super case subs, are they more desirable?

[Mick8moses]

I've just always found the 5 digit proportions more refined. For 6 digit I go straight to SD43.


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[bezler]

I walked into an AD to buy my first Rolex, a 116610, but I didn't like the fat lugs and the disproportional look at all. So I set off to find a used 5 digit, and to me it looks nicely balanced.

Both models feel great (but different) on my 8" wrist. Naturally I'd prefer the more modern technology, but when I look down at the watch, it's important that I like what I see. Someday I'll figure out how to hack an extendable link onto that bracelet, and my life will be complete.

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[abozz]

I had a 16610 and go up to the 116610, I love the maxi case and maxi dial, the new oyster solid band and clasp, glidelock is the best feauture. My wrist is 6.7. I ONLY would buy a previous Rolex model for collecting porpouses not for my daily watch because are better now in my opinion.

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[HogwldFLTR]

6 digit bracelets and inserts. 5 digit size and comfort. Both have their positives!!

[Ragna]

My wrist is approx. 7.4"

The 6-digit GMT may look a bit small but i love it.

I personally think the 6-digits are perfect.

Here in the forum there are a lot of great experts. Those tend to be purists. So the 5-digit case will get maybe more praise around here than in the outside.

Just saying.

[Number3]

Originally Posted by Ragna

My wrist is approx. 7.4"

The 6-digit GMT may look a bit small but i love it.

I personally think the 6-digits are perfect.

Here in the forum there are a lot of great experts. Those tend to be purists. So the 5-digit case will get maybe more praise around here than in the outside.

Just saying.

I hope that’s your dog, otherwise I think you’re about to get mugged!

[Ragna]

Originally Posted by Number3

I hope that’s your dog, otherwise I think you’re about to get mugged!

:) lol !!!

Yup its my faithful companion :)

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Ragna

:) lol !!!

Yup its my faithful companion :)

What a cutie and wearing a matching green bandana

[Harry-57]

I didn't like the 16610LV much because it seemed insubstantial. The bracelet was the worst part of the less than premium feeling, but the case lacked physical and visual heft too. The 116610LV is much more my kind of watch for weight, solidity, size and proportions.

That's my preference. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), I can't tell you what you like.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Owner multiple 4,5 and 6 digit subs. 6-digit is my preference, everything is just better.

[Rags]

5 digit for me but I do like the idea of the glidelock bracelet but I even say that the clasp is too big IMO.

[Mac-427]

Hey, it's a tool watch that should be rugged looking! If you want refinement buy a Datejust.

[AJMarcus]

There must be a reason why the current Submariner continues to remain the most desired of all Rolex models. Just ask any AD

[samson66]

What is your wrist size? If smaller wrist I prefer the 5-digit case. If larger you may want to go with the supercase to make the watch appear larger in you.

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[jaisonline]

I think folks like 6-digit Subs more for its far superior clasp than anything else ...

[Tomas Eriksson]

Originally Posted by jaisonline

I think folks like 6-digit Subs more for its far superior clasp than anything else ...

It’s more than that: The ceramic bezel a work of art. The maxidial with gold indices is spectacular. List goes on and on...



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[jaisonline]

I own both Sub models

16610Vs have the maxi dial. So that is a wash. Plus, there isn’t much difference in indices sizes between. Hairline diff for each dial type.

The ceramic vs. aluminum inserts are subjective. Inserts have trade-offs. The colors in easily changeable Aluminum inserts appear deeper w/o the washout / clearcoat look of ceramic ones. Plus you do get a more balanced rotating bezel that cost $1k to replace and isn’t a DIYer anymore.

For me, the main improvement w/ 6 digit Subs is the clasp followed by better warranty.

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

It’s more than that: The ceramic bezel a work of art. The maxidial with gold indices is spectacular. List goes on and on...


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[Vlke]

I agree. For refinement and elegance I’ll switch to
a DJ or get a dress watch. I love my sub C date for what it is - tough and modern !


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[Montremoi]

If you like soap bars, yes, they're desirable

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Quangtungnguyen

Hey guys I currently have a explorer 1 after trading in my 36 DJ, I have the option of training in for a sub. I have not tried on a sub and have no option too since it's out of the province. Has anyone bought the non super case and upgraded too the super case (bigger lugs) how does it wear? I have 6.5 wrist. Is the 14060 more expensive then the super case? What's your thoughts

The super case is not an upgrade, rather a compromise for a company who’s many modern wearers want the size and wrist presence (perhaps recognition for wearing a Rolex) but did not want to actually increase size (as they have other models for that). People can argue my point, but they can’t. There is no functional purpose for the super case other than it appears larger. For me I will never own a super case rolex and if someone gave one to me would flip it in 10 minutes.

