The greatest Rolex rivalry: Sub vs. GMT

[thomaspp]

Good morning!

My contribution for today are some thoughts on a great rivalry / comparison frequently discussed here on TRF and as big as:

Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier; Coke vs. Pepsi; Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird; Mark Zuckerberg vs. Bill Gates; Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson; Reebok vs Nike; and Lionel Messi vs. Christiano Rolando.

For the Rolex fan, the constant and never-ending comparison will be the SUB vs. GMT.

My first sports rolex was a Sub and I would venture to say that it has a richer history, and is the more iconic of the two. The GMT’s fan base has been growing however. As a frequent traveler myself, the GMT is a functional watch and a reminder of the bigger picture in life.

My first Sub was a 116610. That one has come and gone and since then I have jumped into the deep end with the 116619, which I enjoy very much. My first GMT was the 116718; perhaps the greatest precious metal sports watch out there.

Two great watches and each an incredible sports watch.

I would love to hear your thoughts on these. Have a great day.

[Matt C]

Both beautiful heavy hitters in the Rolex line-up, while the Sub is more versatile, the GMT functionality edges out its older sibling IMO.

[dc98354]

My first real watch was a 16610 which is long gone and now my favorite watch is the GMT.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by thomaspp

Good morning!

My contribution for today are some thoughts on a great rivalry / comparison frequently discussed here on TRF and as big as:

Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier; Coke vs. Pepsi; Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird; Mark Zuckerberg vs. Bill Gates; Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson; Reebok vs Nike; and Lionel Messi vs. Christiano Rolando.

For the Rolex fan, the constant and never-ending comparison will be the SUB vs. GMT.

My first sports rolex was a Sub and I would venture to say that it has a richer history, and is the more iconic of the two. The GMT’s fan base has been growing however. As a frequent traveler myself, the GMT is a functional watch and a reminder of the bigger picture in life.

My first Sub was a 116610. That one has come and gone and since then I have jumped into the deep end with the 116619, which I enjoy very much. My first GMT was the 116718; perhaps the greatest precious metal sports watch out there.

Two great watches and each an incredible sports watch.

I would love to hear your thoughts on these. Have a great day.

thought provoking and insightful as always Thomas!

You show my two favorite examples of both so even harder

I think the direct comparison to be fair would be SS vs SS

For the one and only person in this "battle" I have always chosen the SS GMT

I give one to my junior surgeons at the three year mark. None of them are really watch guys so trying to start them off right

I go GMT because has an extra function and still can really do anything the sub can. Also I like the bezel better


BTW what amazing pic of your amazing watches !!!

[joli160]

Wow Thomas , seeing these two beauties of yours side by side I prefer the GMT.
When I bought my 116713 I also had to "fight" this battle between the GMT and Sub. I think many of us had a similar experience.
After all, the "basic" editions of the ceramic Sub and GMT have a lot in common and are both very different from the other sports models.
The GMT was the winner for me because of the 24hr hand.
Still don't own a Sub, one day I hope to add the 116619. The all blue is a truly beautiful watch. You are a lucky man to have such a nice collection.
Enjoy your beauties.

[tkerrmd]

another heavy weight battle coming up that will be awesome will be….



SMURF V PEPSI-C !!!!!!!

this again more fair SS v SS or WG v WG, takes some of the variables out

[psv]

GMT for work. Sub for fun. :-)

[antbkny]

i dont see them as rivals. more like team mates. jordan and pippin, bird and mchale, ect...

[Urosfan]

Great pics thomas something about the smurf that mesmorizes me

[AK797]

Great shot Thomas of two beauties, and for my next watch I've decided to mix the two together

[thomaspp]

Originally Posted by Matt C

Both beautiful heavy hitters in the Rolex line-up, while the Sub is more versatile, the GMT functionality edges out its older sibling IMO.

Thanks, Matt! Quite true... of course, there's no wrong answer

Originally Posted by dc98354

My first real watch was a 16610 which is long gone and now my favorite watch is the GMT.

Awesome my friend! I regret letting my first rolex go!

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

thought provoking and insightful as always Thomas!



You show my two favorite examples of both so even harder



I think the direct comparison to be fair would be SS vs SS



For the one and only person in this "battle" I have always chosen the SS GMT



I give one to my junior surgeons at the three year mark. None of them are really watch guys so trying to start them off right



I go GMT because has an extra function and still can really do anything the sub can. Also I like the bezel better





BTW what amazing pic of your amazing watches !!!

Thanks my friend, Tom. Very nice of you to give a rolex at year three! Must be tough to have to put with you for 3 years haha...



