What is the point of Super Case?

[matt.wu]

The larger case has really grown on me over time. Didn't like it at first, but the longer I looked around at used subs/gmts that had been polished a couple times, the more I hated how the crown guards would start to get "pointed" and the lugs would (over a long period of time) start to get narrower.

When Rolex beefed up these two spots (crown guards and lugs), it left me with the impression that I'll be able to keep it looking newer for much longer.

I am starting to like the chunky case quite a bit.



BTW, Chris, that is a nice bit of trivia about the ratios - thanks for sharing.

[rolexnovice]

Originally Posted by Psmith

only if you can squeeze it under your shirt cuff.........

Looks like brass knuckles!

[ral]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Then why do so many people dislike it

There was greater harmony in the old design - at least to the visible eye.

Agreed... I do not like it, but it is not a deal breaker.

[Ed Rooney]

I don't mind it. It leaves more steel to polish off at service time.

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by Arrgo

Huge +1,

I was really interested in a new GMT IIc until I had a close look at the "super" case. Bloated whale that it is, if they changed the case lugs to wider, why on earth did they just leave the braclet alone, it is way too small in proportion to the case and looks goofy, not as bad as the DSSD which is almost cartoonish, but pretty close. total deal breaker

Looking from the top the DSSD case lug shape is similar to the classsic Sub and so does not resemble the super case.
From the side it is a different story and I like it!!

Peter

[spuds]

I'm no Design-Expert but to me it seems very much like Chris Bangle's BMW's....

Very few people fall in love with them at first but over time they're more & more appreciated by the 'traditionalists'.

& btw.... I LOVE the (perfectly named) Super-Case!

[chris russell]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Then why do so many people dislike it

There was greater harmony in the old design - at least to the visible eye.

per se than whether they appreciate any specific design. I honestly think that if the original design was like the super-case, and they introduced a 'new' case that looked like the 16610, Rolex-ites would be booing and hooting that the 'new' one was too skinny-looking, wimpy, inadequate for the macho ideal, etc.

I have been involved in design for my whole professional life, and have studied the subject very thoroughly. I have come to know what 'works' and what doesn't, and at least to my eye, the new one is gawjuss.

Simple answer: Those who don't like it are wrong, and I am right.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Tools

I think that, with the block cases, Rolex has managed to make a larger presence with their watches.... something that they started in the 50's... without making the dials or bezels significantly larger..

A great feat and a marked difference from the hub-cap on a strap look that some other "big" watches suffer from..

It's not for me............ but I don't think that it approaches ugly by any means... and on the wrist, they are much more pleasing than the 10x photos we present on the Forum..


So........... everybody.............. go out and get yourself one or two.. I'll be here to buy up your old cast-offs..............

[STEELINOX]

Supercase "bump" !

"Supercase, supercase, supercase..."

[spuds]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Supercase "bump" !

"Supercase, supercase, supercase..."

Works for me mate!!
(funnily enough I was explaining the whole 'Supercase & Maxi-Dial' to someone at work the other day!)


P.S..... I miss your old avatar......

[jake]

Hi Chris,

Your design analysis is really profound!!!

Jake

Originally Posted by chris russell

Just a while ago, using Jake's posted photo of the new case, (thanks, Jake!), I did some measurements, and it appears the new dimensions, when measuring across the lugs in both directions, the length seems to be 1.6180339887... times the width, and the width of the lugs is exactly the same as the diameter of the dial.

I would say somebody in the design dept. at Rolex knows their mathematical stuff and has studied Pythagoras!

Btw, (and I hope this isn't too off-topic), the reason the human eye 'likes' this ratio is that it has to do with the ratios of the width to the height of a pentagram, and angles of 72 degrees, which is exactly how the spiral of the DNA chain develops, and the increments in which it progresses. If you look at a 'perfect', beautiful human face, the various ratios, like width of nose to width of mouth, to width of eyes, and the ratios of the sizes of various teeth to each other, etc., all work out to 1.618... to 1. It's beautiful because it's the perfect 'expression' of the DNA molecule. I'm thinking Rolex is working to incorporate this into the 'DNA' of their designs. These people are not stupid, nor ignorant.

[Cru Jones]

because i like this pic below SO MUCH, i'm thinking i'll learn to like the super case as much as the classic design.....

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by jake

Hi Chris,

Your design analysis is really profound!!!

