The Watch Thread - Part 6

[All in a Day]

Hello fellow watch enthusiasts ,

Between explorer II and Gmt Master II , which one is more versatile being dressy and sporty outlook ?

IMHO, the GMT II can be dressier because of:
1. Polished centre links
2. Ceramic bezel adds abit more sophistication than the steel numbered bezel of the Explorer II.
3. More subtle GMT hand (Explorer II has the fat orange GMT hand)
4. Choice of half gold, gold or the coveted pepsi white gold, in addition to steel.

The Explorer II has a bigger dial 42mm vs GMT II 40mm so your wrist size plays a part to which is more suitable.

Ultimately though it's a personal choice. Movement wise you are getting the same 3186 movement. Functionally, u can track 1 more time zone with the GMT thanks to the rotatable bezel (do u really need to track 3 time zones??), that's about it. So it really boils down to which look you prefer.

 

[chickenbackside]

Hello fellow watch enthusiasts ,

Between explorer II and Gmt Master II , which one is more versatile being dressy and sporty outlook ?

The GMT is definitely the more dressy one. Polished centre links, shiny ceramic bezel.

Depends on your preference and lifestyle.

I chose the Explorer myself because I like the idea behind it. It's the only Rolex sports watch that is not offered in precious metals. This does not dilute the "tool watch-ness" of this particular model.

I also prefer it's understated looks.

Put side by side, I find the GMT looks a lot "rounder" than the Explorer. More obese looking if you like. I find the shape of the Explorer to be leaner, or more athletic.

But yes, the GMT would go better with a suit. But ideally, you would have a non sports watch to wear with a suit anyway.

 

[All in a Day]

The GMT is definitely the more dressy one. Polished centre links, shiny ceramic bezel.

Depends on your preference and lifestyle.

I chose the Explorer myself because I like the idea behind it. It's the only Rolex sports watch that is not offered in precious metals. This does not dilute the "tool watch-ness" of this particular model.

I also prefer it's understated looks.

Put side by side, I find the GMT looks a lot "rounder" than the Explorer. More obese looking if you like. I find the shape of the Explorer to be leaner, or more athletic.

But yes, the GMT would go better with a suit. But ideally, you would have a non sports watch to wear with a suit anyway.

Apart from both the Explorers, I think the Milgauss is also available in steel only.

 

[AuroraRain]

Hello fellow watch enthusiasts ,

Between explorer II and Gmt Master II , which one is more versatile being dressy and sporty outlook ?

I'll wear my GMT when I'm going for dressy and my explorer when I'm feeling more casual/sporty.

 

[chickenbackside]

Apart from both the Explorers, I think the Milgauss is also available in steel only.

Yes, that's right. That's also a tool watch.

But I wouldn't classify it in the same category as the watches with numbered bezels.

 

[balzebub]

my poor man's mechanical panda chronograph...

 

[Andy0601a]

Perfect weather for a ride.

nice ti ride!

 

[chickenbackside]

nice ti ride!

Thanks!

You might say I have a particular liking for titanium bicycles...

 

[a562140]

Hello fellow watch enthusiasts ,

Between explorer II and Gmt Master II , which one is more versatile being dressy and sporty outlook ?

i'm going to offer a slightly different opinion, taking the point of view of the layman who would know that these are rolexes, but won't have an idea what rolex wanted these watches to be.

the thing that makes these watches sporty is the bezel. and the explorers have the most cultured if not plain one here, making it better as a dress watch. the black and shiny bezel and the deep inset numbers are just screaming out for attention.

between the black or white explorer i find the black dial explorer more sporty looking. both the black dial explorer and gmt could be easily mistaken as a diver as most divers are black.

so to me the white explorer is the most versatile of them all if you wanted a dual purpose dress/sport watch. not because it looks dressy, but the other two lean heavily towards sporty.

 

[a562140]

my poor man's mechanical panda chronograph...

i have the gold version, for those who haven't seen it, pretty nice caseback view of the chinese seagull movement:

 

[slow_mo]

i have the gold version, for those who haven't seen it, pretty nice caseback view of the chinese seagull movement:

The pushers seems kinda long.

 

[All in a Day]

Interesting view. Just to point out that's the older model explorer 2 which looks quite diff from the latest iteration.

 

[Thai_Rak_Thai]

Hope to find something. Have a good National Day weekend all

 

[a562140]

The pushers seems kinda long.

its got to do with the way the case chamfers and narrows in towards from the dial (42mm) to the caseback (36mm), exposing more of the pusher stems from the back view.

but the pushers still do stick out a fair bit compared to the norm. its a reissue of a 1963 military watch, the design probably suits the cheap and thick woolen gloves issued to military folks back then.

 

[a562140]

Interesting view. Just to point out that's the older model explorer 2 which looks quite diff from the latest iteration.

yeah, I couldn't find a suitable pic with the latest white explorer. the latest one with the thick bold hands look even sportier.

 

[slow_mo]

its got to do with the way the case chamfers and narrows in towards from the dial (42mm) to the caseback (36mm), exposing more of the pusher stems from the back view.

but the pushers still do stick out a fair bit compared to the norm. its a reissue of a 1963 military watch, the design probably suits the cheap and thick woolen gloves issued to military folks back then.

I was looking it from the front. Still abit long. Probably like you say, it's for those with thick woolen gloves. Nice retro feel.

 

[RadEoNic]

i have the gold version, for those who haven't seen it, pretty nice caseback view of the chinese seagull movement:

handwound or auto?

 

[Donten]

handwound or auto?

Lack of rotor. Im guessing handwound.

 

[gaoxing84]

handwound or auto?

no rotor, should be handwind

 

[njchay1981]

My Latest Hoot ...

Omega Planet Ocean 8500 Caliber 45.5mm.

Hate the guy who started the phrase "Hoot first, think later"!