ww12345

Happy Pi Day, everyone! Feel free to post a pic of your current wear at 9:26:54... (For those non-nerds out there, today is 3-14-15 9:26:54: the first 10 digits of Pi.) Here's my contribution:

Woo-hoo!

Thanks! Yeah, I figured I had a million black dials (slight exaggeration) but all my "exploring" watches were white dial, so that's what I'd go with.

Thanks! I agree - I don't know if it's still the honeymoon phase, but I'm really in love with the watch...

So first off, I want to thank all the veteran members who were so helpful in assistance and advice. The advice was very, very helpful, and I'm grateful that there are so many members here willing to help out a relative "noob" member - thanks all of you; you know who you are! I decided to go with the 16570 because of the "tool watch" reputation - this model was used on lots of "real" expeditions - polar traversings, Everest climbs, geological surveys, and so on. It called to me because of the ruggedness and the hard working image it portrayed, plus the fact that it was "born" the same year I was. OK, now on to the actual review. Paid just over $4k for bracelet plus head, including next day shipping and insurance. Expensive? Yes, but so far no qualms. Since I know it was recently serviced, I'll have a while to go before having to have it properly serviced. It was also pressure checked at the same time, so no issues there either. I won't list the dealer, but curious minds I'm sure could figure it out. I have to say, they were very responsive and willing to work with me. Maybe gen owners aren't so bad after all! Anyway, onto the review. I never knew how close reps have come until I tried this on. I have to say that most cases are 90% of the way there. Is there a difference? Yeah, the bracelet is a bit smoother and the overall fit and finish is better, but overall the quality is not an incredible step up from our really good reps. The dial is another story. I don't know what it is, but this dial really pops. I know a lot of reps tend to be a bit "soft", but this is one where it is really, really crisp - almost 3d. The lume is nice and even, too (even shines a bit - at the tail end of the half-life) except for the tiny crack in the hour hand. Still debating what I want to do about it - I suppose the next time I have it serviced I can see if Bob Ridley or someone can either patch it or find a matching tritium hour hand. It doesn't bother me on the wrist, but I'm just concerned about tritium getting into the movement. The patina overall is pretty cool - stark white dial with slightly creamy markers... Mmmmm.... However, one of the things which reps will never match is the movement. I know automatico, along with a few other members, are deadset against using gen movements in frankens, and I have to say I totally agree - EXCEPT for this piece. One of the quirks of this watch is the fact that the GMT hand remains your "home" time, and the hour hand is what tracks your local time. I don't know how to describe it, except for that it is really tricky to get used to. I imagine it would be really handy for traveling - the hour hand is adjustable in the second position (in lieu of a quick-set date) and by moving the hour hand forward or backward in jump-hour increments you can very, very quickly change timezones. It's a little weird initially setting it, because you first set GMT and minute hand, synching the second with a known time source, then moving the hour hand through the cycle to the correct date/local time. The second thing I have to say about the movement is the accuracy. I know ETA can be close, but this is dead on. I've had it on my wrist for two days now, and it has not lost or gained one second - it's still exact according to the Big Clock in Denver. Also, the movement is incredibly smooth - even winding beats a lot of newly serviced ETAs, IMHO. Further, and I haven't tested this, but the movement seems robust. I guess this is the caveat to automatico's statement - for anything vintage (and anything modern 3 hand) use ETA. While there is a difference, it is totally not noticeable on the wrist. However, the fit/finish/feel of a GMT movement is something amazing... There's no lagging/advancing GMT hand to worry about, and everything is just dead locked in. Also, since there were about a billion of these movements made (the 3185) I don't feel like there will be a parts shortage anytime soon (like there is with the 1030 or the A200). Overall, it seems very durable. So, would I buy another gen in the future? Maybe. It would really depend on if I think the gen is worth that extra few thousand. In this case, it was - GMT movements have that ultimate tell of the IHS. Also, I was craving a birthyear watch. If those two variables weren't met, though, I don't think the gen is that much better than some of the higher-end frankens using gen parts and upper-tier cases. Also, I've not had the pleasure (read: extreme pain) of a Rolex service (which costs as much as a mid-priced rep...). I suppose I might change my mind toward no more gens in the future, but overall, really happy with what could be considered the last great Rolex tool watch.

