Polar Explorer vs Bucherer BB Bronze?

[watchspike]

Hey all, I've given up on the idea of getting a SS Pepsi Ceramic thanks to this ridiculous Rolex bubble that's been going on for the past year and a half even though it's the only piece I want to complete my colourful GMT collection.

I'm not even going to bother putting my name down for something that I will have to wait 3-5 years for but I've put my name down at two different Ads for the Tudor GMT but won't be expecting a call anytime soon. I do like the look of the Tudor and it would make a good substitute for the Rolex Pepsi C until that watch becomes more attainable.

In the meantime I've come across a Polar Explorer at a local AD and also have been offered a Bucherer Black Bay at retail price. I do really like the look of the Polar Explorer, the GMT complication would come in handy for my travels, and in a way add to my GMT Rolex collection. The Bucherer Bronze is just really nice and would be a fairly rare piece to add to the collection at less than half the price of the Explorer.

Sods law dictates that if I get the BB Bronze, I'll get a call from one of those Ads about the Tudor GMT or that I stumble across an opportunity to get another grail watch only to be short on funds. At least with the Explorer, I would be either happy to keep it in the collection, or at the very worst flip it with minimal loss for a higher grail piece.

What does the collective wisdom of the crowd here have to say about this?

[HogwldFLTR]

Rolex preferred to Bucherer, imho. Besides which there are some corrosion issues with the Bucherer.

[DLRIDES]

Explorer

[Al1969]

Go Polar.

[importstunna]

Explorer

[lamnyc]

Explorer hands down.

[watchspike]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Rolex preferred to Bucherer, imho. Besides which there are some corrosion issues with the Bucherer.

Interesting, having never owned a bronze watch before, are there any other things to consider before buying one? I have been told that it will smell like a coin purse after a while!

Besides from the relative uniqueness of it, the prices of these watches seem to be going for a premium on Chrono and the usual sites so part of the rational is that I may not lose much if any, should I have to flip it. The Polar Explorer hasn't really been infected by the Rolex bubble so they are going for less than retail on the second hand market although I would likely keep it and only flip if I really had to.

Currently have a Pelagos MK1 bought at a great price and can easily flip with a small profit so could justify the Bucherer Bronze although I do have some huge tax bills looming next year! This hobby sure is expensive at the best of times (especially if you're a collector rather then a flipper).

[Nikrnic]

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by watchspike

Interesting, having never owned a bronze watch before, are there any other things to consider before buying one? I have been told that it will smell like a coin purse after a while!

Besides from the relative uniqueness of it, the prices of these watches seem to be going for a premium on Chrono and the usual sites so part of the rational is that I may not lose much if any, should I have to flip it. The Polar Explorer hasn't really been infected by the Rolex bubble so they are going for less than retail on the second hand market although I would likely keep it and only flip if I really had to.

Currently have a Pelagos MK1 bought at a great price and can easily flip with a small profit so could justify the Bucherer Bronze although I do have some huge tax bills looming next year! This hobby sure is expensive at the best of times (especially if you're a collector rather then a flipper).

See this link.

https://www.watchprosite.com/rolex/s...50936.8966566/

[Pauln]

I don’t know why you’d wait in line for a Tudor when you can buy a Polar.

[superlativechrono]

The Polar is an amazing piece really. I’ve totally fallen in love with mine.

[Rocket_Man]

I never understood the Bronze watch fad and I thought it had run its course. The Polar is a great watch. A bronze watch is basically intended to 'corrode' on your wrist as a fashion statement. Many were even mixing up concoctions to make it go faster.. too green... not green enough, maybe a little more pickle juice. Not for me. Go with the Polar.

[watchspike]

Originally Posted by Pauln

I don’t know why you’d wait in line for a Tudor when you can buy a Polar.

The Polar wasn't available at the time when I put my name down for the Tudor GMT. As for that Tudor, I'm a sucker for Red and Blue pepsi bezels and thought the Tudor made a great stealth watch that has the handy GMT function for my travels.

I buy watches for my own pleasure but also for their function which is why I ended up with a random collection of GMTs. The Polar could track 2 timezones whereas the new GMTs can track 3 which is handy for work (though admittedly all it does is saves me 30 seconds of checking the time zones on my phone).

The reason why I have a Pelagos is because it's such a great stealth watch, I often am in environments or situations where I do not want people to notice I'm wearing an expensive watch. That's why the polar is also on my radar as it's been the ugly duckling of the Rolex collection (no offence to Explorer 2 owners here, I for one love the rugged looks) for quite some time now which is perfect for my work needs.

The appeal of the Bucherer Bronze is both novelty (don't have a bronze watch in the collection), value as it's half the price of a SS Rolex and partial rarity as not many places stock this watch (not in the UK at least).

[watchspike]

Better add some pictures to canvas opinions.

The Bucherer Bronze is a demo model, the one they have reserved for me is fresh in box and has that new bronze/gold hue. Unfortunately I didn't get round to taking a photo of it in the box.

Both wear quite big but I'm used to wearing the Pelagos so not so big for my 6.5" wrist.

Does anyone know if Bucherer will discontinue this model after the new year?

[tufty]

I don't have the blue, but have the normal bronze, the explorer is one of my fav pieces,

[ajas]

Polar

[zeeww]

Explorer - you’ll like it

[Rashid.bk]

Explorer ll of course.

[mikkolopez]

Polar all the way


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[watchspike]

Originally Posted by tufty

I don't have the blue, but have the normal bronze, the explorer is one of my fav pieces,

That's a sweet collection you've got there. I've got the Blnr and Pelagos out of that set but can't decide whether to pull the trigger on the Polar or not. The Bucherer is such a great price that it almost seems justifiable.

Which one tends to be your daily wearer?

[watchwatcher]

They both look great on your wrist and would work well with what you already have, IMO. So really a coin toss for me.

The EXP2 was my go-to back in the days I traveled frequently, but nowadays, not so much. But still a great watch. If you're doing a GMT-themed collection, then, the polar makes more sense.

[BT1985]

Polar for the win!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[hitman23]

based purely on aesthetics, the blue bronze wins for me. but for the overall package which includes the brand name, a bracelet, and incomparable durability, the expII in a landslide.