Why go through trouble and expense of getting Sub (v. DJ)?

[burnthesehills]

Originally Posted by Late

I don't own a tank top.

And that’s why you wear a Datejust.

I’m just kidding around. I love both watches.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by imgook

So do the vase majority buy DJ's. Just sayin'

Yeah, but let’s be honest about why. More people buy DJs because that’s what’s available.

I know some people that have a DJ and they never even heard of a Submariner until I showed them mine, and then I told them about the history of it. They’re not real watch enthusiasts.

Nothing wrong with that. I really like the DateJust, but the Sub is in a different league (IMHO).


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[edyu]

Many will misread your post and dismiss your post simply as sub vs dj.
I see your point but aesthetics are not always rational and even small things steer a person liking one over the other. I think you missed that the biggest difference is the existence of a thick and turnable bezel. It changes the look enough to warrant a completely different preference. There is also the difference of the hour marker styles.

But yes for all practical purposes there is almost no difference if we only look at "feature table difference."

Originally Posted by Dabbadon8

I'm not taking a position, but I'm interested in hearing the opinions here on the following point (playing devil's advocate): Why hunt for and pay more for a Sub when you can get a DJ easily, in light of:

- Both Sub and DJ available on an oyster bracelet. (These are more or less the same besides from the clasp).

- Both Sub (date) and DJ have the same movement (3135).

- Both are water resistant to a point where there is no functional difference for most owners. Sub (300m) v. DJ (100m).

- SS DJ costs $6,600 retail v. SS Sub date $8,550

Is the approx. $2,000 USD and extra effort worth it for a rotating bezel and mostly unused depth resistance? Is it simply the look that makes the difference? Interested in the thoughts of the WIS here.

My DJ for reference:

[Superbri22]

Speaking from why I acquired a DJ was because growing up that was what my brother acquired graduating from college. It always caught my eye and I said that’s what I wanted when I got my first. Historically DJ in the past are what most people owned. I knew that had to be my first, it’s what Rolex always meant to ME. If I had acquired something other then a DJ I knew the DJ would alway be in the back of my head.


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[Rokoru]

They are 2 completely different watches. Difficult to compare with each other. I prefer the Sub because I like the sportier design much more and secondly because it fits my lifestyle much better. I life near the beach, I surf and I enjoy very long summers...

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by GMTmatt

James Bond does not wear a DJ.

He wears dinner jackets.

[Dsmith1974]

Pick a sub if you want the look and feel of a sports watch also the DJ doesn’t have a timing function so that’s a big difference.

Different size. Different style.

It’s a bit like saying why bother to source a decent pair of leather shoes when you can just buy some sneakers. Ideally you’d have both.

[eleven11prints]

I've had a DJ and own 3 subs of various years. Sub every time. An icon!!

[pancakewafflesyrup]

Sub has history and iconic.

[Juicemt]

History? You're comparing the history of the sub to the DJ? The DJ is the most ubiquitous and popular of the Rolex lineup. Good luck with your comparison.

Horses for courses. When I was in my 20s, I wouldn't look twice at the DJ. It was Sub all day long. It's perfect for everything at that age. Now that I'm in my late 40s, I don't own or have any desire for a Sub. My GADA watch is a DJ on a Jubilee.

They are both fantastic watches. I find that age separates when one is the right choice over the other. For my suit business dress every day, the Sub doesn't even enter the picture against the DJ.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by mistercoach32

I like the aesthetics of the Sub quite a bit more. I think the DJ is a bit too dressy looking for my tastes, and I can't help but look at it as an older guys watch. The kind of guy that drives a '77 Cadillac Coupe DeVille with an 8-track player. Right or wrong, that's just what pops in my head.

Funny.

I agree, DJ is too dressy and conservative for today's style.

[ppalasthira]

Because the DJ has no G L I D E L O C K!

[Juicemt]

Originally Posted by m j b

Funny.

I agree, DJ is too dressy and conservative for today's style.

It depends entirely on what you do all day long. If you work in a casual environment, a DJ with it's fluted bezel and polished bracelet will stand out. If you work in business or business casual environment, the DJ works very well.

[Gotham777]

Originally Posted by zengineer

Because we grew up wanting to be adventurers and can now afford to pretend we are.

Nobody grew up wanting to be a middle manager.

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This is brilliant!!!

[Roleplay]

I've got Sub, Sub Date, Hulk, variants of GMTII like LN, BLNR, BLRO, Daytonas like 16520, 116520, 116500LN, but I recently acquired a jubilee DJ41 and I must say it is my favourite of the lot. The DJ41 smooth/jubilee is so comfortable and light, it disappears on your wrist after you put it on. The jubilee bracelet has many holes that provide ventilation, one could say it's like a perforated bracelet. It has such an iconic and classic look, it's such a joy to look down at my wrist just to appreciate it visually. If I really had to reduce all of the watches to just one, it would be the Datejust.