Ok, long time before an update, but didn't want to jinx anything. I went with a birth serial N 16570. Tritium and lugholes all the way! Here's some pics. Writing a review that I'll post in a minute or two.

Nice! Keep at it, JoeyB!

Gen nipples aren't that much... Maybe $300? (Last I checked). (Some other nipples even less... Haha)

Where'd you get it? Rep, right?

Talking gen or rep? (Same goes for the double entendres above! Hahahaha)

I have an old one I have lying around that I used. I am not sure where it's from, to be honest.

Haha - I guess being young has benefits and drawbacks! No cool vintage pieces, but no crazy price tags either.

Haha - words to live by. Thanks for serving, JoeyB!

Haha! Ok, here's what I think I've decided. I'm thinking I should go with an N serial (even though I'm a Feb birthday - X serials seem to add 1.5k usd and from what I understand they operated like 6mos out anyway, meaning mine was being crafted in February, even if it wasn't done in February). Also, that I should do watch and head - cry once, right? Further, some people have questioned whether I truly want a Explorer. That actually got me thinking about it, and confirming it. When I was drawn to Rolex ( and wrist watches in general) the first one I saw an wanted was the Connery sub. Then, when I started looking at birth year watches before I got into reps I decided I had to have a sub. Now, almost 5 years later, regular subs (especially sapphire) seem a dime a dozen. The only other watch that attracted me was the original explorer. However, the '90s iteration screwed it up - discarding the legibility in favor of bling. That's why I want the exp II - legible and one of the last watches to actually be used as a tool. Anyway, I think I've thought it over and am pretty confident going forward. Worst case, I have a week return policy no questions asked.

From what I understand, for true accuracy the bezel needs replacing anyway.

Good advice so far. Now the catch - head only or head and bracelet? There's about a $550 difference. Think I can sell the 78360 bracelet for more than $550? If so, I should probably go with head and bracelet and dump the bracelet when I get it, right?

Ah - thanks marrickvilleboy! Yeah, I'm talking polar Exp II, not GMT II. (Personally can't stand GMT models. Don't know why. Wish I did!)

Yeah I know. However, they started the t<25 around 91, right? Ok, I also need the forums advice on this - head only for 3150 or bracelet and head for 3645?

Oh, OK. I see what you mean... I'll look at some Ti IWCs... Never really ventured into that territory, so maybe that would be a nice breakup of the collection. (Rolex/Omega reps and IWC gen). I agree though - the 14060 I like because while it is a Sub, it's more like the traditional subs... Less DSSD-type text and more watch. However, the 16570 is really speaking to me too, since it was introduced around my birthyear and is a pretty unique watch to that decade. I have a line on two right now - one at around $3600 for head+78360 bracelet and the other at around $3400 for head only. Do these sound like OK buys?

Haha - yep... Kind of a youngster around here, I think.

Haha - that's what everyone keeps telling me! Isn't it kind of tall though? I know the 1665 is too high for me, so I'm just worried the 16600 would similarly be too high... What do people think of the 16570? I have a line on one for around $3645...

Good points... However, I want to make sure that what I get as my first "good" gen (have an old Omega Seamaster, but a '60s dress model) is still classy and timeless looking enough that I want to wear it! I have a franken pre-Bond Seamaster that I thought about making up, but the case is just so funky... I'll look at IWC though - that might be interesting... Why titanium, out of curiousity? Also, I was looking at an Exp II - figured they only made that dial variation for a while...

Does the cartel not sell them anymore?

Yeah, it seemed like stuff on eBay was like 1-3k higher than it should have been. Also, what other brands were you thinking of? I hadn't really considered any others.

I guess not. I suppose a nice omega or something would be cool too. Or other brands - what did you have in mind, M? Also, will look at VRM. I kind of browsed yesterday but didn't do a really good job hunting.