Tete a tete with a green sub-c today

[Subexplorer]

Hello Friends! Hola Amigos!!

Well, as I have previously told here, I was invited by my friendly owner of a local AD here, to view the first examples of the new Submariners Ceramic bezel arriving to these far coasts.

The Black Sub C arrived several weeks ago, but the Green one, the one I had in my sights, came much later, right now, and it is making its appearance at the local chain of AD´s in these days.

I had seen the watch in great pictures posted here, at TRF, but my experience tells me that you must see any object in your hand, to have a good appreciation of it.

Today Sunday, I visited the shop of my friend (it was closed to the public, so it was a nice quiet time to view it at my own pace), and would like to share my experience here.

I wish to make it clear, that what follows is just my personal own point of view, and in no way I wish to start a discussion, as I understand not all the purchasers of this model, will think or view things as I do.
Just a very personal view!

I must say that I was nicely impressed with this new watch, and I find it a good reasonable development of the classic divers watch we came to know from Rolex, but not necessarily, it keeps the same "spirit" of the previous ones, like the 5513, 14060, 1680 or 16610 Subs.

I have been wearing a Sub since 1966, for decades my only watch, and got very accustomed to its shape and weight, wearing it 24 hours a day, up to sleeping or having the daily shower with it. It has been my silent faithful companion during many, many years!

Now, this new watch is precisely, a NEW watch, with the same dial, bezel and similar (not identical) case we are familiar with.
It is a little bigger, a bit more heavy, and a bit wider that the previous Subs.

I guess people who get a new Sub and are not familiar with previous models, will receive it with high pleasure, and will love it.

But those who are so close to the "old" models like me, will consider it a new and different watch. Very nice, very well made, finely finished: a little jewel indeed, but just different.
You can feel it is different, in its weight and size if you are, like me, so familiar with the size and weight of the old Sub.
(The new bracelet, similar -but not identical- to the one which equips the big DSSD, helps with this weight increase. Nice addition anyway!)

Then, as an old Submariner user/lover, I prefer the old models, specially the vintage ones.

As a collector, I feel you NEED to have it, to complete the line of development of this great classic watch the Submariner is, form the first no crown guards, through the different posterior references to this present model.

As a new purchaser of a Rolex dive watch, you can´t go wrong with it.
You will be very pleased with it, and it will give you all things a good divers watch should have.

I ask myself: Was it necessary for Rolex to launch this new model, instead of keep offering the 16610 reference?

I know Rolex is a commercial firm, and their goal is to sell as many watches they can produce, and that they are interested in catching the attention of both old and new customers to their line.
In order to reach this goal, a Company must call the attention of potential customers, and follow the market and mode trends.
Today, the trend goes for bigger and fancier watches.
Then a bigger, fancier watch is an answer, and I feel the new Sub will fill the place.

Will I get a new Sub C Green?

Definitively Yes!
I left a deposit for the very same watch being shown, and I did reserve it for me, to be delivered in some weeks, as my budget do not allow for buying it right now (my recent horology discoveries depleted my pockets, for some time).

Will I fell in love with it and replace my old Subs with this new one?
I sincerely doubt it!!
It belongs to my collection, but not necessarily will take the place of a lighter and a little smaller watch which I love so much for a daily wearer.
I´ll enjoy it anyway, and that´s the point of the game, isn´t it?

I say again, just a personal point of view!!
Thank you for your attention friends!
Best cordial regards, Abel.

[esm]

great work Abel.

look forward to seeing the pix.

[Lion]

Abel, Thanx for your insight into the newest Submariner to the tool line. I happen to like the green dial with the green bezel insert so I would definitely consider it for purchase in the future!!!

[Subexplorer]

Thank you Eric!!
I promise a follow up thread with pictures, when I get my Green Sub C... but will need to replenish my pockets first!! Will need a little time yet!
Cordial regards, Abel.

[gold canyon]

Nicely said. I agree with your sentiments.

[Subexplorer]

Thank you Leo! I´m glad you found it interesting to read, and to know that you share same "gusto" for the green dial one.
It surely is a bit fancy and eye catcher! A nice departure to the more classic black dial one.
Cordial regards, Abel.

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by gold canyon

Nicely said. I agree with your sentiments.

Thanks Perry!! I´m glad you share my point of view.
Best cordial regards, Abel.

[HL65]

Well written Abel--I agree with you as well!

