Explorer II 216570 or GMT II 116710LN ?

[RolexSA]

What would be the better of these two ? I just came into some unexpected money which I'm tempted to spend on another Rolex .
Aesthetically : The GMT II has a slight advantage for my personal taste in its overall look but the 42mm case of the EXPII gives the watch a better readabilty.
Owning a Deepsea already , would it be better to buy a second Rolex with a white dial ? Why don't they make a GMTII with white dial anyway ?
I'm really 50/50 divided on these models , and unfortunately the option of buying them both is out of the question for a very common reason .

Maybe some members can shed some light on aspects of each of these models that could set them apart for me .

The movement is for what I understand fairly similar , no ? Resale or trade-in value is not really something I keep in mind buying any of these watches , but if there would be a significant difference that could become a factor after all .
I read many threads here about selling and buying watches aka flipping .. so why not consider that too .

[dddrees]

I think the biggest difference are the aestetics of the dial, and the bezel. There is a bit of difference in the size of the case and the diameter. Both are great looking watches. So for the most part you just need to determine which one you like the best.

[RolexSA]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I think the biggest difference are the aestetics of the dial, and the bezel. .

True , the white dial EXP that has my preference within the EXP range does tend to give a cheaper look with the orange hand a bit gimmicky . Yes , Rolex has given in to the market pressure / tendency to go with the retro look along with their Tudor heritage . To be honest it looks a bit out of place in this day and age . I can understand that Rolex back in the days of the original orange hand EXP had practical reason to fit that feature , where now we are all guided by GPS linked to satellites themselves set to atomic clocks .
The GMT at the other hand returns a more professional look by keeping it sober . I want a 42mm GMT and why not with a white dial What will Basel bring ?

[esm]

since you have a DeepSea, a white dial 216570 would go very well with it.

(the white dial will appear bigger as you are probably used to the large-ness of the DSSD)

[btrue]

I personally am no fan of the EXP II. The look is very "gimmicky". I feel like the deep sea, sub, gmt, milgauss and Daytona are timeless, and the EXP II is the odd man out. I also, personally, feel that the 42mm size is trendy, and I did not buy my Rolex to follow a trend. Rather I wanted a rugged timepiece that could be as at home with jeans and a t-shirt as it could be in a tux. The EXP II does not fit that bill for my liking.

[esm]

Originally Posted by btrue

I personally am no fan of the EXP II. The look is very "gimmicky". I feel like the deep sea, sub, gmt, milgauss and Daytona are timeless, and the EXP II is the odd man out. I also, personally, feel that the 42mm size is trendy, and I did not buy my Rolex to follow a trend. Rather I wanted a rugged timepiece that could be as at home with jeans and a t-shirt as it could be in a tux. The EXP II does not fit that bill for my liking.

really? if a 42mm Rolex is trendy... how about a 44mm DSSD?

[btrue]

The dssd is a watch that needs to be large to do the job it is intended to do. A dive watch being that size is certainly allowable in my book. The EXP II looks a little gawdy to me. Just my personal preference. If you like it, by all means, buy it. I won't try to stop you.

[RolexSA]

Originally Posted by esm

since you have a DeepSea, a white dial 216570 would go very well with it.

(the white dial will appear bigger as you are probably used to the large-ness of the DSSD)

That was my initial way reasoning too , only when I went to try a EXPII on at an Rolex dealer in Brussels the GMT2c struck my eye .
The white dial and the 42mm are what I like most in the EXP only I find that GMT2c is more ROLEX looking if you understand what I mean .
I even had the chance to put the infamous steel Daytona on my wrist that day ( it was apparently sold but they let me try it on anyway ) but that did not impress me that much , even less with that price tag attached to it ( about 9000 euro if I recall correctly )

[RolexSA]

Originally Posted by btrue

The dssd is a watch that needs to be large to do the job it is intended to do. A dive watch being that size is certainly allowable in my book. The EXP II looks a little gawdy to me. Just my personal preference. If you like it, by all means, buy it. I won't try to stop you.

Indeed , the Deepsea is still the Rolex model that I prefer . Admit it is sometimes a little oversized for particular occasions . This new year's eve I wore my late father's Omega and found myself checking up quite regularly if I hadn't lost it .
Once you are used wearing the Deepsea everything else seems not to be there .

[Richj]

I've had my Explorer II for about 1 month now and it's pleasure a to wear and use. The white face is refreshing and in my opinion offers a different ownership proposition to a black faced GMTII...but it's down to you! Have any of these posts helped make up your mind?!

[nauticajoe]

Tough choice. If you want to mix it up, the Exp would make sense....but it seems you have your eyes on the GMTIIC....

Good luck!

[RolexSA]

Originally Posted by Richj

Have any of these posts helped make up your mind?!

