Please talk me out of buying TT GMT Master II

[Kromax]

OK, the title speaks for itself, but I will elaborate.

I was pretty much committed to purchasing the TT GMT Master II as my first Rolex (I've been wearing a Tag Kirium Chrono for about seven years), but I started having doubts mostly related to the price difference between the TT and SS models--it's just so HUGE. Here's something funny: one of the reasons I wanted a TT watch in general was so that it wouldn't clash wish my gold wedding ring like the TAG, a fact that didn't bother me for seven years! (Ironically, the TAG was a wedding present from my wife.) Then it dawned on me that instead of the TT, it would cost less buy a SS Rolex and a platinum band.

I honestly don't have that feeling in my heart as to which watch to buy, so I figured if some of you folks could give me additional reasons for foregoing the TT model for SS. And while we're at it, is there any reason to purchase the Sub SS over the GMT? I don't dive and I don't travel, and they both look so similar.

Thanks for listening.

Noah K.

[padi56]

Well Noah as for the TT yes quite a price difference,In sports watches
myself prefer S.steel.But must admit to liking the TT Blue dial Sub.
What would I choose well you say don't need dual time zone.So IMHO
the Sub would be your best buy,and would hold its price better than
the GMT.Regarding Platinum or W/gold well thats just looks like SS
anyway,but its your money and only you can choose.Try a few on
sports,and DJs the one thats talks back to you thats the the one
to have on your wrist.

Hi Kromax, if this is your biggest problem, life is pretty good, don't you think?

I also have a TT wedding ring and i'm not a fan of TT watches at all. My ring is TT because my wife's and my wedding rings are a matched set. So choosing the path of least resistance, I let her choose the ring she wanted and followed suit. I also wore my TT ring with a TAG Kirim for many years before buying my Rolex.

When I purchased my Rolex, I wasn't looking for TT at all. I got a black ExpII. I don't even look at my wedding ring or consider them to clash, despite them being only a few inches from each other. If you're that concerned about a match, get a SS watch and a platinum ring (assuming your wife rubber stamps you not wearing the wedding ring. Some women get sentimental about that.

Regarding the diff between a Sub and a GMT, the Sub has a deeper depth rating and therefore a larger winding crown. The sub has a longer clasp with the diving extention in it, while the GMT has a shorter, and some would say more comfortable, clasp. The Sub dial is a little less crowded with no fourth hand.

If you're not concerned about diving (and really, the GMT is rated to 100m, so unless you're a commercial diver, it'll do fine) get the GMTII and then you have the option of different coloured bezels to change it up, and also a fourth hand that comes in handy when you travel.

My two cents.

[BruceS]

I have a tt wedding band as well, and having had a few tt watches, including a tt Sub, I can say that they do compliment each other well. However, I think the price dif between tt and ss is ridiculous and I'd never buy another tt (that's my official story now, lol).

I'd get either the ss Sub or GMT. I've owned both and really like both, so it's kinda up to ones preference. If you still want a tt for dressier, buy a tt Tag. It's a helluva lot cheaper and you could likely have both for the price of a tt Sub or GMT.
Cheers,
Bruce

[Rockrolex]

Noah, do you think the SS GMT-II clashes with a YG bracelet? I certainly don't. My wedding ring is a combo YG-RG-PG braid, but it's far enough away from the watch that you really don't notice it.

[dman]

I wear a WG wedding band, but that being said, a SS Rolex and any color weddign band go perfectly together. The reason? Because you are wearing a piece of tool watch history and not "just" a piece of jewelery. If the TT speaks to you get it, otherwise I would say get the SS model, it will dress up well enough when needed, and will be a great watch forever.

Best of luck in the decision Noah.

[BruceS]

Very pimp Ed!

[dman]

Originally Posted by BruceS

Very pimp Ed!

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by BruceS

Very pimp Ed!

Thank you, Bruce. That was intended.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

Noah, do you think the SS GMT-II clashes with a YG bracelet? I certainly don't. My wedding ring is a combo YG-RG-PG braid, but it's far enough away from the watch that you really don't notice it.

