesthetic standpoint. I would have no qualms about wearing it for the same occasions as either of my OP34s. No doubt in my mind that this will be the gold watch for me, although I am going to wait until Basel 2018 before I do anything, and get my finances in order. Before the Rolex AD, I went into another AD who carries Vacheron Constantin, Piaget and Cartier. Again, seemingly limited product knowledge, and very little interest in really assisting me. The new Cartier Tank Louis had not arrived at that AD, and once again I had to teach him about the product, as he had no clue it is available. Very disappointing. The Piaget and VC Patrimony are too dressy for me, just do not have the versatility of the Rolex. At the Rolex AD I did take a brief look at the AP models. They only had a silver dial gold model in 41mm, and no 39mm models. The 41mm gold is just the wrong size and shape for me. Although exquisitely made, I must say, it unfortunately is not the watch for me. And, as the salesman pointed out, the gold model is about 20 grand more than the Rolex DD40. Definitely, since this is a once-in-a-lifetime venture for me, if I really like the AP I would even consider the price difference. I do still want to see the Cartier Tank Louis Cartier, and I still have hopes for one more AD. I will go there next time I am downtown, and hope that the Sales Associate I dealt with before is still there. I really don't see that it will be any contest, but feel that I must see it in real life anyway.
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Oct 27, 2017 20:38:54 GMT -6
That chocolate brown dial with the RG works so well together. The only thing I’d worry about with those two dials is readability in certain lighting since there is not a ton of contrast, but wow - great combo!
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Post by muckymark on Oct 27, 2017 20:53:38 GMT -6
Those are both spectacular. For me it would hard to pick but I feel the lighter one “speaks” to me more. Definitely have to see IRL. What store did you visit?
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Post by carl on Oct 27, 2017 21:26:48 GMT -6
Those are both spectacular. For me it would hard to pick but I feel the lighter one “speaks” to me more. Definitely have to see IRL. What store did you visit? Well, it won't be difficult for me to pick. When I'm ready, I will get them to order in the Everose with the olive green dial if they don't have one in stock. That is still the nicest combo for me. Even though I have the same dial on my OP34, I have no problem with that. The Sundust is really a beauty as well. And looks darker in some light. It also comes without the stripes and with gold Roman Numerals. Even though there is no lume, the Roman Numerals are really the way to go for me. The way they catch the light, along with the hands and fluted bezel is stunning. That watch is so comfortable. I had it on my wrist for over an hour while we chatted, and it was just a joy to wear, that bracelet is even more comfortable than the Oyster on my OP34s. Interesting that they only had two sport watches. A DSSD 44mm, black dial, and an Explorer I. They had no metal Submariners or GMTs in either steel or PM. I was at Montecristo in Oakridge. Actually took the day off, because I know Gianni is there on Friday. He is who got my OP34 from. Nobody else, or any other AD that I would go to now. I previously bought two Rolexes from their downtown shop, and always received great service. It is not as big as the Rolex Boutique downtown, but the nicest IMO. Even though it's one of the highest end jewellers in and around Vancouver, they just give the best service. It's a shame that you had the poor experience on the phone with that lady when you called about your Explorer I a couple of years ago. I know firsthand that one bad experience is enough to put one off. Same reason I would not go back to Lugaro at Park Royal, the owner's son George is just plain rude and arrogant. And the Sales Manager at the Metrotown location offered me an extra link for my Tudor BB36 when I got it last February, and I still haven't got a call. I reminded him about it months ago. It really is of no consequence, though, as I totally don't need it. Just that he did offer and did not deliver. Far better of at Rodeo for Tudor IMO. Another story: I was checking out the shoes at Harry Rosen, and the sales clerk had a vintage GMT Pepsi. I complimented him on it, then we talked, and I showed him my OP. He recognized my from TRF which he posts on, so we had a really good chat. He also mentioned that he heard the same comments about Lugaro in Park Royal.
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Oct 28, 2017 9:36:15 GMT -6
carl - cool to meet a WIS randomly in the wild.
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Post by rw16610 on Oct 28, 2017 13:59:14 GMT -6
Sounds like a great day, Carl! The Day-Date is no doubt a winner with that Green dial. Makes perfect sense the highest end place would have the best service and it's also a shame some others don't deliver. It's all about the experience and if they can't provide that it's not really worth getting from them.
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Post by carl on Oct 28, 2017 23:09:13 GMT -6
carl - cool to meet a WIS randomly in the wild. Doesn't happen often. Matter of fact, I can't remember when it last happened.
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