I'm curious what you guys think if they discontinue the SUB-C

[inv1siblehand]

In short - no matter what they do all Submariners will increase in value. A rising tide lifts all boats.

My prediction for Basel 2020 is a PM or TT sub with a very slight alteration to the lugs and an upgraded movement.

I don't think there will be a massive change to the maxi case simply because the larger lume plots enhance legibility and might look too big on the dial if they slim down the lugs too much.

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by landroverking

A new 40 mm Sub with slimmer lugs would cause the current Sub to be a footnote in Rolex history.

I tend to agree with this. It would precipitate a mass sell-off. The on-the-fencers, who like the bracelet will have all the confirmation they need that the rest of the watch is in fact not very appealing, and a maxicase bloodbath would surely ensue.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Onikage

I tend to agree with this. It would precipitate a mass sell-off. The on-the-fencers, who like the bracelet will have all the confirmation they need that the rest of the watch is in fact not very appealing, and a maxicase bloodbath would surely ensue.

This is Rolex we're talking about though. Somebody will start calling them by some nickname like fatboy or something and it'll end up with a cult following and continue to rise like every other sport watch.

[Chester01]

I don’t think so. They will eventually put a new movement in and the slimming of the lugs will also happen, but slowly. An abrupt change in the lugs make it look like Rolex made a mistake in making them so large in the first place. The sub has as most Rolex models an exercise in slow evolution over time. So no discontinuation, just evolution.

[playford]

New movement will I'd say go for a bit more on grey market.

42mm won't happen, that's what the SD43 is for.

who knows about case changes?

[GoingPlaces]

1. Values unaffected, everyone has a Sub.
2. Values unaffected, Rolex consistently improves movement and values remain unaffected. Zenith Daytona is the exception.

Sub will remain 40, as other poster stated perhaps a Tudor but not Rolex.

[inv1siblehand]

Originally Posted by sillo38

This is Rolex we're talking about though. Somebody will start calling them by some nickname like fatboy or something and it'll end up with a cult following and continue to rise like every other sport watch.

So true!

I think you may have inadvertantly become that somebody

[007_Omega]

All I know is that the next Sub is going to be aesthetically and technically superior to this generation.

I'm really curious to see whether Rolex will simply add the new movement, crown between swiss made, and slightly trim down the lugs or will they be bold and do something more?

If the SD43 didn't exist, then I could get behind the idea of Rolex possibly increasing the size.

On the subject of the fat lugs, if Rolex truly slims down the lugs this generation will still have its fans. There are plenty of people who like the fat lugs because they like bigger and bolder things. Not everyone appreciates classic proportions.

[Auto16610]

"What if people don’t like the new one....like the Jubilee GMT."

Originally Posted by Mystro

Really?? Many of us love it.

If that happens then the new Sub will be another +$16K new model.
Remember the average newbie Rolex owner is generally scared of anything new so like the LVc (Hulk) no one wanted it until the enthusiast gave it the nod and it became “cool” over night. Rolex never ever plans to release a watch that is going backwards in evolution. This is what Rolex does best.

Since nobody likes the new GMT on jubilee can I have yours please?

[ronricks]

How can a mass produced watch with a 10 year production run be “rare”? That defies all logic.

[Jabbo84]

Well, since you asked. They will probably ruin it by making it bigger than 40 mm. Sometimes I think Rolex thinks the only ones interested are ballers and rappers

[dtwer]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

I sure hope so !

42mm, slimmer/tapered lugs, and 22mm lug width would be perfection !

I would love this combination very much too.

[Beto737]

I want the old case, with new movement, and a little more detail to the dial. Perhaps a slight waffle pattern. If any changes happen, I suspect the current Hulk will continue to be desirable.

[Bigblu10]

Lug size seems to just be a watch forum obsession, hardly a real world issue.
Size will stay 40mm. You want bigger? You have the SD43 and DSSD
Only logical change I see is the new movement, but not even that is guaranteed this time around. These speculation threads happen year after year with relatively few changes.
Rolex has no problems selling every Submariner that comes out of the factory. Why would they go back to the design board to completely redo it? To satisfy all the keyboard quarterbacks on these watch forums? Yeah, sure.

[DoctorA]

I’m not a marketing expert but it would make no sense what so ever to mess with the most iconic product you have!
They might update movement, change bezel material from aluminum to ceramic, make special colors, change the font or writing style........etc. but to change the case size or mess dramatically with its aesthetics, I highly highly doubt it!!

[glamorama]

This speculation that Rolex will release a 42mm Sub i don’t understand at all as there is a “sea dweller” looking like a sub at 43mm. Why would they release a 42mm sub and leave the 40mm space they’ve been in forever open. To me it’s a 0.01% chance with a 42mm sub.

[Sandpit]

Won’t change and will only be a movement update. The GMT case didn’t change. No reason to think the sub will.

[polaris72]

Nothing will happen. New Sub’s wait list will be miles long, so everyone will hold on onto their old Subs.

[brandrea]

It only makes sense that the Submariner line will get the 32xx movement at some point. My guess is that other changes to the case, bezel dial etc would be mostly minimal ala GMT.

Submariners will always be in demand so 8 don’t think prices of previous generations will change. If anything they tend to tread higher as they arent being made anymore

[Kestrel]

My opinion: Certain to get the new movement. The 3135 will sunset at some point. Too expensive to maintain two separate lines making them, and they must be good at making the new one after five years. Plus the other major Pro lines already switched (ym, gmt, SD, DS). Almost certainly slightly thinner lugs. The watches of the last few years are correcting from the large lugs of last decade. See the gmt, DS, DD40. But only slight change. There already is a 43 mm sub (well, SD43) so little chance they go to 42mm.

Question is do they release all metals at once or do what they did last time and release gold and TT first, then SS sub date then SS sub. Do they do a Pt version and set the world on fire.

Prices on the old models will go up or stay the same (provided no overall market downturn). Prices for new models will be sky high on the secondary market, again, unless there is an overall slowdown. Only the TT skyD and ym 2 sell for a discount against msrp these days I believe, amongst non full pm pieces. Even the black dial deep sea sells for a 5% premium or so. Just four years ago it sold new for 20% off.

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Kestrel

The watches of the last few years are correcting from the large lugs of last decade. See the gmt.

The GMT hasn't changed at all. I wish it had.

[Cesium137]

What was section 2 sub section B again?

[toolr]

Other than a possible movement change, probably unannounced, I don't see the Sub changing at all.

[mountainjogger]

IMOP, none of these scenarios will not matter because no one would be able to find one at MSRP from a dealer for many years. Unless supply increases, the effect on the current model (then superseded) will be negligible at best.

[tie219]

Originally Posted by brandrea

It only makes sense that the Submariner line will get the 32xx movement at some point. My guess is that other changes to the case, bezel dial etc would be mostly minimal ala GMT.

Submariners will always be in demand so 8 don’t think prices of previous generations will change. If anything they tend to tread higher as they arent being made anymore

This is correct

[mailman]

I don't care because I'm not buying either one I dint care about a new movement with a longer power reserve or what the rotor is. I get they want to move forward and it makes sense. The 3135 works just fine for me