Forgot to post all my video reviews on here for the past few months so I have started with the ones I missed. Here’s the first, which is a Rolex GMT-IIc… really love this watch and see it residing in my collection for a long time. Fantastic all-round watch, and in my opinion, better than the previous GMT. Many Rolex traditionalists prefer the old school pepsi and coke bezel GMT, but I feel that in this case, change is good!

On my computer, I have a photo temporary folder where I store my photos initially after downloading them from my camera. Its like an “unsorted” temporary folder before I have decided what to do with my pics. Because I am busy (or lazy, can’t always tell which), photos often sit there for months. Looking through my temp folder now, I see lots of wrist shots, and figured I would throw them up on here for kicks. Seeing lots of wrist shots in a row is kind of a cool thing, so Here it is!

Up First: Rolex GMT-II Ceramic

Next Up: IWC 3717 Spitfire Pilots Chronograph

Eterna 1935 Automatic

Panerai PAM90 Power Reserve

Sinn 857 GMT Tegimented

Panerai PAM320 GMT

Wyler Geneve Code-R Chronograph

JOA 249 Homage

Graham Chronofighter Classic

I realized after searching through my posts that I had never gotten around to posting my impressions of the Rolex GMT-IIc diver! I have had this diver for a year or two now and I really like it. Rolex has grown on me as a brand, especially with their releases in the last couple of years. I’m not going to go into a full review of the watch, since there are so many competent reviews out there already, but I will post about my impressions. Unfortunately I only took three photos of the watch before I put it into safety deposit so I can’t take any more until I grab it out again!

We’ll start with the wrist shot. The watch is perfect sized for my 6 3/4″ wrist, and still manages to look bigger than previous versions while maintaining its 40mm diameter. Rolex accomplishes this by widening the lugs to give the watch a chunkier appearance. I really like what Rolex did when they redesigned these diver cases – to me the previous ones were just a touch too small. Now they are perfect. The new green GMT also sets off the dial perfectly.

You can see the new Ceramic bezel in the close up above quite well. The GMT numbers are cut out of the polished surface of the ceramic and have a sort of blasted rough finish on the inside, which is a very nice contrast. Props to Rolex for making such a beautiful ceramic bezel. Of course the typical authenticity security features such as the etched crown in the sapphire crystal, rolexrolexrolex wording around the chapter ring and serial located in the chapter ring all exist on this model.

The GMT Bezel is a bidirectional bezel, like most GMT bezels out there. The movement in the GMT Master IIc is the Rolex Caliber 3186, which has been upgraded from the previous Caliber 3185 by adding a Parachrom-Blu Hairspring.

Some other improvements int he GMT II Ceramic are the new machined clasp and solid oyster bracelet as well as the maxi-dial. I’m glad they finally included all of these features on one watch, which is why I bought the GMTIIc. One of my criticisms of Rolex has always been their differences from high end to lower end models like the Maxi Dial and Date “complication”. Addition of a date wheel for a thousand dollars seems quite excessive. But whatever they are doing it is working, because they are still THE brand, when one talks about luxury wristwatches.

My Wife is the best.. for our 2nd wedding anniversary, she got me a Rolex Milgauss! I am so stoked about this watch.. I’ve wanted it for quite a while, and its the only other Rolex besides my GMT-II Ceramic that I want. Now I am satisfied with my modest Rolex collection of two watches.

A quick wrist shot peak, and a review to follow:

After only two years, Rolex has replaced former CEO Bruno Meier with Riccardo Marini who was previously the head of Rolex Italia. Reuters Online Reports that this could indicate “possible management problems” at Rolex.

There is some speculation that the reason for the change may be due to internal differences on their level of openness to the outside world. This has not been a secret obviously since in this age of transparency and the Swiss Bank shakedown, clients appreciate knowing where there money is going.

Bruno Meier was finance director prior to his appointment as CEO of Rolex and was the first CEO outside fo the Heiniger family in nearly half a decade. This move by Rolex definately shows what appears to be some instability after such solid management for so long. The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation controls the company, and the driving force behind these changes.

Riccardo Marini, shown above, has much better style and pizzazz. Something that I think Rolex could benefit from! Just look at his Italian flair.

Given to me by a well-meaning relative, this fake Rolex from Asia does come scary close to the real thing, especially for the majority of people out there. Its no wonder so many regular non-WIS are so captured by this fake rip-offs. It kind of pisses me off a bit, but what can you do. They are affordable enough that people just buy a new one every month. This Rolex Turn-o-Graph Datejust looks to be the lower-end of the high-level fakes. Probably has an Asian movement in it, and possibly Sapphire Crystal, but true collectors will be able to tell the difference quite quickly upon handling it. I don’t condone the purchase of fake watches, and have only posted this video to help warn collectors of how well the fakes can be made.

