One of the most honest reviews of any watch I’ve ever seen. Having recently picked up a 126710BLNR and previously owning a 114060, I couldn’t agree more about the comparison to the Sub. The GMTII is the best all around sports watch Rolex offers. FYI, even if not tracking another time zone, most GMT owners will set the GMT hand to 24-hr time relative to their home time. So it’s 4pm locally, your GMT hand should be at 16:00. So when you’re travelling, you just adjust your Mercedes hour hand to local time, whilst still seeing your home time on the GMT hand.
To add to my comment about it being my daily driver - My aesthetic considerations regarding the blue/red bezel as well as the jubilee bracelet, and the resultant gestalt is an aesthetic, and function that fits _any_ situation. I also truly believe that a tool watch should be worn. Too many men worry that their submariner will "accumulate micro abrasions" (lol) whilst they are desk diving during their 9-5. Hell, my old man has a two tone Omega DeVille that he's had for 30+ years and doesn't nurse it whatsoever, and it still keeps ticking _no quibble._
Good day Ash, great to hear your Rolex Pepsi-story and to learn about your experiences with the GMT Master II. And it is great you brought your other watches for comparison. Have a good day!
Like you, I’m about a year into my BLRO. Love it even more today than the day I got the call. There really is little rhyme or reason with these AD’s, though. 4wks wait for a DJ41; incredibly, a mere 9wks for the Pepsi; and yet we’re at 11mos and counting for my wife’s DJ36. Go figure. P.S. LOVE the no date Sub!!! Exquisite!
The Sub is a very special watch - they are very common and very simple - but when you put one on it just feels special - It just feels pure 'Rolex'. The GMTs are nice, but if there was a zombie apocalypse tomorrow, I know which watch I would grab as I ran out of the house, and it would not be a watch that excels at reminding me of the time in Australia!!
Hi Ash, great video. The only issue with the wait list scenario is that you may wait 5 years even if your lucky enough to get a call but in the elapsed period the RRP may have gone up by as mush as 4 to 5k in that time. So by purchasing grey at the time of being put on the list may not be such a financial discrepancy and the kicker is you get to enjoy the watch for all the years you would have been on the list.
I walked into an AD in 2019 and expressed an interest in the Pepsi but was told demand was so high that they weren’t even keeping a waiting list. However they did offer me the Root beer with a 6 month wait, but I turned it down.
15:15 thats because slimmer caseback on GMT, the height is more on the handstack to crystal, hidden by the bezel which also take this height to hide the bezel grooving for the clicks. The Sub's caseback is much thicker but the midcase and bezel is slightly slimmer than the GMT, suspending the watch a bit.
What is lovely is these watches are all being worn. I own the Tudor GMT and would love the GMT Master 2 but i am not playing the game and can wait. Great video thanks
Outstanding spot on review. Your perspectives on watches I find very insightful. I picked up my BLRO from my AD in 2018 and have enjoyed it ever since. Being the first edition my bezel colors are more pastel and vibrant more akin to red/raspberry and blue/blueberry depending upon the light. My biggest drawback I see is that I wish it had the aluminum bezel insert so it would age over time. Picky complaint for sure. Anyway it’s a keeper for sure. Glad you too are enjoying yours a year later! Cheers 🥂
Great one, my friend. Always a joy to see you talking about your passion! You recorded it on 3.10 and now in January Tudor and Rolex jumped again in price with 4-500€, which is ridiculous. Of course, the grey market is higher .. but still, you can´t get one and also they make it more expensive so often. We might come to a 2023 when the desirability of the crown brand will go down .. in the times of instant gratification, who still has patience to wait years to give about 10k€ for a product?
I was eyeballing a Tudor root beer GMT for a couple a months. I read your comment. I went to Tudor’s website. Now I’m disappointed. You’re right, this is getting ridiculous.
@@Mackinac_Man sorry about that, I was also ready to get the BB58 black, its a nice piece. Then 300€ overnight, even if eBay adverts it's full with offers already .. I do hope the "bubble" bursted. Take care!
Another con: the case sides are polished and are a scratch magnet. I have a Batgirl and I’m generally careful with all my timepieces, but within two months I already had scratches on the side!
I love the videos Ash, and really appreciate your perspective on watches. However, after watching this video I have never felt further from owning this GMT. The fact that you mention specifically that you had little purchase history at the AD even though you bought a ladies date just, submariner, Tudor gmt as well as other jewellery really cemented the knowledge that this watch will be impossible for me to buy as someone who can only afford one of these pieces.
Don't be disheartened, I'm an ordinary chap and was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. The secret is putting yourself at the right place at the right time. Things are changing in the watch world and with prices plunging and global financial hardships a lot will change in the next 5-years. Stay loose and be ready when your opportunity arises - nothing good comes easy- trust me, nothing has come my way easily.
Thank you for your insights to the Rolex world. I would love to own a Submariner ( and maybe a Pepsi) one day to. Love your channel. Keep up the good work!
I’ve just viewed this video again and really enjoyed it it . Gmt on jubilee is perfect sub on oyster. Gmt is perfect for the jubilee, or jubilee is perfect for the gmt I should say , beautiful 🤩 bracelet beautiful watch, the batgirl is also beautiful
Great review as always Ash. Really enjoy the way you present and do your reviews. Well it looks like you hit the sweet spot in 2018/2019 before the market mayhem that followed. I don’t think you would have the same luck now, so well done. You are building up a great collection but what would you say is the perfect number of watches for a “collection” that would be used regularly for various occasions? 3/4 or less or more? Best wishes.
