A new 126610 Submariner in the near future?

[SubCfan]

If you assume for a minute that Rolex may replace the current Submariner 116610 with a new variation, perhaps a 126610 with tapered lugs and a new 3235 movement. If this did occur, in your opinion would this start to devalue the current 116610 in favore of what may be a nicer design? In the past these changes have gone either way, some models went way up because they were discontinued and some where devalued because of a more desirable version.

[todd.hepburn]

Originally Posted by SubCfan

If you assume for a minute that Rolex may replace the current Submariner 116610 with a new variation, perhaps a 126610 with tapered lugs and a new 3235 movement. If this did occur, in your opinion would this start to devalue the current 116610 in favore of what may be a nicer design? In the past these changes have gone either way, some models went way up because they were discontinued and some where devalued because of a more desirable version.

I'd be all over that. And yes, I think it would devalue the 116610. The Maxi case is as polarizing as the Porsche 996's headlights.

[Portland]

Originally Posted by todd.hepburn

I'd be all over that. And yes, I think it would devalue the 116610. The Maxi case is as polarizing as the Porsche 996's headlights.

Yet the 116610 still sells like hot cakes..

[todd.hepburn]

And so it should. It's a great watch.


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[Mystro]

Originally Posted by todd.hepburn

I'd be all over that. And yes, I think it would devalue the 116610. The Maxi case is as polarizing as the Porsche 996's headlights.

Funny you brought that up as I love the 996's gen 2 headlights (without the orange lenses). Seems like their design were way ahead of their time and just now seeing the general design look of the elongated bug-eyes in the Panamera and Cayenne.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Portland

Yet the 116610 still sells like hot cakes..

Exactly, Rolex sells every one they send out the door. Yet it seems to be only watch forums where the "fat lugs" issue always gets beaten to death. It will be a hard sell for a major Submariner redesign with current sales figures.

[Yurigs]

agree, I think the lugs would be a game changer on a new sub

[SubCfan]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Exactly, Rolex sells every one they send out the door. Yet it seems to be only watch forums where the "fat lugs" issue always gets beaten to death. It will be a hard sell for a major Submariner redesign with current sales figures.

This is true! And as an 116610 owner, i love the current design.

[KBM]

New model would sell for the novelty factor, previous model would sell for the discontinuation factor. As usual, a win-win for Rolex...

[ras47]

To make the current model(s) increase in value Rolex would have to make a major design change and discontinue the current model, ala the Sea Dweller. Because the Sub has been so popular for so long, I don't see Rolex doing this. Same basic design/look + internal improvements = devaluation of current model.

There is a reason Rolex made such huge changes on the SD4K. It's never been the huge seller that the Sub has been. If the SD43 suddenly started selling like the classic Submariner then Rolex might **think** about making sweeping changes to the time-tested Submariner. Or if Sub sales fell off drastically. Seems like the big changes have only been made to models with lower sales than their most popular models. Trial balloons.

[sco]

I guess I'm one of the weirdos here that doesn't really care about resale value. I bought my watches because I liked the style, heritage, fit, and workmanship. I never plan on selling them or even consider making a profit. I buy for life, and then some. I'd be happy to pass down a watch to my children that went through a lifetime on my wrist through happy times and sad.

New things will always come out and replace the older. It doesn't make them better, just newer.. If the value dropped on my 116610, I wouldn't lose a second of sleep. To me all my watches are priceless..

[Jenkinscc]

It should be because its a great watch.

[SubCfan]

Originally Posted by sco

I guess I'm one of the weirdos here that doesn't really care about resale value. I bought my watches because I liked the style, heritage, fit, and workmanship. I never plan on selling them or even consider making a profit. I buy for life, and then some. I'd be happy to pass down a watch to my children that went through a lifetime on my wrist through happy times and sad.

New things will always come out and replace the older. It doesn't make them better, just newer.. If the value dropped on my 116610, I wouldn't lose a second of sleep. To me all my watches are priceless..

I like that!

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by kauebm

New model would sell for the novelty factor, previous model would sell for the discontinuation factor. As usual, a win-win for Rolex...

Yep.

[AK797]

They introduced the larger lugs because the previous version wore too small, and since then we have had the SD43 in the Diver range so I can't see Rolex going back to smaller on this, nor do I see why they would waste valuable time and resources on reconstructing the Sub when it sells out pretty much everywhere. There are other models that need a facelift far more for sales.