It's seems like nowadays every young guy is wearing a Sub, GMT or other, and when I wear the Datejust I realise that I am actually in the minority. You would think Rolex sells tons of these, but where do all they go? I just don't see them in the wild. On the other hand, the professional models are literally everywhere. All I observe is a sea of professional models. And when you hang around the ADs long enough to observe the walk in customers, 9 out of 10 are looking only for professional models, and this is reflected by what I actually see on the wrists of the people out and about. Sometimes I am actually embarrassed to wear a professional model out, because it's so contrived, so common, everyone is wearing one and I just don't want to join the herd.

[alphasports]

Originally Posted by zengineer

Because we grew up wanting to be adventurers and can now afford to pretend we are.

Nobody grew up wanting to be a middle manager.

Haha! Excellent.

[BisonHead]

I have both and they are completely different beasts. I love both of the watches ,but each in their own way.

Go for what you want, its your wrist, money, look etc.

[Mahavir]

The DJ is a beautiful watch and has a fabulous history but the Sub is just that little bit more. It's just such a beautiful watch to wear.

[SFmedic13]

Just make sure that's what you like, so there's no Regrets! I've had 3 Subs & wanted something different and old school feel so went with this DJ

[MountainG]

My first, and currently only Rolex is a sub, and I absolutely love it. It's the watch I've wanted for over 2 years. I strongly debated getting a white milgauss as first one, but wife (then fiance) pointed out that the sub had much more versatility.

Last summer we went on vacation to Morocco. Did the whole ride the camel in the Sahara, etc. A guy in the party had his dj on, and while a very nice watch, it did look a little out of place dressed down in that environment. In contrast I've worn my sub with my tuxedo and felt fine. To me it's truly an everyday, anytime watch (ok, maybe possible exception not with white tie)

[AdamG]

Have a Sub & DJ....

prefer the GMT

[mattesq]

Originally Posted by s.m.b.

My first Rolex was a Datejust. Great watch, but I sold it when I purchased my first Patek. The only Rolex I currently own is a Submariner and I won't be parting with it, as I find it to be the perfect, no hassle, do everything watch.

Exactly - apples and oranges ....

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by shapa

TRF does not represent the real world. Most people DO prefer the DJ over the Sub. The DJ is by far their best selling model. They are both great watches, but for some reason on TRF, if you admit favoritism towards the DJ, you will be called an “old man”. Buy what appeals to you. Don’t be a sheep.


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Minor point, but saying the DJ sells more than the Sub is like saying BMW sells more than the Mercedes E-Class. Completely true but also somewhat misleading.

The Sub only comes in 8 varieties. The DJ comes in how many? I can't even begin to guess. There is no scenario in which it would be possible for the DJ not to sell more than the Sub. A large number of Rolex buyers buy a Rolex because they just want a Rolex and the DJ is the easiest one to get hold of, can be had for near the low-end of the Rolex price range and is available in a huge variety of dial/bracelet/bezel options. Who knows how many of those people would opt for a Sub as their statement of choice if only it were available so easily and in so many combinations?

We can only guess which is more popular, but using sales provides no basis for such a guess.

[Juicemt]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

The Sub only comes in 8 varieties. The DJ comes in how many? I can't even begin to guess. There is no scenario in which it would be possible for the DJ not to sell more than the Sub. A large number of Rolex buyers buy a Rolex because they just want a Rolex and the DJ is the easiest one to get hold of, can be had for near the low-end of the Rolex price range and is available in a huge variety of dial/bracelet/bezel options. Who knows how many of those people would opt for a Sub as their statement of choice if only it were available so easily and in so many combinations?

We can only guess which is more popular, but using sales provides no basis for such a guess.

That's no basis for discounting the DJ's decades upon decades of popularity. The reason the DJ comes in the options and SKUs it does is because the customer's have the appetite for the variations and the variations sell. Rolex doesn't sell more DJ's because they offer more SKUs, they offer more SKUs because it's the most popular DJ and customers want more variations.

TRF is indeed a fishbowl and there's a hivemind in place on these things. The population of the world votes with their wallets, and they vote DJ. You don't have to like it.

[Strummer25]

I have both (DJ41 on jubilee) and love them equally. They both have awesome history. Buy whats sings to you on the wrist

[rbox]

There’s no comparison to be made here. Two completely different watches for different users.

You shouldn’t spend the money on a Rolex unless one or the other speaks to who you are.


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[dannyp]

Originally Posted by GMTmatt

James Bond does not wear a DJ.

The Sub-wearing Bond also wouldn’t last a day in the MeToo era, but that’s beside the point... ;)

[dannyp]

If you just want a Rolex because it’s a Rolex (and many do) then buy what’s available and you can afford. But the aesthetics of the two are entirely different.

[2nastie]

The two watches are completely different pieces. Apples and oranges and maybe some bananas are thrown into the mix.

Yes, the price of a DJ36 is cheaper than Sub, but realistically the better suited comparison is a DJ41 vs Sub (if you even try to compare). At that point, the Sub is cheaper than a DJ or at most on par.

Clasp and water resistance is far superior on the Sub.

So given all those points you questioned... the Sub actually presents itself as better value.

...

If you want to save a few bucks, better buy a Tudor BB 58 or regular BB. Functionality the Tudor BB is a better comparison with the Sub. The DJ shares primarily the crown logo. They are suited for different type of lifestyles.

[Zakalwe]

Silly sausage fingers.