[Subexplorer]

Thank you Ken!! Nice to know you agree!
Cordial regards, Abel.

[geronimo509]

I would love to see your entire collection of subs. I never saw all the models side by side before.

[George Ab]

Abel,

Thank you for the thoughtful insight into the latest evolution of the Sub.

[Michael M.]

Nicely phrased, can't wait to see pics!

[buke45]

Gracias!!!

[Starwalker]

Abel, I always enjoy reading your posts and look forward to reading more of them, great review!

[David Woo]

thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Abel. And enjoy your new green Sub, I agree with you that the older models are the preference.
DW

[Subexplorer]

Hello Friends!!
Thank you so much for your kind comments around my first "tete a tete" encounter with the new Submariner C!!
It´s always so pleasurable to share and exchange points of view with so many friends here, with same interests and passions.
Please receive my best cordial regards, Abel.

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by geronimo509

I would love to see your entire collection of subs. I never saw all the models side by side before.

Hello Nick!
Thank you for your comment.
My Sub collection is far from complete, as an entire collection reflecting the evolution of the Submariner is a rather complex one to assemble, as well as requiring a very large investment.
Mine is modest, but includes a copy of those more representative refferences, I guess, and those I could afford.
Anyway,you may see a "family shot" at a previous post celebrating Mr Connery´s birthday: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=140882

Thanks you again, and have a wonderful day!
Kind regards, Abel.

[steubi1]

Dear Abel,

many thanks for your interesting review!

I agree with you, the new SubC is a perfect watch, well made, an engineering marvel......and you may know that I own the new 116610LN for seven weeks now and I have worn it all the time until....

Saturday, two days ago!

Something strange, really strange happened to me. I have been telling myself for the last seven weeks now that I love my new SubC, and that the new block case with the wider lugs is beautiful...it simply has to be!

But then, last saturday, I had to admit to myself, deep in my heart, NO, it is NOT beautiful, and I do NOT LOVE this watch!! Wow, that was heavy, I had to tell my wife, and I had to tell her: Listen, I know I am crazy, but I have to phone around and see if there ist still a brandnew 16610 for sale somewhere in Switzerland. I was extremely lucky, called the AD where I got the SubC from, and I told him: Listen my dear friend, you probably are going to think I am crazy, but do you still have an old Sub in your stock?
And he told me: Yes, I still have one, the very last from very recent production with random serial number, do you want it? YES, YES please, jumped to the car, got there 15 Minutes before they close the store (after 1.5 hours drive), and everything was prepared for me, the watch, some goodies, and the bill of course.

Then me and my lovely wife (she got a nice jewelry, too, to calm down the situation a little bit) drove back home, I put my SubC, this perfect watch, back in the box for maybe future times, and put the new old 16610 on my wrist.

What can I say: This elegance of the smaller lugs, the flow of lines, less weight and a black bezel that is really black! And a clasp which is not so ridiculously wide that it covers my whole wrist?

Then we had a nice dinner with a great spanish red wine.

BEAUTIFUL, I am happy again after suffering for seven weeks now....

Sorry for all the new SUBC owners, but this is my true story.
Hope you forgive me all and enjoy reading it!

Kind regards
Tom

[TempoKing]

Thank you Abel for a great 116610LV review

It will look great in your hand while driving that "sweet"
old Ford Mustang of yours... doing 110... going up the
"snake" of the Cordobese Sierras...

[Subexplorer]

Hello Tom!!
Thank you so much for sharing your most interesting story.
I read it with great interest, and let me say I completely understand you.
It happens exactly the same to me, with my DSSD.
I find it a great watchmakers marvel, and a great example of how a fine watch is engineered, made and finished. Anyway, I can´t just get to love it, or enjoy wearing it.
It doesn´t mean its a bad watch, just a personal feeling. A beautiful watch but can´t feel comfortable with it.
I understand you feel so happy with your classic Sub. You made a good thing keeping the Sub C, for when you make a little rest to your Sub, and have a change.
Enjoy your watches, and thank you for your great story.
Very cordially, Abel.

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by TempoKing

Thank you Abel for a great 116610LV review

It will look great in your hand while driving that "sweet"
old Ford Mustang of yours... doing 110... going up the
"snake" of the Cordobese Sierras...

Thank you Anastasios!!

You are right!! A nice combo :

(I guess you mean 110 kilometers per hour ... not miles/p/h!! remember it is an oldie!)



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Receive my best cordial regards my friend!!
Abel