Thanks to Rolex not supporting potential customers by actually making watches for them I turned to Shenzhen City. I’m now the proud owner of a Submariner and a GMT-Master II with Oyster Bracelet. Oh baby! 😂 I get compliments all the time on how nice they are. I tell them that they aren’t easy to get but the search and wait is so worth it. Is that wrong? 😊
Hey Ash. Nice video. I also have a Pepsi jubilee and love it. Purchase history for mine: 124060 Sub in Feb 21, DJ31 Mint green Nov 21, jewellery for wedding around £3.5k. Pepsi June 22. That AD treats me amazingly well in general. ADs get a bad wrap but not deserved a lot of the time. Picked up my 126610LV from another dealer i use last month so had a good finish to the year! I’d ditch the Tudor if I was you. Sounds like you don’t like it anymore.
The Tudor will be going to my son when he's a little older, as he looks like he will be a bigger chap than me. I like the LV, even though I am not traditionally a huge fan of green. I suspect Rolex may release something special in the coming year to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Sub. Strong money suggests that an all-gold green model may be the offering. We shall see.
Grate video Ash ! I am on the list for a ( Sub Date 41mm) and ( Z Blue Milgauss ) Hopefully this year I get the call for one of my picks. For the moment I am having an amazing time with the Black Bay Pro that I picked up from the same AD. Be well Sir.
A lot of steel there. Maybe you could sell a few and step up to an all gold stunner. Maybe a GOLD GMT or even better the 26mm DAY-DATE. That would look stunning on your wrist!
@@TheChapsGuide I’m really tempted but like yourself I’ve got the Rootbeer & Pepsi. Do you like any of the other Rolex GMT’s in the line up like the LHD or Batman?
@@unclejonga I saw the Green in a store only last Sunday. It looks really weird to me and an odd watch. The Batman is just too similar to the BLRO to merit having one of those - I would love to see the the all-black GMT come back into the GMT collection, I would be seriously tempted by one of those. I have not taken my CHNR off for the last few months, it just works best in winter for me, with all the log fires and festive decorations, just seems to go well with gold. Come the Spring the Rootbeer will disappear and the BLRO will come back out for the summer (except for water activities, then the Sub is king).
Here's a possible topic for a video: How to deal with jealousy and resentment with class. I never thought I'd deal with it wearing a Seiko, and even a King Samurai is no Submariner, but for some a $400 watch is out of the question. I've been through a lot and have had to overcome a lot of obstacles (the most difficult of which were placed there by me), so I take pride in the few "nice" things I have.
A good question sir. As a man who came from very (very) humble beginnings I do appreciate your query. My few nice things come from a full lifetime of toil and sacrifice, so we share a view of the world.
Phenomenal collection sir! I know you don’t like Patek but a simple Calatrava would seal your collection and suits you so well, it’s so you, have you changed your mind on it? And another question no one on TH-cam touched on is, why does the GMT RootBeer line doesn’t have a jubilee option like the Pepsi, Batman and Sprite? Is that a 2023 prediction 🤔😯🤞🏽
It could well be an addition to the GMT collection and one that would be very well received by the community. The only piece in the accessible PP collection (i.e. under £25K, which in reality is extremely far from accessible) that would interest me is the Aquanaut. My next piece will be a dress watch and the JLC Reverso or Cartier brands are high on my potential list.
I think they have very different personalities. The BLRO is certainly more playful and zesty than the BLNR, which I always feel looks more serious and sombre. All comes down to taste in the end (and which you can get your hands on).
Gmt complication at the deficit of losing a quick set date is terrible. If you have more than 1 watch and have to reset the date every so often - it takes forever with a gmt with non quickset date
@@TheChapsGuide I am in the market for a Tudor GMT as can’t quite stretch to to the price of a GMT Master II. Bit disappointed with the price increase and the COP not an option as why would I pay up to double retail for a pre-owned watch ?
Hahhahaha @the rootbeer not listening they are both beautiful peices. I'm yet to get into Rolex, but am building a relationship with my AD. Just something interesting just this week they told me they have been instructed to start moving stock to new customers over high purchase history customers as they now theorise that the new customer, that just wants a forever peice is less likely to flip over the the individuals that come in and buy many peices. Makes sence so I have my fingers crossed 🤞 I am in Sydney Australia BTW and this could be different in other parts of the world. Again love your Vids keep it up!
what with the design and the price bubble brands like Moser or Czapek seem to offer more value than Rolex but GMT Master on jubilee bracelet is a sweet watch.
Couldn't agree more with the experience of wearing a submariner vs a pepsi gmt. I'm lucky enough to have acquired both from a retailer and in relatively close succession. Waited just 6 weeks for the sub and 2 month for the GMT Pepsi. My black face submariner date was my first and I adore it, wearing it 90% of the time but when I opt for my GMT pepsi on the jubilee strap, it just feels special.
I agree your Rolex GMT Pepsi can be worn with everything up to and including a suit but formal? Should I attend a Black Tie event I will go with either my Cartier Tank or Rolex Cellini. My Cellini is an older model with no complications, not even a second hand, which means it deserves a formal dinner. cellini
Great point on the pricing! I honestly would not pay the current MSRP for any of the Rolex watches I own now, which is a shame to say (116610LN, 124060, 124270, etc.), having bought them at their original prices
I think Omega is at least the technical equal of Rolex, if not slightly more innovative and dynamic. They are more prepared to take chances (Moon Swatch, etc.) and have a more youthful image. Rolex, on the other hand have decades of elite marketing to blame for their current status of high desirability. But at the end of the day, it's all a matter of taste - are you a Rolex person or an Omega person?
Ash. Nice to have breakfast with your video. Probably not ever becoming a Rolex owner. I am retiring this year and I am looking for a whatch to communicate it. Looking at an Oris Big Crown Pointer Date or a Omega speedmaster. Cheers Ron
Hi Ron, Oris are great and the Big Pointer is a personal fave for me. Worth taking a look at Longines as well, their collection is a bit more stealthy than some of the bigger brands, but they make some exquisite pieces for reasonable money. Much as I like the heritage of the Speedy, I simply have trouble reading the time on the very busy dial - don't be blinded by all the hype behind any watch, make sure it is functionally capable to join you on your life journey.
