My Sub Ceramic 116610 LN mini-review.

[Eric88]

For anyone reading my posts for the past 2-3 months, it is no secret that I've been yearning for the new Sub-C and I finally fulfilled my quest. My Sub-C landed 2 days ago and I've worn it non-stop since then. Aside from some minor inconvenience with getting the bracelet and glide lock clasp adjusted just right for my wrist, I have been in watch heaven this weekend. This really is the best watch I've ever worn on my wrist, bar none.

I already had the maxi dial with my Sub LV, but there are several other things on the Sub-C that are just so compelling to me. I had previously dismissed the ceramic bezel as being a small improvement (based on photos alone). In person, the ceramic is very magical. It catches light differently and picks up different colors depending on lighting angles. It often looks grey, like an aged bezel from a '60s era Sub! Then it goes glossy jet black like the darkest oil I've ever seen. And then all of a sudden it picks up this silvery-blue sheen...simply beautiful.

In addition to the color variations, the new bezel is just a little bit wider than its predecessor. So that gives it more presence. The ball bearing mechanism is an unsung victory as the bezel clicks with such definitive precision. I'd be slacking off if I failed to mention how the ridges on the bezel teeth feel to the touch...they are just a tiny bit sharper, but in a nice way. Very had to describe, but the edge of the bezel is wonderful to the touch.

Wow, I'm gushing a bit here. Just a few more thoughts on this mini-review. The new clasp is worth the price of admission (I may have stated this in another thread, so my apologies if I'm being redundant). My wrist has always fluctuated throughout each day as temps change (we had a swing yesterday between 38 degrees in the morning to 78 in the afternoon). I really dislike how a watch falls down over my wristbone when the weather is so cold that my wrist shrinks up by a 1/2" or more. That is no longer a concern with the glide lock adjustment capability on the Sub-C. Just take off the watch, nudge the glide lock in or out a notch or two and put it back on the wrist. Very easy and extremely comfortable.

I also love the look and feel of the new clasp on the outside. Some have declared that it is too wide, but I find it to be quite attractive and certainly a few steps up from the stamped links on the predecessor clasp.

What else...the blue lume is amazing.

And the thick lugs, possibly the one thing that scared me away from this watch. They are nowhere near as scary in person. They do give the watch a more squared-off appearance when looking top-down. I can see how these may not be for everyone, but also see the big lugs as a very natural evolution and I like the increased wrist presence. When I look from the side at the 9:00 side, it is almost overkill, but shift my perspective to another angle and those wider lugs are darn cool.

That pretty much sums it up and I hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Eric

[Dylan Wade]

Nice review Eric and I agree with all your pointed observations. A new Sub c was was a serious contender whilst looking for a new DSSD.

It sure is a very attractive and versatile watch.

[dddrees]

Congrats Eric.

But hey where are the Pics, or did you post these in another thread?

[PHDX2]

Very helpful information. Nice review of a great watch!

[Eric88]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Congrats Eric.

But hey where are the Pics, or did you post these in another thread?

Good question. My "incoming" thread was a little bit under the radar. Here are a couple of the pics. I need to take more and try to capture the bezel color magic.

[Carlos98326194]

Good to see that you are enjoying your new Subbie
I am as well impressed with the improvements it has
Guess wifey wouldn't notice if I flip my old Sub for a new SubC

[tulsaokusa]

12 days and counting...

Your mini-review was enjoyable to digest.

[blama215]

nice review Eric.
I have had mine now for two weeks, and have also worn it nonstop.

[z32turbo]

One of the best reviews I've ever read. Couldn't agree more. Love the pics as well!!

[tulsaokusa]

Originally Posted by z32turbo

One of the best reviews I've ever read. Couldn't agree more. Love the pics as well!!

+1

[tulsaokusa]

Excellent comparison pic...

I see what you mean about the bezel. It is wider.

Dude... 12 days... after a three month wait. I'm looking forward to joining you in your enthusiasm in the steel.

:-)

[WyoWatch]

A big congrats Eric! I know you've been really on the edge on this for quite some time since you and I have corresponded. I'm truely happy for you that you seem to be as satisfied as I am with mine! Again congrats my friend! Mine has become my daily wearer and brings a smile to my face every time I wear it

[tulsaokusa]

Originally Posted by WyoWatch

A big congrats Eric! I know you've been really on the edge on this for quite some time since you and I have corresponded. I'm truely happy for you that you seem to be as satisfied as I am with mine! Again congrats my friend! Mine has become my daily wearer and brings a smile to my face every time I wear it

Chad... I look at the picture of your SubC nearly daily... it is stored on my iPhone. Helps me cope with my three month layaway!

Cheers...

[WyoWatch]

Originally Posted by jasonsundberg

Chad... I look at the picture of your SubC nearly daily... it is stored on my iPhone. Helps me cope with my three month layaway!

Cheers...

