Advice Requested
Good morning Crunchers! I’d like to request advice from you all regarding a scheme in my head that I can’t seem to drop.
I plan to retire from the Air Force next year and have been wanting to purchase a forever-family-heirloom watch to commemorate the 20-year achievement. I had always been torn between the Moonwatch (since I’m also a space nerd) and an Explorer (I’m a fan boy here too). About 6 months ago, the Exchange had an incredible deal on the new Speedy so I bought it because I knew I would never be able to beat that price ever.
About me… I’m a tool watch kinda guy so both watches are right up my alley and would like to own both in the end. I don’t have a huge collection and I prefer to wear my best watch as an everyday watch. I’m also leaning towards the fact that the Explorer is a better GADA watch than the Moonwatch with the Hesalite. In addition, given my upcoming milestone opportunity, I think that this may be the only time in my life that I’ll be able to purchase a new Rolex. However, even though I’ve only had the Moonwatch for 6 months, I’ve already created some memories with it.
I have about a year until I retire so waiting for the newer Explorer (124270, 36mm) to be available at my AD is not an issue. Whichever watch I buy/keep new now, I’d most likely want to buy a used one of the other later. The problem is that used Explorer prices will always be higher than used Moonwatches so it would take me a lot longer to save for a used Explorer than a used Moonwatch. Plus I will have already had a year on the wrist with the Speedy so I’d know for sure whether I’d want to buy it again later, or keep experiencing others.
My brain scheming… I could trade/sell my Speedy and get back all that I paid for it and probably even make some money off it because of the great deal I got. That would actually decrease the price of the new Explorer to me. The value of a new Rolex would only increase for the rest of my life too. I’d never sell it but it’s more about the ever increasing prices of Rolexes and the sooner I buy one the better for my wallet and family-heirloom wise. Financially, it makes sense to get the Explorer but I’m not sure if I’ll regret trading in my Moonwatch.
Have any of you had a similar dilemma? Two watches that you love and trying to figure out a way to have your cake and eat it too? Dealing with a real FOMO moment here. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! Happy Crunching!
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Daniel
Disciple of Christ, Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Cousin, Nephew, Uncle… Air Force Veteran, Space Nerd, Watch Enthusiast, Pianist, and Baseball junkie.
Member since
Last active: 12 hrs ago
6.75” / 17.15 cm
it sounds like you are already leaning towards the Explorer. In my experience, anything else that you get or consider will ultimately pale in comparison. And I would also add that as iconic as the Moonwatch is, the Explorer would be more versatile, sneaky-sporty while also able to be dressed up, and really well respected.
Go where your heart is leaning more and it sounds it’s the explorer!!
The grass isn’t always greener. If you’ve owned and enjoyed the Moonwatch up to now, don’t force the Explorer purchase. Should you be able to acquire one somewhere down the line then all good.
That said. If the Speedy isn’t doing it for you then by all means trade it!
Keep that speedy !! I contemplated the same exact thing. Keep working hard and saving and get the explorer. I have both and they are a perfect pair - you won’t regret it 👍
One's an icon, the other's a status symbol. 🤔
Oh man interesting question for sure. If you want leave one watch it’s easily can be Speedy or Explorer. If you feel speedy like exactly you watch - leave and enjoy, just take out from the wrist before pool time 😅 if you feel explorer your one watch buy without regretting about speedy. I can’t imagine to be honest one watch collection for myself 😅 but if two watches I would go too Explorer - every day and even dressy, and should go to some robust and quality diver like Tudor bb58, but I’m just not chronograph guy that’s why no a speedy 😅
One's an icon, the other's a status symbol. 🤔
Subjective, both are potentially both , in saying that I get where your coming from .
Both are great watches. Get the Explorer first. It's a better everyday watch. You can always add Speedy later.
I'd keep the Speedy because of its associations with air and space. You can hand it down to your descendants telling them "I wore this iconic aerospace watch while I was serving in the air force" which is about as cool a heritage story as I can imagine. But completely your call and the Explorer is a great watch too!
I think you'd enjoy the Explorer a lot more than the Speedy. You should also have a look at Bremont (especially secondhand ones), only saying, because you're bound to find something you like there too.