@@TheChapsGuide yep have to agree on the speedy but it's still a cool looking watch. Have been looking at longine especially their GMT Zulu time great looking watch
If it weren’t for the super case, I’d be very interested in the GMT Master 2. However, having received the Sub Date in 2021, I’m holding out hope that Rolex applies the same lug refinement to the GMT family.
The lugs here are not as big as they are on the 116610 subs as you think,they are slimmer and Rolex actually said that when they launched the 126710 series of GMT. I owned a 126710 BLNR (blue and black bezel) and it was much prettier on my 6.25 inch wrist than 126610 sub which i also own and stopped wearing because it looks much bigger on my wtist than the GMT. This new subs just look so elongated on my wrist, possibly the bezel is a hair wider than the previous 116610 and that is what gives this visual effect. Honestly, the GMT is very wearable and elegant on small wrists. Get it if you can and you will be so happy 😀
Great video...I loved all the details and the close-ups! But something you said doesn't sit right: you said that you didn't have to buy a lot or prove yourself to the AD to get the Pepsi and feel that it was pretty easy. On the other hand, you developed a relationship with a small/Mom & Pop shop, you bought a ladies' Rolex, and jewelry on at least 2 occasions, and bought another Rolex, and bought a Tudor, and even after AAALLLLLL that, you had to wait patiently for a couple of years before they "let you" buy the Pepsi. That's 7 different things Everybody's story is different, but I hope to just build a relationship and wait patiently. Maybe buy a Longines Zulu time grey/green that I really want anyway. But that's it. And hopefully, that should be enough.
It is indeed a strange way to go about buying a watch, but in my case, the items that I purchased were unrelated to the end purchase, more coincidental opposed to a targeted attempt to curry favour.
Curious to know if you've tried the 39mm royal oak on as I used to think the GMT is the most comfortable watch until I tried the 39mm royal oak I now lust for that.
Hi ash , Am From Kuwait in my city we Have local Company specialise in Watch Protection Stickers , its amazing thing, its keeps your Watch safe from most of scratches ,
@@TheChapsGuide very nice. I’m supposed to be next in line at my AD for the root beer - hopefully it comes soon but I agree you can’t harass them that will guarantee you won’t get a watch
@@TheChapsGuide good choices. I’ve been on the hunt for 36mm Explorer 1 for a year. If it doesn’t happen by fall I’m heading over to the Cartier AD for a meduim Santos. Reverso’s are always lovely.
Follow your desires regardless of fashion. If you like a nice aesthetically pleasing dress piece there are a myriad options to chose. My favourite would be Longines and JLC.
The issue with the Pepsi is the really poor colouring of the ceramic bezel - in person the dial doesn’t pop and is very dim and bland. In full sun and certain lighting it’s nice but for the most part the colours are more pink and purple than a popping blue and red
The jubilee bracelet makes it feels slightly smaller on the wrist because of it's better conformity to the wrist. I have a large wrist and up until now preferred the oyster bracelet. I think I'm leaning towards the jubilee now. Nice video, except for the spreading fear. Have you been to NYC? There aren't gangs of ppl stealing watches. Millions of people flow through NYC and don't get robbed of their watches, me included.
Hi Ash. That's a beautiful watch. You being from a military / police background this is probably a redundant comment but you need to be careful when detailing your watch collection on social media - particularly when they are such desirable pieces. One infamous watch youtuber in Australia recently had everything stolen while he was away from the house (also, he foolishly let everyone know exactly when he would be away). But as I said - you've probably thought about that already and have all the necessary precautions in place.
Thank you for your concern, I am very conscious of the risks and have taken all appropriate steps to ensure security of the pieces. You are entirely correct about security and the dangers of the modern world. I was saddened to read of the burglary that affected Paul Pluta. A tragic event indeed.
I always hated when my wife found a shirt she liked so she’d go back and buy it in 7 different colors. What’s your thoughts on the same watch in different colors? Ok, or better to try a different watch
I certainly have had my fill of GMTs. I only contemplated a second model because it was so fundamentally different to the Pepsi, being as it was a different colour, bracelet and material. They do feel like totally different watches (mostly due to the bracelet, which changes the look and feel substantially). I would consider having other watches in different colours too - perhaps a black Sub and a Green Sub would be interesting.
@@TheChapsGuide I wasn’t sure if I was crazy to consider 2 of the same watches especially at the price. I have a Batman on oyster, but I also like the Pepsi on jubilee and the root beer
I love these watch review videos; they are something for me to aspire to. Much as I would love to own a Rolex, my budget does not yet stretch to such heights. Instead, my rather modestly-priced wristwatch collection is a truly eclectic mix of different makes to suit my every mood and occasion. Each of them is worth less than £400; a good deal less in most cases, and they vary in age from the mid 1950s to the late 1990s. Apart from being so delightfully individual in design, style and technology, they are all of a perfect size for my small wrist where they can remain safely hidden under my shirt cuff until I want to consult them. For this reason, any Rolex I might purchase in the future would have to be of a suitably reduced diameter, and certainly no bigger than the 36mm Explorer or Datejust. A 1950s birth year Rolex is likely to be smaller in size too. I would not feel comfortable wearing a conspicuous 40mm+ timepiece of such high value as some of yours, not in an everyday setting at any rate... and that rather defeats the reason for wearing a watch of our choice in the first place.
Great video, thanks! But that AD's "You have to build a relationship" is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard. Of course if you wanna be a FOOL and dance to them and entertain them like a clown, go ahead, but if you have some self-respect you won't do that. You are paying 10k (!!!!) for a watch!!! And you have to dance to them and to BEG to have a PERMISSION to buy a god dam wrist watch. Ridiculous. This AD-shit is the reason I sold all my Rolex watches and switched to another brands. Best decision ever.
