Submariner Movement / Bracelet

[Room 101]

Hello all,

I've recently just joined the forum as I am due to embark on my quest for buying a Submariner Date. Which will be my first Rolex.

Two questions;
1) Is the Submariner bracelet comfortable?
2) Submariner movement update?

Expanded Questions;
1) I am use to wearing rubber straps / NATO Nylon / NATO Leather / Silicone. These are on my Seiko's. But the reason I could consider the Submariner bracelet that is that I was shown by the dealer that it had a clasp that was adjustable. Therefore I think I would always be able to maintain a good fit regardless of the weather / temperature.

2) I know no-one can predict the future. But would you wait until the Submariner movement is updated or go for it now? A local jeweller said that they can get me one in a month or two at the most. But I am wondering if waiting for a new movement would be that much of a game changer.

Thank you for your help.

[Kyle3130]

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your hunt for your watch! In reference to your questions, Basel 2019 is in 2 months and that will give you time to do a ton of research on here to know what you want. After Basel you will know if the movement is updated and will help you make your decision. As for the bracelet comfort, I wear an older Sub all day every day and it’s the most comfortable watch I’ve ever owned. The newer models are slightly heavier on the wrist. Take your time in deciding what is right for you and try on every model that you are considering. If you know exactly what you want, the purchase is that much more satisfying. Hope this helps.

[Room 101]

Is Basel where they normally announce updates to movements then?

I was just going off something the dealer said about the watches having the old movement compared to the datejusts I think he said.

[Kyle3130]

Yes, the newest watches come to the market at Basel every March. Some of the watches such as the BLRO GMT and a couple others that came out in 2018 have new movements. We don’t know for sure that the Sub or any other watches in the current line up will have updated movements until Basel 2019.

[Room 101]

Okay, thank you for the information. Had no idea it was such a big event. I just presumed Rolex being as big as they are would just announce things themselves!

[Dlong]

Originally Posted by Room 101

Okay, thank you for the information. Had no idea it was such a big event. I just presumed Rolex being as big as they are would just announce things themselves!

Basel used to be a big event. Many companies are bowing out due to cost. hotels and restaraunts triple their prices. Some very large companies, ie. Swatch, are bailing. Kind of telling them "pigs get fed, hogs go to slaughter". The town of Basel is shooting itself in the foot.

[ashbaug2]

Originally Posted by Dlong

Basel used to be a big event. Many companies are bowing out due to cost. hotels and restaraunts triple their prices. Some very large companies, ie. Fossil, are bailing. Kind of telling them "pigs get fed, hogs go to slaughter". The town of Basel is shooting itself in the foot.

Not sure this is at all what the OP was asking. And using Fossil as the "very large companies" leaving Basel? What about SWATCH? They are by far the largest company, and most influential, to announce their leaving of Baselworld.

OP, like most others will tell you, don't worry about an updated movement in a Sub. If they do update the Subs in 2019, the wait list will be years long, and if you don't have a "good relationship" (i.e., you haven't spent 85,000+ Euros) with an AD, you won't even get the chance. Look through the threads about the BLRO this past year and how difficult it was to get one.

That said, if a longer power reserve and possible addition of Paraflex shock absorbers is really important to you, then prepare yourself for the wait. If not, then a current model Submariner is a great watch.

As for the bracelet, I have a 116710 GMT Master with the Oyster bracelet, so it is similar but with a different clasp. I was a Seiko guy for a while before, and wore all of them on nylon NATOs or rubber straps, and I will say the Rolex Oyster is definitely the most comfortable of any bracelet I have ever worn. Mine has the Easylink 5mm extension, not the diver's extension like a Sub, but suffice it to say you won't be disappointed.

Good luck!

[Room 101]

Originally Posted by Dlong

Basel used to be a big event. Many companies are bowing out due to cost. hotels and restaraunts triple their prices. Some very large companies, ie. Swatch, are bailing. Kind of telling them "pigs get fed, hogs go to slaughter". The town of Basel is shooting itself in the foot.

Heh, crazy. It's terrible what greed does...

[Room 101]

Originally Posted by ashbaug2

Not sure this is at all what the OP was asking. And using Fossil as the "very large companies" leaving Basel? What about SWATCH? They are by far the largest company, and most influential, to announce their leaving of Baselworld.

OP, like most others will tell you, don't worry about an updated movement in a Sub. If they do update the Subs in 2019, the wait list will be years long, and if you don't have a "good relationship" (i.e., you haven't spent 85,000+ Euros) with an AD, you won't even get the chance. Look through the threads about the BLRO this past year and how difficult it was to get one.

That said, if a longer power reserve and possible addition of Paraflex shock absorbers is really important to you, then prepare yourself for the wait. If not, then a current model Submariner is a great watch.

