BB58 hands down.

 

Tudor Black Bay "Dirty Rose" - Maroon. It's different, gives you your black face and is fairly unique.

 

16570 Black dial or BB58

 

I’ve really been taking my time and going back and forth between a few watches to round out my three watch collection. The 16570 is actually one I’ve put in my radar and am doing a little research on. I’ve never seen one in person; do you own one? How do you like it?

 

Having owned both, the 16570 has much better proportions for many wrists and IMO the 216570 is too much dial and negative space and 42mm is slightly large if you’re wrist is less 7" and further, the explorer II is under underappreciated and it's the non-rolex Rolex meaning you don’t have the frequent 10 meters away "stigma" of a Rolex with the build and handsomeness, durability of a Rolex that isn’t the usual sub, gmt or daytona

Caveat: the 216570 orange hand is a knockout though but not enough for me to choose it over it’s younger brother

 

My personal preference is the 36mm 114270 > Tudor Black Bay 58 > 39mm 214270 but it is splitting hairs.

Another watch I'd offer up is the Globemaster. A friend of mine picked one up recently and I was really impressed with it in person. It looks great on a dressy or more casual strap and is tremendous value for quality/specs if you get one second hand.

 

SOO many great responses to this thread you all really have me thinking! I'll definitely do a little more research on the Globemaster. I'll have to try one on too its maybe one of the few I havent tried on at my local OB

 

This is the most fun part, the research and then the hunt. Keep us posted as you're updating your short list or approaching a buy!

 

I’d go with the explorer (full lume I presume), imo its more versatile (dress up/down) than the 58 and has a better bracelet (there really isn’t anything like a Rolex oyster bracelet, especially the newer ones). So unless you lean towards a dive watch or want a gold touch to your watch, I’d go with explorer.

 

Enjoy blue for a sport everyday wear

 

Mike, forget all the pictures you’ve ever seen from the Explorer 214270. Go out and try to find one and I swear, the moment you’ll see this beauty on your wrist you’re sold. It’s very hard to capture the beauty of this watch on pictures but it’s the perfect piece for your three watch collection. The BB58 is a very nice watch, also the SMP but don’t make any mistake you gonna regret someday when you see the 214270 on another wrist. Trust me!

 

Of the two - bb58, but since you already have two Seamasters it would have to be the Expy.
A funnier alternative would be something with colour, Aqua Terra or Rolex OP in 36/39mm maybe?

 

BB58 hands down. But they are both great watches nevertheless.

 

Throwing this into the mix , I think the Seiko SLA017 is well worth a look , fits nicely into the 39-40mm bracket & has a beautiful grey/black dial . Classic design that can be an everyday watch & doesn't scream look at me , but can be dressed up or down effortlessly.

 

Kudos on the 3-watch project -- I've tried a few times, but found it hard, though present circumstances may change my mind. I've only owned an Explorer briefly, and that was a while ago, but would take it over a BB58 pretty comfortably. I found the 58 frustrating when I had mine -- combination of the Tudor reluctance to offer half-links, the gilt, disproportionate dial/hands and the generally muted design. I actually prefer the BB36 and even 41 as Explorer alternatives, though you're missing out on the latest Tudor calibers with either. They preserve the blend of utility, wearability and luxury that the 58 just misses, IMO. There's also the Pelagos LHD, which is deceptively wearable and works almost as a diver/ field watch hybrid with the odd touch of whimsy in the roulette date.

 

I would personally go for a Rolex 16570 Explorer II over a Black Bay 58 or Seamaster Pro 300. I know they’re a bit more expensive but I think they have a much higher likelihood to appreciate than a 58 would considering they’re not made anymore.

But if it were strictly between the BB58 and the Seamaster Pro 300, I’d go for the BB58. It’s amazing on the wrist and you won’t get tired of it!

 

14270 or 214270? Showing some nice aging.

 

It’s just the evening lights.

The 16570 would be my second recommendation for the TO. It’s another beauty and versatile watch.



As you’ve mentioned a Speedy but looking for smaller sizes, did you ever consider the FOIS? It’s just 39mm and also a beautiful chrono.

Here’s my CK2998 and it’s literally the same watch just in blue.