Advice needed on Rolex Explorer II!

[jierong11]

Hi guys! I will require your advice and expertise regarding a purchase of an Explorer II. This will be my first Rolex.
Is $4500 a good price for an A series 1999 Explorer II with box and papers? If not any better deals around? Will appreciate any help or advice given thanks!

[Oceanklassik]

If the watch condition is good, coupled with its original box and papers, I think it is a good deal.

I'd say go for it.

[ac_wong75]

Sounds reasonable for a A series

[jierong11]

Thanks for the advice! I'm just wondering should i get a sub ND or an explorer II since both of them are about the same price?

[3echo]

Silly as the qn sounds - do u plan to wear or wind the watch often? If yes - exp2, because of the date and extra hand for the price.
To me, date setting for the 3185 movt (wife's gmt2) is a PITA.

[taxico]

it's an okay price if the bracelet is pretty tight and watch hasn't been polished or worn down with age and if you are the sort that must have box and papers.

a sub would be easier to resell at the right price. i love the exp2 because it's an understated and underrated watch. if it's to be a keeper, i recommend getting an exp2 with 3186 over a sub with parachrome blue (late G and AN series).

[adamsmith]

it's an okay price if the bracelet is pretty tight and watch hasn't been polished or worn down with age and if you are the sort that must have box and papers.

a sub would be easier to resell at the right price. i love the exp2 because it's an understated and underrated watch. if it's to be a keeper, i recommend getting an exp2 with 3186 over a sub with parachrome blue (late G and AN series).

May I ask why is that so?

Am currently eyeing sub C but one thing is, it's so common.

[taxico]

because for a keeper, it's essentially a modern day movement currently used in the 116710 and bound to be cheaper than a 14060 sub with PB. there are more exp2s with 3186 than there are 14060 subs with PB.

if you are patient, you can get one less than 2 or 3 years old for about 1k more than the older 3185 exp2. a friend of mine picked an alphanumeric series mint 16570 up for 5k on sg-roc (or perhaps another watch forum - i can't remember what he said).

1k is the price of a service at RSC. watches 2-3 years old worn by most careful singaporeans generally won't need a service anytime soon. you can tell from the case condition if it's led a hard life (or not)...

@adamsmith - while this is my opinion, i think you may have mixed up the sub with a subC and the exp2 for the 42mm exp2 from reading my earlier reply.

[adamsmith]

because for a keeper, it's essentially a modern day movement currently used in the 116710 and bound to be cheaper than a 14060 sub with PB. there are more exp2s with 3186 than there are 14060 subs with PB.

if you are patient, you can get one less than 2 or 3 years old for about 1k more than the older 3185 exp2. a friend of mine picked an alphanumeric series mint 16570 up for 5k on sg-roc (or perhaps another watch forum - i can't remember what he said).

1k is the price of a service at RSC. watches 2-3 years old worn by most careful singaporeans generally won't need a service anytime soon. you can tell from the case condition if it's led a hard life (or not)...

@adamsmith - while this is my opinion, i think you may have mixed up the sub with a subC and the exp2 for the 42mm exp2 from reading my earlier reply.

Thanks! Yeah, I know u were talking about the 40mm explorer but I think you meant subC when you said 'late G and AN series'.

Still like the black Sub as a first Rolex but...I'm seeing it everywhere..=/

[kenn18]

Thanks for the advice! I'm just wondering should i get a sub ND or an explorer II since both of them are about the same price?

The Sub ND is iconic although it only tells the time, while the Exp II shows 2 time zones and a date. Both watches are easily recognised in most parts of the world, and will give you many years of joy wearing it. But it's likely that you will not stop at ONE. Perhaps the relative conditions of the watches would point you to your final decision. And bear in mind that it costs more than S$1k for a complete service by RSC for either model, not counting the costs of any major parts to be replaced..