As for the bracelet, I have a 116710 GMT Master with the Oyster bracelet, so it is similar but with a different clasp. I was a Seiko guy for a while before, and wore all of them on nylon NATOs or rubber straps, and I will say the Rolex Oyster is definitely the most comfortable of any bracelet I have ever worn. Mine has the Easylink 5mm extension, not the diver's extension like a Sub, but suffice it to say you won't be disappointed.

Good luck!

Oh thank you, nice to hear about the bracelet! As that is something I had been concerned about.

Yeah I don't think I'd be that upset if I missed a new movement really... I mean more power reserve is quite irrelevant when you're going to wear the watch everyday!

Thanks

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Room 101

But the reason I could consider the Submariner bracelet that is that I was shown by the dealer that it had a clasp that was adjustable. Therefore I think I would always be able to maintain a good fit regardless of the weather / temperature.

Absolutely. The ability to fine-tune the adjustment allows for ideal fit at all times. I think that makes the Oyster on Glidelock among the most comfortable metal bracelets on the market. Whether you will find it as comfortable as nylon and silicone, I don't know. Also, as mentioned, the Glidelock clasp is a bit heavier/chunkier than earlier clasps; combined with the chunkier case of the current Sub, the watch definitely has some heft. It's all relative, though. When I switch to the SubC from my Breitling, the Sub feels much lighter.

Originally Posted by Room 101

2) I know no-one can predict the future. But would you wait until the Submariner movement is updated or go for it now? A local jeweller said that they can get me one in a month or two at the most. But I am wondering if waiting for a new movement would be that much of a game changer.

If you peruse the prediction threads, you'll see everyone has a different opinion, although a lot of people are bullish on the idea of the Sub getting a new movement this year. I'd put the odds at better than 50%, since the movement has been working its way into the sports models over the last two years. It's reasonable to see the Sub as being next in line for the upgrade, but that's certainly not guaranteed.

Another point to consider is whether the case will be redesigned when the new movement is implemented. That's another wild guessing game. A lot of people think the Sub might take on a slimmer shape, in line with the Sea Dweller. Others note that since the GMT did not change with the new movement last year, the Sub likely will not either, given their close design history. The point is, if you choose to wait until after Basel, you're not necessarily just waiting to see if the Sub gets a new movement, but if it gets a new design as well.

Assuming the choice comes down to movement only, personally, that wouldn't be enough to make me wait. For one, having a 116610LN, I can say that the 3135 movement is excellent. I know the 3235 offers some advancements, but I won't feel my Sub has suddenly become obsolete when the new movement makes its way into the model - whether this year or the next, or whenever. Keep in mind, too, that even if a new Submariner is introduced this year, it might not be in the stainless, black-dial/bezel model. Rolex could put out different metal/color combos to start, and leave existing models the same for another year or so. And when a new black stainless Sub does drop, it could take quite a while for it to become available. Demand for steel sports models is insanely high right now, so you would be doing quite well to get a current Sub in a month or two. That doesn't mean you should buy it out of a fear of missing out, but if you do choose to wait, it could be for much longer than you anticipated.

[FSUGeoff]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Absolutely. The ability to fine-tune the adjustment allows for ideal fit at all times. I think that makes the Oyster on Glidelock among the most comfortable metal bracelets on the market. Whether you will find it as comfortable as nylon and silicone, I don't know. Also, as mentioned, the Glidelock clasp is a bit heavier/chunkier than earlier clasps; combined with the chunkier case of the current Sub, the watch definitely has some heft. It's all relative, though. When I switch to the SubC from my Breitling, the Sub feels much lighter.


If you peruse the prediction threads, you'll see everyone has a different opinion, although a lot of people are bullish on the idea of the Sub getting a new movement this year. I'd put the odds at better than 50%, since the movement has been working its way into the sports models over the last two years. It's reasonable to see the Sub as being next in line for the upgrade, but that's certainly not guaranteed.

Another point to consider is whether the case will be redesigned when the new movement is implemented. That's another wild guessing game. A lot of people think the Sub might take on a slimmer shape, in line with the Sea Dweller. Others note that since the GMT did not change with the new movement last year, the Sub likely will not either, given their close design history. The point is, if you choose to wait until after Basel, you're not necessarily just waiting to see if the Sub gets a new movement, but if it gets a new design as well.

Assuming the choice comes down to movement only, personally, that wouldn't be enough to make me wait. For one, having a 116610LN, I can say that the 3135 movement is excellent. I know the 3235 offers some advancements, but I won't feel my Sub has suddenly become obsolete when the new movement makes its way into the model - whether this year or the next, or whenever. Keep in mind, too, that even if a new Submariner is introduced this year, it might not be in the stainless, black-dial/bezel model. Rolex could put out different metal/color combos to start, and leave existing models the same for another year or so. And when a new black stainless Sub does drop, it could take quite a while for it to become available. Demand for steel sports models is insanely high right now, so you would be doing quite well to get a current Sub in a month or two. That doesn't mean you should buy it out of a fear of missing out, but if you do choose to wait, it could be for much longer than you anticipated.

