The Submariner. The real Grail Rolex??

[Stef_Call]

One thing I regret is my first Rolex not being a Sub!!!
Last year when I was researching what one to get, it came down to the GMT C or the Sub with date. I went with the GMT. This is my favourite watch of all time and I unless I run into financial or health difficulties I hope it will remain with me for plenty of years, until I have the opportunity to pass it to a family member. From the stories I have read here at TRF I believe there can be no better feeling than that experience. I really look forward to the day when I can pass it along to somebody that means the world to me.
That being said I believe that the Sub is the one of the most iconic watches on the planet. No other sports watch is so comfortable in so many situations. It looks as good on a wetsuit as it does under the cuff of a White shirt & Tuxedo.
But my GMT shares a lot or its Rolex DNA with the sub and owning both may never happen. I love the extra function of my GMT and use the dual time zones every time I travel. I only need one daily beater. With this in mind I may never own a Sub.
I believe the Sub throughout the years has retained all its class & ability. I hope that the new version retains that quality and style.
Cheers to all you Sub owners. If you could take the time to post some of your best pics I would really appreciate it.

[Arturo]

The Sub is the franchise. It is to Rolex as the polo collar is to Brooks Brothers....just a great all time classic.

[Dave Kopf]

When I bought my first Rolex (already had a GMT II from the 80's given to me) it was going to be a another GMT II. With the shift to the GMT IIc and my inability to find a black steek bezel my choice was made. A GMT IIc it was!

Until I went to the AD and walked out with my purchase of a SS Sub.

Why? The IIc just didn't "look" right. It had lost some of that Holy Crap appeal to me. It was a BMW 5 series with 20" rims and the idrive.

To each his own and maybe my next watch will be a GMTIIc. Or maybe it'll be an explorer or grey market GMT II with the black bezel I wanted all along. But the Sub stays with me until I'm worm food.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Stefan, the SS Sub Date was my first Rolex model and I have always considered it to be THE iconic Rolex model out there. It's a very versatile watch, suitable for both social and business wear. Maybe that's why I keep turning back to it:

1. Submariner Date (16610) R 97 XXXX, bought on 22.04.1989

2. Submariner (O.P.) 5513, (serial # n/a), swopped at Portobello Road Market in London for a Sub Date 16610

3. Datejust (16234), serial # n/a, bought on 22.11.1989 at "Watches of Switzerland" in London.

4. Submariner Date (16610) L 55 XXXX, bought on 25.05.1990 from my AD in Denmark.

5. Submariner Date (16610), X 90 XXXX, bought on 06.10.1993 from my AD in Denmark.

6. Datejust (16234), X 33 XXXX, bought on 08.02.1994 from my AD in Denmark.

7. Date, Lady (69240), X 56 XXXX, bought on 10.05.1994 for my mother from my AD in Denmark.

8. Submariner Date (16610), W 24 XXXX, bought on 13.06.1994 from my AD in Denmark.

9. Submariner Date (16610), W 24 XXXX, bought on 02.06.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

10. Sea-Dweller (16600), S 50 XXXX, bought on 07.06.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

11. Submariner Date (16610), X 78 XXXX, bought on 28.11.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

12. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), W 39 XXXX, bought on 10.10.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

13. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), T 31 XXXX, bought on21.11.1996 from my AD in Denmark.

14. Datejust (16220), U 53 XXXX, bought on 06.10.1998 from another AD in Denmark than my usual AD.

15. Submariner Date (16610), A 22 XXXX, bought on 03.05.1999, again from another AD than my usual AD.

16. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), A 30 XXXX, bought on07.09.1999 from my AD in Denmark.

17. Submariner Date (16610), A 74 XXXX, bought on 13.06.2000 from another AD than my usual AD.

18. Sea-Dweller (16600), serial # n/a, bought on 18.09.2003 from my AD in Denmark.

19. Submariner Date (16610), Z 87 XXXX, bought on 27.07.2007 from yet another new AD.

20. Sea-Dweller 4000 (16600), M02XXXX, bought on 06.09.2007 (swopped the Sub Date for the SD at my AD).

21. Cosmograph Daytony (116520), M04XXXX, bought on 28-09-2007 from my good old AD.

22. GMT II (116710LN), M27XXXX, bought on 07-12-2007 from my good old AD.

[walds11]

I agree. I will never part with my Sub Date.

