Add a date function, subtract a date function.

[SamP]

Have you ever wondered why Rolex added a date function to the Submariner some 16 odd years after the Sub first came out.
And yet in the Daytona, some 25 odd years later, Rolex substituted the movement with a date movement with the date function removed!
Just food for thought.
Regards

[DCheeta]

How do you figure the 4130 is a date movement?

[SamP]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

How do you figure the 4130 is a date movement?

You've jumped a generation.
25 years after the original Daytona, came the 4030.
The 4030, as you will appreciate was actually a Zenith El Primero 400 movement with the date function removed. Rolex also reduced the frequency to increase service intervals.
Regards

[wach16]

Originally Posted by SamP

You've jumped a generation.
25 years after the original Daytona, came the 4030.
The 4030, as you will appreciate was actually a Zenith El Primero 400 movement with the date function removed. Rolex also reduced the frequency to increase service intervals.
Regards

I actually never thought about that with the zenith movement...I would assume it had to do with the continuity of design from the previous generation though

[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by SamP

You've jumped a generation.
25 years after the original Daytona, came the 4030.
The 4030, as you will appreciate was actually a Zenith El Primero 400 movement with the date function removed. Rolex also reduced the frequency to increase service intervals.
Regards

Right-on! I wasn't even thinking about the 4030 (obviously).

It's an interesting question. The Sub gets two versions - one with and one without date. I can't think of any other models off-hand that have that choice. And as you've said, Rolex actually made an effort to remove the date from the El Primero when they modified it. Rolex works in mysterious ways.

Personally, I prefer chronographs without the date...but then again I prefer ALL watches without the date.

[FTX I]

The Sub was released in 1953 and the Sub Date 12 years later.

[AK797]

Got to be a size issue, I think. And maintained to this day. We know it is already small for 40mm, and was smaller in previous years, and then when you add the subdials maybe it was just overload.

[SamP]

Originally Posted by FTX I

The Sub was released in 1953 and the Sub Date 12 years later.

So are you saying the 1680 came out in '65?
I thought it was '69!
Regards

[mjclark32]

I think I remember reading that Rolex added the date to dive watches for saturation dives This way the diver knew how long they were in the decompression tank or something along those lines Hopefully someone can come along and either correct or confirm...

Since the Daytona isn't a dive watch (or for explorers on long expeditions) I guess they didn't think it needed a date.

Just my guess

[SamP]

Originally Posted by FTX I

The Sub was released in 1953 and the Sub Date 12 years later.

Come on FTX I, as a SubC & SubC Date person, you must know the 1680 came out in 1969.
69-53=16.

Anyway, glad you read and thought about the post.

Regards

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by SamP

Come on FTX I, as a SubC & SubC Date person, you must know the 1680 came out in 1969.
69-53=16.

Anyway, glad you read and thought about the post.

Regards

Hey Sam, in 1969 they released the first yellow gold model 1680-8. The regular 1680 was released in 1965. As far as I know.

[SeaDweller50]

Was there such a thing as a date complication back in 1953?

[ras47]

I think Rolex's original concept of a watch like the Sub, a true tool watch, was simply to tell time and survive/operate reliably in extreme conditions. Keeping up with changing times means modifying your original concept to meet demand. If Rolex's marketing research told them a lot of people wanted a date complication then Rolex would add it. Same thing with the removal of the date on the date on the Daytona.

[breitlings]

Rolex subtracted date movement (imo) in part because it wasnt as reliable on the zenith movement. Additionally they added microstella regulation wirh breguet overcoil

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Airborne

Was there such a thing as a date complication back in 1953?

Yes.

Rolex introduced the first watch with a date aperture in 1945 with the DateJust.

Prior to that some watches had a date hand.

[HogwldFLTR]

I'm fond of my Tudor Chrono with date; lack of date is one reason I'm hesitant to own a Daytona. I definitely like having dates on my dailies.

[SamP]

Originally Posted by Airborne

Was there such a thing as a date complication back in 1953?

No. The date was added on the 1680 in 1969.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by SamP

No. The date was added on the 1680 in 1969.

I believe Grady is right above Sam.

[SamP]

Originally Posted by Airborne

Was there such a thing as a date complication back in 1953?

Did you mean this statement verbatim, or did you mean was there such a thing as a date complication back in 1953 on the first Submariner?

I ask because the conversation was about the date function being added to a Sub, regardless of the metal. So I thought you meant statement 2.
Regards

[SamP]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Hey Sam, in 1969 they released the first yellow gold model 1680-8. The regular 1680 was released in 1965. As far as I know.

That's my 1680/8 in my avatar.

I still say we are talking '69 for the first Sub date, not '65.

Anyone else want to jump on board?

Regards

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by SamP

That's my 1680/8 in my avatar.

I still say we are talking '69 for the first Sub date, not '65.

Anyone else want to jump on board?

Regards

Would be nice to hear from our masters. Can't say I trust these, but a quick search I found different versions. Monochrome says 1966, Crown & Caliber 1965 and this last one 1965. Jake says 1967 for the Red Sub. Don't know who's right. Now I'd want to know for sure as well.

http://www.rolexmagazine.com/2007/07...ough-time.html

https://monochrome-watches.com/weekl...date-ref-1680/

https://www.crownandcaliber.com/watc...lex/submariner

https://beckertime.com/history-of-the-rolex-submariner/

[SamP]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Would be nice to hear from our masters. Can't say I trust these, but a quick search I found different versions. Monochrome says 1966, Crown & Caliber 1965 and this last one 1965. Jake says 1967 for the Red Sub. Don't know who's right. Now I'd want to know for sure as well.

http://www.rolexmagazine.com/2007/07...ough-time.html

https://monochrome-watches.com/weekl...date-ref-1680/

https://www.crownandcaliber.com/watc...lex/submariner

https://beckertime.com/history-of-the-rolex-submariner/

Getting interesting now...