Watches - another OCD problem
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Hi @Anesthetist, nice to hear that there is a fellow Explorer wearer among the forum group.
Easy question to answer but maybe not for the typical reasons you would expect. The 40mm will get more wear despite me preferring the 36mm version. The 36mm watch was a gift I bought for my Father which he took a great deal of pride in wearing. I inherited the piece back in 2019 when he passed away. Since then I have had it serviced and have worn it occasionally.
The 40mm watch is a daily wear robust piece while still giving a nod of recognition to my Dad. I can now keep his 36mm watch saved for special occasions.
Sentiment aside here are a few observations between the two models. The older 36mm model wears more comfortably due to a couple of things, smaller case size and the lighter hollow bracelet and stamped folding clasp. Yes that old tinny stamped clasp is way more comfortable than the modern engineered clasps, no contest.
The 40mm version feels more solid when handled due to the modern bracelet and clasp but this does not translate into a more comfortable wear. It is a comfortable watch but not as much so as the 36mm version.
I had been looking at the 39mm MKII version for a while but was reluctant to pay the Grey premium for these models. There is loads of watch forum debate regarding the 39mm MKII vs the new 40mm version, looks like most folks fall into one of two camps:
- 39mm is best due to matte dial and more balanced dial layout with the Explorer text at the 6 o'clock position.
- 40mm is best due to the 21mm bracelet giving a better taper into the case. The larger crown which is easier to handle. The more modern movement with better power reserve and accuracy. The dial text layout is historically correct.
I would have been 100% happy with either the 39 or 40mm versions. I suspect the argument in favour of the 39mm piece is put forward by current 39mm owners and the argument for the 40mm piece put for ward by prospective owners. I got offered the 40mm from an AD at retail price so it was an easy decision. The 40mm is probably more of a close tribute to the 36mm I already have as both dials are gloss and the layout of the text is the same on both dials.
I had considered getting the current 36mm model, however this this would then be in direct competition with my dads watch. The change in size to the 40mm is enough of a change to justify having both in the collection. Twisted logic maybe??
The more I looked into Explorer 1 design, you realise that it is a rabbit hole all of it's own with minute differences debated to the nth degree. There are no wrong answers and you can justify any of the models any way you like.
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@ddtrash at the rate they're selling their watches, I'd take anything they offer.
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@louisbosco 100% agree, while demand is outstripping supply it is difficult to turn down any steel Rolex piece at retail price.
I was very pleased to be offered this piece as it is from a new AD to me. The old AD I was using in London closed and all my retail history with them disappeared overnight.
One of the sales assistant from the old AD has got a new job at another jewellers. Very pleased that the sales assistant was able to champion my cause at the new dealership. Great to be offered a 2023 new release piece from a new AD. Hopefully I can keep going and pick up a few more pieces, let’s see.
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Pink OP
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@ddtrash that's a brilliant gesture on the SA's part. I guess, that a meaningful connection worth keeping. it's crazy how every Rolex boutique I go to nowadays have empty displays and folks just standing about.
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@ddtrash awesome comment
I have a 36mm from 06 as well and I want a 40mm Witt the current band but torn if I should
I think imma hunt one down -
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I was in Manchester yesterday and I dropped by a couple of watch shops.
If you want a Rolex, you go to the grey market dealer, one of whom had an Oyster Perpetual Celebration Dial at 50% over retail. I really liked the design in the press photos, but it's harder to read in real life.
The Rolex dealer next door had a few watches on display, but all marked "Exhibition Only". It's an interesting business model not making your product available! Still, I got to try on a Deepsea with the James Cameron dial. It felt surprisingly comfortable despite the heft.
Omega have taken a different approach to commerce and actually have watches to sell to customers. In fact, some are available with a discount, like this lovely CK859 which I thought was unavailable.
They also had the Seamaster Diver None So Black, which is probably my favourite variant of that watch. It's easier to read than the Celebration Dial too.