Jake

Yes, there was indeed some method to (ROLEXs) their madness when they increased the lug width to merely cause a "visual" or "optical" change to the line; killing two birds with a single design element: you get a mid case that has longer service life and it for the most part retains some elements of original service parts, that of the crystal, at least, which could be an expensive re-tooling, but for the most part you get a fresh approach that will survive more polishings...

Thanks,
Randy

[CKLinLA]

Originally Posted by Tools

... and on the wrist, they are much more pleasing than the 10x photos we present on the Forum..

You're right, things look different in real life vs. photos. You have to 'see' to know. I'm not a fan of supercase Sub, but this does not bother me much at all, unlike some other recent updates.

[spuds]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

because i like this pic below SO MUCH...

Agreed.

If Carlsberg took a photo of the new cSub' it'd probably be that one.

[matt.wu]

Originally Posted by CKLinLA

You're right, things look different in real life vs. photos. You have to 'see' to know. I'm not a fan of supercase Sub, but this does not bother me much at all, unlike some other recent updates.

+10000

I just got back from a local AD, as I'm trying to decide between the GMTIIc and the Milgauss. The "supercase" is really NOT as big as pictures make it look. Side by side with a classic sub, it really doesn't look too different - a casual observer might even overlook the fact that the watches had different cases.

It wears very nicely compared to the standard sub case and actually quite a bit smaller than the Milgauss.

Real life, I think most would actually love the "supercase".

[Tek]

Me too prefer the old case as I thought the supper case looks disproportion where the bracelet joins the case. The watch looks kind of squareish, just my though, no offence to others, cheers

[spuds]

Originally Posted by Tek

Me too prefer the old case as I thought the supper case looks disproportion where the bracelet joins the case. The watch looks kind of squareish, just my though, no offence to others, cheers

Absolutely agreed but......

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by chris russell

I would say somebody in the design dept. at Rolex knows their mathematical stuff and has studied Pythagoras!

I would hope so, if they made it past the ninth grade.

[jlake]

For me I prefer the old case. It's lighter. I found that the older case happens to also fit more comfortably on my wrist. The squarish super case doesn't seem to "flow"/disproportionate with the oyster band.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by jlake

For me I prefer the old case. It's lighter. I found that the older case happens to also fit more comfortably on my wrist. The squarish super case doesn't seem to "flow"/disproportionate with the oyster band.

I too prefer the older mid case and the tuna can clasp also !

[natchai]

Originally Posted by Roxas

Thanks every reply.

I too prefer the traditional case. Maybe Rolex think the Super Case looks better than the traditional case.

You see 16610 as traditional cases. But I see 1680 as traditional cases. welcome to the world of vintage

116610 just make it up-to-date like GMTiic, DJ 116233 (for e.g.) did that before.

[Denizen]

+1

i'm well aquainted with the golden ratio but Rolex did not pay attention to the proportions of the lugs to the case or to the bracelet.

the old design was best, imo.

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Then why do so many people dislike it

There was greater harmony in the old design - at least to the visible eye.

[cody p]

the new style cases on the AK and DJ look great. but i think they overdid the look on the sub and gmt.

[chris russell]

Originally Posted by matt.wu

+10000

I just got back from a local AD, as I'm trying to decide between the GMTIIc and the Milgauss. The "supercase" is really NOT as big as pictures make it look. Side by side with a classic sub, it really doesn't look too different - a casual observer might even overlook the fact that the watches had different cases.

It wears very nicely compared to the standard sub case and actually quite a bit smaller than the Milgauss.

Real life, I think most would actually love the "supercase".

would lead you to expect. I think it has something to do with the larger dial and thinner bezel in comparison to the subs, SDs, etc. It also looks a whole lot 'dressier'. When I'm in a suit, it goes perfectly, really looks the part without drawing attention to itself, or shouting, 'Rolex!'.

[HL65]

New design--new look--improved in their minds--not everyone else's though==as there are many differing opinions !!

[STEELINOX]

Supercase bump !

[presario]

Whether or not the supercase is prettier than the old case, one thing is sure in my mind - it definitely has more presence. I think Rolex accomplished what they set out to do.

[spuds]

Originally Posted by presario

Whether or not the supercase is prettier than the old case, one thing is sure in my mind - it definitely has more presence. I think Rolex accomplished what they set out to do.

"They think it's all over..... It IS now!!"

[Omega_Precision]

I got to handle and try on a GMTIIC and it wears like a square watch. I haven't warmed up to it yet.

I do love all the improvements on the Sub but that square feel needs some getting use to.

I think the best shape is the DSSD...that case is shaped perfectly.