The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

[no frills]

Bleu - Noir
Blue - Black

For two seconds I wondered why you had repeating references to blue and black but in French and English. Then I realized this should be read up/down, not left to right.

 

[tifosi]



For two seconds I wondered why you had repeating references to blue and black but in French and English.  Then I realized this should be read up/down, not left to right.

Haha. I was trying to say that the BLNR stands for Bleu Noir which in turn is Blue Black. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[rnguy001]

Don't feel bad Frills,it took me like 10 seconds...

 

[Keith T]

I've seen the "Batman" and "Bruiser" nicknames for the BLNR, but I'm not sure either is really sticking.



I chose this one today:

 

[tifosi]



I've seen the "Batman" and "Bruiser" nicknames for the BLNR, but I'm not sure either is really sticking.

Spoiler

I chose this one today:

Thank goodness. Nicknames are the worst.

 

[in stitches]

love

yeah, no nicknames that i like have i heard to date for the black/blue GMT.

 

[mimo]

Except for Seiko nicknames. Then they're just to stop human language dying out altogether.

 

[tifosi]



Except for Seiko nicknames.  Then they're just to stop human language dying out altogether.

Monster, Tuna, Samurai....for some reason I can accept them. It is almost like Seiko named them, haha. But Hulk, Smurf, Batman, Bruiser are absurd.

 

[DerangedGoose]

Perhaps the elevated price for the blue GV just reflects release hype? Didnt the same thing happen with the black GV when it launched?

Couldnt you just buy the BLNR insert for an existing GMT Master?

 

[jbarwick]

Perhaps the elevated price for the blue GV just reflects release hype? Didnt the same thing happen with the black GV when it launched?

Couldnt you just buy the BLNR insert for an existing GMT Master?

MSRP for the black/green Milgauss was $8,200 so I just assumed the same.

As for the BLNR swap theory, I doubt this is the case or people wouldn't be so pissed the new Pepsi is only in white gold. You could just purchase the Pepsi bezel and swap but Rolex Rolex controls supply and would never let this happen. The Evil Crown.

 

[tifosi]



Perhaps the elevated price for the blue GV just reflects release hype? Didnt the same thing happen with the black GV when it launched? 

Couldnt you just buy the BLNR insert for an existing GMT Master? 

The new ceramic inserts are not as (easily) swapable as the aluminum inserts. The inserts are expensive if you can even manage to get your hands on one and the swap requires specific, proprietary tools I believe. No more popping the bezels off with a credit card or swiss army knife!

 

[Dino944]

Perhaps the elevated price for the blue GV just reflects release hype? Didnt the same thing happen with the black GV when it launched?

Couldnt you just buy the BLNR insert for an existing GMT Master?

Elevated prices for new Rolex models is quite common in Rolex history. Things usually drop and normalize once production ramps up and supply catches up with demand.

Others have already stated some of the issues with your suggestion. However, in addition to what they have stated even if you could swap the bezels, the 24 hour hand would still be green as would the words "GMT Master II" so they wouldn't match the bezel of a BLNR. So you'd have a "Franken-watch at best.

Not to mention, Rolex has huge issues about people creating Franken-watches using real parts, so in the US, you have to trade in the old parts to get new ones, and if it goes in for service at Rolex, they will tell you its not the original configuration and either require you to have it corrected (buying new parts) or refuse to service it.

 

[billsmith]

After a few months of lurking I’m ready to ask for some advice from this knowledgeable crowd. Seeking suggestions for my son’s college graduation present within the following parameters:

• Appropriate for an everyday business casual environment, but not out of place with a suit
• Stylish, but not flashy
• Medium case size, with a 6½” wrist I’m guessing 40mm and under
• Strap, not bracelet
• Automatic movement
• Budget of $2,500 – higher than the Poor Man’s thread, but perhaps sub entry level for you guys. Would consider venturing into the preowned market, but would have more comfort if the sellers had a U.S. brick and mortar presence too, e.g., Govberg

Thanks for your thoughts. Welcome all suggestions, comments and questions.

 

[Hayward]



love

yeah, no nicknames that i like have i heard to date for the black/blue GMT.

Monster, Tuna, Samurai....for some reason I can accept them. It is almost like Seiko named them, haha. But Hulk, Smurf, Batman, Bruiser are absurd.

Fortunately Rolex has just been bought by DeBeers. All SKU suffixes will now be based on Afrikaans, not French. So from now on the BLNR will be known as the BDSM.

 

[DLJr]

After a few months of lurking I’m ready to ask for some advice from this knowledgeable crowd. Seeking suggestions for my son’s college graduation present within the following parameters:

• Appropriate for an everyday business casual environment, but not out of place with a suit
• Stylish, but not flashy
• Medium case size, with a 6½” wrist I’m guessing 40mm and under
• Strap, not bracelet
• Automatic movement
• Budget of $2,500 – higher than the Poor Man’s thread, but perhaps sub entry level for you guys. Would consider venturing into the preowned market, but would have more comfort if the sellers had a U.S. brick and mortar presence too, e.g., Govberg

Thanks for your thoughts. Welcome all suggestions, comments and questions.

Go check out NOMOS at Govberg.

For MSRP's under $2500 there are the following ranges (be sure to negotiate):
http://www.nomos-store.com/en/Watches/Model-series/Orion/
http://www.nomos-store.com/en/Watches/Model-series/Ludwig/
http://www.nomos-store.com/en/Watches/Model-series/Club/
http://www.nomos-store.com/en/Watches/Model-series/Tangente/

For something a bit different that is above that price at MSRP but can probably be negotiated down closer to your prince range:
http://www.nomos-store.com/en/Watches/Model-series/Metro/

EDIT: For some reason I read automatic as mechanical. I would look at the Tangomat and Club series then. Both start above your price range for automatics but can be negotiated down. Sorry I missed that part.