[Peter Messmore]

The Sub is the bomb,My personal favorite, Peter

[CPTL]

Great post. The Sub is the one that started the professional line, and I don't think it gets enough props.

I, like you, was down to two SS watches when I bought my first: Sub date and Explorer-II. I bought the Sub because it was THE Rolex to have if you're only going to have one--at least in my opinion, and according to much advice I recieved on this forum.

I now have three--including the originally lusted for Expy--but I don't think it will supplant my love for the Sub. The Sub was my first, and if for some reason I had to sell two, the Sub would stay. For me, SUBMARINER IS ROLEX.

[nsolga]

Bo,

I think you've got a flipping problem my friend!

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Stefan, the SS Sub Date was my first Rolex model and I have always considered it to be THE iconic Rolex model out there. It's a very versatile watch, suitable for both social and business wear. Maybe that's why I keep turning back to it:

1. Submariner Date (16610) R 97 XXXX, bought on 22.04.1989

2. Submariner (O.P.) 5513, (serial # n/a), swopped at Portobello Road Market in London for a Sub Date 16610

3. Datejust (16234), serial # n/a, bought on 22.11.1989 at "Watches of Switzerland" in London.

4. Submariner Date (16610) L 55 XXXX, bought on 25.05.1990 from my AD in Denmark.

5. Submariner Date (16610), X 90 XXXX, bought on 06.10.1993 from my AD in Denmark.

6. Datejust (16234), X 33 XXXX, bought on 08.02.1994 from my AD in Denmark.

7. Date, Lady (69240), X 56 XXXX, bought on 10.05.1994 for my mother from my AD in Denmark.

8. Submariner Date (16610), W 24 XXXX, bought on 13.06.1994 from my AD in Denmark.

9. Submariner Date (16610), W 24 XXXX, bought on 02.06.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

10. Sea-Dweller (16600), S 50 XXXX, bought on 07.06.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

11. Submariner Date (16610), X 78 XXXX, bought on 28.11.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

12. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), W 39 XXXX, bought on 10.10.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

13. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), T 31 XXXX, bought on21.11.1996 from my AD in Denmark.

14. Datejust (16220), U 53 XXXX, bought on 06.10.1998 from another AD in Denmark than my usual AD.

15. Submariner Date (16610), A 22 XXXX, bought on 03.05.1999, again from another AD than my usual AD.

16. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), A 30 XXXX, bought on07.09.1999 from my AD in Denmark.

17. Submariner Date (16610), A 74 XXXX, bought on 13.06.2000 from another AD than my usual AD.

18. Sea-Dweller (16600), serial # n/a, bought on 18.09.2003 from my AD in Denmark.

19. Submariner Date (16610), Z 87 XXXX, bought on 27.07.2007 from yet another new AD.

20. Sea-Dweller 4000 (16600), M02XXXX, bought on 06.09.2007 (swopped the Sub Date for the SD at my AD).

21. Cosmograph Daytony (116520), M04XXXX, bought on 28-09-2007 from my good old AD.

22. GMT II (116710LN), M27XXXX, bought on 07-12-2007 from my good old AD.

[buz-lh]

Grail-definition 2 Merriam-Webster: The object of an extended or difficult quest.

While the sub is the iconic Rolex professional model I think calling it the real grail Rolex is incorrect. For some their grail watch may be a Daytona, others may want a Day/Date, others still a pristine edition of a discontinued series.

Icon-definition 4 Merriam-Webster: Emblem, Symbol.

I personally think the Sub is the Icon of Rolex and will always remain so, but it is not my grail watch.

Just a little nit-picking to get the blood flowing this morning.

[wantonebad]

14060M, 16610, 16613 I love them all!!

Steff,
My dress watch is a 16613, it's the first and only rolex I own, my everyday beater is an Oris TT1, but my goal is to flip it into a 14060M at some point. It's going to be harder now that the prices have gone up, just have to sell more stuff on ebay

It's funny that my grail watch is something I plan on using as a beater? You'd think the 16613 would be my grail but...

