This or That?

Oh jeez, you guys are killing me.  I'll need the answers to several questions to make that call.  For me, I'd keep the Explorer...if I own one, I'll keep it forever.  But maybe you love GMTs, or maybe you don't wear the Explorer much, or maybe you hate black dials.  No way for me to know what you should do, but enjoy having this type of choice.

I've never owned an Explorer but I did own the OP41 in silver.  The Rolex was a good watch.  Super solidly built, very high quality, very desirable.  But...  just didn't do anything for me.  So, I ended up trading it in for an Omega Aqua Terra + $$$.  Given the co-axial technology, and the lyre lugs, and the exquisite teak dial, it was a no-brainer.   Nicer and cheaper! 

And then, I fell into the GS rabbit hole.  The SBGM221 has far, far, far superior finishing than any Omega out there.  And it's cheaper than an Omega.  

My handle here on WC used to be omeganut.  Now it's...  well, it should be GSnut, but that's another story entirely.

Option A all the way, man!

Actually, I take that back.  Go with Option C:  SBGM221 and SBGP009 for the price of your  Explorer!

Thanks for your helpful take!

I don't have either, but I'd go with the Rolex, I'm not a gmt guy mostly.

I would keep the Explorer as well, but if you are tired of it and need cash, just make sure it is at least $3000 USD. The GS can be regularly had for $3500 and the Explorer is still going for mid sixes. If you are talking trade in with a shop, absolutely not, they will crush you on the spread. 

Look, you know the rules...as soon as you stop being so hot, you can be whatever kind of watch nerd you want to be.  But until then, you have to keep the greatest name in the watch world.

I'm not really into GMT's so I'd probably go with the Rolex here, although I'd much rather have one of the new Air-Kings (126900) over an Explorer just as a matter of personal taste.

Aren't AirKing's discontinued? As in recently discontinued? 

If so, there's going to be a rise on their price soon.

As an owner or both the explorer and a Gs but the limited variation of above, ideally keep both. The explorer I'd the bench mark for the simple sports style watch I feel. Should last for your lifetime and beyond. The GS,well their simply stunning. I don't see myself letting go of either. Ultimately your personnel circumstances will be the main factor for this decison. 

The older 116900 was discontinued and replaced by the new 126900 reference this year. They changed the case design to a be a bit sportier (it used to have the same one as the Milgauss) and updated the dial among other things.

I own a SBGM221. I enjoy the watch so much while wearing it or just staring at it in the watchbox. I really have a special connection with the piece despite newer releases from GS nowadays. I have never owned a Rolex though I would love to have and experience the Explorer II 16570 polar dial. Sorry I can't be of help since I am not sure if I would connect 112470. 😒

I currently own the explorer, I would definitely steer you to that direction

I think the Airking was a 2022 Rolex update... crown guards were added. 40mm case , cool looking, and just over 7k retail 

Ok, that is nicer. Hot damn.

I was struggling with this same decision on whether to purchase the exact same Explorer 114270 and the Grand Seiko SBGM221. Ultimately, I went with the Explorer. While I still want the Grand Seiko, maybe not specifically the SBGM221, I went with the Explorer bc I felt like it was more timeless and has more history. My obsession with GS is new, and grew intensely and rapidly, and ultimately I feared it might fizzle out in a similar fashion.

That said fully intend to add a GS of some sort in the future.

The Explorer is already a classic, the GS will be a cult classic one day. I’d take the GS for it being more interesting, complicated, better finished and cheaper. 

I love both watches, the Explorer is timeless and the GS dial is so beautiful. So for me, I would not trade the Explorer for the GS or vice versa. Unless you fall out of love for the Explorer, it‘s a keeper. 

I own the GS SBGM 221 and the Explorer 124270 and honestly my preference goes to the GS all day, every day. It's an exceptional watch. Love the explorer but I it just doesn't cut it.

Both great pieces, but another vote for the Explorer.   Both are very versatile, but I'll take the 100M water resistance over the splash proof GS for my everyday.