I received a very cool email today, asking me for some advice on what watch to buy.. here is the email from Scott:

Let me start by saying that I love your website. I am sure that you are a very busy man and get TONS of email questions. I get on your website and blog it at least once every two weeks. I am a Breitling fan and I have been fortunate enough to have owned two of them.

I surely appreciate your expertise and options regarding this matter and I love your website and blog! Please keep up the work, it is greatly appreciated!!!!

Dear Scott,

Thanks for your email, and your compliments on my site. They are appreciated.

Tag Heuer makes a very reliable watch, and I’m glad that you are happy with yours. I’ve owned them in the past and they have served me well.

The question of choosing between the Rolex Submariner in stainless steel and the two-tone Chronomat is a tough one. I would recommend perhaps going for the 18K Bezel version as opposed to the Two-Tone version if you can spend the extra money, as its a nicer accent in my opinion, also the Bezel is solid 18K Gold.

The first suggestion I would make is to try both the watches on and see which one calls to you and feels right. The Rolex is a classic design, and has not been changed for 50 years, more or less. The Chronomat’s general design is about half as old, but still relatively recognizable, if not iconic. The Breitling does come with the Chronograph feature, and a larger diameter and what I think is a superior bracelet. The Rolex uses superior steel, and has a basic in-house movement.

Both are excellent watches, and the choice has to be a personal one. For me, the Rolex would not do it for me, as I get bored of the style a bit. It is an excellently made watch, with great attention to detail, but it is too simple for me if I were to only have one watch. This is a personal thing.

Both watches are reliable and robust. Breitling fans will complain that the Rolex is boring, uninspired and small, and that too many other watches look like. Rolex fans will complain that Breitlings are loud and gaudy and belong on the wrist of rappers and movie stars and those that want to show off their watches and seek attention.

Regards,
Breitling Source

What’s the latest gotta-have-it Rolex on the market? Well the Milgauss GV of course!

This is a 2008 Anniversary watch of Rolex’s Milgauss carries the reference number of 116400, and measures 40mm in diameter. The watch has the signature lightning bolt second hand, but a few added features make this watch unique. First of all, the sapphire crystal is tinted green! Also, the 3, 6 and 9 markers are an orange luminova, and the outer ring of the dial has arabic second in increments of 5. Movement is the same 3131 as the regular Milgauss encased in a faraday cage.

People are calling this one of the most collectable modern Rolexes ever, so get your hands on one while you can. A trip to my local AD says there’s a LONG waiting list and likely next year is when I would get one. So.. the Milgauss GV – get it if you can!

After having a conversation over the phone today with a fellow about watches, I noticed he pronounced the word “Submariner” as in Rolex Submariner as sub MAH ren ner. Like the baseball team the Seattle Mariners but with Sub in front. I pronouce it Sub mah REEN ner like the word Submarine with an R on the end.

I decided I would check it out and find out what the proper way of saying it is. I thought it would have been easier. From gathering the information all over the net, I have found that the old school sailors that would be in the submarines, would use my pronunciation, Sub mah REEN ner. However, there are a lot of British folks that swear that sub MAH ren ner is the way its pronouced.

Reading several sources tells me that the people that actually work as Submariners elected to use the pronunciation Sub mah REEN ner at some point in time and that is what they use. Dictionary tells me that both pronunciations are acceptable.

So next time you walk into a Rolex store and use one of the pronunciations, and the Rolex salesperson corrects you not-so-discreetly by intentionally using the other pronunciation, you can throw this in his face

The day has finally come. Rolex has taken one of their classic Oyster Perpetual models and increased the diameter past 40. Enter the Day-Date II 41mm: Available only in Platinum, White, Yellow or Everose (Rose/Pink) Gold. Why Rolex has to called it “Everose” I don’t know… its kind of like “Rolesor” or “Rolesium”.

This new big Day-Date is only available in very expensive precious metals, and will likely cost an arm and a leg. Perhaps it will eventually trickle down into steel for the masses, but for now it is only for the worthy.. like their new slogan calls it: “The new measure of Success”.

Rolex watches have a case shape that is very wide at the lugs, which makes their watches wear quite a bit larger than they are. Even 36mm watches wear closer to 38mm or more especially with the new Datejust case. This Day-Date II has a nice chunky Bezel as well.. nice.

I really have to say that this new Day-Date II is a work of art, and is definately bringing out my interest of Rolex watches just like the Sea-Dweller Deepsea model and the Yachtmaster II released last year.