Why the Sub?

[SamP]

I've a sub, the 1680/8. I bought it for it's beautiful tropical purple nipple dial.
I don't have a modern sub. I thinks all subs, in fact all Rolex's, are great.
However I can't understand why that particular type of watch has become folklore. After all, not many of us dive.
Any thoughts?
I'm interested in hearing your view on why the world fell for the Submariner.
Hints, tv promotion - Bond.
Cool rotating bezel. Relative cheapness compared to the DayDate, etc.
Regards

[GB-man]

Decades of marketing and a well made product to boot.

[Mystro]

Tough, practical, functional, and sexy as hell. Just like me. (Jk)

[Bleezal]

It's a classic look that has gone unchanged for over 50 years. My perspective is that the charm of the original design and feel has withstood the test of time. Hate to sound cliche... But it's a timeless design.

Sent from a planet called Rolex

[O'Shack Hennessy]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Tough, practical, functional, and sexy as hell. Just like me. (Jk)

Awesome post!

[Tridor]

Just because it's a "Sub" ... 'nuff said.

[sachit]

Looks great. 15years back When I first saw it on my friend's wrist I liked it and I didn't even know it was a Rolex before he took it off his wrist.


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[SamP]

Originally Posted by Bleezal

It's a classic look that has gone unchanged for over 50 years. My perspective is that the charm of the original design and feel has withstood the test of time. Hate to sound cliche... But it's a timeless design.

Sent from a planet called Rolex

Isn't that true of all the Rolex models?
The DayDate, hasn't changed nor the DJ nor the GMT etc.
Regards

[Busyboy]

I suppose, you have a point

Why is coke better than 7up tho?

[Busyboy]

I guess....

People like honest things. It was, what it was

It was also very well - marketed

[springer]

Did you know that the Submariner 1680 was never overly popular or a big seller?

[sager]

It is the ultimate tool, divers, everyday, classy and most versatile watch around

[Tools]

You're spending too much time on Rolex Forums.

There are a lot more G-shocks out there than Subs..

[slide13]

Even if you don't dive, a "dive" watch tends to be built rugged, has great legibility , and includes a useful timing bezel which not only looks good but is super useful for timing many things.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Tough, practical, functional, and sexy as hell.

[ejvette]

Its often imitated but never duplicated

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by Tools

You're spending too much time on Rolex Forums.

There are a lot more G-shocks out there than Subs..

...and a lot more Datejusts. And as many GMTs, OPs...

[breitlings]

Good marketing will kill a poor product.

[sfc rick]

I think it's way overrated, and if anyone is just as sick and tired of theirs send it to me so you can rest better.

Ever time I look at my 1680, just know I'm taking it for the Rolex team.

[SamP]

Originally Posted by Busyboy

I suppose, you have a point

Why is coke better than 7up tho?

Now we're getting there.

Coke is generic, but I imagine you meant why is Coca-Cola more popular than 7up?
Purely down to the exhaustive marketing since its inception to the present day.
Likewise for the phenomenal marketing machine that is the charity Rolex.
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was commercially available a year before the Rolex Submariner was. But a clever Hans Wildorf was a pioneer of marketing and advertising.
This is why the sheepish world has followed the Sub, Coca-Cola etc.
Don't get me wrong, I love the 5 digit Subs. Too many times I've seen a young man gushing over a Sub on his wrist in a Rolex AD. The watch absolutely dwarfing his wrist, but it's a Sub & he's conditioned to beleive it's the dogs
proverbials. He'll never dive with it, he can't even lift his wrist, but yes - his mates have one so...
This is what I hoped someone would say.
I wasn't really after I think it's great or sexy etc. The question was why the world covets the Sub.
If the Daytona flooded the market, would people still drool over it.
Regards

[Rock]

Some products/items are attractive to the majority of eyes.
The Submariner/Submariner Date is one of those.
The "visual" attraction is usually the first attraction with many things - before you know anything about it.
If on closer inspection you find that the beauty is one-dimensional or superficial (or even false) then you move on.
I've seen a lot of Submariner clones but none of them comes up as well on close inspection.(I can even overlook the tin-can bracelet)

[Etschell]

It's a tribute to the oyster case and humans connection with the ocean and water. We are after all 75 percent eater.

The size of the sub and design makes it stand the test of time.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Rock

Some products/items are attractive to the majority of eyes.
The Submariner/Submariner Date is one of those.
The "visual" attraction is usually the first attraction with many things - before you know anything about it.

[Boaters]

They are one of the best my go to wear anywhere watch.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Tools

You're spending too much time on Rolex Forums.

There are a lot more G-shocks out there than Subs..

Haha so true, this Subs are everywhere folklore is a bit ridiculous.

For the OP we don't even need to pass the functional diving/timing bezel to figure why the Sub is so popular. Besides Rolex essentially "inventing" the design that is so copied.

[watchmework]

It's a simple yet elegant design that has proven to be timeless and with each iteration Rolex fine tuning and advancing the parts that compose the Sub without majorly changing the design. On top of that you have the Rolex quality in the case and bracelet that has been very well marketed and branded in addition to the watch holding its value much better than other brands.

[run23]

A little embarrassed to admit, but I've wanted a Sub ever since I saw Connery's in Goldfinger when they would show old Bond movies late night.

I avoided getting one for years because I was turned off by the Rolex name and the 1980s yuppie associations, but after a while a switch flipped in my head and I began to see the Sub as a tough, no-nonsense tool watch that works in almost every situation. So I bought one this year.

Yeah, maybe it bugs me that every banker/lawyer of a certain age in NYC has one, but I can get over that.

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by SamP

Coke is generic, but I imagine you meant why is Coca-Cola more popular than 7up?

Cola is generic, Coke is short for Coca-Cola.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by run23

A little embarrassed to admit, but I've wanted a Sub ever since I saw Connery's in Goldfinger when they would show old Bond movies late night.

I avoided getting one for years because I was turned off by the Rolex name and the 1980s yuppie associations, but after a while a switch flipped in my head and I began to see the Sub as a tough, no-nonsense tool watch that works in almost every situation. So I bought one this year.

Yeah, maybe it bugs me that every banker/lawyer of a certain age in NYC has one, but I can get over that.

Bankers have more than enough to answer for, the last thing in the world I am going to do is let them have any influence over what watch I buy.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Manofsteelpt

Cola is generic, Coke is short for Coca-Cola.

x2