They aren’t worth it. In August 2017 I bought the white Gold version with inheritance money from DMR in Altrincham. From new it was 20-seconds-per-day fast: For a £25.6K watch! I wore it as I’d heard it took time to for a mechanical watch to adapt to your wrist movements. I took it back to DMR Altrincham, Cheshire: A Rolex Authorized Dealer. They sent it to Rolex UK, Kings Hill, West Malling in Kent. The movement they initially said had a ‘high action.’ In other words it was faulty. The discrepancy was too large to correct using the inertial number to s on the balance wheel. The they gutted a brand new watch and fitted a ‘weaker mainspring.’ As the only way of slowing it down for 20 seconds fast per day. They refused to change it for a new watch. Saying they were the manufacturer and my contract was with the retailer, DMR, who refused to change it or refund my money in contravention of my UK consumer rights. Luxury items are no better than standard price products. I sold it as I needed the money, in April 2019. None of the so called watch dealers I’d seen on Instagram wanted it and one in Manchester here wouldn’t pay me £20K that I asked: They were selling for £26K on Chrono24: So I’d priced it for a £6K profit. The well known pre-owned dealer on Police St Manchester said: ‘It looks like stainless steel’ It was the top white Gold model. And ‘I can’t get anywhere near that.’ (To £20K with a £6K profit to Chrono24. I sold it to Watchbox. Who wouldn’t pay £20K and gave me a very low initial offer after asking like all pre-owned dealers do: ‘What do you want for it. They phoned me back and increased the offer to £18.5K’ The his was just before the prices all inflated. I wasn’t used to negotiating and accepted: Losing £7K from what I paid. You are better with an accurate digital or a £100 Swatch Sistem 51 plastic mechanical which has a good 2-year guarantee and replace it when it stops working or the seals go within 2 years. The law is goi have 6-years to claim from a retailer but you should ensure at least 6 weeks before buying anything like this that you have legal insurance on your home contents policy to pursue and enforced your consumer rights when they are flouted by Rolex UK and their Authorised Retailers. Used dealers are absolute unscrupulous sharks and you fall prey to them when trying to liquidate a hyper expensive watch like this if you need the money back.
I have this watch and I can tell you know its nowhere near as comfortable as a Grand Seiko on the wrist or indeed as well finished or well built, the Rolex brand is well overrated and overpriced, go Grand Seiko you wont be disappointed
I can’t stand watch people, look at the maniac that references his watch by the serial number below in the comments. Obsession is an understatement here.
In 2010, I glanced a Rolex Submariner on the wrist of my floor tiler. He noticed and remarked, “a gift to myself for 30-years on my knees”
A bit like the England football team then😂 They start the match where they eventually end up!
My wife said the same thing. 😘
@@RootBeerGMT you mean your husband, sir.
Well this is the problem with this brand, everybody has one, it is becoming the new swatch of my younger days
One of the most honest reviews of any watch I’ve ever seen. Having recently picked up a 126710BLNR and previously owning a 114060, I couldn’t agree more about the comparison to the Sub. The GMTII is the best all around sports watch Rolex offers.
FYI, even if not tracking another time zone, most GMT owners will set the GMT hand to 24-hr time relative to their home time. So it’s 4pm locally, your GMT hand should be at 16:00. So when you’re travelling, you just adjust your Mercedes hour hand to local time, whilst still seeing your home time on the GMT hand.
Lovely video Ash. Thank you ever so much for taking the time to film this and share with the community. It's very much appreciated.
My pleasure!
My pleasure!
To add to my comment about it being my daily driver -
My aesthetic considerations regarding the blue/red bezel as well as the jubilee bracelet, and the resultant gestalt is an aesthetic, and function that fits _any_ situation.
I also truly believe that a tool watch should be worn. Too many men worry that their submariner will "accumulate micro abrasions" (lol) whilst they are desk diving during their 9-5.
Hell, my old man has a two tone Omega DeVille that he's had for 30+ years and doesn't nurse it whatsoever, and it still keeps ticking _no quibble._
Good day Ash, great to hear your Rolex Pepsi-story and to learn about your experiences with the GMT Master II. And it is great you brought your other watches for comparison. Have a good day!
Like you, I’m about a year into my BLRO. Love it even more today than the day I got the call. There really is little rhyme or reason with these AD’s, though. 4wks wait for a DJ41; incredibly, a mere 9wks for the Pepsi; and yet we’re at 11mos and counting for my wife’s DJ36. Go figure.
P.S. LOVE the no date Sub!!! Exquisite!
The Sub is a very special watch - they are very common and very simple - but when you put one on it just feels special - It just feels pure 'Rolex'. The GMTs are nice, but if there was a zombie apocalypse tomorrow, I know which watch I would grab as I ran out of the house, and it would not be a watch that excels at reminding me of the time in Australia!!
Great watch , they have shot up in price haven’t they . £9150 on the jubilee now , £9000 on the oyster . Excellent review Ash
Hi Ash, great video. The only issue with the wait list scenario is that you may wait 5 years even if your lucky enough to get a call but in the elapsed period the RRP may have gone up by as mush as 4 to 5k in that time. So by purchasing grey at the time of being put on the list may not be such a financial discrepancy and the kicker is you get to enjoy the watch for all the years you would have been on the list.
Good point!
I walked into an AD in 2019 and expressed an interest in the Pepsi but was told demand was so high that they weren’t even keeping a waiting list. However they did offer me the Root beer with a 6 month wait, but I turned it down.
9:14 i totally agree on both counts. Thats why i like my seamaster. Date at the 6 position to maintain symmetry and no ridiculous cyclops
15:15 thats because slimmer caseback on GMT, the height is more on the handstack to crystal, hidden by the bezel which also take this height to hide the bezel grooving for the clicks. The Sub's caseback is much thicker but the midcase and bezel is slightly slimmer than the GMT, suspending the watch a bit.
What is lovely is these watches are all being worn. I own the Tudor GMT and would love the GMT Master 2 but i am not playing the game and can wait. Great video thanks
The Tudor is a fantastic watch, I was very close to buying but went with a SMP Diver, it was very close though, enjoy it!
