Not that anyone would ever say that Rolex only really makes one watch 😗
I guess there's enough difference between GMTs and Subs and Daytona's to make that a silly statement.
Choose the watch you enjoy the most and forget about all the opinions you’ll read in this thread. You’re the one that has to live with it 👍
Having said that, in my most humble opinion, that Air King is one ugly watch. That’s coming from a place of me absolutely loving the original reference and its sleek variations. Where the Rolex design team pulled that bloated mess is beyond me. For a visual example, here is an original next to the updated version…
And one on my 7” wrist.
I didn’t get banned from here either
I own every generation of Aqua Terra so I'm biased. I much prefer the "teak" dials to lacquer or sunray (first generation). I find it to be a very neat addition to the dial. It adds texture and interest. I also prefer the mixed brushed/polished look so I'm not a fan of the "shades" models that recently came out and the black lacquer version that just came out. Not a fan of the all polished look.
If the polished center links of the AT bother you, they can easily be professionally brushed to satin by any decent watchmaker. It gives the watch a less dressy appearance.
Now as to legibility, the AT is very legible in reasonably good light, but not so good in poor light. This is because the minute hand is only lumed at the tip, rather than the full length. I think this is an unforced error by Omega. If you look at the watch for a few seconds you can discern the minute hand tip from the indices, but at a glance they all kind of blend together. There is no reason whatsoever not to run lume down the length of the minute hand.
I will also say this about the AT--the bracelet leaves much to be desired. Either the total lack of simple micro-adjustment, or, in the case of the new lacquer dial AT, an adjustment system that is tacky, unsightly, and does not provide enough adjustment. But if you plan to use the rubber strap that is top notch.
As for the Rolex, I don't care for that dial at all. And the 32XX movement has had issues. I won't buy a Rolex with that movement because I was burned by buying a Datejust with the 3235 movement and needing to have it serviced (under warranty, thankfully) due to low amplitude. This was less than a year after I bought the watch brand new from an AD. So I sold the watch and will not buy another Rolex with the 32XX movement. Just google search 32XX problems and you will find threads on TRF and WUS debating the issue. Of course the Rolex fan boy mafia comes out in force and says "there's nothing to see here." 🤫
The Grand Seiko is beautiful but the bracelet lacks micro-adjustment. I've owned two Grand Seikos but in the end they did not sit right with me because they felt boring.
The Speedmaster is a sweet watch and would probably be my pick for a one watch collection type watch. Assuming you like the look. And I wouldn't worry about the water resistance as 50m is sufficient to swim with. Although I personally wouldn't swim/snorkel/dive with any watch worth mutiple thousands of dollars.
I own every generation of Aqua Terra so I'm biased. I much prefer the "teak" dials to lacquer or sunray (first generation). I find it to be a very neat addition to the dial. It adds texture and interest. I also prefer the mixed brushed/polished look so I'm not a fan of the "shades" models that recently came out and the black lacquer version that just came out. Not a fan of the all polished look.
If the polished center links of the AT bother you, they can easily be professionally brushed to satin by any decent watchmaker. It gives the watch a less dressy appearance.
Now as to legibility, the AT is very legible in reasonably good light, but not so good in poor light. This is because the minute hand is only lumed at the tip, rather than the full length. I think this is an unforced error by Omega. If you look at the watch for a few seconds you can discern the minute hand tip from the indices, but at a glance they all kind of blend together. There is no reason whatsoever not to run lume down the length of the minute hand.
I will also say this about the AT--the bracelet leaves much to be desired. Either the total lack of simple micro-adjustment, or, in the case of the new lacquer dial AT, an adjustment system that is tacky, unsightly, and does not provide enough adjustment. But if you plan to use the rubber strap that is top notch.
As for the Rolex, I don't care for that dial at all. And the 32XX movement has had issues. I won't buy a Rolex with that movement because I was burned by buying a Datejust with the 3235 movement and needing to have it serviced (under warranty, thankfully) due to low amplitude. This was less than a year after I bought the watch brand new from an AD. So I sold the watch and will not buy another Rolex with the 32XX movement. Just google search 32XX problems and you will find threads on TRF and WUS debating the issue. Of course the Rolex fan boy mafia comes out in force and says "there's nothing to see here." 🤫
The Grand Seiko is beautiful but the bracelet lacks micro-adjustment. I've owned two Grand Seikos but in the end they did not sit right with me because they felt boring.
The Speedmaster is a sweet watch and would probably be my pick for a one watch collection type watch. Assuming you like the look. And I wouldn't worry about the water resistance as 50m is sufficient to swim with. Although I personally wouldn't swim/snorkel/dive with any watch worth mutiple thousands of dollars.
I own every generation of Aqua Terra so I'm biased. I much prefer the "teak" dials to lacquer or sunray (first generation). I find it to be a very neat addition to the dial. It adds texture and interest. I also prefer the mixed brushed/polished look so I'm not a fan of the "shades" models that recently came out and the black lacquer version that just came out. Not a fan of the all polished look.
If the polished center links of the AT bother you, they can easily be professionally brushed to satin by any decent watchmaker. It gives the watch a less dressy appearance.
Now as to legibility, the AT is very legible in reasonably good light, but not so good in poor light. This is because the minute hand is only lumed at the tip, rather than the full length. I think this is an unforced error by Omega. If you look at the watch for a few seconds you can discern the minute hand tip from the indices, but at a glance they all kind of blend together. There is no reason whatsoever not to run lume down the length of the minute hand.
I will also say this about the AT--the bracelet leaves much to be desired. Either the total lack of simple micro-adjustment, or, in the case of the new lacquer dial AT, an adjustment system that is tacky, unsightly, and does not provide enough adjustment. But if you plan to use the rubber strap that is top notch.
As for the Rolex, I don't care for that dial at all. And the 32XX movement has had issues. I won't buy a Rolex with that movement because I was burned by buying a Datejust with the 3235 movement and needing to have it serviced (under warranty, thankfully) due to low amplitude. This was less than a year after I bought the watch brand new from an AD. So I sold the watch and will not buy another Rolex with the 32XX movement. Just google search 32XX problems and you will find threads on TRF and WUS debating the issue. Of course the Rolex fan boy mafia comes out in force and says "there's nothing to see here." 🤫
The Grand Seiko is beautiful but the bracelet lacks micro-adjustment. I've owned two Grand Seikos but in the end they did not sit right with me because they felt boring.
The Speedmaster is a sweet watch and would probably be my pick for a one watch collection type watch. Assuming you like the look. And I wouldn't worry about the water resistance as 50m is sufficient to swim with. Although I personally wouldn't swim/snorkel/dive with any watch worth mutiple thousands of dollars.
I would like to thank everyone for their thoughtful input regarding my first world problem.
The feedback was very useful and opened my eyes to some watches not on my radar.
I found the advice regarding strap material and environmental exposure very helpful and funny!
Ironically, I just had confirmation yesterday that the AK was now available to me.
The 32XX movement issue is very concerning. I have read up on this and it’s not clear as to whether it’s been resolved in the latest iterations.
So decision time as the Rolex is available!
I would like to thank everyone for their thoughtful input regarding my first world problem.
The feedback was very useful and opened my eyes to some watches not on my radar.
I found the advice regarding strap material and environmental exposure very helpful and funny!
Ironically, I just had confirmation yesterday that the AK was now available to me.
The 32XX movement issue is very concerning. I have read up on this and it’s not clear as to whether it’s been resolved in the latest iterations.
So decision time as the Rolex is available!