Oh boy...and you guys say I wear a 'white sweater'!!!

So what's that? A black one?

[Kromax]

Thank you all for your responses. I am all but convinced SS is the way to go. Now it's just a matter of Sub Date vs. GMT.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Kromax

Thank you all for your responses. I am all but convinced SS is the way to go. Now it's just a matter of Sub Date vs. GMT.

Like I said in my previous post try them both, and the one thats smiles
back at you, thats the one for your wrist good luck.

[Uncle-AJ]

Originally Posted by Kromax

Thank you all for your responses. I am all but convinced SS is the way to go. Now it's just a matter of Sub Date vs. GMT.

No contest, sub date........................................sorry Ed.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by Uncle-AJ

No contest, sub date........................................sorry Ed.

I agree. To me, the 16610 says it all. This is the watch that started the whole trend. But the Explorer I is growing on me too. A very simple watch that has brought back the essence of form follows function. Also a nice watch to start a collection with. And on a nice black strap it looks stunning.

Just my 2 cents,

Frans.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Kromax

OK, the title speaks for itself, but I will elaborate.

I was pretty much committed to purchasing the TT GMT Master II as my first Rolex (I've been wearing a Tag Kirium Chrono for about seven years), but I started having doubts mostly related to the price difference between the TT and SS models--it's just so HUGE. Here's something funny: one of the reasons I wanted a TT watch in general was so that it wouldn't clash wish my gold wedding ring like the TAG, a fact that didn't bother me for seven years! (Ironically, the TAG was a wedding present from my wife.) Then it dawned on me that instead of the TT, it would cost less buy a SS Rolex and a platinum band.

I honestly don't have that feeling in my heart as to which watch to buy, so I figured if some of you folks could give me additional reasons for foregoing the TT model for SS. And while we're at it, is there any reason to purchase the Sub SS over the GMT? I don't dive and I don't travel, and they both look so similar.

Thanks for listening.

Noah K.

Hi Noah,

Welcome to TRF.

The first question you gotta ask yourself is whether you genuine love TT watches (as much as I do, for example ) or prefer SS watches. Don't buy a watch just to match your ring. Buy the watch first to match your taste and needs.

If it's a GMT-II, then I'd strongly recommend the SS all black one pictured by Ed. That is a stunningly beautiful watch with practical, professional features which are useful and can be used by laymen like us.

If it's a bit of "bling-bling" you're looking for, then the TT Blue (or even black) Sub are superbly adapted for that. And if there's even more bling your heart desires, then this baby would be the way to go...

[Kromax]

JJ,

Thanks for your post. That picture is gorgeous, man.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Kromax

JJ,

Thanks for your post. That picture is gorgeous, man.

You're welcome, Noah....also bear in mind that gold does tend to scratch quite easily. So if you like to use your watch on a daily basis, then probably an SS would be the way to go.

If SS is your final decision, then you'd be a winner with either: the SS GMT-II or even the SS Sub-date.

Good luck in your final decision - JJ

[Kromax]

Aside from asthetic preference (which I shall not discount), is there a GMT vs. Sub Date essay somewhere that I can read?

[molex]

Originally Posted by Kromax

I honestly don't have that feeling in my heart as to which watch to buy, so I figured if some of you folks could give me additional reasons for foregoing the TT model for SS. And while we're at it, is there any reason to purchase the Sub SS over the GMT?

No problem: The GMT is a tool watch, and I just checked my toolbox, and didn't see a single hint of gold. I understand that Rolex offers these models in gold because they SELL in gold, but my purists heart screams NO, that's a TOOL watch, not a piece of jewlery!

Were it up to me, the sports-model Rolexes would all be like the Explorer: Any color you want, as long as it's stainless steel.

As for Sub vs GMT, there's only one viable reason for one over the other: Because you like one better than the other. For all practical purposes, they're the same. Though the GMT wins on a functionality basis, because for me, I might use the two-timezone function twice in my life... which is two more times than I'll go diving to 1000 feet down.