Not really , most reactions relate back to the dial color to mix with my Deepsea and the size : These are the criteria that got me to look at the EXP2 in the first place . Now doubting having seen the GMT2c
I was seeking to get a more technical / comfort and even resale trade in value comparisons

[bayerische]

From the two I would get GMT, but it's up to you. Try both and see which one is better.

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by RolexSA

What would be the better of these two ? I just came into some unexpected money which I'm tempted to spend on another Rolex .
Aesthetically : The GMT II has a slight advantage for my personal taste in its overall look but the 42mm case of the EXPII gives the watch a better readabilty.
Owning a Deepsea already , would it be better to buy a second Rolex with a white dial ? Why don't they make a GMTII with white dial anyway ?
I'm really 50/50 divided on these models , and unfortunately the option of buying them both is out of the question for a very common reason .

Maybe some members can shed some light on aspects of each of these models that could set them apart for me .

The movement is for what I understand fairly similar , no ? Resale or trade-in value is not really something I keep in mind buying any of these watches , but if there would be a significant difference that could become a factor after all .
I read many threads here about selling and buying watches aka flipping .. so why not consider that too .

From NYC to Belgium with Love! As Nike says "Just do It" Good luck!

[jamesbondOO7]

I think the white dial gets quickly boring and I am not sure I like the bigger case and the huge hands. The GMT would be my choice, although I am not keen on the green hand. Really, in both cases I prefer the previous models.

[CyberPaol]

I had the same doubt...So, I went to my trusty AD and I tried both the GMT IIc and the EXP II on my wrist. I really like both, but I think that the GMT IIc is better, due to its diameter, the ceramic bezel, the PCL...and the case diameter, that is less trandy and more classic in my personal taste...

[Cru Jones]

there is no "right" answer here.....so, make it easier on yourself, and go hulk.

[RolexSA]

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

I think the white dial gets quickly boring and I am not sure I like the bigger case and the huge hands. The GMT would be my choice, although I am not keen on the green hand. Really, in both cases I prefer the previous models.

Agree on the large hands and the orange on the EXP and I also think the green hand and writing on the GMT was not nessecary but it is still far more discrete then the orange on the EXPII .
At the moment I'm leaning slightly more towards the GMT IIc and a little voice in my head is telling me in that case I might very well look for a preloved GMTIIc as was my Deepsea . theoretically they should be easier to find , no ?

[RolexSA]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

there is no "right" answer here.....so, make it easier on yourself, and go hulk.

Call me an ignoramus , but " .. go hulk " is beyond my knowledge

[esm]

Originally Posted by btrue

The dssd is a watch that needs to be large to do the job it is intended to do. A dive watch being that size is certainly allowable in my book. The EXP II looks a little gawdy to me. Just my personal preference. If you like it, by all means, buy it. I won't try to stop you.

Intended to do? For what? Going down 39xx meters? Why would any one want to do that with an automatic watch? Is it form over function?
Or was the excuse for going to 44mm?
Looks like you are the one "calling names" on certain Rolex models.

[RolexSA]

Originally Posted by esm

Intended to do? For what? Going down 39xx meters? .

I go down 3900 m nearly every day with my Deepsea , Eric . ....... down the road to get bread that is .

[btrue]

I would have to beg your pardon here as I don't even know "calling names" would entail. If you like the watch, great. The OP asked for an opinion an that is what I rendered.

[MarcBenhc]

.... gmt II !!

[Speed]

Gmtiic would be the better all around choice based on your stated criteria.

[kilyung]

I think the GMTIIc is Rolex's best redesign in recent years.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by RolexSA

Call me an ignoramus , but " .. go hulk " is beyond my knowledge

sorry about that....."hulk" is a nickname on the board for the SubC LV.

[RolexSA]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

sorry about that....."hulk" is a nickname on the board for the SubC LV.

Thank you filling me in on that one ,

No, not my cup of tea . I'm just about tolerant enough to overlook the green hand on the GMTIIc . Green bezel and a green dial is way too much green for me . I'm not a vegetarian

[tkerrmd]

GMT would get my vote. The bezel gives the same or better wrist presence as the larger Explorer and to me the bezel that moves is just more functional.

Either way both terrific watches!!

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by RolexSA

Thank you filling me in on that one ,

No, not my cup of tea . I'm just about tolerant enough to overlook the green hand on the GMTIIc . Green bezel and a green dial is way too much green for me . I'm not a vegetarian

yeah, funny thing that is, personal tastes. i just haven't been able to get over the change from red 24-hour hand to green, so, for me, the green hand on the GMTIIc is one of the main reasons not to go for it (that, and the PCLs and bezel font).

but.......i am totally enthralled by the green on the hulk.

in the end, though, both the new explorer ii (especially black, IMHO) and GMTIIc are great choices. you can't go wrong.

good luck with the hunt.

[sea-dweller]

Tough call here!