Bigger Sub next?

[Gary.]

Firstly, I love 40mm. I'm not advocating a change but I've been thinking.

A few years ago, Rolex overhauled their GMT movement and it was presented in a 42mm Explorer II.
We now have a new calibre in the SD50 and the Datejust 41 (plus there's the Day Date). The new watches have dates and, therefore, date wheels which means that they have to be made for a dial within a certain ranges of measurements if the date windows aren't going to look awkwardly placed.

Is it possible that, with these new movements, we are seeing a line-wide increase in size?

The Subs and the GMT-Masters were given the supercase treatment which always felt like an incredibly conservative company's reluctant acknowledgement that everyone was buying bigger watches. Are they now implementing a more thorough plan to fall inline with modern trends?

I personally think that 40mm is perfect and we've already seen they stupidly large watches of a few years ago fall away with a few exceptions.

So what can we expect? Subs and GMT's at 41mm-42mm (about what you'd expect to see if you slimmed down the SD50's bezel)?

Maybe this has been asked before but I haven't seen it. A few years ago I'd have laughed at the idea that the icons would make such a significant jump in size but I'm now feeling that something's going on....

[APguy]

Would love to see 42mm sub !


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[Maxy]

They just now launched SD43 and they got 1 more strong reason NOT to increase size on Submariner. They got all sizes covered now!

[Cru Jones]

For sure anything is possible. Personally, I think they have a good range of sizes now, with the SD having more of its own identity (just like the Explorer II in 42 has more of a separate identity compared to the GMT).

That being said, given all the excitement over a cyclops on the SD, it would be fun to watch TRF explode with a 42 or 43 Submariner....

[Ragna]

A lot of people already look for the older subs cause they are smaller and they preffer it that way.

The current model is not gonna change (i hope).


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[Goin2drt]

Why would they do a 42mm sub. They just launched a 43mm sub. Better chance of hell freezing over.

[904VT]

I don't think Rolex will produce larger Subs, because I think the large watch trend is pretty much over. The Sub is too classic (like the Daytona) IMO to mess with further. I actually think the new Sea Dweller has opposite implications and the next Sub will move smaller i.e. thinner case and slimmer lugs.

For the new movements, the DJ and Day Date pieces actually decreased in size with the newer Day Date 40 and DJ 41 as well.

[schnitzerphilip]

Originally Posted by Maxy

They just now launched SD43 and they got 1 more strong reason NOT to increase size on Submariner. They got all sizes covered now!

Exactly.

The new Sea Dweller is the new Submariner XL.

[JP Chestnut]

They already don't sell any divers that appeal to people who like five digit sizes. What exactly would be the point of totally abandoning 40mm watches? Even omega offers something that size.

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by 904VT

I don't think Rolex will produce larger Subs, because I think the large watch trend is pretty much over. The Sub is too classic (like the Daytona) IMO to mess with further. I actually think the new Sea Dweller has opposite implications and the next Sub will move smaller i.e. thinner case and slimmer lugs.

For the new movements, the DJ and Day Date pieces actually decreased in size with the newer Day Date 40 and DJ 41 as well.

stop!

there is NO trend

42mm is hardly 'big'

PP just released an aquanaut in WG 42mm @ baselworld....

all brands will continue to make models between 30's up to mid 40's

these nonsense comments about a LARGE watch trend has been going on for the past 15 years and needs to stop. get over it.

[droptopman]

I hope not. Subs have been 40mm for many years. While they did make a fatter case they still stuck to the classic size for the most part. It took me many years to get comfortable with the maxi case. Hated it when it was first released, but really like it now. Fits me perfectly so would not want it any bigger. Those that like a thinner case can stay with the 4 and 5 digits so they have most people that like dive watches covered. Those that want a bigger Rolex dive watch can go DSSD or SD50.
I would guess Rolex has put some thought into this...

[904VT]

Originally Posted by speedmaster73

stop!

there is NO trend

42mm is hardly 'big'

PP just released an aquanaut in WG 42mm @ baselworld....

all brands will continue to make models between 30's up to mid 40's

these nonsense comments about a LARGE watch trend has been going on for the past 15 years and needs to stop. get over it.

What's that have to do with keeping the Submariner its classic 40 mm size rather than following the trend of upsizing models that seems to be going on just as you referenced?

[PrinceT]

Nope keep it 40mm and with that maxi case it's perfect!


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[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by 904VT

What's that have to do with keeping the Submariner its classic 40 mm size rather than following the trend of upsizing models that seems to be going on just as you referenced?

nothing. i never commented on making the submariner bigger. im fine with the sub @ 40mm

im simply stating there is no 'trend' when it comes to bigger watches. they are here to stay.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by speedmaster73

nothing. i never commented on making the submariner bigger. im fine with the sub @ 40mm

im simply stating there is no 'trend' when it comes to bigger watches. they are here to stay.

trend
trend/
noun
1.
a general direction in which something is developing or changing.

Are average watch sizes getting larger across the industry? I'd so say. In that case it's a trend. Trend =\= temporary.