Thank you!
it sounds like you are already leaning towards the Explorer. In my experience, anything else that you get or consider will ultimately pale in comparison. And I would also add that as iconic as the Moonwatch is, the Explorer would be more versatile, sneaky-sporty while also able to be dressed up, and really well respected.
Great points, thank you! I’m wondering if I’m leaning towards the Explorer only because I haven’t experienced it before (other than trying it on) and I’ve had the Speedy for a little bit already.
The grass isn’t always greener. If you’ve owned and enjoyed the Moonwatch up to now, don’t force the Explorer purchase. Should you be able to acquire one somewhere down the line then all good.
That said. If the Speedy isn’t doing it for you then by all means trade it!
Good points, thank you!
Keep that speedy !! I contemplated the same exact thing. Keep working hard and saving and get the explorer. I have both and they are a perfect pair - you won’t regret it 👍
Thank you! You’re probably right. I should try to avoid the instant-gratification tendency and just enjoy what I have and save for the next. It’s just hard knowing that I probably only have this one chance at a milestone moment of military retirement. Otherwise I’d probably have to wait 20-25 years until my actual retirement for the same opportunity.
I think you will have an amazing high end collection with the Speedmaster and the Explorer.
You must keep the Speedy and purchase the Explorer, drop the mike and walk off into the sunset.
One's an icon, the other's a status symbol. 🤔
I would agree with that sentiment in terms of any other blingy Rolex. But I like the Explorer because I don’t think it shows off as a status symbol. I view it as being one of their first real tool watches that is meant to get beat up and totally flys under the radar.
In the guitar world, this is the Gibson Les Paul versus Fender Stratocaster decision.
Two very different watches, but you can't go wrong with either.
If you have sufficient discretionary funds, why choose?
Great analogy! Well, that’s part of the problem, I don’t have enough funds right now for both. I would have to trade/sell the new Speedy for the new Explorer. So it’s either I keep my current Speedy and hope that I can save enough for the Explorer years and years from now, or trade the Speedy and buy the Explorer next year, and can probably buy a used Speedy for less money sooner.
Can i keep the speedy as a piece to remember the times in the force and buy the explorer as a way to commemorate my retirement? I will feel sad to trade in the speedy as the speedy has been through journeys through my career. I would also want a explorer to commemorate my retirement as a pat in a back as well. Sorry i am so greedy🤭
Can i keep the speedy as a piece to remember the times in the force and buy the explorer as a way to commemorate my retirement? I will feel sad to trade in the speedy as the speedy has been through journeys through my career. I would also want a explorer to commemorate my retirement as a pat in a back as well. Sorry i am so greedy🤭
You’re absolutely right. I wish that was the case for me. I’m kicking myself for not buying the Speedy earlier in my career because that would definitely have been the case. I have a Victorinox that I wore throughout my career and in Afghanistan. So that’ll always be something I treasure. I’m just not sure which watch I should pat myself on the back with next year, the Speedy I just bought because it was a great deal or the Explorer because I’ll probably never be able to buy a brand new Rolex again.
You’re absolutely right. I wish that was the case for me. I’m kicking myself for not buying the Speedy earlier in my career because that would definitely have been the case. I have a Victorinox that I wore throughout my career and in Afghanistan. So that’ll always be something I treasure. I’m just not sure which watch I should pat myself on the back with next year, the Speedy I just bought because it was a great deal or the Explorer because I’ll probably never be able to buy a brand new Rolex again.
Maybe an explorer as a new experience of another brand😬
Great point! I agree, I do think of the Rolex as the next watch up the ladder. In one respect you’re probably right about me always wondering. In another respect, isn’t that part of this hobby? Always wanting to experience the next watch? This is a tough call.
I have found, personally, that you can hit a wall. It's not always about the next watch. When I got my Bond Seamaster, I kind of lost interest in getting other Seamasters. I finally had the one I always wanted, and the itch was scratched. Someone else, in exactly the same position, may have different mileage.
But I found it happened with my Tudor, too. I got the Tudor, and hit a wall with getting more Tudor. In both cases, I found a watch that I loved, and that I felt represented the brand, and I just stopped going in those directions. So it's possible you might get the Rolex, and scratch the itch, and feel complete. Or you might not. I am me, and you are you. We might not come at this from the same direction in the end.