Well stated.

[csfischer20]

I agree with above. I wouldn’t wait on a movement. I went from a 16600 sea dweller to a 116610 and didn’t really notice a difference. Some people swear by the comfort of a 5 digit and I can’t disagree. They are comfortable. I just didn’t really notice a difference. The 6 digit wears a little bigger. Other than that, no change in comfort for me.

[Room 101]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Absolutely. The ability to fine-tune the adjustment allows for ideal fit at all times. I think that makes the Oyster on Glidelock among the most comfortable metal bracelets on the market. Whether you will find it as comfortable as nylon and silicone, I don't know. Also, as mentioned, the Glidelock clasp is a bit heavier/chunkier than earlier clasps; combined with the chunkier case of the current Sub, the watch definitely has some heft. It's all relative, though. When I switch to the SubC from my Breitling, the Sub feels much lighter.


If you peruse the prediction threads, you'll see everyone has a different opinion, although a lot of people are bullish on the idea of the Sub getting a new movement this year. I'd put the odds at better than 50%, since the movement has been working its way into the sports models over the last two years. It's reasonable to see the Sub as being next in line for the upgrade, but that's certainly not guaranteed.

Another point to consider is whether the case will be redesigned when the new movement is implemented. That's another wild guessing game. A lot of people think the Sub might take on a slimmer shape, in line with the Sea Dweller. Others note that since the GMT did not change with the new movement last year, the Sub likely will not either, given their close design history. The point is, if you choose to wait until after Basel, you're not necessarily just waiting to see if the Sub gets a new movement, but if it gets a new design as well.

Assuming the choice comes down to movement only, personally, that wouldn't be enough to make me wait. For one, having a 116610LN, I can say that the 3135 movement is excellent. I know the 3235 offers some advancements, but I won't feel my Sub has suddenly become obsolete when the new movement makes its way into the model - whether this year or the next, or whenever. Keep in mind, too, that even if a new Submariner is introduced this year, it might not be in the stainless, black-dial/bezel model. Rolex could put out different metal/color combos to start, and leave existing models the same for another year or so. And when a new black stainless Sub does drop, it could take quite a while for it to become available. Demand for steel sports models is insanely high right now, so you would be doing quite well to get a current Sub in a month or two. That doesn't mean you should buy it out of a fear of missing out, but if you do choose to wait, it could be for much longer than you anticipated.

Thanks for this Jackson.

I think I'm going to buy it now, as soon as they get it because if they do indeed update the design then chances are I'm going to very far removed from top of the list. The Rolex dealership I went to said that they've put me at the top of the list and they expect one in ~2 months.

So I'll just have to take the gamble and hope they only update the movement if anything at all.

I am also going to have a look at the gold, blue and stainless steel submariner as I saw a member on here who posted some pictures and they were amazing looking.

Regarding the bracelet... Yeah I'll have to take a chance on that too. Worst comes to worst I suppose I can always see if there are after market straps. A Nato must fit it right?


Thanks guys!

[ashbaug2]

Originally Posted by Room 101

Regarding the bracelet... Yeah I'll have to take a chance on that too. Worst comes to worst I suppose I can always see if there are after market straps. A Nato must fit it right?

Thanks guys!

A 20mm NATO will fit, but if it's like my GMT, the tolerance between cadets and lug is very tight. You might need curved curved springbars. A lot of people swear by Everest straps, or also Rubber B and Horus straps. There are plenty of options.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[Room 101]

Originally Posted by ashbaug2

A 20mm NATO will fit, but if it's like my GMT, the tolerance between cadets and lug is very tight. You might need curved curved springbars. A lot of people swear by Everest straps, or also Rubber B and Horus straps. There are plenty of options.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I will have to have a look at some of those alternative straps. But I'm hoping that will not be necessary. The adjustable bracelet should provide me the adjustment and thus comfort I need. (I hope)

Thank you for the suggestions going to google them and bookmark them!

[athens7]

I think that one of the things that sets Rolex apart from its competitors is the quality and feel of the Oyster bracelet. While a Submariner on the bracelet is not a lightweight as compared to something like a Tudor Pelagos, the watch almost disappears on my wrist during the course of the day. I think that there are a couple of reasons for this. The taper of the bracelet from wider to narrower keeps the case firmly on the wrist while not being heavy at the clasp. The locking clasp is comfortable on the underside of the wrist, with a nice curvature to the buckle. Just be sure that the AD adjusts the bracelet so that the inner clasp is approximately centered on your wrist. The bracelet links are well shaped and an appropriate length to fit comfortably around the wrist. Compared to both my Omega metal bracelet and rubber and leather straps, the Rolex Oyster bracelet is superior. As others have stated, Rolex does metal extremely well.