LightGeek 25 Posted March 4, 2013 (edited) Welcome to LightGeek's Rolex GMT IIc showdown. This was created for my own entertainment purposes and by reading this, you waive all rights to mock my 2 hours worth of work and take it for exactly what it is... a bunch of nice pictures. Having said that, this is the second in the "showdown" series where I basically spend a bunch of money to see which version of a certain watch seems better. The first "DSSD Showdown" was well received so here is the Rolex GMC IIc. Although I have access to a gen, my father is reluctant to let me keep it overnight after I pulled a "gen for rep" swap right under his nose. In a nutshell, I swapped the WI version with his gen, then handed his gen back to him. He criticized his gen for weight a few things -- then realized it was a rep. The tell for him was the terrible date. So, the gen in the photos here was taken in poor conditions in a restaurant using my iPhone. The reps were also taken with an iPhone but at least I could do them all in the same place. The specimens appear in this order: 1. Gen: ~$7500 USD (approx price paid) 2. WBK: $145 USD [Asian Auto] - NOTE: mine is M2M seconds 3. BK: $440 USD [swiss ETA 2836-2] 4. WI: $178 [Asian ETA 2836] All of these have the ICHS, except for the gen of course! On the gen, the hour hand is independently adjustable. On the reps, the GMT hand is adjusted by itself. This tiny little difference made me mess up the time/date on the gen as I tried to set it for 10:10. On that note, the screw down and keyless action on the crown is like butter. Overall the feel of the gen is like handling built-by-nature 34Ds whereas all the reps feel like factory produced 36Ds. The BK and WI are generally the same since they're from the same factory. For more information on what makes BK's so much more $$, please see his Trusted Dealer section. Without further adieu, let's jump in. I make some very short, general comments but feel free to make your own comparisons. ------------------- Face: - GEN: Everything pops about it. The bezel numbers sparkle, the date is deep gloss (raised) black. The cyclops has AR which makes the date pop even more. Notice all the hands are thin. - WBK: has thicker bezel numbers but not centered in this copy. The bezel action is sloppy. Notice the paint on the GMT hand doesn't go all the way. Date font is pretty terrible. - BK: Bezel action is slightly tighter than WI though both should be of same factory. Date on BK is excellent. - WI: Date is pretty poor, but otherwise same as BK. ------------------- Cutaway: - GEN: Notice how "black" the dial looks under the AR'd cyclops as well as the date itself, even under poor lighting. The crown is cut very crisp. Bezel is deep black. - WBK: Thick ring around markers. Shallow cut bezel teeth. Notice crown guard finish. Etched coronet is visible. - BK: Etched coronet is visible. - WI: Etched coronet is visible. ------------------- Officially Certified: - GEN: No comment. - WBK: Good spacing between words but unfortunately fail on spacing between lines. Still, I'd prefer this over the others. - BK: Stupid space in GMT-MASTER. Missing space between OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED. - WI: Stupid space in GMT-MASTER. Missing space between OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED. ------------------- Crown: - GEN: The crown doesn't line up when screwed down. - WBK: Case is too thick, the crystal sticks out too much. - BK: Caseback notwithstanding, it's pretty good. Crystal is pushed down nearly flush -- too far. - WI: Same as BK except the crown lines up when screwed down Crystal is unevenly pressed. ------------------- End Link: - GEN: Notice how high the date sits in the window. End link tight fit, no slop. - WBK: Sloppy fit, even going to bigger/tighter spring bars. - BK: Tight fit but not flush. Don't compare it to gen. - WI: Tight fit but not flush. Don't compare it to gen. ------------------- Steelnox: - GEN: Thin, fine text. - WBK: No comment. - BK: No comment. - WI: No comment. ------------------- Clasp: - GEN: Brilliant pearl finish and crisp black text. - WBK: Erm. Ok. Not bad, actually. - BK: Notice the top of the flip down clasp isn't straight horizontal (cutaway above the coronet). Dirty, even after initial spa treatment. - WI: Notice the top of the flip down clasp isn't straight horizontal (cutaway above the coronet). "GENEVA / SWISS MADE" text alignment is off. ------------------- Lume: - GEN: Bright and glows evenly. Was only exposed to ambient light with photo taken under the table. - WBK: Re-lumed so it's cheating. - BK: Standard "ok" lume. - WI: Standard "ok" lume. ------------------- Side: - GEN: Needs some Cape Cod. - WBK: Thicker case than gen. - BK: No comment. - WI: No comment. ------------------- Triangle: - GEN: Sparkles very nicely. Notice bracelet end link fit. - WBK: Totally off alignment, not just on this copy. - BK: Too small. - WI: Too small. ------------------- Screws: - GEN: All flush (both sides!) and the same from factory. - WBK: Doesn't screw in flush on both sides. - BK: Doesn't screw in flush on both sides. - WI: Doesn't screw in flush on both