GMT (A series) or GMT 2 (M series)

[ROA]

Yet another dilemma. I currently own a GMT2C but I cannot keep my eyes and thoughts off a PEPSI GMT. I just love it I do have a few questions before I finally decide on which direction to go or if I need to proceed at all

1. If you already have a GMT2C, would you still consider a GMT/GMT2 or would you rather get something else?
2. Between the GMT (16700 A series pre-owned and overhauled a year ago) and the GMT2 (16710 brand new) which one is a better choice if the price difference in USD terms is around 900 to 1K? Needless to say that brand new is brand new but for pre-owned, you really don't know what went on with the watch in the last 9 years and in the last year (after the overhaul)
3. I just love any of these for its sheer beauty and not for the GMT functionality (I dont really use it) so I have no issues with the older one having no independent 24 HR hand
4. In terms of holding value which do you think is it? I know it is hard to tell but this is one factor I am considering since I might end up flipping it several years down the road...so any good guesses will do

Sorry thhis is a bit lengthy but would appreciate any feedback from the experts here.

Cheers

[pwrslider]

I"m of NO help to ya...I have them both. They're both very different watches...and they feel different on the wrist as well. I can't tell ya which is best..but the 16710 has been on my wrist since I got it.....my IIc's in the safe........but that's only today. I'm fickle...and things change daily! I'd say..if ya can..get em both!

[ROA]

thanks! i already have the 116710 gmt2c...
my dilemma now is which one between the 16700 or the 16710 to get given the above scenarios i presented

[Z-Sub]

I would go for a new 16710. If you can get your hand on an M-serial with 3186 movement, that is the latest version and should run extremely accurate.
As for used GMT, I would consider it only after a new one is not available.

[Andad]

What Yenning said x2.

[ROA]

thanks guys so far it seems the brand new gmt 2 seems to be a better choice than the 16700 pepsi given the price diff of around USD1K...
any more insights will be greatly appreciated.

[feudallordcult]

16710, no question abt it.

[jdc]

IMO they are all good here is my 2002 GMT 11

[ROA]

nice piece u got!!!

so the gmt 2 it is...despite the 1K price diff

isn't the A series "rarer" in which case chances of holding its value is greater?

sorry...too many questions

[mike]

I guess I would take the opposite approach and opt for the 16700.

Even though it was in service from about 1988 till 1999 or so, there doesn't seem to be a glut of 16700s. I think in lage part due to competing against it's "Jump hour" brother the 16710 which also made it's debut around this time.

The 16700 is unigue in that it's the only sapphire MASTER made and benefits from a true quick-set date feature. True, the 12 and 24 hr. hands are synced together causing one to adjust for a second timezone via the rotating bezel, but such is the case with the MASTER series and offers enough difference from the MASTER II series to be very worthy of inclusion in a GMT collection.

At their current pricing IMO the upside potential favors the 16700.

[bardm]

I would go for something else. Either a YM, a DateJust (or a DayDate if I could afford one )

[ROA]

Very nice and interesting view

Am getting both sides now and they are making me learn more about these 2 models....

Wish I could really decide soon.

If i were to base it solely on value retention, it seems the 16700 wins?

[jdc]

Mike has put forward a strong case and if the watch has been RSC overhauled in the last year, and is that much cheaper, its going to have to be considered strongly.
The other thing to consider is if you are looking at a new GMT 11 ( Z & M series) it may have the newer movement 3186. A lot of collectors seem to think this will be the model to have in the future and are snapping them up.
Do a search on the "wiggle test" to have a understanding of the difference between the 3185/3186 movements in the GMT 11.

[ROA]

Indeed it is a very strong contender...
If I were to get a brand new GMT2 then it will have to be in the US during my visit next month. Hopefully it will still be available in the ADs. Although I don't think I can ask them to open it up to check the movement. I know that the ones left now are the stick dials but I also know that they do not necessarily mean they are 3186.
So you think I should just bite the bullet on the A series?

[jdc]

You would have to ask the US members if they are still readily available at US AD's. If you can get the 16700 now I would personally strongly consider it. You cannot go wrong as any GMT is a beauty.
"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"

[Tools]

Here is another vote for the 16700...

Especially if it has the tritium dial and hands.. These are just un-obtainable now days.

As far as the 3186 movements being more "collectible" over the 3185........I think that is a phenomenon of new Rolex owners and not widespread through the enthusiast community..