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by Ragna

A lot of people already look for the older subs cause they are smaller and they preffer it that way.

The current model is not gonna change (i hope).


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Agree

[GT500]

The new SD looks like a bigger sub to me. No reason to change the sub now.

[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by Maxy

They just now launched SD43 and they got 1 more strong reason NOT to increase size on Submariner. They got all sizes covered now!

^^^ This!!!!

[Sky21]

Please say it ain't so!! 40mm is perfect in my opinion, don't make them bigger.

[Maiden]

Originally Posted by Maxy

They just now launched SD43 and they got 1 more strong reason NOT to increase size on Submariner. They got all sizes covered now!

^^^Exactly the bigger sub is here, its the SD43

[JR16]

There is a higher chance that Rolex goes bankrupt, sheep flying, or hell freezing over than a 42 sub being released. The new SD43 is the "bigger sub".


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[CYKBC]

The size is fine as-is imho. I'd like for them to change the chrome aesthetic of the ceramic bezel, though. I'm not really a huge fan of the reflective look calling it black when it clearly is... a mirror finish aka chrome. I personally find the BLNR to be half-finished in blue. It's no batman.

I would pick a real black SubC with all the scratch-free benefits of ceramic all day over what's available now at an AD near you.

[GMT Aviator]

I recently acquired a 42mm Explorer 2. Its a beautiful watch. My daily watch is a GMT C LN.
Now when I compare the two side by side, the GMT seems a bit 'dainty'.
I think it's perfectly possible Rolex could be using the Explorer 2 42mm as a tester to see how well it sells as a precursor, maybe, to upping the case size for the whole sport model range.
I've seen written no end of times how over-sized the Explorer 2 hands are, but actually, they're not. The more I wear the 42 mm Explorer the more I can't help thinking, why aren't the rest of the Rolex divers this size? Dive watches have usually taken their design cues from large legible dials which are easy to read. In this regard, the Explorer 2 42mm has the perfect face for a modern dive watch.....and is has nicer tapered lugs compared to what I feel are over square lugs of the current sub C.

[AK797]

Rolex really like the 40mm's dial as it is - on the Subc they made the case bigger, on the SD43 the bezel is bigger, the dials are the same. Don't think there will be any enlargements to the Sub and if so it will only be with a thicker bezel which I don't want.

[vukotab]

Only Rolex knows...
Personally, I find size of 40mm absolutely perfect for any sports watch, Sub included. Why change something that is already perfect?

Though, I wouldn't mind slightly (1-2 extra mm) larger diameter IF (and only if) that would include a case design similar to the 5-digit series.
So, IMHO, larger case with slimmer lugs - why not?

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

trend
trend/
noun
1.
a general direction in which something is developing or changing.

Are average watch sizes getting larger across the industry? I'd so say. In that case it's a trend. Trend =\= temporary.

a trend is short term

bellbottoms were a trend......parachute pants were a trend......michael jackson jackets were a trend

40 plus mm watches? not a trend

its been well over 10 years now approaching 15

most iconic chrono on earth......42mm

#heretostay

#notatrend

[Blue_Lume]

i always thought they made the explorer 2 sized at 42mm because it did not go ceramic, like the others AND it's a slower seller- so this was the differentiator.

i own in 40mm and 42mm. both in polar white, it's a pretty watch.

that said, had they have made this watch with a silver ceramic bezel that did not turn, to emulate the steel version (just as the sub and gmt had metal bezel switched to ceramic). the ceramic bezel on this watch would be sweet too. i'm not doing any spelunking... i spelled that wrong - cave diving lol.

[Bernie.H.]

Rolex didn't decide to put the square lugs on the Submariner for fun, they did it because it looked 'small' for a modern sports watch and by increasing the lug size, made the watch look bigger. (don't think there is much of an argument about that).
Logically, when they bring a new Submariner out they will have two choices with the lugs.
1/ Keep the square lugs.
2/ Use more standard style lugs.
If they decide to keep using square lugs they will probably stay with 40mm.
If they use the more standard type I cannot see them staying with 40mm, it would be back to the old 5 digit size, it will just look to small for a modern sports watch. In that scenario it will probably be Tudor Black Bay size or 42mm.
Just my 'logical' thoughts.

[GMT Aviator]

^^^^ Yep. That makes sense. I agree.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by speedmaster73

a trend is short term

bellbottoms were a trend......parachute pants were a trend......michael jackson jackets were a trend

40 plus mm watches? not a trend

its been well over 10 years now approaching 15

most iconic chrono on earth......42mm

#heretostay

#notatrend

Well not necessarily...there are two types of trends: cyclical and secular. Both are finite. A secular trend persists because demand is inelastic to quantity. In this case quantity is represented by the number of watch models increased from their classic sizes. Secular trends end when demand becomes more or less elastic. Secular trends can end at any time, often without warning.

Rolex already seems to be reversing some models, such as the Day Date and Date Just. The Sea Dweller confuses that reversal, but at best large increased size watches with respect to Rolex at least are Cyclical in trend at this point in time.