116710LN vs Explorer 2

[Snow-Dweller]

OP, I’ve had two EXP IIs over the years (both 16570 and 216570), and a few GMTs.

To me, the GMTs are the easy winner. Hold out for what you truly desire.

[droptopman]

Exp II for me. But I have Subs and did not need another black dialed black ceramic insert watch. I like both, but there is something special about a white dial on a professional model. I prefer the 16570 profile. Nothing against the 6 digit but wanted to have one tritium dial left in my set.

Make sure to try them on and see how they feel and wear on you. Based on your post it sounds like you prefer the GMT, so if that is truly the case you should hold out. Do try them on though.

[droptopman]

Originally Posted by Alternative_Facts

explorer 2 is gorgeous or you can get the knock off submariner in the gmt ln, while everyone else dies for the blnr or pepsi you can have the worst gmt they have out there - or you can dominate them all with the 42mm explorer 2 with volcanic orange gmt hand.

you know what i think about. LN is a dog compared to the others.

Little harsh don't you think.

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by Alternative_Facts

explorer 2 is gorgeous or you can get the knock off submariner in the gmt ln, while everyone else dies for the blnr or pepsi you can have the worst gmt they have out there - or you can dominate them all with the 42mm explorer 2 with volcanic orange gmt hand.

you know what i think about. LN is a dog compared to the others.

I'm not sure if I should be offended or say thanks for the compliment. I assume you are using a bit of hyperbole.

[GMT Aviator]

I have both the LN and the black dial explorer 2.

I swapped out the plc bracelet on my LN for a brushed Submariner bracelet. Being a long haul pilot I’m all over the place all of the time and the GMT is my daily beater in this regard. I also have family in another county so the gmt allows me to track Zulu time, current local time and then quickly see what time it is in a third time zone, so I wear my GMT in anger most of the time and it’s great at what it does. It really is a true tool watch especially I now have it on a brushed bracelet.

Now the 42mm black dial Exp 2 is also an exceptional watch. Yes it will track two time zones but because it lacks a rotating bezel, won’t track a third like the GMT Master can with relative ease. The Exp is an incredibly handsome watch and wears very well. It has a low profile on the wrist, the only Rolex available with the Super Maxi Dial and hands set, and the best lume on pretty much any watch out there. It glows bright all night long.

The ceramic bezel of the GMT makes it impervious to scratches whereas the Exp 2 brushed bezel can be scratched but in practice will wear for years and will unlikely mark easily unless you are unlucky enough to really catch it on something hard and sharp.

I really like both watches equally but for different reasons. The Exp is by no means a lesser watch than the GMT, but the GMT will likely keep its shiny new look a lot longer simply because of the ceramic bezel, but ceramic bezels aren’t for everyone and they can in fact be cracked or shattered whereas the Exp bezel cannot.

If you like the Exp then go ahead and buy it. Don’t be led by the ceramic brigade who discount the Exp simply because it has a brushed steel bracelet. The Exp is not not obviously recognised as a Rolex in the same way that something like a fluted bezel Datejust might be, but that’s no bad thing either.

And correcting a post I read above, the black dial Exp 2 isn’t actually black, nor is it a gloss dial. It is in fact a deep Matt chocolate colour, but generally passes as black with just a casual glance. There are few Exp 2 owners who have buyer regrets.

[joespeed29]

Originally Posted by Alternative_Facts

explorer 2 is gorgeous or you can get the knock off submariner in the gmt ln, while everyone else dies for the blnr or pepsi you can have the worst gmt they have out there - or you can dominate them all with the 42mm explorer 2 with volcanic orange gmt hand.

you know what i think about. LN is a dog compared to the others.

This is the exact reason why I went GMT over Sub..i didnt want to have "justa" nother sub and have never been a fan of ubiquity

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

I have both the LN and the black dial explorer 2.

I swapped out the plc bracelet on my LN for a brushed Submariner bracelet. Being a long haul pilot I’m all over the place all of the time and the GMT is my daily beater in this regard. I also have family in another county so the gmt allows me to track Zulu time, current local time and then quickly see what time it is in a third time zone, so I wear my GMT in anger most of the time and it’s great at what it does. It really is a true tool watch especially I now have it on a brushed bracelet.

Now the 42mm black dial Exp 2 is also an exceptional watch. Yes it will track two time zones but because it lacks a rotating bezel, won’t track a third like the GMT Master can with relative ease. The Exp is an incredibly handsome watch and wears very well. It has a low profile on the wrist, the only Rolex available with the Super Maxi Dial and hands set, and the best lume on pretty much any watch out there. It glows bright all night long.

The ceramic bezel of the GMT makes it impervious to scratches whereas the Exp 2 brushed bezel can be scratched but in practice will wear for years and will unlikely mark easily unless you are unlucky enough to really catch it on something hard and sharp.

I really like both watches equally but for different reasons. The Exp is by no means a lesser watch than the GMT, but the GMT will likely keep its shiny new look a lot longer simply because of the ceramic bezel, but ceramic bezels aren’t for everyone and they can in fact be cracked or shattered whereas the Exp bezel cannot.

If you like the Exp then go ahead and buy it. Don’t be led by the ceramic brigade who discount the Exp simply because it has a brushed steel bracelet. The Exp is not not obviously recognised as a Rolex in the same way that something like a fluted bezel Datejust might be, but that’s no bad thing either.

And correcting a post I read above, the black dial Exp 2 isn’t actually black, nor is it a gloss dial. It is in fact a deep Matt chocolate colour, but generally passes as black with just a casual glance. There are few Exp 2 owners who have buyer regrets.

Outstanding post Mike. Very well thought out. Cool to see the GMT used for its intended purpose. For actually tracking a second (or third) time zone you absolutely can't beat the convenience of the rotatable bezel on the GMT.

With respect to the Explorer II I've never considered that the dial isn't quite black but you are correct. There is something special about the super maxi dial and handset combined with the floating hands and the orange 24 hand. I can't explain it other than to say it's just a magical combination. It's so unique in the Rolex catalog. Heck it's unique within the Explorer II range.