Need Advice : New GMTIIc or Preowned GMT II Coke/Pepsi

[Satellite]

Can't decide which one. I like the new design (bigger numbers and chrome bracelet) but the old dual colour makes it a classic & original. The Preowned ones will save me almost 40%.

Pls help.

[newbie09]

Can't decide which one. I like the new design (bigger numbers and chrome bracelet) but the old dual colour makes it a classic & original. The Preowned ones will save me almost 40%.

Pls help.

See ur budget. If can, try both on n see which 1 u like better. Then that will be the 1...

[Noriki]

Can't decide which one. I like the new design (bigger numbers and chrome bracelet) but the old dual colour makes it a classic & original. The Preowned ones will save me almost 40%.

Pls help.

Your are right, i just love the Coke bezel. 40% is alot, why not if you really like it.

[taxico]

Can't decide which one. I like the new design (bigger numbers and chrome bracelet) but the old dual colour makes it a classic & original. The Preowned ones will save me almost 40%.

i would go for the older model.

the new model has some minor problems with the movement and the bezel can crack (costly to replace) plus the PCL is an eyesore for some people.

the older model is bullet proof in design and movement inasmuch as many people have worn it for decades without much problems. the twinlock crown is sometimes preferred as it doesn't dig into the flesh as much.

however if you're used to bigger watches/triplock crown/must have the latest, you might have a preference for the newer model. otherwise... the older model is the way to go (IMO).

but as what the other members say: get the model that sings to you (try them both on first). you can save some $ by buying the new GMT2c preowned too.

[Satellite]

GMTIIc vs Coke

Thnks for all your input. Presently, I am more towards the Coke. But is not easy to fine a mint piece with no-pinhole case. Btw, what do you mean by PCL? How much does it cost if I wish to change coke to pepsi bezel? Can the old bezel fit into the new GMTIIc?

Thanks.

[exxondus]

i would go for the older model.

the new model has some minor problems with the movement and the bezel can crack (costly to replace) plus the PCL is an eyesore for some people.

the older model is bullet proof in design and movement inasmuch as many people have worn it for decades without much problems. the twinlock crown is sometimes preferred as it doesn't dig into the flesh as much.

can check with you what are the minor problems with the new 3186 as compared to the 3185 that the older model has? I always tht the major difference was in the parachrom hairspring. Been googling after reading your post but haven managed to find anything

I only know my GMTIIc is quite accurate, losing about 2-3 seconds per day.

In addition, I did manage to find that some newer GMTIIc that uses the 3186 is known to be generally more stable, esp when setting the hands. Hence, in certain forums, people are trying to find these GMTIIs with the newer movement

http://www.minus4plus6.com/paracromblu16710.htm

But its quite true the replacement ceramic insert is way way way more ex than the aluminium insert in the older model. In terms of cracking, so far read a couple of posts in WUS but have never seen any proof tho.

btw, for Threadstarter, here is a good article on comparing the GMTII and GMTIIc for your reading pleasure

http://www.minus4plus6.com/116710.htm

Have fun choosing! I personally same as you, like the bigger case in the GMTIIc but really like the pepsi colour in the older model. Sigh, just cant have best of both worlds unless I have more vit M

[glay78]

it all depends on your budget & of course u gotta love it, y buy something which you dont like just bcos its popular?

[zidaneong]

Unless it is a BNIB Coke or Pesi, i would get the GMT2C.

[taxico]

can check with you what are the minor problems with the new 3186 as compared to the 3185 that the older model has? I always tht the major difference was in the parachrom hairspring.

I only know my GMTIIc is quite accurate, losing about 2-3 seconds per day.

In addition, I did manage to find that some newer GMTIIc that uses the 3186 is known to be generally more stable, esp when setting the hands.

Hence, in certain forums, people are trying to find these GMTIIs with the newer movement

But its quite true the replacement ceramic insert is way way way more ex than the aluminium insert in the older model. In terms of cracking, so far read a couple of posts in WUS but have never seen any proof tho.

a ceramic bezel is not as "smash resistant" as aluminium insert. end of story. this is a matter of physics; not many people would want to prove it due to the cost involved.

if proof/pictures are needed, try searching the forums on TZ or TRF.

a irregular and minor problem with the 3186 was related to the date wheel, with people complaining about weird date changes.

this is not a major issue, and very easily rectified by the RSC. i repeat, this is a minor problem that is rare in new 3186.

the 3186 movement is very accurate, but that is not something attributed to the new gearing, hair spring or shock protection system.

every rolex with a microstella equipped freesprung balance can be tuned to such accuracy. also commonly reported is the lack of positional variance.

the "stable" hands as you mention, is the result of a different (better?) gearing ratio in the 3186 - one 360 degree turn of the crown will move the hour hand 8 hours instead of 5.

functionality-wise, there is no difference between it jumping 5 or 8 hours. both movements are equally capable of doing the same thing.

the people buying an EXP II or GMT II with a 3186 movement can be split into 3 camps:

those that buy it to keep and wear, and don't care about what is inside the watch...