I have found, personally, that you can hit a wall. It's not always about the next watch. When I got my Bond Seamaster, I kind of lost interest in getting other Seamasters. I finally had the one I always wanted, and the itch was scratched. Someone else, in exactly the same position, may have different mileage.
But I found it happened with my Tudor, too. I got the Tudor, and hit a wall with getting more Tudor. In both cases, I found a watch that I loved, and that I felt represented the brand, and I just stopped going in those directions. So it's possible you might get the Rolex, and scratch the itch, and feel complete. Or you might not. I am me, and you are you. We might not come at this from the same direction in the end.
That’s also true. I think after hearing all these comments and seeing the votes, I think I’m leaning back towards keeping the Speedy. It’s always been a watch I’ve wanted and I think I will regret selling it. I have a huge list of watches I want to experience, but a much smaller list of watches I want to keep. I think the Speedy is the first category and the Rolex may be the latter. It may not be the Explorer that I want, it may just be the new Rolex experience. In that case, maybe I’ll just keep going to ADs to try stuff on every so often.
@AndrewMorgan What do you think? Any advice you’d have for me in this situation? I watch all your videos on all different channels and you always give great advice, especially in such a funny way! Cheers!
I have found, personally, that you can hit a wall. It's not always about the next watch. When I got my Bond Seamaster, I kind of lost interest in getting other Seamasters. I finally had the one I always wanted, and the itch was scratched. Someone else, in exactly the same position, may have different mileage.
But I found it happened with my Tudor, too. I got the Tudor, and hit a wall with getting more Tudor. In both cases, I found a watch that I loved, and that I felt represented the brand, and I just stopped going in those directions. So it's possible you might get the Rolex, and scratch the itch, and feel complete. Or you might not. I am me, and you are you. We might not come at this from the same direction in the end.
I found this too you know, and not just in watches. I had a sort of roadmap for watches - but since getting the Explorer it's lessened. Don't get me wrong, I'll get more, but the urgency/drive has settled a little.
I had a similar experience with film cameras a decade ago: when I got my Leica M6 I just found I hit my perfect camera. Basically never looked at buying cameras again!
Keep that speedy !! I contemplated the same exact thing. Keep working hard and saving and get the explorer. I have both and they are a perfect pair - you won’t regret it 👍
This. 👍 It'd be kind of a perfect two watch collection.
This. 👍 It'd be kind of a perfect two watch collection.
Agreed! Maybe I’d throw in a BB58 Blue also, just to round out a 3-watch collection with a good diver!
Not sure if anyone will circle back to this convo but thank you all so much for your advice! I’m definitely going to keep my Speedy and will just be patient and save for an older Explorer. Cheers everyone!
Both great watches. A complete two watch collection potentially.
Personally I would keep the Speedy - it’s yours already and you have built memories with it - and get the Explorer as your retirement milestone watch. As you say you have time on your side.
I’m not sure either will mean as much to you if you trade the Speedy now to buy an Explorer and then add another Speedy later.
Both great watches. A complete two watch collection potentially.
Personally I would keep the Speedy - it’s yours already and you have built memories with it - and get the Explorer as your retirement milestone watch. As you say you have time on your side.
I’m not sure either will mean as much to you if you trade the Speedy now to buy an Explorer and then add another Speedy later.
I think you’re absolutely right! I’m going to keep the Speedy and save for an Explorer. Hopefully it won’t take too long!
May be no help but, I have a Speedy and wouldn’t give it up and love the Explorer and may some day get one, maybe when I retire in about a year, too. So, both is my solution.
May be no help but, I have a Speedy and wouldn’t give it up and love the Explorer and may some day get one, maybe when I retire in about a year, too. So, both is my solution.
That does help, thank you! I love my Speedy also and given all the feedback above, I’m going to keep it. The Speedy is definitely more of my personality and I think a used older reference Explorer would be too. I guess I was just having a FOMO moment in thinking that this may be my only opportunity to purchase a new Rolex next year. But then again, they are such good quality that a used one is probably just as good!