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A couple of months ago I was in Sydney, and I tried on the Omega Ultra Deep in titanium. Like the Deepsea, it was surprisingly wearable. The only problem is that the NATO strap makes the watch thicker on your wrist than it would otherwise be.
I think that both the Deepsea and Omega would workable as everyday watches if you have the wrists to carry them off. I'm curious to see how the monstrous Deepsea Challenge works, but I haven't managed to track one down yet.
I also saw the Aqua Terra in terracota, which is more orange than the press shots would suggest. It's a less subtle colour than the Rolex Stella dials.
Since I'm posting watches, I also got the chance to look at a Patek 5212A, which was lovely. The trouble is that the last time I enquired about one of these, the dealer suggested I had to build a history with them before I could place an expression of interest. Err, no.
I also got the chance to look at an F.P. Journe Octa S. I think that these are even more difficult to obtain than a Patek, though I remember a few years ago seeing the Chronometre Bleu in a case in London.
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I've been down to Birmingham today to catch up with @ddtrash and disturb the local watch shops.
We got to take a look at a few things at Omega. One of them is not like the others.
Those three Aqua Terras are probably the rarest pieces on the tray, though. It's the Ultralight, which has a hand wound titanium case and movement. Rory McIlroy wore one in 2019 or 2020 as did several Olympians at the Tokyo games. They're currently on sale and still cost the same as the lovely Patek 5121A in the previous post.
We passed the shop later in the afternoon and got called in. The new Aqua Terra Worldtimer in titanium had just landed. Had there not been a solemn vow to not purchase watches, I suspect that it might have gone home with a new owner...
We also dropped by Watchfinder, a grey market dealer, who had just received a Rolex GMT Destro / Sprite. The movement has been rotated by 180 degrees, so the winding is the wrong way around.
Watchfinder also had the Seamaster Diver in titanium and tantalum. I've seen these before, and they've got a fantastic box that has a porthole style lid. Filthy one commented that he'd like it as an urn for his ashes, sorry mate I didn't get one in time.
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The big question is, who would buy that Omega over a Patek (granted you could get one).
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@Graeme Many thanks for making the effort to meet up in Birmingham yesterday. One of the best things about this forum is the bringing together of like minded people who appreciate similar things. It was a very pleasant few hours spent with you, made more remarkable that it was our first time actually meeting in person. The forum does indeed bring people together and these connections are valuable in an increasingly polarised world.
With regard to the watches, my shopping list did expand yesterday and I could easily have picked up one or more of the pieces we viewed. Payment cards stayed firmly in the wallet due to spare funds being allocated to finishing off the house renovation and a solemn promise to missus Trash not to buy any more timepieces for the meantime.
The Tantalum Diver 300 was a great daily wear watch which for a two tone model was quite subtle in its design. The darker grey blue of the Tantulum accents blended well within the design. The monotone, titanium Worldtimer is the best iteration of the recent new releases of this model. I viewed the green bezel version in Dubai and it was a bit bling in comparison.
Have a great remaining time in the UK.
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@ddtrash I could have picked up a few pieces from yesterday, but the tax situation isn't helpful. (I'd pay 20% VAT in the UK, which I cannot reclaim, then 5% import duty and 10% GST going into Australia.) But I'm glad that you kept your solemn vow to Mrs Trash.
Incidentally, something we discussed yesterday was that the secondary market is heading down. For example, the lovely Patek 5212A is trading around retail price on Chrono24. I don't know if supply from the likes of Rolex and Patek has improved, or it's just rising interest rates flattening speculative investments.
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This is my first auto. Orient Ray II with swapped coin edge and stainless insert. Been my beater lately.
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My favorite is the 321 Speedmaster. Omega got everything exactly right.
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@Brandrea very nice. always loved the Omega Speed and Sea masters. Even if I could afford one, I'd surely mess it up quickly with my luck!
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@Graeme the reason I bought it. I’m a bit of a space nerd, and appreciate the significance that the 321 played in the Apollo missions.
