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Old 28 June 2011, 06:58 AM   #1
JJL
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Why did they change the RED Sub?

After looking at an awesome pic that Jocke posted, it got me thinking - why did they discontinue the red Sub?

Will they ever bring it back? For a anniversary possibly?
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Old 28 June 2011, 07:03 AM   #2
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After looking at an awesome pic that Jocke posted, it got me thinking - why did they discontinue the red Sub?

Will they ever bring it back? For a anniversary possibly?
They don't sell, there was a lot of them in the displays even up to 4 years after they was end made.
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Old 28 June 2011, 07:10 AM   #3
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They don't sell, there was a lot of them in the displays even up to 4 years after they was end made.
Wow, that's ironic! Seems like a lot of people go crazy over the red Sub now-a-days.
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Old 28 June 2011, 09:39 AM   #4
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They cost more at the time, right?
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Old 28 June 2011, 11:22 AM   #5
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one possible theory is that when rolex introduced new models in this line they had red script back in the day. Single red sea dweller, then double red sea-dweller submariner 2000 so possibly on this as the 1680 was the first sub with a date.
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Old 28 June 2011, 11:23 AM   #6
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Wow, that's ironic! Seems like a lot of people go crazy over the red Sub now-a-days.
They do indeed! What was everyone thinking back then???
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Old 28 June 2011, 11:43 PM   #7
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Wow, that's ironic! Seems like a lot of people go crazy over the red Sub now-a-days.
It's actually the opposite of ironic. It's the one and only reason red Subs are valuable today. Simply because they didn't sell in the early days. Thus they are 'rare'. It's the same with the early Daytonas, the Paul Newmans, etc. They are only sought-after today because they couldn't give them away when they were current.

I always laugh when I see collectors eagerly glomming onto a more-expensive variant on some Rolex model or other, like the green Subs and the Milgauss GV, thinking they will become 'collector's items' in the future and they can retire on the windfall profits. Rolex sells hundreds of thousands of the expensive variant and laughs all the way to the bank, while the 'collector's items' gain less in value than the standard model.

Human nature: I remember in 1977 going to the movie theater where both 'Star Wars' and 'Annie Hall' were playing on the same bill. You couldn't get into 'Star Wars' it was so packed, so we went to see 'Annie Hall'. There were like 7 other people in the theater. I went around telling people it was easily best film I had seen in years, and they all yawned and waved me away and talked about 'Star Wars'. Then a couple of weeks later 'Annie Hall' won the 'Best Picture' Oscar. I drove by a theater downtown and the lineup to see 'Annie Hall' was 4 or 5 deep all the way around the block. The wait to see it was 2-3 hours long. People were standing in the rain.
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Old 29 June 2011, 12:42 AM   #8
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is the only difference between a red sub and an everyday sub of the same year, the red lettering or is there anything else?
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Old 29 June 2011, 01:04 AM   #9
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is the only difference between a red sub and an everyday sub of the same year, the red lettering or is there anything else?
That's it and the red paint will cost you an additional $5000 easy.
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Old 29 June 2011, 01:30 AM   #10
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That's it and the red paint will cost you an additional $5000 easy.
these are the things i'll never understand.
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Old 29 June 2011, 01:33 AM   #11
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Many red subs had there dials changed over the years as part of normal routine service that was before red subs started to cost mega money.
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Old 29 June 2011, 01:34 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by rolexertion View Post
It's actually the opposite of ironic. It's the one and only reason red Subs are valuable today. Simply because they didn't sell in the early days. Thus they are 'rare'. It's the same with the early Daytonas, the Paul Newmans, etc. They are only sought-after today because they couldn't give them away when they were current.

I always laugh when I see collectors eagerly glomming onto a more-expensive variant on some Rolex model or other, like the green Subs and the Milgauss GV, thinking they will become 'collector's items' in the future and they can retire on the windfall profits. Rolex sells hundreds of thousands of the expensive variant and laughs all the way to the bank, while the 'collector's items' gain less in value than the standard model.

Human nature: I remember in 1977 going to the movie theater where both 'Star Wars' and 'Annie Hall' were playing on the same bill. You couldn't get into 'Star Wars' it was so packed, so we went to see 'Annie Hall'. There were like 7 other people in the theater. I went around telling people it was easily best film I had seen in years, and they all yawned and waved me away and talked about 'Star Wars'. Then a couple of weeks later 'Annie Hall' won the 'Best Picture' Oscar. I drove by a theater downtown and the lineup to see 'Annie Hall' was 4 or 5 deep all the way around the block. The wait to see it was 2-3 hours long. People were standing in the rain.
Never "got" Annie Hall. My favourite Woody Allen movie is still Sleeper. You can include the 1655 Explorer ll in that group. Big orange hand looked goofy and the languished in the display case. I had a choice of buying one when I bought my GMT Master in 1980 and I opted for the GMT even though it was $50.00 more than the Exp ll.
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Old 29 June 2011, 01:51 AM   #13
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I would love to see the anniversary submariner to be green font on a black dial and green bezel. That would be sick.
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Old 29 June 2011, 04:15 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by rolexertion View Post
It's actually the opposite of ironic. It's the one and only reason red Subs are valuable today. Simply because they didn't sell in the early days. Thus they are 'rare'. It's the same with the early Daytonas, the Paul Newmans, etc. They are only sought-after today because they couldn't give them away when they were current.

