Q: Buying a GMT BLNR pre-Basel?

[Roger Lococco]

I’m going to buy a BLNR as my next watch. I love GMTs. Rolex makes the best GMTs in my judgment. I have always loved the black and blue bezel. I have the opportunity to buy from a TS at what I consider a fair price.

With that as context, is it mistake to buy this week in the context of a potential upgrade to the 3235 movement? What are the puts and takes - and any other considerations?

[Tools]

There is a Basel Fair every year.

What if they change something next year, or the year after that.

[zjd168]

I will just buy now. You won't get it any time soon if there's a significant upgrade and when you can finally get it you can always easily sell the BLNR without losing too much if any.

[henrylee]

Just buy it if you like it.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by henrylee

Just buy it if you like it.

Exactly, especially if you feel the price is fair.

[asiparks]

Even if Rolex do launch a new version at Basel, how long do you think it would be before you could actually get your hands on one at a decent price ?
The only upside to waiting is perhaps a small dip in price for used ones if people save their money waiting for the updated version.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

With that as context, is it mistake to buy this week in the context of a potential upgrade to the 3235 movement? What are the puts and takes - and any other considerations?

First up, it would most likely be a 3286 movement, since the current GMT has the 3186.

With that out of the way, I think there's a pretty decent chance of a newly designed GMT coming this year. I say that based on a few factors:

- It seems unlikely a year will go by from here on out without at least one sports model getting an upgraded movement, if not a redesigned case;
- So far, Rolex has only put the 32xx movements in newly designed models; if that pattern holds, upgraded sports models will also be redesigns;
- The current GMT design is among the oldest of the current sports models, at 13 years old, so it's a prime candidate if Rolex intends to resdesign the sports models to accompany the new movement;
- The BLRO has been discontinued, which could signal a new WG GMT as the start of the rollout, since Rolex typically debuts new designs in PM.

Of course this is no guarantee, but if it happens, it would take a few years for new stainless models to come out, and who knows if they will include a black/blue bezel, to say nothing of availability. If it were me, and I really liked the BLNR, I'd go ahead and get one now.

[SackLVG]

Blnr in general is still very hard to get, buy now if you want it. unless you willing to fork out a extra premium or top dog on an ad list you won’t Get a buying opportunity with a new movement for months . This should be said about every new watch release next week.

[YoyoGift8]

Originally Posted by zjd168

I will just buy now. You won't get it any time soon if there's a significant upgrade and when you can finally get it you can always easily sell the BLNR without losing too much if any.

This

[sya]

buy if it the price is right. Even if there is new release updated movement, I am pretty sure stocks will be hard to come by, and stocks sold at a premium

[HogwldFLTR]

Take up a hobby with less risk like Tandem Wing Suit Flying, you won't need to worry about Basel introductions then.

[Mrngrz46]

I'm in the same situation as you...dunno what to do

I can take also a sub date....but I think that a new sub is coming will affect the current one more than a new gmt will affect the blnr.

What a user said about the new gmt can be pm I think he is right therefore probably at the moment blnr is he safest choice

But at the end buy why you like. I will do the same

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Nice, uh...biceps.

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by Mrngrz46

I'm in the same situation as you...dunno what to do

I can take also a sub date....but I think that a new sub is coming will affect the current one more than a new gmt will affect the blnr.

What a user said about the new gmt can be pm I think he is right therefore probably at the moment blnr is he safest choice

But at the end buy why you like. I will do the same

I think the other “risk” is of a near term price increase.

[jimcameron]

I owned a Rolex for 30 yrs before I ever heard of Basel. Never thought of it, never worried about it, never considered what a tragic mistake I might have made buying too early or too late. I suspect I'm in the 99% of buyers that have been blissfully ignorant.

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

I owned a Rolex for 30 yrs before I ever heard of Basel. Never thought of it, never worried about it, never considered what a tragic mistake I might have made buying too early or too late. I suspect I'm in the 99% of buyers that have been blissfully ignorant.