[Ed Rooney]

Remember, the GMT appeared pretty soon after the sub, so it's right up there in the must-have list. I'd like to get one and would probably find it more useful for my work.

[kcmo]

I LOVE mine and have admired the sub since I was a little girl.

Who says a woman can't wear a sub??!!

It's definitely a keeper

[mdx77]

Originally Posted by kcmo

I LOVE mine and have admired the sub since I was a little girl.

Who says a woman can't wear a sub??!!

It's definitely a keeper

THAT PHOTO KARIS!

Here's Mine:

[crimscrem]

Maybe you can buy a sub when you pass down your GMT-IIc? Or in the future just buy a sub too!

I really like the sub and can easily see myself one day owning one.

[GoldenBear]

One is 18 yrs. old and the other is 8. Which is which?

[roadcarver]

The submariner date is indeed a GREAT watch. If it wasn't for the submariner, our 4000 foot club watch (SD) will not be around!

[roadcarver]

Its timeless!

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

One is 18 yrs. old and the other is 8. Which is which?

Attachment 20854

[mdx77]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

One is 18 yrs. old and the other is 8. Which is which?

Attachment 20854

What's with the one in the middle........

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by mdx77

THAT PHOTO KARIS!

Here's Mine:

[GoldenBear]

It's the new Rolex-mini...according to my AD it will be the newest thing at Basel. He got me one early...LOL

[fear]

Yes!

[mdx77]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

It's the new Rolex-mini...according to my AD it will be the newest thing at Basel. He got me one early...LOL

[haakon59]

The Submariner is the first Rolex I noticed when I was younger--it just fit. I remember when I priced it out at $1500.00 new (it was a long time ago, lol). At that time it seemed unobtainable. When I think about "core" watches, it comes down to the Submariner every time.

Will the Submariner be refreshed at Basel? We only have to wait days to see if this happens. The GMT II is a very nice watch and I like it's heft. But in the end, I am a Submariner fan.

[Stef_Call]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Stefan, the SS Sub Date was my first Rolex model and I have always considered it to be THE iconic Rolex model out there. It's a very versatile watch, suitable for both social and business wear. Maybe that's why I keep turning back to it:

1. Submariner Date (16610) R 97 XXXX, bought on 22.04.1989

2. Submariner (O.P.) 5513, (serial # n/a), swopped at Portobello Road Market in London for a Sub Date 16610

3. Datejust (16234), serial # n/a, bought on 22.11.1989 at "Watches of Switzerland" in London.

4. Submariner Date (16610) L 55 XXXX, bought on 25.05.1990 from my AD in Denmark.

5. Submariner Date (16610), X 90 XXXX, bought on 06.10.1993 from my AD in Denmark.

6. Datejust (16234), X 33 XXXX, bought on 08.02.1994 from my AD in Denmark.

7. Date, Lady (69240), X 56 XXXX, bought on 10.05.1994 for my mother from my AD in Denmark.

8. Submariner Date (16610), W 24 XXXX, bought on 13.06.1994 from my AD in Denmark.

9. Submariner Date (16610), W 24 XXXX, bought on 02.06.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

10. Sea-Dweller (16600), S 50 XXXX, bought on 07.06.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

11. Submariner Date (16610), X 78 XXXX, bought on 28.11.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

12. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), W 39 XXXX, bought on 10.10.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

13. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), T 31 XXXX, bought on21.11.1996 from my AD in Denmark.

14. Datejust (16220), U 53 XXXX, bought on 06.10.1998 from another AD in Denmark than my usual AD.

15. Submariner Date (16610), A 22 XXXX, bought on 03.05.1999, again from another AD than my usual AD.

16. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), A 30 XXXX, bought on07.09.1999 from my AD in Denmark.

