2nd hand Rolex or a Black Bay

[Pouring]

I have a significant birthday coming up. Would you buy a 2nd Rolex GMT or Explorer 2 (sub outside budget) or a new Tudor Black Bay

I like black bay and New watch factor... But it's not a classic Luke the rollies...

Thanks...

[Saoirse32]

Being the owner of an Explorer II, I'm biased and would buy another again. White, of course!

[Athram]

I would get the GMT personally.

[RoundelMike]

[BIAS] I like and respect Tudor, but Tudor isn't Rolex. In this situation I would go with Rolex every time, even a pre-owned one. Will you be happy with the Tudor when you know that a Rolex was the opportunity cost? Explorer II gets my vote. [/BIAS] That being said, the Black Bay is really, really good looking. It's just something I would prefer to own after buying a Rolex, not instead of.

[Strela]

You can ask for other's advice all you want, but it really comes down to you. Deep down what would you be happier with?

I bought a new Tudor Submariner after I had already owned a Rolex, (which I sold shortly after buying the Sub, mainly to offset costs,) so I'm not the best person to ask. I wanted the Tudor more than anything Rolex had at the time I bought my watch--within my price point, mind you-- so it was not really a hard decision for me.

I suggest you mull things over, try on as many of the watches you want as you can, see which sings to you, and then weigh the situation after some thought.

Before big watch purchases I often think about how I see the watch down the road. Let's face it, some watches are forever classics, and some are merely novel, cool pieces that you may want now, but may not have the legs of others.

ps. The Rolex I sold for the Tudor sub, a SS Date, is now back on my list sort of. My next Rolex would likely be a SS Datejust. I would not sell the Tudor for it though.

[malarky_hk]

The three watches you listed there are all different beasts and shouldn't be directly compared - particularly the Black Bay (a diver) against the GMT and Explorer. Look at what you already have and consider how the new addition would complement your existing line up. Or simply just buy whatever sings to you the most.

For those that say a Tudor is not a Rolex, that's true. But not because its simply a low end, cheaper knock-off version of a Rolex. Tudor has its own identity and heritage; and it is a great brand itself.

[Pouring]

Thanks fur opinions all. I have eye in GMT at moment could change again!

[lhanddds]

I'd like to know what model GMT you are referring to. However, I'd probably go with the Rolex.

[Pouring]

I am thinking of a GMT master II, coke bezel. Model and spec depends on cost. Probably a late nineties early noughties watch.

Where I live there is a small 2nd hand watch market so my watch guy will probably have to import. Tudors not distributed here either.

The rollie will still be 1,000 to 1,200 euros dearer than black bay.

On cost and warranty black bay makes sense. But it not (yet) a classic.

I have a number of older watches And servicing can be painful and theres risk in spending 4 or 5 thousand euros on 2nd hand. However my watch guy is very good at sourcing quality pieces and I take a lot of comfort that I will get a good one.

Really not sure what to do and will mentally flip flop over next couple of months!

[RacingGreen]

I have a significant birthday coming up. Would you buy a 2nd Rolex GMT or Explorer 2 (sub outside budget) or a new Tudor Black Bay

I like black bay and New watch factor... But it's not a classic Luke the rollies...

Thanks...

IMHO Black Bay is nicer than anything in the Rolex line-up. If I already owned a Rolex, with the pluses that brings - manufacture movement, prestigious brand etc - then it would be a no brainer; Black Bay over 2nd hand Rollie. If I did not already own a Rolex, then I'd be weighing those plus points against the Black Bays - better looking, under the radar, etc. I'd also be considering an 8500 based Omega of one kind or another.