The Wedding Watch: Omega v Rolex
I recently proposed to my long term gf and the wedding planning has begun but, of course, at the top of my priorities is to decide on a wedding watch for myself!
Up to this point I had always known that I'd save my first big purchase to align it with a special occasion and in the back of my head a polar Rolex Explorer II was always what I had envisioned. However, with the arrival of the white Omega Speedmaster I'm not so sure anymore?
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ROLEX EXPLORER II
I love the look of the explorer 2, especially the 16570 with the smaller proportions and red hand. While the modern version isn't quite the same, I still find its chunky proportions equally appealing. However, I'll be completely honest here: a large part of the attraction is the name on the dial, and with recent trends it's looking like Rolex is only ever going to get harder and harder to attain in the future.
OMEGA SPEEDMASTER
As for the Speedy, it's always been a white I respected more than liked. The space connection does nothing for me but seeing it in white with the red accents... it just does something for me. Can't stop thinking about it. I also don't have a chrono in my collection and I'm a sucker for a display caseback. The chrono pushers would even satisfy my need to fidget with something.
So that's my current thinking. I'm in no rush to make a decision-- at least a year away at the earliest. Any opinions from you fellow crunchers?
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OMEGA SEAMASTER 300M
...OR should I just split the difference and get a White Seamaster 300m? Has the color combo of the speedy with the ruggedness of the explorer II and I'll save at least half the budget and headache? 😂
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Ask your partner what they want to see on your wrist in wedding photos for the rest of your lives.
Don't let her see that this is your top priority.
The SMP300. You provided the reasoning. Great choice, too.
Ask your partner what they want to see on your wrist in wedding photos for the rest of your lives.
Believe me she was the first person I asked and all she said was to choose whatever would make me happiest.
Don't let her see that this is your top priority.
The SMP300. You provided the reasoning. Great choice, too.
lmao she's been with me since the start of my watch addiction and is fully aware of the situation.
But yes, I can't help but think the SMP might be the way to go.
Get all three...you deserve it.
I like the classic Speedie in black better so my vote goes to the white SMP, also on my grail list. 😉
I’d definitely wear the shirt you will wear for wedding and try them on. See how they work with the cuff of the shirt. Something like a scrunched cuff in a photo you’ll look at for hopefully decades can be wicked annoying.
That said, I’d go with the Speedmaster. I own the SMP and love it but the Speedmaster reads dressier.
Believe me she was the first person I asked and all she said was to choose whatever would make me happiest.
Good man! In that case, just get whichever one you like the most! It's going to hold a special place in your collection because of the event. Congrats.
Buy the Seamaster if you’re getting married soon. Buy the Speedy if you’re getting married a year or two out. Buy the Rolex if you can wait 5 years+ on the waitlist before you get married.
Either way, get a prenup so you get to keep the watch
Get all three...you deserve it.
One can dream!
I’d definitely wear the shirt you will wear for wedding and try them on. See how they work with the cuff of the shirt. Something like a scrunched cuff in a photo you’ll look at for hopefully decades can be wicked annoying.
That said, I’d go with the Speedmaster. I own the SMP and love it but the Speedmaster reads dressier.
Hmm, never thought about the cuff situation. Good call!
The only one close to being a dress watch is the Speedy. But buy what you want to wear for everyday after your wedding as well. Not just that one time.
Definitely 100% get the Explorer. With any luck they'll discontinue it the year you get married and it will be eternal without an update to tempt you.
I guess that it would depend on your attire and future wife's liking. On my wedding day, I wore a watch she gifted me for the occasion, which she knew I would like and that it would be a nice addition to the occasion. Remember that the wedding day is about the two of you, not about the watches and dresses you wear. It's your special day so enjoy it. Congrats 👏
I say all 😁
Seems that your leaning toward the Speedy. Manual wind Speedy vs automatic Roley. Speedy is next on my purchase list.
Can’t go wrong with an OP or DateJust either.