Outstanding spot on review. Your perspectives on watches I find very insightful. I picked up my BLRO from my AD in 2018 and have enjoyed it ever since. Being the first edition my bezel colors are more pastel and vibrant more akin to red/raspberry and blue/blueberry depending upon the light. My biggest drawback I see is that I wish it had the aluminum bezel insert so it would age over time. Picky complaint for sure. Anyway it’s a keeper for sure. Glad you too are enjoying yours a year later! Cheers 🥂
Great to hear!
Nice! Do you know about color changes on the newer bezels? How many different “MK“s are there now? You own MK1 I suppose?
@@kamimcmmm yes, I have the MK1 which I like due to its vintage vibe. Very short production run whatever that means anymore! Cheers
Someone I know with a decent purchase history at local AD asked about the Rolex GMT... was told there would be a 10 year wait list!
Same here, waiting list closed and a 10 year wait on current orders… that’s crazy!
Best wristwatch content on TH-cam! Who needs all that fancy editing and all that rock music. I’ll take the Welchman any day!
Thank you sir. No fancy editing here - I simply don’t know how to do it!
Great one, my friend. Always a joy to see you talking about your passion! You recorded it on 3.10 and now in January Tudor and Rolex jumped again in price with 4-500€, which is ridiculous. Of course, the grey market is higher .. but still, you can´t get one and also they make it more expensive so often. We might come to a 2023 when the desirability of the crown brand will go down .. in the times of instant gratification, who still has patience to wait years to give about 10k€ for a product?
I was eyeballing a Tudor root beer GMT for a couple a months. I read your comment. I went to Tudor’s website. Now I’m disappointed. You’re right, this is getting ridiculous.
@@Mackinac_Man sorry about that, I was also ready to get the BB58 black, its a nice piece. Then 300€ overnight, even if eBay adverts it's full with offers already .. I do hope the "bubble" bursted. Take care!
Another con: the case sides are polished and are a scratch magnet. I have a Batgirl and I’m generally careful with all my timepieces, but within two months I already had scratches on the side!
I’ve had mine around a year also, think it’s lost around 10k in value in the last year 😂 … still love it thou the GMTs are the best to wear daily 👍👍👍
Great vid, nice collection 👍 - Do u still prefer the Pepsi over Rootbeer? Does the latter get much wear?
Pepsi still for the colours, but the RB is equally iconic now!
For the current asking price, i think a Rootbeer is a better choice.
I love the videos Ash, and really appreciate your perspective on watches. However, after watching this video I have never felt further from owning this GMT. The fact that you mention specifically that you had little purchase history at the AD even though you bought a ladies date just, submariner, Tudor gmt as well as other jewellery really cemented the knowledge that this watch will be impossible for me to buy as someone who can only afford one of these pieces.
Don't be disheartened, I'm an ordinary chap and was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. The secret is putting yourself at the right place at the right time. Things are changing in the watch world and with prices plunging and global financial hardships a lot will change in the next 5-years. Stay loose and be ready when your opportunity arises - nothing good comes easy- trust me, nothing has come my way easily.
A remarkable response from a true gent.
Wonderful assessment!
Great video and lovely watch - wear in good health. Kind regards James
Good video, I have the 114060 the OG of the sub, love it with out the cyclops wort bought it from AD 2019, true classic 🔥.
Totally agree
Looking forward to your one year review of the Explorer!
Arrives on Saturday
I really appreciated your episode.
Great video thank you very much .
Glad you liked it!
Thank you for your insights to the Rolex world.
I would love to own a Submariner ( and maybe a Pepsi) one day to.
Love your channel. Keep up the good work!
Great review Ash ! Please more watch reviews; you give a great perspective to the watches you review. Keep up the great work.
I’ve just viewed this video again and really enjoyed it it . Gmt on jubilee is perfect sub on oyster. Gmt is perfect for the jubilee, or jubilee is perfect for the gmt I should say , beautiful 🤩 bracelet beautiful watch, the batgirl is also beautiful
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great review as always Ash. Really enjoy the way you present and do your reviews. Well it looks like you hit the sweet spot in 2018/2019 before the market mayhem that followed. I don’t think you would have the same luck now, so well done. You are building up a great collection but what would you say is the perfect number of watches for a “collection” that would be used regularly for various occasions? 3/4 or less or more? Best wishes.
I would prefer to have 3 watches in total. A utility piece (diver or GMT), a field watch and a dress watch. I'll get there one day.
I’m very much interested in the sprite gmt I personally couldn’t do red and blue on a watch
Great collection .
Thanks to Rolex not supporting potential customers by actually making watches for them I turned to Shenzhen City. I’m now the proud owner of a Submariner and a GMT-Master II with Oyster Bracelet. Oh baby! 😂 I get compliments all the time on how nice they are. I tell them that they aren’t easy to get but the search and wait is so worth it. Is that wrong? 😊
Hey Ash. Nice video. I also have a Pepsi jubilee and love it. Purchase history for mine: 124060 Sub in Feb 21, DJ31 Mint green Nov 21, jewellery for wedding around £3.5k. Pepsi June 22. That AD treats me amazingly well in general. ADs get a bad wrap but not deserved a lot of the time.
Picked up my 126610LV from another dealer i use last month so had a good finish to the year!
I’d ditch the Tudor if I was you. Sounds like you don’t like it anymore.
The Tudor will be going to my son when he's a little older, as he looks like he will be a bigger chap than me. I like the LV, even though I am not traditionally a huge fan of green. I suspect Rolex may release something special in the coming year to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Sub. Strong money suggests that an all-gold green model may be the offering. We shall see.
Tnx for the review. Can you please also explain the different bezel colors among MK1 MK2 MK3 MK4?
Grate video Ash ! I am on the list for a ( Sub Date 41mm) and ( Z Blue Milgauss ) Hopefully this year I get the call for one of my picks. For the moment I am having an amazing time with the Black Bay Pro that I picked up from the same AD. Be well Sir.
