i posted my first thread about 2 years ago, shortly after my son was born. I was going to pick up a speedy pro to celebrate the occasion and eventually pass it down to him. Well, my dad beat me to it and ended up buying the watch for me to wear and pass to my son, thanks Dad!

Number two is due in a few weeks, a girl this time. I’ve asked my wife and she doesn’t want an heirloom watch, stuck on quartz Shinolas. We’re going to get her a big present once all the kids are born, so this is my opening to add to my humble watch collection (Gshock and moon watch). This would be something I could pass to my daughter if she had any interest in larger watches, or possibly a wedding present for her husband.

I’ve been enamored with the look of the speedy ‘57 co-axial, white face/Sedna gold hands and markers.



...But keeping going back to the Steve McQueen Monaco. If I’m honest, despite really liking the appearance, the actual story of the watch being used in the movie LeMans is a put off. As I understand it, McQueen picked it, among other reasons, because he didn’t think Heuer would be able to use it as marketing material to sell more watches. Nice try.



But while trying on the Monaco for the ~12th time yesterday, I spotted the first Rolex I’ve ever liked. The Explorer II 42mm polar dial.



I know some think it’s a big watch, especially by Rolex standards. I was awfully pleased with it on my 7.25” wrist and hands to match my 6’7” frame.

I’m starting to think the Rolex is displacing the Omega. It costs $800 less, is 42mm diameter vs 41.5mm and 12.5mm thick vs 16.6mm. I also think it’d get more use than the Monaco.





I think I know what I need to know about the pros/cons of the Omega. Can anyone speak to the ownership and pros/cons of the Tag or Rolex.

 

Or may be buy watch for yourself and get additionally invest that much money in your daughter’s name for her higher education may be ??

 

Already have her covered from that side.

 

Personally if you are looking for a tough do it all daily wear watch there is only one choice ... Explorer.

 

Congratulations on the upcoming addition to the family (and watch box)

The best-looking warch I've seen on a woman IRL was a blue dialed Datejust - I'd go for one of those. Pure class.

 

I’ve tried all the different Monaco sizes on and none look right on me. The Platinum Daytona though looks perfect....

I love the Monaco though....

 

I love the idea of the Monaco ... the reality of the Monaco is that I’d never wear it. Oh and yes, congrats on the new addition! (Human that is)

 

I will take Explorer II over Monaco, due to new Monaco is just does't have vintage quality anymore. Plus you can't loose on a Rolex....

 

I appreciate the responses. The more I read, the more I think the Explorer II fits my needs better.

ConElPueblo (if that is your real name..), the blue faced datejust is amazing in person. That’s the route I’m trying to steer my wife, give me time.

Larry, I agree with you, maybe I’ve just been too attached to the idea of the Monaco. The

 

Blue or grey DJ’s... drool...

 

Have one of these myself, the 35th anniversary edition that I bought for my 35th birthday
( Google pic as one of the hardest watches to photo due to curved glass )



Enjoy it as its the only square dial I have. Tried the chrono but can't do the crown on the left on any watches

 

That’s the spirit! Bought a couple of weeks ago after the birth of my son:



Personally I love the form factor and if you’ve tried it on and are happy then you can’t go wrong. It’s thinner on the wrist than a speedy and to me feels more balanced than the 40mm Rolex maxi cases. Legibility is, not surprisingly, superb.

 

Congrats on the child, and the watch! I love the black Explorer II, looks good on your wrist. Im leaning towards the white one as it checks a couple different boxes than my moon watch.

 

Congratulations!

 

Went back to look again. This one is inevitable. I’m a big fan of these as a two watch (for now..) combo.

 

The Explorer II looks like it fits your wrist very well. Plus you already have a chronograph with the Speedy. The Explorer II would give you a different complication (GMT) and is white dial watch. Both of which your collection is lacking.

 

I tried this excuse saying “this is a watch I can pass down to the kids” but now I’ve got way more watches than I ever plan on having kids so it became “they’ll need watches for their kids too”. Now my wife is saying I cannot get anything more so I’ll have to start offering more watches to her

 

I vote for the Explorer.
My father-in law has the black dial and I quite like it.
And if I were to choose between black and white I would definitely go for white.
Also, congrats on the second baby!

 

It’s a done deal. Beautiful, healthy girl was born almost two weeks ago. Picked up the Explorer II on Friday. I love it!







I was hung up on people knowing I was wearing a Rolex. I know I know, silly, most people don’t give two thoughts about what’s on your wrist.

I’ll say that wearing this today at the children’s museum, it’s so damn comfortable and dresses down so nicely. (Pardon the candid shot of me discussing dinosaur bones with my son).



Thanks all, for your input. This watch is going to get a lot of wrist time this summer.

 

Congratulations again. Beautiful kids. Beautiful watches. Glad you got the watches now, they’ll soon be eating you out of house and home. And mine are not even at college age yet.