[Ragna]

Originally Posted by Chester01

The super case is not an upgrade, rather a compromise[...]

You are correct.

But the super case comes with other things.. that are clear upgrades (ceramic, clasp, movement, etc)

If they were both exactly the same, only with a different case, id get the 5-digit case no doubt.

But in my opinion id choose the newer clasp, movement, and bezel. DESPITE de case.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Ragna

You are correct.

that are clear upgrades (ceramic, clasp, movement, etc)

But in my opinion id choose the newer clasp, movement, and bezel. DESPITE de case.

The movement is the same in the 14060/16610 and 114060/116610.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Ragna

You are correct.

But the super case comes with other things.. that are clear upgrades (ceramic, clasp, movement, etc)

If they were both exactly the same, only with a different case, id get the 5-digit case no doubt.

But in my opinion id choose the newer clasp, movement, and bezel. DESPITE de case.

Sorry, I don’t see crockery as an upgrade as it’s more likely to fail. Secondly, I had the new bracelet in my Daytona and it’s heavier but my 16610 has 4 fine adjustments that I can make in 10 seconds, and I have no issue with the clasp. So yes the new bracelets feel sturdier and heavier and more consistent with an expensive watch, but the actual improvement is negligible as it’s the pins that hold the bracelet together so it’s not actually a better bracelet in that’s sense. It just makes the watch heavier.


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[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Sorry, I don’t see crockery as an upgrade as it’s more likely to fail. Secondly, I had the new bracelet in my Daytona and it’s heavier but my 16610 has 4 fine adjustments that I can make in 10 seconds, and I have no issue with the clasp. So yes the new bracelets feel sturdier and heavier and more consistent with an expensive watch, but the actual improvement is negligible as it’s the pins that hold the bracelet together so it’s not actually a better bracelet in that’s sense. It just makes the watch heavier.


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Let me clarify. Yes the clasp is an upgrade because o can adjust the bracelet in 2 seconds versus my 16610 in 4/5 seconds. I guess it that the so called upgrades do not outweigh the massive shift in case, lugs fundamentally changing the lines of the sub. What grabs the eye is a circle on block, with a bracelet that does not look integrated into case as the lugs are now wider. I guess what I’m saying is the pluses do not outweigh the negatives for my money.


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[214270Explorer]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Let me clarify. Yes the clasp is an upgrade because o can adjust the bracelet in 2 seconds versus my 16610 in 4/5 seconds. I guess it that the so called upgrades do not outweigh the massive shift in case, lugs fundamentally changing the lines of the sub. What grabs the eye is a circle on block, with a bracelet that does not look integrated into case as the lugs are now wider. I guess what I’m saying is the pluses do not outweigh the negatives for my money.

Chester01, I 100% agree with all your posts at this subject heading.

After comparing (at my AD) my 5-digit Sub to the newer 6-digits, there is simply no way I would buy the newer model.

They are too 'blocky' for me, to the point of distraction.

But to each their own; everyone has different tastes.

[mjrchabot]

Originally Posted by Chester01

The super case is not an upgrade, rather a compromise for a company who’s many modern wearers want the size and wrist presence (perhaps recognition for wearing a Rolex) but did not want to actually increase size (as they have other models for that). People can argue my point, but they can’t. There is no functional purpose for the super case other than it appears larger. For me I will never own a super case rolex and if someone gave one to me would flip it in 10 minutes.

You’re absolutely right ... all one needs to do is look to when the super case made its debut, 2011 or so? It just so happens Panerai was making a steady climb in the luxury watch market at this time - not going to debate their value/worth. The super case was undoubtedly an attempt to keep those customers interested in 44mm watches to consider staying with Rolex, particularly the coveted Submariner.

As you said, it serves zero functional purpose, other than perhaps the ability of being polished more than 5 digit cases.


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[Chester01]

Originally Posted by mjrchabot

You’re absolutely right ... all one needs to do is look to when the super case made its debut, 2011 or so? It just so happens Panerai was making a steady climb in the luxury watch market at this time - not going to debate their value/worth. The super case was undoubtedly an attempt to keep those customers interested in 44mm watches to consider staying with Rolex, particularly the coveted Submariner.

As you said, it serves zero functional purpose, other than perhaps the ability of being polished more than 5 digit cases.