[ROA]

the 16700 is series A. i doubt if it is the tritium dial?

here are my current options

1. 16700 as mentioned above
2. 16710 M series BNIB stick dial but am not sure if 3185 or 3186 (price is USD1K MORE than the 16700)
3. 16710 F series BNIB (yes, it is brand new from an authorised dealer - old stock which is THE SAME PRICE as the 16700 meaning price is USD 1K cheaper than the M series).

which will u go for?

Is the answer obviously Option 3? Any disadvantge of buying a brand new F?

cheers and sorry for bothering you guys

i need to decide in the next 24 hours as they will be released from reservation after then

[jdc]

I think you are lucky to have the options, the 16700 is the rarer, and may have greater potential long term investment, but to me the F series represents great value and thats the one I would go for if you are saving 1K. All are fantastic watches - just make sure you get one of them

[ROA]

THanks for your quick reply Martin I appreciate it as I do not have much time left before I decide

Yes my instinct tells me that the F series is value for money at USD 1K savings over the M series.

Since it is an F series, does that mean servicing will have to come soon even if it is BNIB sitting in an AD at the moment?

Waiting for more comments please but as of now am bent on the F.
appreciate your inputs

[jdc]

Originally Posted by pinoy

THanks for your quick reply Martin I appreciate it as I do not have much time left before I decide

Yes my instinct tells me that the F series is value for money at USD 1K savings over the M series.

Since it is an F series, does that mean servicing will have to come soon even if it is BNIB sitting in an AD at the moment?

Waiting for more comments please but as of now am bent on the F.
appreciate your inputs

F series is Sep 2003 to March 2005 and Rolex reckon you should service every 5 years but many people leave it longer. I guess it comes with a guarantee. Point out the policy of Rolex servicing maybe it can be a point of bartering on the price

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by pinoy

thanks! i already have the 116710 gmt2c...
my dilemma now is which one between the 16700 or the 16710 to get given the above scenarios i presented

Oh, so easy to me. GMT II 16710 Pepsi. 16700 not have a good pre-owned here in Jakarta.

[Tools]

A's were made from 1997 through 2000, so an early A would have trit dials and hands...

An F is a nice age, 2003 through 2004, and BNIB is exactly that....You do not have to buy a new watch and suddenly send it off for a service; it has never been running so wear is negligable. Modern oils are synthetic and would not congeal like those of 20 years ago.

For the identical price I would opt for the BNIB F 16710 rather than the 16700, maybe.. maybe not.

Again, that 16700 is only between 8 and 11 years old, but it has a fresh Service, and so could be "like new", and is the more rare of the three.

I would have to hold both side-by-side to make a decision.

For you; you already have the modern GMT IIc, I would still go 16700 because the price includes the recent service..

[ROA]

yes there is the usual 2 year international warranty...

[ROA]

Am almost ready to confirm the F.

I hope I am making the right decision

[jasper]

I vote the 16700- a little more rare, nice complement to your 116710. Alternately I would go the M 16710 - it almost certainly has the 3186 movement and really should hold it's value better. The F series 16710 at a discout is a good candidate as well.

As has been stated - I don't think there's a wrong choice here.

[mike]

For me it would be the 16700 for the MASTER heritage and as a complement to the new reference.

[ROA]

thank you for your thoughts, friends...

seems like the 16700 A is a very popular choice given its rarity (by the way it is not tritium according to seller)...but i feel am getting a very good deal on the 16710 F which is now being priced at even a slight discount over the 9-year old 16700 A as long as servicing does not fall due very soon (since it is at least 3 years old but sitting quietly in the AD) then I think I will take it. i feel paying at least USD1K more to get the stick 16710 M is not really worth it as it will probably be not worth that much 5 or 10 years down the road when put side by side with the F?

the A owner (not the original owner, also bought it pre-owned) is now pressuring me to decide within a day, while the F authroised dealer will hold it til the weekend. the M, on the other hand, is still relatively easy to find and prices are pretty much standard so no pressure on that

any more voting for the F?

[Z-Sub]

Which one did you get?

[ROA]

will get the F series as the A is sold ..i think no point aiming for the M at this point am I right?

thanks guys for your very good insisghts and feedback

[ROA]

will confirm the sale on saturday! since i am not in the US, the AD wanted someone to come down on my behalf before the sale can be confirmed. unfortunately my friend can only make his way to the AD on sat!

what are the things I should ask him to look out for when he checks the watch? since it is an F series, may i know what the box contains (i presume it is the old box), etc?

is an F series fitted with the same bracelet as the M? or is it the jubilee (i failed to ask this when i called the AD)

cheers