Recommend a GMT

Archer · Jan 2, 2020

W wjgesq
Buy one if you want one. But, there is nothing impressive about a Tudor. They are not particularly desirable to the broad market and are basically the Porsche Boxer of the Rolex world. If you buy a Tudor, its like advertising that you could not afford the Rolex. Frankly, if you cannot get the Rolex you desire, the next logical step is Omega. In fact, Omega is truly on par with most of anything Rolex sells. The PO line up is amazing. Again, these are watches and that makes them very personal choices. But Tudor is almost never mentioned in watch circles unless its being touted as a substitute for something else that someone wants but can't quite get a hold of for whatever reason.

Hmmm. Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

wjgesq · Jan 2, 2020

AntonisCy
Wait a few months for the new generation SMP 300 GMT.

That would be a very nice alternative to consider. I have looked at both the blue and silver. I think the silver one would have been much better if it had seamaster in red, like the blue version. The blue looks awesome in the photos, but it did not do a lot for me in person. I'd like to have a GMT, but have made no particular decisions just yet.

abrod520 · Jan 2, 2020

W wjgesq
Buy one if you want one. But, there is nothing impressive about a Tudor. They are not particularly desirable to the broad market and are basically the Porsche Boxer of the Rolex world. If you buy a Tudor, its like advertising that you could not afford the Rolex. Frankly, if you cannot get the Rolex you desire, the next logical step is Omega. In fact, Omega is truly on par with most of anything Rolex sells. The PO line up is amazing. Again, these are watches and that makes them very personal choices. But Tudor is almost never mentioned in watch circles unless its being touted as a substitute for something else that someone wants but can't quite get a hold of for whatever reason.

You do know the Boxster features better dynamics than the 911 does, right? There's a reason track nuts go for the Cayman (basically a Boxster coupe) over the 911 - it's lighter and the better weight distribution of the mid-engine layout lends it an advantage. In fact, it's such an advantage that even Porsche's top-level racing 911s - the GT3 RSR - now have their engine placed just ahead of the rear axle.

But yes, go on wearing your Rolex so you can show it off to people who have no real interest in watches, only how much money you have.

(Full disclosure: I personally prefer the 911 as I am more of a GT person than all-out sports-car person)

dinexus · Jan 2, 2020

AntonisCy
Wait a few months for the new generation SMP 300 GMT.

Do we know for a fact that it's coming in 2020?

wjgesq · Jan 2, 2020

abrod520
You do know the Boxster features better dynamics than the 911 does, right? There's a reason track nuts go for the Cayman (basically a Boxster coupe) over the 911 - it's lighter and the better weight distribution of the mid-engine layout lends it an advantage. In fact, it's such an advantage that even Porsche's top-level racing 911s - the GT3 RSR - now have their engine placed just ahead of the rear axle.

But yes, go on wearing your Rolex so you can show it off to people who have no real interest in watches, only how much money you have.

(Full disclosure: I personally prefer the 911 as I am more of a GT person than all-out sports-car person)

I have no reason to dispute your comments regarding the Porsche. I have heard that said as well. Again, cars, like watches, very personal choices. I would never personally consider a Tudor by any stretch of the imagination for previously stated reasons. They are mostly regarded as Rolex substitutes. If you like them, by all means collect them. I get a lot of inquiries from newbies about what watch to buy and at most price points in my circle, the easy answer is Man on the Moon Speedy, Bond Seamaster and/or--if you can swing it--a Rolex GMT or Sub. The problem seems to be that you cannot get any SS Rolex these days unless you are willing to by far, far over retail. I am not willing to pay a premium, but there are obviously others that will and do. Having had the Hulk, I personally enjoy my PO more and consider it to be comparable in every way except for resale.

wjgesq · Jan 2, 2020

dinexus
Do we know for a fact that it's coming in 2020?

I have not heard that such is the case--but it would make sense. It would be of interest to me if they did. Of course the No Time to Die Seamaster is also of interest, but I think its way overpriced for what it is.

dc_in_sf · Jan 2, 2020

Figured I should add an image for my recommendation (forgive the smudges on the glass, only noticed them after I uploaded the photo).

y4mQkHNBWG8kA-vZVjNhHtEWBAcdKqOVdviKkRXe04YY23cetvz1nwNZbSWqu15opBCradUqkO6IkVhe3TYueXOQBgZhPnWhzAboE8uKDxPIVMPMDeZCDXOd7klCgQHxwV4twN9T0_jGDaihXVOr0JwlC-PJ2JrwSrJn90Bn7PTjL_XNni3P0q0HkgkAWsvhUXtP-BYhUp11twcjreMm6hDYQ

I used to be much more obsessed about water resistance, but the reality is unless you are actually going to dive with a watch, 50m+ should be acceptable for casual swimming (I personally wouldn't swim with a speedmaster, I figure the seals on a manual wind probably get a but more wear than an automatic, but that is just a hunch and not based on any actual knowledge).

One thing that is worth mentioning is that a lot of GMT movements while having the jumping hour hand don't have a quick set date. You basically trade off having a more convenient watch for changing time zones to one that is a pain in the rear to set when it's been in the box for a while. I tend to wear my watches for weeks at a time so it doesn't bother me too much, but if you flip around between your collection and don't keep them on a winder, you may want to find a movement with both a quick set date and the jumping hour hand (I think the modern Omega co-axial movements have this feature, but don't own one myself to confirm).

