GMTIIC vs ExplorerII

[Apocalypse]

which one should i get. both of them seemed to be pretty pretty similar except the appearance is a bit different.
I want to get one of them but I dont know which one is better.
can you guys help me point out the pros and cons. thank you guys

[FiftyTwoEighty]

Do you need a third time zone or just two?

Do you want a rotating bezel or not?

Do you want a smaller or larger watch?

[Apocalypse]

hey woody youre from HB? thats great. im from gg and was planning to go to bobs watches to get my first rolex and im tending to get the GMT since the explorers bezel might easily scratch. the only reason why im considering the expII is because of the nice blue lumes. thats what caught my eyes. do you happen to know if the lumes on the expII last longer than the GMT?

[FiftyTwoEighty]

Originally Posted by Apocalypse

hey woody youre from HB? thats great. im from gg and was planning to go to bobs watches to get my first rolex and im tending to get the GMT since the explorers bezel might easily scratch. the only reason why im considering the expII is because of the nice blue lumes. thats what caught my eyes. do you happen to know if the lumes on the expII last longer than the GMT?

Hey...just saw your post...I've been busy using my GMT hand on my EXP II 42!

I have no idea on the lume, but I would base a decision on lume.

Regarding Bob's Watches...I would pick up a Rolex from one of our local SoCal "trusted" sellers -- that's how I ended up with a SeaDweller.

For me, I went with the Polar Exp II and I'm toying with picking up a Pepsi. The new GMT IIc is a beautiful watch, but I love the classic Pepsi.

from 40,000ft!

Edit: stinking Gogo wifi...posting my pics sideways!

[Piloto]

Originally Posted by Apocalypse

can you guys help me point out the pros and cons. thank you guys

No help here, but we can get advice together. This is a worthy thread for my first post here.

Count me in as officially on the fence here too. I am REALLY eying the black faced Exp II, and the GMT IIc. I'm going to get one of these two in the next year. I already have a TT blue/yg Sub. This will be my second Rolex, unless I flip the Sub. I'm still undecided there too, except for the fact I know I'll end up missing the sub... So, my conundrum;

1. I once thought the GMT IIc was more dressy than the Explorer II. Now I am not sure, and even leaning the the Exp II might be more dressy.

2. Does the GMT IIc look too much like the Sub that I already have, even though the Sub is TT with a blue face???

3. Is the 42mm just too darn big for me? It's borderline. I might be able to get away with it, but I know 42mm is beginning to stretch the limits. 43mm would be too big for sure. My 40mm Sub fits me like an old pair of worn in jeans.

4. I really like the McQueen orange hand of the Exp II, but am not sure I like the over sized hands. All though I am getting older and they are sure easy to see.

In the end, I would love a really nice GMT watch for work. I kind of rely on GMT. A third time zone is nice, but not needed.

I know I'll like the GMT II, but am concerned that there are too many out there like there are black Subs... The jury is still out on the Exp II... The more I see it, the more I like it. Decisions decisions...

[rolex75216]

Gmt

[Rogdogg]

Exp II for me. I have the white dial. I did try on the GMT at the time I was buying but had my heart set on the ExpII. Both are beautiful. I don't think there is a wrong decision to make here. Bring the money with you to the AD, try them both on, for as long as required and you will leave the store with the right one.

[Cru Jones]

I like everything about the ExpII better other than the finely brushed SS bezel, which is a scratch magnet on a sports watch that's meant to be used in all situations. If you aren't anal about scratches like that, go ExpII, otherwise, the GMTIIc is a very fine watch (just not the hugest fan of the bezel font).

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I like everything about the ExpII better other than the finely brushed SS bezel, which is a scratch magnet on a sports watch that's meant to be used in all situations. If you aren't anal about scratches like that, go ExpII, otherwise, the GMTIIc is a very fine watch (just not the hugest fan of the bezel font).

The SS bezel is why I prefer the the EXPII. The poorly designed Rolex ceramic bezels are susceptible to scratches and chipping requiring replacement if damaged.

Any scratches of the SS bezel can be brushed out or if need be, the entire bezel can be replaced for much less $$ than the ceramic.

I owned a GMTIIC and an older Master II and found that I never used the rotatable bezel. The fixed bezel and dial of the EXPII are much more legible.