[dman]

Originally Posted by molex

No problem: The GMT is a tool watch, and I just checked my toolbox, and didn't see a single hint of gold.

Micah, you tightarse, you need to spend some real money on your tools.

[Gedanken]

For all the reasons put forward so far, SS is definitely the way to go for a tool watch!

Speaking as an SD owner, I've got a hankering for a GMT-II because of all the travelling I'm doing at the moment. Let's face it, you're more likely to be crossing three time zones than you are to find yourself under 4000 feet of water!

[Earl]

Kromax, Go to a AD and ask to try on both a SS and a TT in the presence of your wife and buy the mutually agreed upon watch of your choice! As I'm sure she will assist you in proper SS vs. TT on your wrist.

Just my 2 cents

Originally Posted by Earl

Kromax, Go to a AD and ask to try on both a SS and a TT in the presence of your wife and buy the mutually agreed upon watch of your choice! As I'm sure she will assist you in proper SS vs. TT on your wrist.

Just my 2 cents

Earl, are you crazy, man? Involving the wife in a watch purchase? He'll leave empty handed and disappointed.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Earl, are you crazy, man? Involving the wife in a watch purchase? He'll leave empty handed and disappointed.

Yes, and the Mrs. with a fur coat, new shoes, handbag and perfume. Plus bags of stuff HE has to carry

Frans.

[dman]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Yes, and the Mrs. with a fur coat, new shoes, handbag and perfume. Plus bags of stuff HE has to carry

Frans.

[Kromax]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Earl, are you crazy, man? Involving the wife in a watch purchase? He'll leave empty handed and disappointed.

Fortunately, the wife is "giving it to me" for our anniversary (I'm buying it).

Here's a funny story...

For Christmas the year of our wedding, I decided to get my wife a nice new watch. I decided upon a Raymond Weil (I can't remember the model), which I thought would look lovely on her relatively thin wrist. For two weeks, I wandered all over NYC on foot, attempting to negotiate the best possible price. Ultimately, I was able to get the price down to about $1,900 (I think retail was about $2,300), but the catch was if I bought it and she didn't like it, I could only exchange it for another watch. There were no refunds. Because she was raised in a poor family, I had misgivings about her reaction to the purchase, so I called her from the store and told her I was about to buy her a fairly expensive watch, and asked her if she was OK with that. She said "is it more than $150?" I hung up the phone and apologized to the salesman.

Okay, a second story...

Two years later, I bought her a beautiful sapphire crucifix to commemorate her 30th birthday, as well as the birth of our first son. It cost me $1,500. I did not call her this time. When I gave it to her, she was blown away, but I knew I had about twenty days to "sell it" to her before the bill came. I explained how it was her birthstone, how the blue represented our boy, how it symbolized our commitment to Christ, etc. When the credit card bill came, she flipped out, telling me that she thought it was about $200. I begged her not to return it, and she ultimately relented, but it was a few years before she "forgave" me for indulging her.

And a third...

Fast forward five more years to this past Summer. She's driving a 2003 Honda Odyssey, and sees the 2005 model in the showroom. She not only has to have it, but she "needs" the Touring model, which is almost 39K! So I bought it for her. What a difference seven years makes!

And now for the irony...

When we were first married she was in banking and made a fairly decent salary. Now, she is a stay at home mom. Fortunately, my salary has increased since then, or we would probably be bankrupt.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by Kromax

Fortunately, the wife is "giving it to me" for our anniversary.

Nah, too easy.

Frans.

Originally Posted by Kromax

Fortunately, the wife is "giving it to me" for our anniversary (I'm buying it).

If you said you've been married seven years, you're making a newbie mistake...

Lesson one of being married. Wifes never give their husbands anything. It may not cost money, but it costs you... something... somewhere down the line.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by Atomic

If you said you've been married seven years, you're making a newbie mistake...

Lesson one of being married. Wifes never give their husbands anything. It may not cost money, but it costs you... something... somewhere down the line.

I beat you to it, ha, ha!

Frans.

[Gedanken]

Not necessarily, John. Look at Bruce - he had a good 48 hours before Tam made him emptyhanded.