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That’s a really interesting point. You are right, the big watch fad was in full bloom about that time. And for me, the beauty of the sub is that the lines have been generally untouched for 40 years or more, they were not ones to go after the fad but rather set the trends. I think the giant lug move was Rolex chasing the fad, and for me they lost the classic lines of the sub. I mean it’s still a great watch, but when I close my eyes and think of the archetypal sub, it’s not a giant lug version that comes to mind and I think that many would agree.


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[tbk]

Originally Posted by Chester01

That’s a really interesting point. You are right, the big watch fad was in full bloom about that time. And for me, the beauty of the sub is that the lines have been generally untouched for 40 years or more, they were not ones to go after the fad but rather set the trends. I think the giant lug move was Rolex chasing the fad, and for me they lost the classic lines of the sub. I mean it’s still a great watch, but when I close my eyes and think of the archetypal sub, it’s not a giant lug version that comes to mind and I think that many would agree.

The lugs actually don't bother me at all, I don't notice them. I wonder if they may move to slim them down, though. They did that with the latest iteration of the DJ36, which is much improved over the previous one. The previous one looked bulbous and bloated with its fat lugs, especially for its size, whereas the latest one is sleek and elegant in comparison. I wonder if the Sub will get a similar treatment in the next redesign.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Chester01

That’s a really interesting point. You are right, the big watch fad was in full bloom about that time. And for me, the beauty of the sub is that the lines have been generally untouched for 40 years or more, they were not ones to go after the fad but rather set the trends. I think the giant lug move was Rolex chasing the fad, and for me they lost the classic lines of the sub. I mean it’s still a great watch, but when I close my eyes and think of the archetypal sub, it’s not a giant lug version that comes to mind and I think that many would agree.


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I'm not so certain of that.
The 6 digit Sub is the quintesential giant lug watch but it was also the Crown guards in order to balance out the bloated aesthetic.

Regarding the bigger watch trend.
It's still in full swing. I see ever increasingly larger fashion watches on people. We see pics of people on this forum with 6.5" wrists wearing watches that are oversized for them when they perhaps ought to be wearing a watch like a DJ 36.
Rolex has effectively upped the size of the Sub again with the introduction of the SD 43 and put a wider bracelet and clasp on the DSSD making it look more blocky with flush end links.
The Skydweller is well and truely playing in the large watch space as well and the EXP has been upsized to 39 mm.
Omega for example, have been offering a myriad of larger examples of the Speedy than the original Pro with the same treatment to the divers watches.
Grand Seiko and Seiko are actively doing it across the board.
IWC has been at it since the Big Pilot, Portugeser, etc.
Not to mention Panerai
There's a whole swag of micro brands into it. One of which has not long brought out their very first "ladies watch" at 31 mm as a starting point with no indication at all they will go down from there.

I still se the trend as up overall but as soon as women start to wear 26 or 28 mm watches much more broadly, especially fashion influencers etc. I can't see any real changes happening.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Dirt

I'm not so certain of that.
The 6 digit Sub is the quintesential giant lug watch but it was also the Crown guards in order to balance out the bloated aesthetic.

Regarding the bigger watch trend.
It's still in full swing. I see ever increasingly larger fashion watches on people. We see pics of people on this forum with 6.5" wrists wearing watches that are oversized for them when they perhaps ought to be wearing a watch like a DJ 36.
Rolex has effectively upped the size of the Sub again with the introduction of the SD 43 and put a wider bracelet and clasp on the DSSD making it look more blocky with flush end links.
The Skydweller is well and truely playing in the large watch space as well and the EXP has been upsized to 39 mm.
Omega for example, have been offering a myriad of larger examples of the Speedy than the original Pro with the same treatment to the divers watches.
Grand Seiko and Seiko are actively doing it across the board.
IWC has been at it since the Big Pilot, Portugeser, etc.
Not to mention Panerai
There's a whole swag of micro brands into it. One of which has not long brought out their very first "ladies watch" at 31 mm as a starting point with no indication at all they will go down from there.

I still se the trend as up overall but as soon as women start to wear 26 or 28 mm watches much more broadly, especially fashion influencers etc. I can't see any real changes happening.

Interesting points and you may be right. (My wife wears my 116520) What I like about omega (full disclosure wearing my speedy pro as I type this) they Experiment with the style and proportion with the speedmaster line, but leave the classic alone. This way if one wants the classic it’s there, but if they want the modern interpretation it’s there as well. With Rolex, once it’s gone it’s gone. I mean even iwc backed away and brought down the size of the pilot and pilot chrono but also offer others in the larger size.


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