those that are buying so as to re-sell for (hopefully) a profit down the road/take a minimum loss when changing watch...

those that want the newest movement in a classic GMT II case, as they like the older case better (and it is cheaper) - also will be serviced by RSC longer than the 3185...

for most people, 3185/3186 will make NO DIFFERENCE as these movements will outlive you and me - look at the old 1520 subs... many of their original owners have passed away, and only recently did RSCs around the world begin to selectively reject servicing them... yet so many more independent RSCs/watchmakers can still service them.

even new watchmakers learn how to service old rolex movements during the course of their training!

prior to swatch group's "clamp down" rolex has regularly bought parts from third party companies.

the so-called upgrades of the new hairspring, shock protection system and lume is simply part of their strategic consolidation... to bring everything in-house.

in reality, how many of our "old generation" of rolex watches have regularly suffered from "magnetism..." or from a jewel cap being stuck so the watch doesn't move... or that superluminova (i think it is japanese) markers/hands is so dim that our lives will be endangered...?

those problems are rare if non-existent. rolex can continue to use kif shock caps and nivarox springs and japanese superluminova... but it will not HELP rolex in any strategic way or to its marketing benefit.

(in fact, the "lumibrite" markers on a $50 seiko is WAAAAAY better than chromalight)

ChromaLight, Paraflex, Parachrome, Cerachrom, Superlative, Rolesor, Rolesium, Tridor, etc are purely marketing terms used by rolex!

in fact, it is regularly quoted that rolex has said COSC testing says nothing about a rolex movement - it is purely a marketing tool.

i think i got carried away here. my point is: if you're buying a watch to keep and wear, the benefits of the "new" parts are not worth the cost of the new models.

[newbie09]

At the end of the day, just buy what u like most...

[exxondus]

i think i got carried away here. my point is: if you're buying a watch to keep and wear, the benefits of the "new" parts are not worth the cost of the new models.

i concur

[taxico]

i forgot to add...

PCL = polished centre link

the center link on the watch bracelet that is shiny...

[caeden]

a ceramic bezel is not as "smash resistant" as aluminium insert. end of story. this is a matter of physics; not many people would want to prove it due to the cost involved.

if proof/pictures are needed, try searching the forums on TZ or TRF.

a irregular and minor problem with the 3186 was related to the date wheel, with people complaining about weird date changes.

this is not a major issue, and very easily rectified by the RSC. i repeat, this is a minor problem that is rare in new 3186.

the 3186 movement is very accurate, but that is not something attributed to the new gearing, hair spring or shock protection system.

every rolex with a microstella equipped freesprung balance can be tuned to such accuracy. also commonly reported is the lack of positional variance.

the "stable" hands as you mention, is the result of a different (better?) gearing ratio in the 3186 - one 360 degree turn of the crown will move the hour hand 8 hours instead of 5.

functionality-wise, there is no difference between it jumping 5 or 8 hours. both movements are equally capable of doing the same thing.

the people buying an EXP II or GMT II with a 3186 movement can be split into 3 camps:

those that buy it to keep and wear, and don't care about what is inside the watch...

those that are buying so as to re-sell for (hopefully) a profit down the road/take a minimum loss when changing watch...

those that want the newest movement in a classic GMT II case, as they like the older case better (and it is cheaper) - also will be serviced by RSC longer than the 3185...

for most people, 3185/3186 will make NO DIFFERENCE as these movements will outlive you and me - look at the old 1520 subs... many of their original owners have passed away, and only recently did RSCs around the world begin to selectively reject servicing them... yet so many more independent RSCs/watchmakers can still service them.

even new watchmakers learn how to service old rolex movements during the course of their training!

prior to swatch group's "clamp down" rolex has regularly bought parts from third party companies.

the so-called upgrades of the new hairspring, shock protection system and lume is simply part of their strategic consolidation... to bring everything in-house.

in reality, how many of our "old generation" of rolex watches have regularly suffered from "magnetism..." or from a jewel cap being stuck so the watch doesn't move... or that superluminova (i think it is japanese) markers/hands is so dim that our lives will be endangered...?

those problems are rare if non-existent. rolex can continue to use kif shock caps and nivarox springs and japanese superluminova... but it will not HELP rolex in any strategic way or to its marketing benefit.

(in fact, the "lumibrite" markers on a $50 seiko is WAAAAAY better than chromalight)

ChromaLight, Paraflex, Parachrome, Cerachrom, Superlative, Rolesor, Rolesium, Tridor, etc are purely marketing terms used by rolex!

in fact, it is regularly quoted that rolex has said COSC testing says nothing about a rolex movement - it is purely a marketing tool.

i think i got carried away here. my point is: if you're buying a watch to keep and wear, the benefits of the "new" parts are not worth the cost of the new models.

This is well written...I fully agree!

Cheers!

[Satellite]

Thank you thank you so much for taking time to share. Really appreciate it.

[NGSigma]

For me, I would get the new model, for all the new 'refinements' Rolex has implemented...