@DeepCmonkey This has been a big part of the conundrum for me. I'm not the biggest fan of modern Rolex, but the Explorer straddles a really fine line and it appeals for that reason. But the price does feel prohibitive, and the Revival feels like a lot more watch for the money 🤷

@TOwguy and @akonwi - your insights on servicing and repairs are very duly noted. I'm a big believer that after sales service is a reflection on how brands treat their customers, and this has not just given me pause, but has seriously dented my desire for these watches. I realise much of what we read online, although certainly not untrue, may not be a true representation of the overall customer experience. BUT - I have since read so much crap about GS service that I now do not feel hugely comfortable with a purchase from them at this price point given I want to keep this watch forever and hopefully hand it down.

Also the fact that it will likely catch on everything - in my haste that hasn't crossed my mind.

I wanna thank you all for your input - @Mr.Dee.Bater - I'm so glad you love your watch and are happy with it enough to move on to the newer model! I guess if this was a less heirloom purchase for me I'd be happy to buy (and may still do so in the future) - but given my requirements as a lifelong purchase, I'm gonna pass for now.

Look out for a new thread for my next idiotic conundrum!

S

Truth be told they don't really bother me, in fact I kind of like them, they form part of the character of the watch....I won't lie though, I am concerned that the total overall width of the watch with the pushers might make this uncomfortable over a longer period

I suppose for me my Navitimer Cosmonauts with a very busy 24 hour dial is just about legible for me, so this piece is no issue!

Very interesting re: servicing. I've only had to use service once, that was with a Black Bay GMT I had for the dreaded date wheel issue, and frankly Tudor was a bit crap too. My feeling is that the pandemic has upset a lot of standards here, I hear lots of Breitling owners complaining too, so if they're _all_ a bit rubbish, is it something I'd really avoid going elsewhere? It's an interesting question...

Thanks for your reply.

So I did try on the Black Bay Chrono Panda, the Cherry Blossom Grand Seiko, and I liked them both. I've also since tried on the Breitling Navitimer B01 43mm in various colours, which I also liked.

I think my issue is I like most things, there are very few watches I try on and dislike, (although I didn't like the Aqua Terra too much, it just didn't appeal) so I find it hard to discern one piece over another.

Thinking on this further, I wonder if I'm partly indecisive because I'm craving something outside the norm, I don't want another Rolex (I've had 5 digit subs and a ceramic Daytona in the past) and I feel like want something a bit left field. Omegas/Breitlings, etc are great, but I feel like I want something kind of odd (if that makes any sense), but £7.5k is a lot to scratch that itch.

I know watch purchase decisions are just for me, and I'm comfortable enough in my own skin not to feel like I need validation from anyone else - BUT - there's so little out there in terms of YouTube content and images, just a bit of feedback from an owner would be nice.

I'm sure I sound like a crazy fool right now!

I suppose at the end of the day, no one NEEDS anything other than an F91W to tell the time - we all do what we do because we derive some pleasure from various aspects of the piece, whatever that may be to each of us personally. I personally have had an explorer, sub date and ceramic daytona (all bought second hand, and all no longer in my collection) and I have found that the attention I received to not feel very nice. Some may really enjoy that feeling it gives of "having made it" because they wear a Rolex, but for me it was an uncomfortable feeling that the eyes on me somehow felt judgemental - I suppose conspicuous consumption, while de rigeur in social media at the moment, just doesn't appeal to me. 

I also came to find that although I loved the design, build quality, history and engineering that goes into a Rolex, I came to really resent the absolutely awful value proposition they offer. They have become a grotesque parody of their former selves, and the real shame here, is that it's not at all their fault, it's just how the market has started them.

As a result I'm drawn much more now to Tudor, as so much of what I enjoyed about Rolex remains, but the value proposition is staggeringly better. 

Also as a bit of a skittish collector, I can buy 5 Tudors for the price of a single GMT Master II, so there's that.