Thanks Jason! I appreciate the kind comment. Hang in there! I have bought and sold a lot of watches over the years and have had some really nice watches. None ever captured me like the Sub C has. I've worn it nearly daily since I bought it on 8/9/10 (he he I like seeing that on the card) and it still brings a smile every time. It just fits so well as a rugged yet good looking anytime anywhere anything watch. Hang in there man, it's worth the wait!

[tulsaokusa]

Originally Posted by WyoWatch

Thanks Jason! I appreciate the kind comment. Hang in there! I have bought and sold a lot of watches over the years and have had some really nice watches. None ever captured me like the Sub C has. I've worn it nearly daily since I bought it on 8/9/10 (he he I like seeing that on the card) and it still brings a smile every time. It just fits so well as a rugged yet good looking anytime anywhere anything watch. Hang in there man, it's worth the wait!

Additional thoughts...

Was I created for the SubC?

or...

Was the SubC created for me?

I think the timely answer is found somewhere right dab in the middle.

[Eric88]

Two other things I neglected to mention in my initial review:

1) The polished sides of the bracelet. I was actually not aware of this until I received the watch. I might have noticed it on a few photos, but Rolex did not really advertise this as a feature. It is a bit of a head-scratcher for Sub owners accustomed to completely brushed bracelets that take a licking and keep on ticking with limited scratches to be seen by the naked eye...those highly polished sides speak more of high end jewelry vs. a tool watch. So I'm a little bit bummed about it, but having owned a handful of Omega Planet Oceans, I do think it looks nice and risk of scuffing the SIDE of your bracelet (and noticing it) is minimal. So my complaint is minimal here, but just wanted to call it out...solution would be to brush up those sides like some have done to their PCLs on the GMTIIc.

Also...the bracelet has COMPLETELY SOLID links across the board and they are less thick then predecessors. This is a good thing.

2) The Sub-C crystal does not stand up as proud as the previous Sub. I miss this. When you look at a 16610 from the side, you notice about 1 mm of sapphire standing proud of the bezel. Look at a vintage 1680 and you'll see a few mm of beautiful acrylic crystal standing at attention. That seems to be a Rolex icon. Well, they have buried it on the new Sub. It might be about 1/8th of a mm above the bezel and no more. I guess the crystal height is the same, but they engineered the case/movement/bezel to protect the crystal on the Sub-C. Which is fine from a functionality standpoint. I just wish I could see that crystal even another 1/4 mm.

[tulsaokusa]

Originally Posted by Eric88

Two other things I neglected to mention in my initial review:

1) The polished sides of the bracelet. I was actually not aware of this until I received the watch. I might have noticed it on a few photos, but Rolex did not really advertise this as a feature. It is a bit of a head-scratcher for Sub owners accustomed to completely brushed bracelets that take a licking and keep on ticking with limited scratches to be seen by the naked eye...those highly polished sides speak more of high end jewelry vs. a tool watch. So I'm a little bit bummed about it, but having owned a handful of Omega Planet Oceans, I do think it looks nice and risk of scuffing the SIDE of your bracelet (and noticing it) is minimal. So my complaint is minimal here, but just wanted to call it out...solution would be to brush up those sides like some have done to their PCLs on the GMTIIc.

Also...the bracelet has COMPLETELY SOLID links across the board and they are less thick then predecessors. This is a good thing.

2) The Sub-C crystal does not stand up as proud as the previous Sub. I miss this. When you look at a 16610 from the side, you notice about 1 mm of sapphire standing proud of the bezel. Look at a vintage 1680 and you'll see a few mm of beautiful acrylic crystal standing at attention. That seems to be a Rolex icon. Well, they have buried it on the new Sub. It might be about 1/8th of a mm above the bezel and no more. I guess the crystal height is the same, but they engineered the case/movement/bezel to protect the crystal on the Sub-C. Which is fine from a functionality standpoint. I just wish I could see that crystal even another 1/4 mm.

Three things I would not be opposed to on the SubC:

1) 1680 style crystal - or similar
2) RED
3) uppermost 12 o'clock triangle on the Maxidial shaped like the retro Maxidial triangle

If ANY of these three attributes appeared on a future SubC... I would potentially purchase a second SubC.

[Eric88]

Originally Posted by jasonsundberg

Three things I would not be opposed to on the SubC:

1) 1680 style crystal - or similar
2) RED
3) uppermost 12 o'clock triangle on the Maxidial shaped like the retro Maxidial triangle

If ANY of these three attributes appeared on a future SubC... I would potentially purchase a second SubC.

Totally agree with all of these. I wonder how many Rolex product managers pitched a red text version of the sub? I'm sure it was prominent.

The other thing I often wonder is should they consider an applied crown marker on the dial like some other models?

[tulsaokusa]

Originally Posted by Eric88

Totally agree with all of these. I wonder how many Rolex product managers pitched a red text version of the sub? I'm sure it was prominent.

The other thing I often wonder is should they consider an applied crown marker on the dial like some other models?

Interesting.

Applied crown marker on dial...

It would be interesting to see what that might look like... but I imagine it would create a fairly major dial change in terms of overall presense.

[Eric88]

Here's a quick lamely edited profile shot of the Sub-C crystal.