OmeGez · Jan 2, 2020

Without taking sides - My 2p worth is that the Tudor Black Bay 58 is seen as a throw back to the original Rolex Sub. Rolex do not make that thinner case style anymore, so unless your willing to pay 4 digit vintage Rolex prices, the Tudor is quite appealing, in that area.

Archer · Jan 2, 2020

W wjgesq
I would never personally consider a Tudor by any stretch of the imagination for previously stated reasons. They are mostly regarded as Rolex substitutes.

By all means, buy whatever watch it is you like. I own both a Tudor and a Rolex (have owned several Rolex watches) and the Rolex will most definitely be sold off, but the Tudor I will certainly keep. For me it is in no way a "substitute" for Rolex, as I see that as a very shallow view of the brand...personally.

stuart70 · Jan 2, 2020

I would tend to agree. All I am waiting for is the price to hit a certain point then I will sell the Rolex but keep the Tudor. The BB GMT is a lovely watch.

dinexus · Jan 2, 2020

Archer
For me it is in no way a "substitute" for Rolex, as I see that as a very shallow view of the brand...personally.

Totally agree. Might have been true back in the "Prince" and Tudor Submariner days, but the two brands couldn't be more different in this decade.

abrod520 · Jan 2, 2020

There's not a single Rolex in the current catalog that appeals to me, and no signs of that ever changing. Alternatively, when I finally found a Black Bay GMT at a store to try on I liked it so much I impulse-bought it. To me it's a much more interesting brand, I suppose it's a way for Rolex to maintain their stiff upper lip nonsense but still have a bit of fun.

AntonisCy · Jan 2, 2020

dinexus
Do we know for a fact that it's coming in 2020?

I have been told that its 100% happening. But i would expect it even if i wasn't told from a good source. After the 3 hand version and the chrono comes the GMT.

Archer · Jan 2, 2020

dinexus
Totally agree. Might have been true back in the "Prince" and Tudor Submariner days, but the two brands couldn't be more different in this decade.

This - the brands are so different the idea that one is a substitute (which is code for "poor man's Rolex") is absurd really.

abrod520
There's not a single Rolex in the current catalog that appeals to me, and no signs of that ever changing.

Me as well. As a company they seem completely lost from a design standpoint. Add in the pricing and artificial shortage shenninigans, and modern Rolex is a hard pass for me. Their prices just went up here in a big way, so part 2 of the strategy is in full swing...

jud · Jan 2, 2020

W wjgesq
Buy one if you want one. But, there is nothing impressive about a Tudor. ...Tudor is almost never mentioned in watch circles unless its being touted as a substitute for something else that someone wants but can't quite get a hold of for whatever reason.

I've got to get in on this conversation. I usually do not get into pissing contests about watches but this statement is so ill informed. Head on over to WatchProSite and check out the collections with $100K Pateks that also include Tudors. I just can't imagine that someone that is a watch lover thinks like this, but here we are, on one of the most enlightened watch boards around. I just went and purchased a Tudor BB58 because that was the watch I wanted. I also bundled it with a full gold Rolex so I assure you it was not a substitute for another watch.

Fickle · Jan 2, 2020

To get back onto the topic, is there a comprehensive list of the brands that offer jumping local hour hand / “true” GMTs?

Seems to be Rolex, Omega, Seiko and Tudor are the ones that keep being mentioned and someone recently mentioned IWC pilot which I hadn’t known before.

larryganz · Jan 3, 2020

W wjgesq
Buy one if you want one. But, there is nothing impressive about a Tudor. They are not particularly desirable to the broad market and are basically the Porsche Boxer of the Rolex world. If you buy a Tudor, its like advertising that you could not afford the Rolex. Frankly, if you cannot get the Rolex you desire, the next logical step is Omega. In fact, Omega is truly on par with most of anything Rolex sells. The PO line up is amazing. Again, these are watches and that makes them very personal choices. But Tudor is almost never mentioned in watch circles unless its being touted as a substitute for something else that someone wants but can't quite get a hold of for whatever reason.

Still doesn't justify "Tudor is always a bad idea". Always is a strong word. Why not use "usually" or "often"? We know you can, because you used "almost never" near the end.

Tudor makes well built watches, that often offer a vintage flavor in a modern watch (Sub type watches without case guards, the red triangle on the bezel, etc). I'm not going to argue about how they compare to Omega and Rolex, and it might even be valid to say "it's the Porsche Boxter of the Rolex world", but I don't think the Boxter is always a bad idea either.

flw · Jan 3, 2020

As soon as I get a Speedy (this week I hope), I'm starting to save for the Black Bay GMT. I had a chance to pick up the first release of the Black Bay Black with the rose logo on the dial, and I passed on it. Big mistake.

OmeGez · Jan 3, 2020

The 2nd hand market seems to have softened for the Tudor GMT. There’s some starting to float around for less than RRP prices now.

abrod520 · Jan 3, 2020

Fickle
To get back onto the topic, is there a comprehensive list of the brands that offer jumping local hour hand / “true” GMTs?

Seems to be Rolex, Omega, Seiko and Tudor are the ones that keep being mentioned and someone recently mentioned IWC pilot which I hadn’t known before.

Not quite the same, but the Yema Superman GMT has a jumping GMT hand.

Recommend a GMT

Archer

wjgesq

abrod520

dinexus

wjgesq

wjgesq

dc_in_sf

OmeGez

Archer

stuart70

dinexus

abrod520

AntonisCy

Archer

jud

Fickle

larryganz

flw

OmeGez

abrod520

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