Is a larger Submariner in the offing?

[learpilot]

I have a friend who is well-connected in the watch industry and lives in Basel. She has been telling me for some time that Rolex is developing a larger case Submariner, somewhere in the 42-44mm range.

My understanding is that Rolex hotly denies any plans to add a larger Sub. But they also have pooh-poohed the industry's movement toward larger case sizes, while in the last two years introducing the 41mm Datejust II and now the new Explorer II GMT in 42mm.

My friend tells me that no one knows what the final size and configuration will be, but the expectation is that it will be unveiled at Baselworld 2012. There are two logical speculations about the final size: 1) Now that a stainless case has been developed for the two-tone Yachtmaster II, the new Sub can use a variation of that 44mm case; or, 2) Rolex might still believe that really large sizes are a fad, while there is solid, long-term demand for 41-42mm cases (hence the new ExpII), so the new Sub might be 42mm in a variation of the ExpII case.

Frankly, the second scenario makes more sense to me. Rolex then would have three divers - Subs at 40 and 42mm, and the DSSD at 44mm. A 44mm Submariner would cannibalize DSSD sales too much, while a 42mm Sub would likely win new customers who eschew the smaller Sub and can't handle the huge DSSD.

Of course, if the rumors are true, we'll know in another year. What do you think about a larger Submariner and do you prefer a 42mm or 44mm size?

Rob


This is not my Post !!!! This is from another website.

Gary

[Dan2010]

[dsio]

Don't see it happening. ;)

[learpilot]

Originally Posted by dsio

Don't see it happening. ;)

Why Not ??????????????

[dsio]

Originally Posted by learpilot

Why Not ??????????????

Sub-C already wears like a 42mm and was just released. Half the sub's charm is that it still looks like every sub before it, EXP2 has a broken family tree when the orange hand turned into the 16550, Sub's is still seen all the way back, even the new Maxi dial harks back to 1680s and 5513s.

Sub owners are painful people (really, we are) that nitpick over silly details and waffle about history, and character, and intangible things like that. As it stands the Sub-C is going down much like the 996 to air-cooled 911 owners. I reckon they're smart enough to not poke the native's while they're still restless.

And by natives, I mean 1680/16800/168000/16610 owners.
And by poke, I mean change the sub further.
And by restless, I mean poking the ceramic bezel with a stick and giving the maxi-case the stink-eye.

[learpilot]

Originally Posted by dsio

Sub-C already wears like a 42mm and was just released. Half the sub's charm is that it still looks like every sub before it, EXP2 has a broken family tree when the orange hand turned into the 16550, Sub's is still seen all the way back, even the new Maxi dial harks back to 1680s and 5513s.

Sub owners are painful people (really, we are) that nitpick over silly details and waffle about history, and character, and intangible things like that. As it stands the Sub-C is going down much like the 996 to air-cooled 911 owners. I reckon they're smart enough to not poke the native's while they're still restless.

And by natives, I mean 1680/16800/168000/16610 owners.
And by poke, I mean change the sub further.
And by restless, I mean poking the ceramic bezel with a stick and giving the maxi-case the stink-eye.

That doesn't mean they won't do it ! they are in business to sell watches.

[boogiebot]

Originally Posted by learpilot

That doesn't mean they won't do it ! they are in business to sell watches.

you are right in saying "that doest mean they wont do it" however like dsio stated since Rolex already made the case adjustments to the sub and added a ceramic bezel...i find it hard to believe that they will either:

1) have 2 model subs with different cases sizes

2) replace the current sub that they just made adjustments to.

Rolex is the last company to make drastically huge changes so quick. and i think that is the appeal to most of us here. not saying

[snog]

Originally Posted by dsio

Sub-C already wears like a 42mm and was just released. Half the sub's charm is that it still looks like every sub before it, EXP2 has a broken family tree when the orange hand turned into the 16550, Sub's is still seen all the way back, even the new Maxi dial harks back to 1680s and 5513s.

Sub owners are painful people (really, we are) that nitpick over silly details and waffle about history, and character, and intangible things like that. As it stands the Sub-C is going down much like the 996 to air-cooled 911 owners. I reckon they're smart enough to not poke the native's while they're still restless.

And by natives, I mean 1680/16800/168000/16610 owners.
And by poke, I mean change the sub further.
And by restless, I mean poking the ceramic bezel with a stick and giving the maxi-case the stink-eye.

but is ROLEX's businiss plan to cater for the average wis or the average joe with a spare 5k?


I know the size of the sub was the main deal breaker for me,I do think the sub c though goes a long way to answering the size question,and if we are honest with ourselves the lug change on the sub c was in answer to the bigger watch "fad",will they go the full 100% and increase the sub c case size? I think they will but maybe its a few years away yet,I think the sub c is testing the waters and if it goes well then I think the case will be increased and the lugs made smaller again,sorry to say but look into most store windows and Rolex does get dwarfed by most other brands,for good or bad.

[Deacon211]

I hope not...I can't afford another Rolex!

