My First Rolex (SS GMT Master II)

[oo7ml]

Hi,

I bought by first Rolex last week, and i'm over the moon with it (unfortunately the forum won't allow me to upload photos until I have 10 posts, so I will do so when I reach that, thanks).

My daily up until now and for the last 5 years has been a Breitling Navitimer GMT (48mm). I have always been a huge fan of Navitimers since I was a kid, and no other watch appealed to me until 6 months ago.

I always felt that most Rolex watches were too plain in terms of dials (chronographs), etc lol, but quickly learned about the history, innovation and everything else that comes with a Rolex.

I have been on a 6 month waiting list for a 'Stainless Steel GMT Master II with black face and bexel', and it arrived last week.

At first it felt very small on my wrist but now it feels natural, and I can't stop staring at it.

I have a few newbie questions which I hope you can help me with... please bare with me on the silly ones:

QUESTIONS

01 - i'm going on holidays soon, and this will be my first waterproof watch in a long time... and while I understand it is fully waterproof, is it really ok to go swimming in a pool or sea... or can it tarnish the steel etc (i.e - do most people tend to avoid putting them in a swimming pool or sea)?

02 - how many times should you turn the dial to wind the watch up when it's dead, and is it better to wind it clockwise or anti clockwise?

03 - am i right in saying that you can also use the GMT hand to set the 24hr time, instead of another time?

04 - i understand these watches are quite solid, but do you have any advice on maintaining the watch?

05 - easy link: when i have the easy link at the smaller size, it clips in... but at the larger size it doesn't clip in anywhere... is that natural?

06 - do many of you bother to set the date, as i'm sure it is annoying at the end of the month to have to adjust it based on the month (30 vs 31 days, etc)

07 - any other advice or tips would be greatly appreciated


Thank you in advance for your help.