I always laugh when I see collectors eagerly glomming onto a more-expensive variant on some Rolex model or other, like the green Subs and the Milgauss GV, thinking they will become 'collector's items' in the future and they can retire on the windfall profits. Rolex sells hundreds of thousands of the expensive variant and laughs all the way to the bank, while the 'collector's items' gain less in value than the standard model.

Human nature: I remember in 1977 going to the movie theater where both 'Star Wars' and 'Annie Hall' were playing on the same bill. You couldn't get into 'Star Wars' it was so packed, so we went to see 'Annie Hall'. There were like 7 other people in the theater. I went around telling people it was easily best film I had seen in years, and they all yawned and waved me away and talked about 'Star Wars'. Then a couple of weeks later 'Annie Hall' won the 'Best Picture' Oscar. I drove by a theater downtown and the lineup to see 'Annie Hall' was 4 or 5 deep all the way around the block. The wait to see it was 2-3 hours long. People were standing in the rain.
Although I have tremendous respect for vintage, it's not the vintage I'm after. I'd actually prefer a Sub C Red (with a red yachtmaster hand even) if it was ever made over the vintage Red Sub. I just think it simply enhances the look of the watch by adding that great color contrast. The fact that it is rare (in this case) doesn't mean anything to me personally, but I certainly understand what you're saying.
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Old 29 June 2011, 04:44 AM   #15
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I love the subtle red lettering on it. Just sets it apart a little bit.

Would love to see how a Red Date Wheel would look on a Sub. I think that would be great alternative to the traditional Sub.
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Old 29 June 2011, 06:29 AM   #16
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I love the subtle red lettering on it. Just sets it apart a little bit.

Would love to see how a Red Date Wheel would look on a Sub. I think that would be great alternative to the traditional Sub.
That's a great idea! Red Date Wheel and a Red YachtMaster hand on a Sub or SD
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Old 29 June 2011, 07:58 AM   #17
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Just can't go wrong with a red Sub
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Old 29 June 2011, 08:32 AM   #18
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Just can't go wrong with a red Sub
Admire them greatly, my practical side, just will not let me go there. I admit, when it comes to cars, I'm not practical at all.
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Old 29 June 2011, 08:59 AM   #19
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Admire them greatly, my practical side, just will not let me go there. I admit, when it comes to cars, I'm not practical at all.
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Old 29 June 2011, 10:36 AM   #20
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Old 29 June 2011, 10:25 PM   #21
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Admire them greatly, my practical side, just will not let me go there. I admit, when it comes to cars, I'm not practical at all.
Ironically Rolexes have changed the way I feel about cars. I'd rather buy another watch than get a new car. My Jeep is finally paid off and I'm probably just going to drive it to the ground.

For example, I'd much rather spend 20k on a watch, than a car - because first off, 20k doesn't get you too far as far as a "nice" vehicle as opposed to a watch you can get something sick! And most importantly, in 10 years, that 20k watch is still going to be running and worth something, as opposed to the car which will just become a POS.
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Old 29 June 2011, 10:45 PM   #22
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Human nature: I remember in 1977 going to the movie theater where both 'Star Wars' and 'Annie Hall' were playing on the same bill. You couldn't get into 'Star Wars' it was so packed, so we went to see 'Annie Hall'. There were like 7 other people in the theater. I went around telling people it was easily best film I had seen in years, and they all yawned and waved me away and talked about 'Star Wars'. Then a couple of weeks later 'Annie Hall' won the 'Best Picture' Oscar. I drove by a theater downtown and the lineup to see 'Annie Hall' was 4 or 5 deep all the way around the block. The wait to see it was 2-3 hours long. People were standing in the rain.
I would of had a hissy fit, if I was made to see Annie Hall rather than Star Wars.

Oh yeah, sub red thingy is nice
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Old 29 June 2011, 10:46 PM   #23
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Ironically Rolexes have changed the way I feel about cars. I'd rather buy another watch than get a new car. My Jeep is finally paid off and I'm probably just going to drive it to the ground.

For example, I'd much rather spend 20k on a watch, than a car - because first off, 20k doesn't get you too far as far as a "nice" vehicle as opposed to a watch you can get something sick! And most importantly, in 10 years, that 20k watch is still going to be running and worth something, as opposed to the car which will just become a POS.
Interesting, I told you I was not practical with cars.
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