I agree; the most direct comparison will be the SS to SS and in stainless I prefer the GMT because of the PCLs among other factors.



Tom: Have a great day bud

Originally Posted by joli160

Wow Thomas , seeing these two beauties of yours side by side I prefer the GMT.

When I bought my 116713 I also had to "fight" this battle between the GMT and Sub. I think many of us had a similar experience.

After all, the "basic" editions of the ceramic Sub and GMT have a lot in common and are both very different from the other sports models.

The GMT was the winner for me because of the 24hr hand.

Still don't own a Sub, one day I hope to add the 116619. The all blue is a truly beautiful watch. You are a lucky man to have such a nice collection.

Enjoy your beauties.

Thank you for the very kind words! Yes, the 619 is a great one and enjoying it very much. Have a productive day my friend.

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

another heavy weight battle coming up that will be awesome will be….



SMURF V PEPSI-C !!!!!!!

Hahaha... True. Can't wait to see that pepsi in person.

[thomaspp]

Originally Posted by psv

GMT for work. Sub for fun. :-)

Haha... could be!

Originally Posted by Rolex Dude

i dont see them as rivals. more like team mates. jordan and pippin, bird and mchale, ect...

Hahaha... good point and you're probably right my friend. Be well.

Originally Posted by Urosfan

Great pics thomas something about the smurf that mesmorizes me

Thanks my friend. Have a great day!

Originally Posted by AK797

Great shot Thomas of two beauties, and for my next watch I've decided to mix the two together

Hahahaha... offspring of this pair would be one gorgeous baby!

[nick c]

Both are awesome

[brandrea]

Great post
For me it's a little like apples and oranges although I understand what you're getting at

For me it comes down to functionality and because I travel, the GMT is the perfect watch. It's sporty, classic, comfortable, and keeps perfect time in 3 different zones

Beautiful two you have there btw

[rg9390]

I think the GMT in all respect is a more practical watch. But a sub is so classic that it is like a must have Rolex, a great first Rolex, or a must have in a collection.

[Ferdelious]

Great pic Thomas, 2 beautiful timepieces! If I was to only have 2 watches it would be Sub and GMT, but to choose a favorite would be like choosing a favorite child. They each have their own unique characteristics and functions but are equally great. The 2 greatest tool watches ever created, but hey I'm biased.

[raclaims]

I own both and have debated this myself...I find the GMT more visually stimulating but the Sub more comfortable and usable oddly enough.

If I could only have one it would be the sub over my BLNR I think...today...but tomorrow it may be the other way around LOL

[luvsub]

Both are awesome! Hard to choose, flip a coin?

Between SS models, I like 610 better.

[Johnnie]

Those two are the BEST on their own


Sent from my iPhone5 using Tapatalk

[springer]

I've never viewed the Sub as a competitor to ths GMT which is clearly superior in both style and function.

[nba]

I had a hardtime chosing between sub and gmt, so i asked my friends for opinion and lot people liked sub.
Now I'm happy Sub owner.

[lmcgbaj]

Beautiful watches Thomas.

The right answer is both of course.

[lmcgbaj]

Originally Posted by thomaspp

Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier; Coke vs. Pepsi; Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird; Mark Zuckerberg vs. Bill Gates; Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson; Reebok vs Nike; and Lionel Messi vs. Christiano Rolando.

or Smurf vs Pepsi-C, Hulk vs Batman.

[Cinquecento]

I think I agree with BOTH! but if I had to make a choice of only one then I would go Sub

[lavaman]

GMT all the way. You can change the spring if you want to make it unidirectional, it has decent water resistance, and you can change both the bracelets and the bezel.

The Sub is a classic. But the GMT is vastly more versatile. My 2 cents

[SlimJim16v]

I like red/black bezels, so with the extra function, it's a coke GMT for me.

[smc23]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

another heavy weight battle coming up that will be awesome will be….



SMURF V PEPSI-C !!!!!!!

this again more fair SS v SS or WG v WG, takes some of the variables out

Yes I totally agree!

I think I'm holding out in the WG sub because of the new Pepsi. Would love to see people's opinion between those two titans!!

[AK797]

Originally Posted by smc23

Yes I totally agree!

I think I'm holding out in the WG sub because of the new Pepsi. Would love to see people's opinion between those two titans!!

PepC surprisingly won this poll a few months ago so when it actually comes out it will be a clear winner I suspect.

[RolexJNJ]

Great post Thomas! Both are fantastic watches and are different enough to justify owning at the same time. I personally favor the GMT because I love the bezel and GMT hand.

[Rolex time is money]

I love GMT function over Sub but I love the Sub model over the GMT :)

Why cant them morp it :(