Rolex / IWC - lust, search, buy, wear, compare..and...goodbye
I had my eye on the Rolex OP 41 in blue for a while. I also have the OP 39 in white which I love and wear very often, for me the OP is just a very beautiful watch. It´s simple, 3 hands, no date, perfect balance in its simplicity, which Rolex does just great.
With the premiums on the used/grey market being so small now I bought last week a used OP 41 blue in mint condition (no need to play the AD-waiting list game).
I have now worn it for a week and note that it is indeed a very beautiful watch but.....I also note that I simply like my IWC Mark XVIII (Le Petit Prince in blue), that I have since 2 years, better.
And can't help comparing both...although not really the same style watches.....somehow they are in a way very similar.
Legibility - both are good but on the IWC it is just perfect, everything is white and blue, on the OP it's white, blue and silver...IWC wins.
Dial - both a striking fantastic blue but with the IWC it's just that touch extra more striking, that blue is just "wow" - IWC wins
Bracelet - both very comfortable but the IWC is just more comfortable, those links give such a fluid feel.
Clasp - no competition here, IWC wins by a mile - a very small clasp with on the fly 2 mm adjustments and you don't even have to take the watch off to adjust
Movement - Rolex in house movement - IWC modified automatic movement based on an ETA 2892, cheaper for a service - objectively I would say Rolex wins but for my needs both are fine
Versatility - both can be worn in pretty much all situations - where I think the IWC has a more masculine/bad ass appearance than the OP....which I really like
Water resistance - Rolex 100 metres - IWC 60 metres - more than enough for me for both, I hate swimming anyway, I never go in the sea and rarely in a pool
Date - the OP has no date which I prefer, IWC has a date but I tend to forget the date when wearing it.
So it's not just my gut feeling that tells me the IWC is better for my taste, also when I list and compare everything, the IWC is simply the better watch for my needs and taste.
So after only a week of having the watch, I have already decided to sell it.
And this is not the first time this has happened to me, I've also had this with the Explorer 1, both in 36 and 39 mm...within the first week I decided it's not for me and sold them.
What do you guys think? You had a similar experience? Or am I just too quick and impulsive and should give it more time?
A weekend without a new watch is not a weekend...
I’m surprised you didn’t make these comparisons before purchasing. But if you’re sure then do what you think is best. At least you won’t (hopefully) lose money on the Rolex.
I am a lot less impulsive in my buying decisions and watch/read all the content I can find on a watch before pulling the trigger. But in the end spending a day with a watch tells you a lot more than the experiences of others. So if you‘re not losing money this way, why not? 🤷🏻♂️
Out of these I prefer the crispness of the IWC….. just seems to ‘look better’……
I’m surprised you didn’t make these comparisons before purchasing. But if you’re sure then do what you think is best. At least you won’t (hopefully) lose money on the Rolex.
well I knew most of the factors, but the experience "on the wrist" is always the best way to find out if you really like it...and I have no possibility to try the watch on first...so it´s watching pictures, Youtube reviews, and then buying it online...
Not owned either. Like IWC bracelets from a distance but not the date or numbers. OP wins the dial layout for me.
If you can afford to buy and then sell, this has to be the best way to try a watch. Get it on the wrist for a few weeks and then decide.
Aside: which wears better the older OP39 or newer OP41?
IWC Mark series looks way better in person and that quick adjust on the fly discrete clasp for both XVIII & XX is definitely a selling point. Not sure why you got another blue GADA type watch. As you’ve been considering the blue OP for awhile and love your white 39 OP, may be worth waiting a month before making your final decision to flip it. As you’ve got blue, black and white dial watches maybe it’s time to look at other colours, e.g. 39 OP grape looks fantastic.
Not owned either. Like IWC bracelets from a distance but not the date or numbers. OP wins the dial layout for me.
If you can afford to buy and then sell, this has to be the best way to try a watch. Get it on the wrist for a few weeks and then decide.
Aside: which wears better the older OP39 or newer OP41?
I would say the OP39 and 41 wear just the same.....the 41 is minimally larger, the 39 is really 39, the 41 is actually 39.5
Sometimes a brand different from your self imposed comfort zone can be revealing, I certainly sold off my Datejust and a few Subs during the 80s when I stumbled onto the charm of Breitling Chronomats and Navitimers. My Rolex watches were not mistakes just part of my personal discovery process in a fun affectation that remains mercurial but in ways also constant.
Both beautiful, but between the two I’d take the IWC. I had an OP41 in blue and never really connected with it. I’ve tried the Mark XX on a handful of times and just live the way it wears.
The IWC bracelet doesn’t taper, correct? But still more comfortable?
never happend to me but this shows how we have to feel our gut and go for ohr taste not follow trends or other opinions
It’s very much the reality which most watch nerds encounter sooner or later
The IWC bracelet doesn’t taper, correct? But still more comfortable?
correct, no taper.
It does not taper which is perfect for a more “toolish” design...and yes more comfortable than the oyster bracelet...probably of how the links are designed...it´s no secret that IWC bracelets/clasps are fantastic.
I can see the similarity even though they are pretty differnt. I personally have an OP 41 and absolutely love it. I think it’s my most comfortable watch
I would say the OP39 and 41 wear just the same.....the 41 is minimally larger, the 39 is really 39, the 41 is actually 39.5
39.5 is correct you can tell when you hold it next to any 41mm Watch it’s smaller
Sounds impulsive to me. I think you should spend more time comparing watches on the front end so you don't need to end up selling them. Not every collection needs a Rolex. I prefer the OP but to each his own.
Update the Mark 18 to Mark 20 you will get a tapered bracelet, shorter lug to lug, and a relatively better movement. Then you will forget the OP at all based on my own experience.
Update the Mark 18 to Mark 20 you will get a tapered bracelet, shorter lug to lug, and a relatively better movement. Then you will forget the OP at all based on my own experience.
I considered this when the Mark XX came out, but....I actually do like the non-taper bracelet, it gives it a more tool-character...and the lug to lug is perfect for my wrist....a better movement is indeed always welcome but for that reason alone I am not going to update...I am actually really happy with this Mark XVIII LPP