17. Submariner Date (16610), A 74 XXXX, bought on 13.06.2000 from another AD than my usual AD.

18. Sea-Dweller (16600), serial # n/a, bought on 18.09.2003 from my AD in Denmark.

19. Submariner Date (16610), Z 87 XXXX, bought on 27.07.2007 from yet another new AD.

20. Sea-Dweller 4000 (16600), M02XXXX, bought on 06.09.2007 (swopped the Sub Date for the SD at my AD).

21. Cosmograph Daytony (116520), M04XXXX, bought on 28-09-2007 from my good old AD.

22. GMT II (116710LN), M27XXXX, bought on 07-12-2007 from my good old AD.

Hi Bo. Wow thats alot of 16610's !! Seems like you have a love/hate relationship with it. 9 times to the SS sub-date altar and 9 separations. Any particular reason for moving them on ?? Or has it been different circumstances each time !!!

[Stef_Call]

Originally Posted by kcmo

I LOVE mine and have admired the sub since I was a little girl.

Who says a woman can't wear a sub??!!

It's definitely a keeper

The Sub looks great on your wrist Karis. I doubt you will have too many members here saying a Woman cant wear a sub !!

[mdx77]

Originally Posted by Stef_Call

The Sub looks great on your wrist Karis. I doubt you will have too many members here saying a Woman cant wear a sub !!

Yeah....especially with that ROCK on her hand......makes the sub look so tiny!

[kcmo]

Thanks Stefan I agree that most of the guys here on TRF have been really supportive of gals sportin' the men's models

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by mdx77

Yeah....especially with that ROCK on her hand......makes the sub look so tiny!

I appreciate the compliment Kurt

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER
Stefan, the SS Sub Date was my first Rolex model and I have always considered it to be THE iconic Rolex model out there. It's a very versatile watch, suitable for both social and business wear. Maybe that's why I keep turning back to it:

1. Submariner Date (16610) R 97 XXXX, bought on 22.04.1989

2. Submariner (O.P.) 5513, (serial # n/a), swopped at Portobello Road Market in London for a Sub Date 16610

3. Datejust (16234), serial # n/a, bought on 22.11.1989 at "Watches of Switzerland" in London.

4. Submariner Date (16610) L 55 XXXX, bought on 25.05.1990 from my AD in Denmark.

5. Submariner Date (16610), X 90 XXXX, bought on 06.10.1993 from my AD in Denmark.

6. Datejust (16234), X 33 XXXX, bought on 08.02.1994 from my AD in Denmark.

7. Date, Lady (69240), X 56 XXXX, bought on 10.05.1994 for my mother from my AD in Denmark.

8. Submariner Date (16610), W 24 XXXX, bought on 13.06.1994 from my AD in Denmark.

9. Submariner Date (16610), W 24 XXXX, bought on 02.06.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

10. Sea-Dweller (16600), S 50 XXXX, bought on 07.06.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

11. Submariner Date (16610), X 78 XXXX, bought on 28.11.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

12. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), W 39 XXXX, bought on 10.10.1995 from my AD in Denmark.

13. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), T 31 XXXX, bought on21.11.1996 from my AD in Denmark.

14. Datejust (16220), U 53 XXXX, bought on 06.10.1998 from another AD in Denmark than my usual AD.

15. Submariner Date (16610), A 22 XXXX, bought on 03.05.1999, again from another AD than my usual AD.

16. Cosmograph Daytona (16520), A 30 XXXX, bought on07.09.1999 from my AD in Denmark.

17. Submariner Date (16610), A 74 XXXX, bought on 13.06.2000 from another AD than my usual AD.

18. Sea-Dweller (16600), serial # n/a, bought on 18.09.2003 from my AD in Denmark.

19. Submariner Date (16610), Z 87 XXXX, bought on 27.07.2007 from yet another new AD.

20. Sea-Dweller 4000 (16600), M02XXXX, bought on 06.09.2007 (swopped the Sub Date for the SD at my AD).

21. Cosmograph Daytony (116520), M04XXXX, bought on 28-09-2007 from my good old AD.

22. GMT II (116710LN), M27XXXX, bought on 07-12-2007 from my good old AD.

Bo. Is it maybe time you thought about another Sub Date?

Originally Posted by kcmo
I LOVE mine and have admired the sub since I was a little girl.

Who says a woman can't wear a sub??!!

It's definitely a keeper

Awesome photo Karis, that sub looks awesome on you and woe betide any potential thief or even anybody who tries it on...you could just take off your watch and hit them with it!!!!!

J

[sphereman]

sub is the best line in rolex!!