Three beautiful watches. Congrats.
A lot of steel there. Maybe you could sell a few and step up to an all gold stunner. Maybe a GOLD GMT or even better the 26mm DAY-DATE. That would look stunning on your wrist!
Oh I am so tempted and have run through that plan many times in my mind. May do it in 2023!
Price of Pepsi has dropped by 17% from a year ago. In the aftermarket. Not hard to find now.. overall prices for Rolex are dropping which is great
Great review. For me, the Pepsi GMT is the best modern Rolex. Would you ever consider getting a Sky-Dweller?
Pepsi is King 👑
Bit on the big side for me, but a nice watch indeed.
@@jamieopulence As is Patek 👑
@@TheChapsGuide I’m really tempted but like yourself I’ve got the Rootbeer & Pepsi. Do you like any of the other Rolex GMT’s in the line up like the LHD or Batman?
@@unclejonga I saw the Green in a store only last Sunday. It looks really weird to me and an odd watch. The Batman is just too similar to the BLRO to merit having one of those - I would love to see the the all-black GMT come back into the GMT collection, I would be seriously tempted by one of those. I have not taken my CHNR off for the last few months, it just works best in winter for me, with all the log fires and festive decorations, just seems to go well with gold. Come the Spring the Rootbeer will disappear and the BLRO will come back out for the summer (except for water activities, then the Sub is king).
Here's a possible topic for a video: How to deal with jealousy and resentment with class. I never thought I'd deal with it wearing a Seiko, and even a King Samurai is no Submariner, but for some a $400 watch is out of the question. I've been through a lot and have had to overcome a lot of obstacles (the most difficult of which were placed there by me), so I take pride in the few "nice" things I have.
A good question sir. As a man who came from very (very) humble beginnings I do appreciate your query. My few nice things come from a full lifetime of toil and sacrifice, so we share a view of the world.
Great review and beautiful watches
Phenomenal collection sir! I know you don’t like Patek but a simple Calatrava would seal your collection and suits you so well, it’s so you, have you changed your mind on it? And another question no one on TH-cam touched on is, why does the GMT RootBeer line doesn’t have a jubilee option like the Pepsi, Batman and Sprite? Is that a 2023 prediction 🤔😯🤞🏽
It could well be an addition to the GMT collection and one that would be very well received by the community. The only piece in the accessible PP collection (i.e. under £25K, which in reality is extremely far from accessible) that would interest me is the Aquanaut. My next piece will be a dress watch and the JLC Reverso or Cartier brands are high on my potential list.
I have a Tudor GMT and 124060. I want to add a GMT with the Jubilee bracelet but can’t decide between the BLNR and BLRO.
I think they have very different personalities. The BLRO is certainly more playful and zesty than the BLNR, which I always feel looks more serious and sombre. All comes down to taste in the end (and which you can get your hands on).
Stunning watch!! 👊🏻
Now give me that one with the meteorite dial! Holy Grail watch.
Gmt complication at the deficit of losing a quick set date is terrible.
If you have more than 1 watch and have to reset the date every so often - it takes forever with a gmt with non quickset date
Very informative video Ash and thanks for sharing 👌👌👌
Glad you liked it
@@TheChapsGuide I am in the market for a Tudor GMT as can’t quite stretch to to the price of a GMT Master II. Bit disappointed with the price increase and the COP not an option as why would I pay up to double retail for a pre-owned watch ?
@@TheChapsGuide Think you’ll get rid of the Tudor GMT as you don’t really use it and replace it with something else ?
@@Gooner_Mo I’m going to pass it along to my son in due course. It’s such a great watch, but just too big for me.
Great review!! Couldn’t agree more.
its the jubilee that makes the difference. such a better strap than the oyster.
Rolex emulated the same color scheme as the Republic of Korea national flag. Amazing color combo. Just bought a new one myself.
great review
« Rolex Gmt : 2 years on the list « for me 😂
Hahhahaha @the rootbeer not listening they are both beautiful peices.
I'm yet to get into Rolex, but am building a relationship with my AD. Just something interesting just this week they told me they have been instructed to start moving stock to new customers over high purchase history customers as they now theorise that the new customer, that just wants a forever peice is less likely to flip over the the individuals that come in and buy many peices.
Makes sence so I have my fingers crossed 🤞
I am in Sydney Australia BTW and this could be different in other parts of the world.
Again love your Vids keep it up!
Ash, I thought you said you got the call for the Pepsi from Goldsmiths after buying your Rootbeer??
I got my BLRO from another AD and not Goldsmiths (from where I did get the CHNR).
what with the design and the price bubble brands like Moser or Czapek seem to offer more value than Rolex but GMT Master on jubilee bracelet is a sweet watch.
Couldn't agree more with the experience of wearing a submariner vs a pepsi gmt. I'm lucky enough to have acquired both from a retailer and in relatively close succession. Waited just 6 weeks for the sub and 2 month for the GMT Pepsi. My black face submariner date was my first and I adore it, wearing it 90% of the time but when I opt for my GMT pepsi on the jubilee strap, it just feels special.
Thank you for another great video
Thanks for watching!
I agree your Rolex GMT Pepsi can be worn with everything up to and including a suit but formal? Should I attend a Black Tie event I will go with either my Cartier Tank or Rolex Cellini. My Cellini is an older model with no complications, not even a second hand, which means it deserves a formal dinner.
cellini
Great point on the pricing! I honestly would not pay the current MSRP for any of the Rolex watches I own now, which is a shame to say (116610LN, 124060, 124270, etc.), having bought them at their original prices
100% .. Adrian Barker paid 5800 GBP for his Submariner green dial a few years ago, still a lot of cash but half from grey market price today.
“A Rolex does not make sense at today’s price” , my local authorised dealer.
Does not make sense at market price.........at retail it does.
