Just an update. The wife has backed off the watch issue. Turns out her Lalique fetish has gotten the best of her, so she's laying low. :) I went back to the local jewler, with a buddy and Exporer II wearer, to try on Rolexs again. It's always good to get another man's opinion in these matters - especially one who owns a Rolex. Anyway, we both agreed that even the Explorer I is too small for me. The Airking and Oyster Perpetual are totally out of the question as they are even smaller. The "Professional" line - Explorer II, GMT, Sub Mariner, Sea Dweller, are excellent, but I want something a little less sporty. That lead me to the Datejust. It's between the Explorer I and Professional watches. I tried on a variety of them. I really like them and have decided that is the way to go for me. Now I just need to decide between all the different dial colrs and the two bezel choices. I didn't like the fluted bezels until I saw them in person. Now I like them. I also prefer the Oyster bracelet to the Jubilee.

This is the basic idea-

http://www.awatch4u2.com/ebayjan08/DSCF8205.JPG

For those in the market, I strongly recommend trying before buying. Pictures just don't do it. You have to see it on your wrist. Retailers will knock about 10%off in my experience. Turns out I went to school with the owner of the store I went to, so I can get a better deal.:) Also, size matters. There is a wide range of sizes and you really need to see them in person. The Airking and Oyster Perpetual are 34mm, which was the old standard, but small by today's standards. The Explorer I is 35mm. The Datejust 36mm - that 1 or 2 mm really makes a difference! The Pros - 40 mm. They have a new sport model soon to be released at 46mm - too big imo.

According to the shop owner, the Panerais have been selling like crazy.

it's funny because I rarely wear my Explorer. I always felt somewhat uncomfortable with it, as Rolex carries a certain connotation with it. When I mentioned I had a Rolex to my g/f, she proclaimed that she really doesn't like them. But when I showed her, she actually thought that it was quite understated and anything but ostentatious. She was used to seeing the big honking Rolexes with diamonds, etc that grow like weeds in LA.

The bottom line though is that you have to wear it, so you need to like it. I prefer a smaller watch (on the rare occasions I wear one) so the Explorer 1 is perfect. Anything bigger just doesn't work for me. But everyone's mileage varies...

The Zenith watch of today is probably not the one that was the timepiece of the Italian National railroad in the 1940s and 50s. My mother was in Italy around that time, and she bought me what she was told was the best watch in Europe at the time: an 18 k solid gold Zenith, which I still have. I don't know what happened to Zenith after that--a Swiss company--probably not the same one today. Wonder what it's worth?

I wore my Rolex jubilee for about 10 years or so, but got tired of the same watch. Besides, it doesn't keep as good time as my quartz watches. I have a couple of Carreras, a Seiko divers watch, a Movado, and one or two others which I rotate.

I really like the Explorer II white dials and have been looking at them alot, but, I used to have a GMT Pepsi Bezel for about 15 years and sold it. Serious sellers remorse. I think by May I will get another one, I am looking for another GMT but I don't rule out a newer GMTII. Just has to be the red and blue bezel again. Lots of good looking watches out there, I feel your pain.

Same company, and AFAIK, still independent- not affiliated with the big groups like LVMH.

I have a 60's Zenith auto Pie Pan, which is beautiful watch. The Zenith El Primero movement is a ripper, a high beat movement that runs at 36000 bph (lets see I can remember) column wheel chrono movement. They make, have made, some beautiful watches and movements. The Rollie Daytona had a Zenith movement in it, and these fecth bigger $$ than the newer rolex movement.

But god their current el primero watches are fugly. In the flesh they are even worse.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201667648.jpg

I think this is what a lot of people envision when they hear Rolex-

http://i17.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/d3/e8/15b7_1.JPG

I know I did. I wasn't at all interested until I saw watches like the Explorer I, the Airking, and the Submariner. I really think the datejust pic above shows an understated, very nice watch that can be worn with anything.

The size thing really is a matter for the individual. I didn't mean to infer that the Airking or Explorer I are sub standard in any way. I like them a lot. However, I'm 6'-5" and have a 37 sleeve length. I need a bigger watch or it looks girly on me.

If I were you, I would wear that Explorer I 24/7. Who cares what others think? It's a really nice watch.

I thought the Pepsi bezel was discontinued? I like them too.

I also like the white Explorer II. Just a little more sophisticated than the other sport watches. My friends black Explorer II is a beauty as well. I would want them before the Submariner, which is a great watch in it's own right. The 40mm size is perfect for me too. If only you could get a fluted bezel on them.

Bob,

Buy what YOU like. To hell with what the others say. You are the one that needs to be happy with the watch, no one else.

Joe

But the naked guys at the gym told me to buy the datejust!

:D

Joe - Believe me, at this point I narrowed it down to exactly the watch I want. Now I just need to pick a color.

Not new, just newer, you can find pretty new GMTs with the Pepsi bezel. TimeZone.

Not that it matters, but Steve McQueen generally wore either a Tag-Heuer Monaco or a Rolex Submariner.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201674477.jpg

But mostly a Heuer, way before Tag dumbed things down. :)

Go Submariner Sean and Steve can't be wrong.

Steve was right handed but wore his watches on his right hand. Different.

My wife bought me a Monaco for my last birthday, I like it.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201702617.jpg
I still want a GMT Master.

Is it just me or is the hour hand on this watch improperly aligned?

Sean Connery wore a Rolex Submariner as Bond;

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201707839.jpg


Couple more pics of McQueen with his Submariner;

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201707895.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201707916.jpg

Timex i-control WR50M $35 Walmart
Used Rolex $2,000

More money for P-car $1,965

Paid $275 for my Rolex GMT master in 1974 or so. Still works great and now is worth $6500 or so.

Should last my lifetime and possibly the lifetime of whoever I pass it along to when I die.

MORE MONEY FOR EVERYONE by buying a good watch and not a Timex POS that dies every 3-5 years and needs replacing! How about buying something quality that lasts a long time and not a Timex?

No perhaps I won't pass it down to the next generation of Timex wearers, but this watch is now over ten years old. The indiglo doesn't work anymore since I replaced the battery and lost the gas trapped inside. Oh well to each his own.

I get compliments on it all the time. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

I'll let you know when it finally gives up and dies. Perhaps I'll take a picture of it next my Porsche and post it.

You are not alone, Bill Clinton wore a Timex until the French President gave him a nice watch.