Were you even aware that Rolex had named a watch after you?

[sdh1980]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

I think the other “risk” is of a near term price increase.

Good point... This has as much chance of happening as a new GMT. Could be either/or/both

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by zjd168

I will just buy now. You won't get it any time soon if there's a significant upgrade and when you can finally get it you can always easily sell the BLNR without losing too much if any.

This!

[HL65]

Buy it and don't look back or forward in this case!

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

is it mistake to buy this week in the context of a potential upgrade to the 3235 movement? What are the puts and takes - and any other considerations?

If you are always waiting for the next thing you will never move forward.

You either want to buy a watch or you don't.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Tools

There is a Basel Fair every year.

What if they change something next year, or the year after that.

Originally Posted by HL65

Buy it and don't look back or forward in this case!

Originally Posted by beshannon

If you are always waiting for the next thing you will never move forward.

You either want to buy a watch or you don't.

[1William]

I would go ahead and get the BLNR. Basel is great but the chances of being able to get an updated GMT will be similar to the Daytona and SD43. They are there but at a premium.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

I love GMTs.

Rolex makes the best GMTs in my judgment.

I have always loved the black and blue bezel.

I agree wholeheartedly, at least with your first two statements.

Now, a couple of points. If Rolex does release a new GMT, what on earth could possibly be better than the one that's out now? I mean, I think we're getting into the law of diminishing returns here. Second, if they do, then you're not looking at getting your hands on one for probably years to come with their current supply policy.

So, fire away, my man. And enjoy some Rolex GMT perfection.

[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

Were you even aware that Rolex had named a watch after you?

Yes, I was aware, but Rolex asked me to let the other guy think it was for him. I said "okay" and they gave me a extra hang tag as a gift.

[mrporter]

just put a deposit on used blnr with fair price and good condition, pickin it up tomorrow :) Pretty sure there will a small price hike after basel

[Speed]

You’ll never see the new movement...

And I bet the “old” one will never make you late for work.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

First up, it would most likely be a 3286 movement, since the current GMT has the 3186.

With that out of the way, I think there's a pretty decent chance of a newly designed GMT coming this year. I say that based on a few factors:

- It seems unlikely a year will go by from here on out without at least one sports model getting an upgraded movement, if not a redesigned case;
- So far, Rolex has only put the 32xx movements in newly designed models; if that pattern holds, upgraded sports models will also be redesigns;
- The current GMT design is among the oldest of the current sports models, at 13 years old, so it's a prime candidate if Rolex intends to resdesign the sports models to accompany the new movement;
- The BLRO has been discontinued, which could signal a new WG GMT as the start of the rollout, since Rolex typically debuts new designs in PM.

Of course this is no guarantee, but if it happens, it would take a few years for new stainless models to come out, and who knows if they will include a black/blue bezel, to say nothing of availability. If it were me, and I really liked the BLNR, I'd go ahead and get one now.

This is how misinformation happens. The BLRO has not been discontinued. What is your source. The watch is still available on the Rolex website.

[soran]

Even if they release something interesting at basel, it won't be yours until a couple of years anyways haha

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

This is how misinformation happens. The BLRO has not been discontinued. What is your source. The watch is still available on the Rolex website.

There are many sources, mostly on this site, with written correspondence to ADs stating no more orders for the BLRO will be fulfilled. The orders in now are it. It is, to me anyway, generally accepted that the item will stay on the web site until the inventory as completely evaporated.

[Easy E]

Get the watch, if you like the watch. What if the drop the BLNR? What if the price goes up 15%? What if they release a new movement? The current model is solid. Even if any update is introduced it will be October-ish before you likely could get you hands on one at best, and that's if you have an iron clad relationship with an AD or are willing to pay a grey premium.

I know some will disagree with this statement, but there is always something new about out. You can play that waiting game for life. Get your BLNR and enjoy it, don't look back.