How would you compare Rolex to omega watches Ash?
I think Omega is at least the technical equal of Rolex, if not slightly more innovative and dynamic. They are more prepared to take chances (Moon Swatch, etc.) and have a more youthful image. Rolex, on the other hand have decades of elite marketing to blame for their current status of high desirability. But at the end of the day, it's all a matter of taste - are you a Rolex person or an Omega person?
Love them both but if I had to choose I’d go omega.
Ash. Nice to have breakfast with your video. Probably not ever becoming a Rolex owner. I am retiring this year and I am looking for a whatch to communicate it. Looking at an Oris Big Crown Pointer Date or a Omega speedmaster. Cheers Ron
Hi Ron, Oris are great and the Big Pointer is a personal fave for me. Worth taking a look at Longines as well, their collection is a bit more stealthy than some of the bigger brands, but they make some exquisite pieces for reasonable money. Much as I like the heritage of the Speedy, I simply have trouble reading the time on the very busy dial - don't be blinded by all the hype behind any watch, make sure it is functionally capable to join you on your life journey.
@@TheChapsGuide yep have to agree on the speedy but it's still a cool looking watch. Have been looking at longine especially their GMT Zulu time great looking watch
wud u suggest to buy rolex gmt at the premium price or tudor gmt at retail?
Always aim for retail. Anything else is money lost.
If it weren’t for the super case, I’d be very interested in the GMT Master 2. However, having received the Sub Date in 2021, I’m holding out hope that Rolex applies the same lug refinement to the GMT family.
The lugs here are not as big as they are on the 116610 subs as you think,they are slimmer and Rolex actually said that when they launched the 126710 series of GMT. I owned a 126710 BLNR (blue and black bezel) and it was much prettier on my 6.25 inch wrist than 126610 sub which i also own and stopped wearing because it looks much bigger on my wtist than the GMT.
This new subs just look so elongated on my wrist, possibly the bezel is a hair wider than the previous 116610 and that is what gives this visual effect.
Honestly, the GMT is very wearable and elegant on small wrists. Get it if you can and you will be so happy 😀
Great video...I loved all the details and the close-ups! But something you said doesn't sit right: you said that you didn't have to buy a lot or prove yourself to the AD to get the Pepsi and feel that it was pretty easy. On the other hand, you developed a relationship with a small/Mom & Pop shop, you bought a ladies' Rolex, and jewelry on at least 2 occasions, and bought another Rolex, and bought a Tudor, and even after AAALLLLLL that, you had to wait patiently for a couple of years before they "let you" buy the Pepsi. That's 7 different things
Everybody's story is different, but I hope to just build a relationship and wait patiently. Maybe buy a Longines Zulu time grey/green that I really want anyway. But that's it. And hopefully, that should be enough.
It is indeed a strange way to go about buying a watch, but in my case, the items that I purchased were unrelated to the end purchase, more coincidental opposed to a targeted attempt to curry favour.
You can't go wrong with a Rolie...
Curious to know if you've tried the 39mm royal oak on as I used to think the GMT is the most comfortable watch until I tried the 39mm royal oak I now lust for that.
Not as yet, but they are rare beasts to encounter.
Hi ash ,
Am From Kuwait in my city we Have local Company specialise in Watch Protection Stickers , its amazing thing, its keeps your Watch safe from most of scratches ,
I tried it in my GMT Batman Watch Its was incredible 👍
Congrats on your Pepsi - did you make all your watch and jewelry purchases with the same SA?
No, spread across several different stores (all authorised dealers) over 5-years.
@@TheChapsGuide very nice. I’m supposed to be next in line at my AD for the root beer - hopefully it comes soon but I agree you can’t harass them that will guarantee you won’t get a watch
Nice watch and fine taste with your collection. What other watches have peaked your interest?
I rather like the Longines Dolce Vita and the Cartier Santos as dress options, as well as the ever classic JLC Reverso.
@@TheChapsGuide good choices. I’ve been on the hunt for 36mm Explorer 1 for a year. If it doesn’t happen by fall I’m heading over to the Cartier AD for a meduim Santos. Reverso’s are always lovely.
Do you have any advice for people who don’t care for these types of large dive watches?
Follow your desires regardless of fashion. If you like a nice aesthetically pleasing dress piece there are a myriad options to chose. My favourite would be Longines and JLC.
The issue with the Pepsi is the really poor colouring of the ceramic bezel - in person the dial doesn’t pop and is very dim and bland. In full sun and certain lighting it’s nice but for the most part the colours are more pink and purple than a popping blue and red
❤great watch
Nice review fellow chap! When are you going to come over to the dark side; Patek Philippe?
Still awaiting that lottery win!
@@TheChapsGuide I hear you - it’s tough!!
The jubilee bracelet makes it feels slightly smaller on the wrist because of it's better conformity to the wrist. I have a large wrist and up until now preferred the oyster bracelet. I think I'm leaning towards the jubilee now. Nice video, except for the spreading fear. Have you been to NYC? There aren't gangs of ppl stealing watches. Millions of people flow through NYC and don't get robbed of their watches, me included.
Hi Ash. That's a beautiful watch. You being from a military / police background this is probably a redundant comment but you need to be careful when detailing your watch collection on social media - particularly when they are such desirable pieces. One infamous watch youtuber in Australia recently had everything stolen while he was away from the house (also, he foolishly let everyone know exactly when he would be away). But as I said - you've probably thought about that already and have all the necessary precautions in place.
Thank you for your concern, I am very conscious of the risks and have taken all appropriate steps to ensure security of the pieces. You are entirely correct about security and the dangers of the modern world. I was saddened to read of the burglary that affected Paul Pluta. A tragic event indeed.
Let's not kid... that's not red and blue. That's pink and purple. I agree though, for your wrist size, the GMT Master II is a better fit.
Well played! It is amazing what can happen when you have an earnest, polite conversation.
I prefer Batman on jubilee aka Bruce Wayne.