J/K, I would love to see a 42mm Sub. The entire reason I went for the DSSD over the Sub C in the first place is that the Sub looked just too small for my wrist. I don't think 42mm would be jumping on the pie plate bandwagon, while acknowledging that tastes do change over time.

Of course, saying this, I did wind up with a SD which I think looks just fine on my wrist now, but I still must admit that it took a bit of getting used to.

Deacon

[rad87gn]

Don't think there will be any changes for a long time to the Sub date. Only possiblity I see is if they decide to revamp the outdated Sub no-date.

[bkandj2000]

Originally Posted by rad87gn

Don't think there will be any changes for a long time to the Sub date. Only possiblity I see is if they decide to revamp the outdated Sub no-date.

Hmmmm...What’s your definition of "outdated"?

[tomchicago]

lineup will eventually look like this: EII 42mm, Sub 49mm, DSSD 75mm.

[Numismatist]

Originally Posted by tomchicago

lineup will eventually look like this: EII 42mm, Sub 49mm, DSSD 75mm.

Yeah, and EII $12,000, Sub $22,000, DSSD $34,000

[ispep]

Originally Posted by tomchicago

lineup will eventually look like this: EII 42mm, Sub 49mm, DSSD 75mm.

Lol

How about a 42 mm Daytona II ?

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by tomchicago

lineup will eventually look like this: EII 42mm, Sub 49mm, DSSD 75mm.

[WatchTimes]

They just spent a fortune upgrading the Sub
I highly doubt that they are going to change it
yet again and having a 40 mm and 42 mm Sub makes
no sense.

I love how everyone has a friend who knows someone
on the inside at Rolex.

[TopNotchChach]

learpilot....

good avy.

[moby33]

Originally Posted by dsio

Sub-C already wears like a 42mm and was just released.

Agree. Was just wearing my 42mm SMP Chrono yesterday and thought, "This thing looks the same size as my SubC." The Supercase was a stroke of genius IMO. Watch really isn't bigger than 40mm, yet looks & wears much larger (yet still keeps the comfort level of a 40mm).

Originally Posted by TopNotchChach

learpilot....

good avy.

X1,000,000. I just want learpilot to keep posting so that pic keeps popping up!

[hunz]

I think its possible. either 40 or 42mm. solid link bracelet and glidelock like sub c. maxi case etc. just no date and cyclops

Rolex should make the sub a better watch, like use of submarine steel and tegiment. A real tool watch that can take a real beating. That would make it stand apart. Will it ever happen - probably not.

[dsio]

Originally Posted by hunz

I think its possible. either 40 or 42mm. solid link bracelet and glidelock like sub c. maxi case etc. just no date and cyclops

Rolex should make the sub a better watch, like use of submarine steel and tegiment. A real tool watch that can take a real beating. That would make it stand apart. Will it ever happen - probably not.

^ I like your thinking on the upgraded steel. Supposedly the Tegiment layer on those Sinn's is 5 times harder than normal 316L stainless. That is just plain cool, and the Sinn owners are seaming to report extra-ordinary scratch-resistance.

[moby33]

Originally Posted by hunz

Rolex should make the sub a better watch, like use of submarine steel and tegiment. A real tool watch that can take a real beating.

Seriously? 'Submarine steel & tegiment'...the Sub can already take a beating, overkill for overkill is pointless IMO. Using that mentality, why stop at the steel? Why not produce the lense out of diamond...then it will REALLY be scratch resistant when compared to that 'cheap' crystal lense currently in use!

[boogiebot]

Originally Posted by moby33

Seriously? 'Submarine steel & tegiment'...the Sub can already take a beating, overkill for overkill is pointless IMO. Using that mentality, why stop at the steel? Why not produce the lense out of diamond...then it will REALLY be scratch resistant when compared to that 'cheap' crystal lense currently in use!

if it were an option for the lense... im sure there would be someone willing to pay for it

[dsio]

Originally Posted by moby33

Seriously? 'Submarine steel & tegiment'...the Sub can already take a beating, overkill for overkill is pointless IMO. Using that mentality, why stop at the steel? Why not produce the lense out of diamond...then it will REALLY be scratch resistant when compared to that 'cheap' crystal lense currently in use!

They did already use 904L steel over 316L, which costs far more for little to no real benefit. The steel Sinn uses by all accounts makes them virtually scratchproof which would at the least cut down on the scratch related threads on TRF, if nothing else

[R.G]

Originally Posted by TopNotchChach

learpilot....

good avy.

I know where he got that image from...

[TopNotchChach]

Originally Posted by R.G

I know where he got that image from...

hahah where?

bump!

[Linzjnr]

Originally Posted by TopNotchChach

learpilot....

good avy.

X2!! Problem is I was having trouble concentrating on reading his post because I'd go back to the left on the next line and my eyes would keep going

[Xenophon]

I agree. I reckon the Sub (not the Sub-Date) will be in the same size case as the new Explorer II when it makes its debut.

[Tunacan26]

I hope not.

[Speed]

I have no real data...but I think only WIS care about history and minutiae. The general mass of watch buyers are who Rolex cares about...Vs WIS

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by Speed

... I think only WIS care about history and minutiae. The general mass of watch buyers are who Rolex cares about...

x2