[thomaspp]

Gmt for me.

[Hairdude1]

I say GMT

[Apocalypse]

i really like the gmt's look and thought the ceramic wouldnt scratch as bad as the expII but what I love the most about the expII are the blue lumes. Also I never knew the GMT has a third time zone. can anybody explain it to me?

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Apocalypse

i really like the gmt's look and thought the ceramic wouldnt scratch as bad as the expII but what I love the most about the expII are the blue lumes. Also I never knew the GMT has a third time zone. can anybody explain it to me?

Re: the blue lume, more than half of the time, my LVc lume looks greenish. Depends on the charge. When blue, it's a nice change, but, not, IMO, a reason to pick one watch over the other.

[Bangel]

Originally Posted by Apocalypse

Also I never knew the GMT has a third time zone. can anybody explain it to me?

All to do with the bezels.

With the GMT, you can read off a third time zone by rotating the bezel.

E.g. If your 24 hour hand is set to GMT, then you can simply rotate your bezel forward or back to read off different GMT zones. These 2 time zones in addition to having local time with the standard hour hand gives 3 time zones in total.

[travisb]

I prefer the Exp2.
I definately would not base the decision on lume.

[Psmith]

Ultimately, the Twinlock crown puts me off the Exp II

Speaking as an ex-owner, I was not bothered at first but then it niggled me...

So, I like the Exp II but wish it had a Triplock crown, and I like the GMT but wish it was a bit bigger. If I was forced to choose, would probably go with the GMT

[gmtm2]

GMT II C is very cool!! it's a classic and sporty watch. appropriate in ever occasion of your life. dressed in a t shirt or in a evening dress...

[Ferrari 312T]

I suppose you need to try them both on and see what sings to you.

IMHO I like the new polar explorer but then again I am biased as I have one incoming. When I wanted my first rolex I wanted a Gmt watch. However I do not like the current Gmt master so I got a Pepsi bezel a serial. However after 2 years of ownership I just found it too small even though i love it. I liked the polar explorer from the get go and like how they have increased the case size in proportion to the bracelet but still have the tapering lugs. Also I just love the orange hand!

To me - The current Gmt master has just lost too much of what made the original Gmt master great. The features I am not a fan of are

Green gmt hand

No Pepsi bezel

Polished centre links

Boxy case.

If they produced a Pepsi Gmt master without polished centre links and with a red Gmt hand then it would be a harder decision.

IMHO of course.

[TSW]

GMT for me

[mmmk604]

The ceramic bezel is a winner to me. But if I weren't a fan of the bezel, I'd choose the ExpII

[Flyjet601]

I did the same comparison a few months back in thre AD.

The polar Exp 2 won.......
Functionality non withstanding, GMT looks too much like a Sub.

Nothing looks like the Exp 2

Happy shopping

[bayerische]

GMT all the way.

[GEO_79]

EXP II for me

[kilyung]

[KMdad44]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I have this watch and it is the most beautiful watch Rolex makes. It is what all other watch strive to be. AWESOME!

[T. Ferguson]

If you need and will use the GMT function then the GMT2C is the way to go. The rotating bezel makes it a more powerful GMT tool since you can track any number of time zones instead of just two with the EXII. It is the ultimate GMT watch.

If you don't need more than two time zones then it really comes down to personal preference. The GMT probably is more versatile with different attire. Many think the EXII is more casual but the white dial on the polar does dress it up a bit imho.

If I didn't have a preference looks-wise, for the few extra dollars I'd go for the GMT but that's me. If you are hard on your watches and couldn't stand a few scratches on the PCLs of the GMT then the EXII is the better choice.

I guess what I'm saying is you have to decide for yourself. Just trying to give you some things to consider.

Good luck with your decision.

[jcclx1]

Explorer II

[rohardi]

I already have a Sub C, So I just bought an Explorer II in black this week. I will however be getting a GMTC II in Yellow Gold down the road. In the end, I don't think you can make a bad decision between the two!

[RolexDivers]

GTM2C --- A thousand times easier to liquidate than the explorer ... plus it looks are unbelievable...

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

GTM2C --- A thousand times easier to liquidate than the explorer ... plus it looks are unbelievable...

How is that, "a thousand times easier to liquidate?" Have sold many of each model?

When buying a watch by would the first thing on your list be selling it?