sides. One isn't actually quite the same as the others. ------------------- Rehaut: - GEN: Rehaut is shiny with thick font. - WBK: What the heck. - BK: Meek looking with white spots. Come on, that's not an even close coronet. - WI: Same as BK. ------------------- Epilogue: I've ordered TC DWO v2 and will see how it looks when installed in the WI copy. If it is good, then I see very little reason to keep BK's version. To make any of them even better, a frankenbuild could be done. Noob base, WBK dial re-lumed, WBK bezel (better copy), TC date wheel overlay, AR'd cyclops. From there, the only thing left is to get a better bracelet clasp -- I've yet to see anything that challenges the gen. Perhaps I need to look around more. Oh and for those wondering, ALL of those reps have had the GMT hand "slip" but after two good "resets", things appear well. You probably don't want to be playing with the GMT hand function too often. After playing with the GMT IIc for a while, I find I don't like it as much any more. I've got the Explorer I (36/39) and Explorer II on the way. I have a feeling I'm going to like those better and this whole stupid exercise (like the DSSD one) is moot. ------------------- Edited March 4, 2013 by LightGeek Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sequoia 0 Posted March 4, 2013 Nice review. Thanks for the info. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertram 0 Posted March 4, 2013 Great job! It is fantastic to see the differences! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulc 0 Posted March 4, 2013 Really enjoyed reading this, thankyou for all the effort you put in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrs1986 0 Posted March 4, 2013 Nice review, i was looking with love the gmt, but i think the explorer II white is going to be a lot better... Thanks for the review!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scorpion 0 Posted March 4, 2013 Excellent work and a great read - thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jacobarch 0 Posted March 4, 2013 wow. Thanks for taking the time to do this! Go get a TC sub and a Gen and do side by side's. One of the best reviews I've seen in some time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hnic 1 Posted March 4, 2013 great read! thanks for posting Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
solkryssare 109 Posted March 4, 2013 Good work my friend. Thanks for taking the time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electron17 0 Posted March 4, 2013 Well done, great to see a gen next to the reps. That way you can really see the differences. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeterPotamus 2 Posted March 4, 2013 brilliant showdown, thanks for the work and for sharing with us Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakdds300 52 Posted March 4, 2013 That is a great post! The two hours was worth it, and bustin' your in-law's balls is ALWAYS worth it! Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dalboy 2 Posted March 4, 2013 Nice one.. A good informed post..i enjoyed it. Dal.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frazzle 5 Posted March 4, 2013 Love reading your comparison threads, we're lucky to have someone on the forum able to afford to do it. Thanks buddy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LightGeek 25 Posted March 4, 2013 Love reading your comparison threads, we're lucky to have someone on the forum able to afford to do it. Thanks buddy. Thanks, I'm sure there are plenty that can afford to do it, but just won't bother. I mean, why the heck would you want to buy three GMT IIc's, even if they're M2M fodder Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frazzle 5 Posted March 4, 2013 Very true, I have a cheap 21J DSSD that I enjoy wearing and have been tempted to get a GMT so this thread was very interesting for me. Thanks again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluesme519 0 Posted March 4, 2013 great job cheers!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hank bakels 0 Posted March 5, 2013 Nicely done man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrvolt 0 Posted March 5, 2013 Great thread. Totally agree with your last comment about the Explorer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Distinct 0 Posted March 5, 2013 Well done. This post was more definitive than the DSSD review. What's next AP Review? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyKrush 16 Posted March 5, 2013 Love it Light. You should have your own sub forum mate! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monffo 0 Posted March 5, 2013 This is really great write up although I can't help feeling as though it's rather dangerous. Surely if one is looking in this much detail at a rep .V. gen then one is only going to end up being disapointed. I received a BK GMT II C in the post a couple of weeks ago and was blown away by it but I study these pics am I not risking finding my rep wanting, rather than comparing loosely and being very happy? Just a thought. The right up though, as said before, is excellent. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
