Swapping Speedy and BB GMT for Explorer?

I agree 100% with you.  Watches are just things.  And, as such, they can be accumulated and they can be discarded, at a whim, without consequence.  Their only purpose is to give us some fleeting joy before Artificial General Intelligence inevitably turns us all into paperclips.

This sums up how I think about and approach watches I don't yet have in my collection...

im assuming you are ref to the Explorer 2 with the GMT function? If so it would be a significant upgrade over the Tudor. 

The thing about the explorer for me at least was the intimidation of wearing it in the first place.  A very expensive watch and whats more everyone around you knows it because of the brand.  if you live in a diverse neighbourhood and who doesn't nowadays then there is that paranoia factor as well.

Add to that the fear of the first ding which will forever strip away its "mint" status and you just might find yourself buying the thing then hiding it at home for the first while.

After that though life is good.  Of the 20+ watches I own the explorer right now is my favorite

I'm referring to the Explorer 1, actually. Nice, plain, and simple

I would definitely be paranoid for a while. Heck, I’m paranoid about wearing my Omegas or Tudor when visiting Chicago or going on vacation. So doubling the cost of my wrist adornment won’t help with that paranoia! But the weight of the crown is still prominent in my mind… I could see it stealing a lot of wrist time from other watches in my collection.

I traded my Tudor for an Oris because I fell in love with the Oris dial! And the size of the Oris was more my speed…if your heart is set on the Explorer do it! 

My wrist is about 7.25”, and I don’t have issues wearing the watches on NATOs. I even sleep with them on sometimes (when on NATO). On the bracelets I can handle them for a bit but then I get wrist fatigue and take them off - this is probably a result of a small wrist injury I had a few years ago. 
I think 36mm would be fine on my wrist. Maybe it would seem small initially if switching from one of my 42mm watches, but I occasionally wear a 35mm Timex Easy Reader as well.

My “dislikes” about the speedy and BB GMT: my speedy has had 2 warranty repairs in my 2 years of ownership (one was a pusher re-install, one was movement related), and the fear of a 3rd repair feels imminent even though it’s probably fine. My GMT is simply a bit too expensive in my eyes to take traveling, so the local jumping hour hand is unnecessary for my case.

My wife is against me getting the Rolex, but she does like my idea of swapping the Tudor for an Oris (Aquis Upcycle) 🤪

Which Oris did you get? :) and which Tudor got the chop? Oris is another brand I’m considering trying! My wife and I love the Oris bear haha

The NY harbor edition and traded the Tudor Black bay heritage for it. The Tudor was just tooo chunky for me and hardly gets wrist time, heres a link where I kinda talked about it lol…

https://www.watchcrunch.com/Ichibunz/posts/so-this-big-boy-is-ready-to-go-14589
 

You should keep your first nice watch, that can't be replaced.  To each his own, I have several watches that I have owned for over 40 years and I will never sell them.

Thank you for this comment. You’re right, I shouldn’t ever get rid of my Speedmaster - it was my first! That is staying.

However, the Tudor and some other cheaper ones from my collection could move potentially..

That looks awesome! Yes, great move there. :)

Is it that tough in Chicago? I heard some things. I know that it happens in Italy or London nowadays. And I also saw some videos from robberies recently.

No, it's probably fine in Chicago for the most part. I haven't heard of any organized groups going after watches. But I just feel a lot more comfortable wearing less expensive watches when going into metropolitan areas like that.

Owning a explorer and speedy myself, I would advocate for keeping the explorer and the speedy. A 2 watch collection with absolute icons.

the explorer is my main watch and actually nobody really notices it. It is small, unassuming and flies under the radar at work, in my free time, etc. 

you could also try a new leather strap for the speedy or gmt. I do that sometimes if I’m itching for something new. I really like Genteel Handmade. I’ve had good luck with George a couple times in the past. no affiliation. 

Nice watches :) i think i would still keep the speedy because it will fit nicely next to an explorer and the seamaster diver. 

My quick reply is no, don’t do it.  Wait for used values to crash and pick up a 39mm example. 

The Explorer is one of my favourite watches.  I have the previous 36mm.  The current 36mm model is less desirable to me.  I’ve already declined one at my AD.  IMHO, the 39mm is the best option, especially for a 7”+ wrist. 

Besides, IIRC the Speedy MSRP is higher than the Explorer anyway.  It doesn’t seem like a good value trade and it would be more expensive to replace the Speedy down the road if you want to. 

if you dont feel the heartache of potentially selling/trading your first watch, then i’d do it. 

I sold my first Rolex, which witness the birth of my child, in order to get a GS. I still feel no sentiments to that first luxury watch And agree these are just things and that sentiment notion? Thats just the community/collector pressure that you have to own something to celebrate something. The memories in your head is good enough. Good luck with your decision!

oh yes, i’d sell those two for the latest Explorer 1 anytime of day.

The Explorer 39 is the one to have the 36 is too diminutive whatever people say

I’d prefer the 39 Tudor Ranger or Sinn 556A over the 36 Explorer any day

Both

No, don't do it!

Don't do it. They are all different watches and you can never have too much value in your collection (unless you can't afford the purchase).  If the issue is present affordability, save a set amount of money each month and by the time your AD actually delivers, you can buy 2.  🤑

If my wrist was big enough I’d rather have the Speedy and Tudor GMT. Much more interesting pair than an Explorer. 

ya having the brand on the hand means something for sure

I agree with you fully, i have 8" wrist and a 36mm Rolex is more than big enough for practically any wrist size, I wear them on NATOs as well.  

I would definitely do the swap if I were you. I had 3 repairs on my speedy, 2 under warranty 1 I paid for and stopped wearing the watch after that. The BB GMT although a great watch never hit the spot for me, it's a bit too big for my taste.

wish you the best with whatever choice you make.

as an owner of both a speedy and a tudor BB41 GMT, why would you give up two watches with great complicactions for a 3 hander, this seems like a trade for the soul purpose of joining the rolex clan.

Nice comparison. I have both too but never put them side by side like this before. Really shows the difference!

I have to agree. The 39 is still slightly diminutive to me so it's kind of my dress watch if anything.