Do you do Pepsi GMT? What with the serial number and movement...

[RadDoc]

Hi guys, for those that are familiar with this, what is the most desired serial and movement? User Explorer II was talking about z8 serial and 3186 movement. I don't know anything about the heritage of this watch in terms of collectibility so any education would be welcomed.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by RadDoc

Hi guys, for those that are familiar with this, what is the most desired serial and movement? User Explorer II was talking about z8 serial and 3186 movement. I don't know anything about the heritage of this watch in terms of collectibility so any education would be welcomed.

I would doubt if any serial or any modern day Rolex no matter the movement even a modded cal 3185 into a cal 3186 would be classed as collectible. While the only 100% way to check whether any Explorer 11 has a 3185 or 3186 is to get the back off.Yes there is the so called wiggle test which and to perform this test.You unscrew the crown so that the crown is in the hand setting position. With the crown face-up, count how many hours the hour-hand travels with one full revolution of the winding crown.
cal 3185 one complete crown revolution makes the hour hand jumps 5- 6 timezone/hours
3186 one complete crown revolution equals 8-9 time-zones/hours but the only 100% way is get the back off but whether 3185 or 3186 no big deal either way.

[RadDoc]

Thanks for the reply. I was wondering what prefixes are collectible. Specifically why z, v greater than others...

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by RadDoc

Thanks for the reply. I was wondering what prefixes are collectible. Specifically why z, v greater than others...

None are, and anyone who says otherwise is deluding themselves. Buy the one in the best condition for the best price, and forget about the serial number

[renfield33]

some people claim the 3186 movement is collectable, and they certainly claim a price premium. however, you have to remember this is the age of people researching things to death on internet forums, and there is no guarantee that the premium will hold up over time.

not to mention it is just a watch and what's the point of buying it if you're not going to wear it every day. you have to decide on your philosophy. i just buy nice watches - don't have to be perfect - and wear them as much as possible.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by renfield33

some people claim the 3186 movement is collectable, and they certainly claim a price premium. however, you have to remember this is the age of people researching things to death on internet forums, and there is no guarantee that the premium will hold up over time.

not to mention it is just a watch and what's the point of buying it if you're not going to wear it every day. you have to decide on your philosophy. i just buy nice watches - don't have to be perfect - and wear them as much as possible.

Yes the Internet is a wonderful place for Rolex hype and in my experience with Rolex watches over the past 30 years. No Rolex watch has been collectible for just a serial stamp or a slight movement mod.While the mod from the cal 3185 into the cal 3186 and now we have the mod from 3186 into cal 3187.But none are really new movements just modded old ones.But today with the Rolex generated Internet serial hype, and with the Internet hype type collectors many Rolex watches are made out as the must have collectible. But in the real Rolex world its very very doubtful any will make a fortune just too many around but you can live in hope for the next 30-40 years.

[Casey VP-26]

For a couple years now folks have been saying the 3186 movement in the older GMT's and Explorer's is internet Hype.

I know of some folks having a lot of fun spending that hype.

I can also remember the day when I thought the older daytona's including the Paul Newman were a lot of hype.

Follow your own instinct and Good Luck.

[RadDoc]

Wow! Thanks for the replies. For me I'm into buying and using a nice watch. However, i my next two purchases are a Pepsi GMT and a 50th sub. Both of which , I have run into issues where I believe that I have been offered a price that is too high bc the seller says its a collectible serial (these are on TRF)

[RadDoc]

I know that for a 50th Anniversary the M is probably not the most desirable but and still getting offered $7900 for BNIB. I know that they are discontinued and hard to come by but other TRF sellers say that that is way too high and proceeded to that $7k was a more appropriate number. For the Pepsi I really have no clue where to start. Honestly, I am not interested in the Serial but I guess I have to understand how people view the serial in order to get the best deal. Thanks guys!