Side by side

Glycine Airman Vintage The Chief GMTvsRolex Explorer II

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Glycine Airman Vintage The Chief GMT

Owners widely appreciate the Glycine Airman Vintage The Chief GMT for its historical significance and homage to the 1953 original. However, one owner notes criticism regarding the main hour hand being a 12-hour hand on a 24-hour dial, which hinders its intended use and compromises the bezel's functionality, leading to a return. On balance, owners value the Glycine Airman Vintage The Chief GMT for its historical connection, though a functional critique exists regarding its hour hand implementation.

Rolex Explorer II

Owners widely praise the Rolex Explorer II for its high-contrast, legible polar dial and understated, classic toolish aesthetic, with some noting excellent accuracy around +/- 1 second per day. The bracelet is described as incredibly comfortable, and the lume is clean and stunning. However, the 42mm case size is a point of contention, with some finding it too large or flashy, while others appreciate its practical, tool-y nature or consider it a comfortable everyday wear. The bezel is noted as easily scratched, and some dislike the magnified date window for its readability at angles and aesthetic clutter. Availability at authorized dealers varies, with some experiencing long wait times and others finding immediate availability. Overall, owners rate the Rolex Explorer II highly for its legibility and understated tool watch aesthetic, despite some reservations about its size.

From video reviewers

The fixed 24-hour bezel and independent GMT hand provide practical dual-time functionality. The 42mm Oystersteel case is noted for versatile wearability. Reviewers disagree on the watch's sizing, with some finding it awkward and others stating it wears well.

At a glance

18 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Airman Vintage The Chief GMT40mm
Explorer II42mm
Power Reserve
Airman Vintage The Chief GMT48h
Explorer II70h
Water Resistance
Airman Vintage The Chief GMT30m
Explorer II100m
MSRP
Airman Vintage The Chief GMT$2,900
Explorer II$10,600

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Diameter
40mm
42mm
Thickness
12.25mm
Lug Width
22mm
Material
Stainless Steel
Oystersteel
Finish
Water Resistance
30m
100m
Caseback
Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown

Crystal & Dial

5 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
AR Coating
Dial Color
White
Black
Indices
Index
Lume
Luminous
Chromalight

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Sellita SW330-2
3285
Power Reserve
48h
70h
Jewels
25
34
Hacking
No
Yes
Hand-winding
No
Yes

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$2,900
$10,600
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