If Rolex still produced the 39mm white OP there wouldn’t even be a debate.
Oh she’s definitely not a watch person— just diamonds 😂
A nice diamond pendant to match the beautiful Omega Seamaster.. 🤔 the perfect Match.
I think whatever you choose will be awesome.
Good luck! With the choice that is .
You can’t go wrong with any of these. I wore a Rolex Date when I got married last century. If I were to marry today and had to chose between the 3 watches above, I would wear the Speedy, solely because I think it is the best match for a formal occasion. My second choice would be the Explorer II. Of course, this is my taste.
I don’t think you can go wrong with your selections. The white dials bring a crisp wedding vibe for sure. As someone who owns a GMT, a chrono and a diver, you’ll get far more use out of a GMT. I rather doubt you’ll ever use the timer on the diver. One final point, the Polar Explorer II will be hard to source unless you go grey market. So depending on your marriage date, you might to take this into consideration.
Real talk: I’ve never found the use in a gmt function. It would function as an AM/PM indicator for me and that’s it. I just really like the look of the ExII 😅
If Rolex still produced the 39mm white OP there wouldn’t even be a debate.
True, but their silver dial is awesome. Perfect for a tux.
I'd go with the Seamaster. Hands down. I'm biased though, as I've had a Seamaster for over a decade now and still love it!
Plus, unless you're wedding is planned 2 years out, you'd still be on the list and have to buy 2 OP's and a BB58 while you wait...
I've also owned 2 Rolexes now and never found them to be anything special. But that's just one man's opinion.
I'd go with the Seamaster. Hands down. I'm biased though, as I've had a Seamaster for over a decade now and still love it!
Plus, unless you're wedding is planned 2 years out, you'd still be on the list and have to buy 2 OP's and a BB58 while you wait...
I've also owned 2 Rolexes now and never found them to be anything special. But that's just one man's opinion.
I got my BLNR within a week in Dec 2022 for a wedding in Feb 2023. First time buyer.
Not saying that is typical, but don't let all the doomsayers keep you down.
I got my BLNR within a week in Dec 2022 for a wedding in Feb 2023. First time buyer.
Not saying that is typical, but don't let all the doomsayers keep you down.
Perhaps my attempt at sarcastic humor wasn't the best example there. However, I do know a friend who was on the list for 23 months 😬 - so it's not unheard of
I'd go with the Seamaster. Hands down. I'm biased though, as I've had a Seamaster for over a decade now and still love it!
Plus, unless you're wedding is planned 2 years out, you'd still be on the list and have to buy 2 OP's and a BB58 while you wait...
I've also owned 2 Rolexes now and never found them to be anything special. But that's just one man's opinion.
Yeah I’ve heard the stories but I’ll probably go grey market on the Rolex if that’s what I decide in the end!
Yeah I’ve heard the stories but I’ll probably go grey market on the Rolex if that’s what I decide in the end!
Hmm… not understanding why you’d go gray market.
As generous and accommodating as that sounds, I am thinking the author is the watch enthusiast, not the fiance. I wouldn't put her on the spot asking for an opinion that is more important to the author than it is for her.
That what we Crunchers are for!
To be fair I did ask her first and she couldn't choose between them!
I vote for the SMP 300, it’s a classic look and about half the price of the Explorer 2. The Explorer 2 isn’t going anywhere you can get that for an anniversary watch down the road.
Ahh the pragmatic approach. I feel like this is probably what I'll end up doing
Make a poll about it and let the crunchers decide?😎
Nah, I deliberately avoided that so I could get opinions
Yeah I’ve heard the stories but I’ll probably go grey market on the Rolex if that’s what I decide in the end!
Smart man. Grey market is a little more back to normal in terms of prices. Plus you can get a cool vintage piece 😎
Go and try with cuffs on. If it were me I’d hate it if my watch didn’t slide under my cuff on my wedding day! Of those three and thinking about the occasion I’d go speedy.