I always hated when my wife found a shirt she liked so she’d go back and buy it in 7 different colors. What’s your thoughts on the same watch in different colors? Ok, or better to try a different watch
I certainly have had my fill of GMTs. I only contemplated a second model because it was so fundamentally different to the Pepsi, being as it was a different colour, bracelet and material. They do feel like totally different watches (mostly due to the bracelet, which changes the look and feel substantially). I would consider having other watches in different colours too - perhaps a black Sub and a Green Sub would be interesting.
@@TheChapsGuide I wasn’t sure if I was crazy to consider 2 of the same watches especially at the price. I have a Batman on oyster, but I also like the Pepsi on jubilee and the root beer
I chose the Batgirl over Pepsi. Colours flow better IMO.🔵⚫️
I love these watch review videos; they are something for me to aspire to. Much as I would love to own a Rolex, my budget does not yet stretch to such heights. Instead, my rather modestly-priced wristwatch collection is a truly eclectic mix of different makes to suit my every mood and occasion. Each of them is worth less than £400; a good deal less in most cases, and they vary in age from the mid 1950s to the late 1990s. Apart from being so delightfully individual in design, style and technology, they are all of a perfect size for my small wrist where they can remain safely hidden under my shirt cuff until I want to consult them. For this reason, any Rolex I might purchase in the future would have to be of a suitably reduced diameter, and certainly no bigger than the 36mm Explorer or Datejust. A 1950s birth year Rolex is likely to be smaller in size too. I would not feel comfortable wearing a conspicuous 40mm+ timepiece of such high value as some of yours, not in an everyday setting at any rate... and that rather defeats the reason for wearing a watch of our choice in the first place.
Beautiful watch, but it looks little too big on your wrist 🤔 Also red and blue reminds me of hot and cold water
Looks a bit big for you actually. I’ll swap it for a Moonswatch to help you out if you like 🤔😂
Was offered this at the AD. Yuk, looked cheap. Bought Omega chronograph tri-tone instead (also better than Daytona).
You said no to a Rolex GMT?
Ok I believe
😂😂😂😂😂best comment 2023
My Batman five years ago in two weeks.
Paying a premium and waiting? That is a brand worth passing on.
Great video, thanks! But that AD's "You have to build a relationship" is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard. Of course if you wanna be a FOOL and dance to them and entertain them like a clown, go ahead, but if you have some self-respect you won't do that. You are paying 10k (!!!!) for a watch!!! And you have to dance to them and to BEG to have a PERMISSION to buy a god dam wrist watch. Ridiculous. This AD-shit is the reason I sold all my Rolex watches and switched to another brands. Best decision ever.
Is it my imagination or is the current Rolex GMT Master II aging horribly. The old 16710 is so much nicer and timeless. Just my opinion.
They aren’t worth it. In August 2017 I bought the white Gold version with inheritance money from DMR in Altrincham.
From new it was 20-seconds-per-day fast: For a £25.6K watch!
I wore it as I’d heard it took time to for a mechanical watch to adapt to your wrist movements.
I took it back to DMR Altrincham, Cheshire: A Rolex Authorized Dealer.
They sent it to Rolex UK, Kings Hill, West Malling in Kent.
The movement they initially said had a ‘high action.’
In other words it was faulty.
The discrepancy was too large to correct using the inertial number to s on the balance wheel.
The they gutted a brand new watch and fitted a ‘weaker mainspring.’
As the only way of slowing it down for 20 seconds fast per day.
They refused to change it for a new watch. Saying they were the manufacturer and my contract was with the retailer, DMR, who refused to change it or refund my money in contravention of my UK consumer rights.
Luxury items are no better than standard price products.
I sold it as I needed the money, in April 2019.
None of the so called watch dealers I’d seen on Instagram wanted it and one in Manchester here wouldn’t pay me £20K that I asked:
They were selling for £26K on Chrono24:
So I’d priced it for a £6K profit.
The well known pre-owned dealer on Police St Manchester said:
‘It looks like stainless steel’
It was the top white Gold model.
And
‘I can’t get anywhere near that.’ (To £20K with a £6K profit to Chrono24.
I sold it to Watchbox.
Who wouldn’t pay £20K and gave me a very low initial offer after asking like all pre-owned dealers do:
‘What do you want for it.
They phoned me back and increased the offer to £18.5K’
The his was just before the prices all inflated.
I wasn’t used to negotiating and accepted:
Losing £7K from what I paid.
You are better with an accurate digital or a £100 Swatch Sistem 51
plastic mechanical which has a good 2-year guarantee and replace it when it stops working or the seals go within 2 years.
The law is goi have 6-years to claim from a retailer but you should ensure at least 6 weeks before buying anything like this that you have legal insurance on your home contents policy to pursue and enforced your consumer rights when they are flouted by Rolex UK and their Authorised Retailers.
Used dealers are absolute unscrupulous sharks and you fall prey to them when trying to liquidate a hyper expensive watch like this if you need the money back.
This is TH-cam not a complaint agency. Jeez no one wants to read all that.
Sorry you had a bad experience with the brand. Its always worth keeping in mind that no brand is perfect. Thanks for sharing.
Things like this and the general approach by Rolex and ADs is killing what should be a luxury experience
5 weeks later? What????????????
Wear in good health
I'm not going to own something beautiful, because someone might steal it... Don't ever say that around your wife.
Perpetually Unavailable
Superlative Waitlist
I have this watch and I can tell you know its nowhere near as comfortable as a Grand Seiko on the wrist or indeed as well finished or well built, the Rolex brand is well overrated and overpriced, go Grand Seiko you wont be disappointed
I can’t stand watch people, look at the maniac that references his watch by the serial number below in the comments. Obsession is an understatement here.
I've owned a Rolex for 30 years,frankly an overated product ,I wish I'd sold it years ago
He's not really called Jones is he lol
Unfortunately the cyclope ruins the dial imho 😩