[sampelligrino]

Originally Posted by todd.hepburn

I'd be all over that. And yes, I think it would devalue the 116610. The Maxi case is as polarizing as the Porsche 996's headlights.

Heh nice analogy IMO, although I wouldn't go that far for the maxi-case lol. For Porsche I don't even register the 996, go from 993 to 997... Those headlights... why!!!! Although the GT1 is a piece de resistance I will admit.

I would definitely (re)purchase a Sub if they slimmed the lugs or found another way to make the watch wear a bit smaller, but I don't know if the juice is worth the squeeze for Rolex, as many point out the maxi case models fly off the shelves and there is demand waiting to be fulfilled worldwide.

Also, there is the other side of the coin where people are enjoying the larger divers like the SD43, DSSD and non-Rolex diver brands so not sure if Rolex would want to slim down a diver model. Maybe for the GMT2C? Again, not sure but I *personally* am not a fan of the maxi case models no matter how hard I tried to like them, wish they wore a bit smaller. My wrists are smaller at 6.5 though.

[Indy11]

No.... upgraded movement will be the next change, really doubt they change the case in any significant manor. I think for a tool watch this version is perfect for today... I personally don't get the repeated conversations around these lugs... it's a sturdy, tastefully sized tool watch.

[kangajack]

Originally Posted by Indy11

No.... upgraded movement will be the next change, really doubt they change the case in any significant manor. I think for a tool watch this version is perfect for today... I personally don't get the repeated conversations around these lugs... it's a sturdy, tastefully sized, tool watch.

Exactly this... the sub wears perfectly and is beautifully designed. The lug issue is nonsense to me. The market approves.


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[Shaky]

As said the vast majority of buyers wouldn't even notice the lugs. If someone had never seen the current Sub and read the many threads on here and then got to see the watch I think they would be pleasantly surprised. As I think they would be imagining some behemoth with enormous lumps of metal hanging of each corner of the case.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Portland

Yet the 116610 still sells like hot cakes..

That's because it's all that's available new in dealers.
Any Rolex SS Sub will sell like hot cakes.

Put them all in the window together side by side and then see how many people come in and try them on for size or just simply buy.
That's the real measure.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Shaky

As I think they would be imagining some behemoth with enormous lumps of metal hanging of each corner of the case.

Their imaginations wouldn't be deceiving them.
There's no getting around those Crown guards either.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by sampelligrino

Heh nice analogy IMO, although I wouldn't go that far for the maxi-case lol. For Porsche I don't even register the 996, go from 993 to 997... Those headlights... why!!!! Although the GT1 is a piece de resistance I will admit.

I would definitely (re)purchase a Sub if they slimmed the lugs or found another way to make the watch wear a bit smaller, but I don't know if the juice is worth the squeeze for Rolex, as many point out the maxi case models fly off the shelves and there is demand waiting to be fulfilled worldwide.

Also, there is the other side of the coin where people are enjoying the larger divers like the SD43, DSSD and non-Rolex diver brands so not sure if Rolex would want to slim down a diver model. Maybe for the GMT2C? Again, not sure but I *personally* am not a fan of the maxi case models no matter how hard I tried to like them, wish they wore a bit smaller. My wrists are smaller at 6.5 though.

Agreed, and my wrists are able to pull of a DSSD but then I always felt the 40 mm size was just a little bit small on my wrist.
IMO, the maxi case was a cheap attempt by Rolex to give the watch more wrist presence when it could've been slightly upscaled proportionally like the SD43.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by ras47

To make the current model(s) increase in value Rolex would have to make a major design change and discontinue the current model, ala the Sea Dweller. Because the Sub has been so popular for so long, I don't see Rolex doing this. Same basic design/look + internal improvements = devaluation of current model.

There is a reason Rolex made such huge changes on the SD4K. It's never been the huge seller that the Sub has been. If the SD43 suddenly started selling like the classic Submariner then Rolex might **think** about making sweeping changes to the time-tested Submariner. Or if Sub sales fell off drastically. Seems like the big changes have only been made to models with lower sales than their most popular models. Trial balloons.

Of course, Rolex could always hedge their bets and keep the no-date Sub exactly as it is but drop the current version of the date Sub and replace it with the new improved model.
They've done it like that before.
It will add variety to the line up.

Bring on Basel 2018 or 2019.

[ras47]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Of course, Rolex could always hedge their bets and keep the no-date Sub exactly as it is but drop the current version of the date Sub and replace it with the new improved model.

They've done it like that before.

It will add variety to the line up.



Bring on Basel 2018 or 2019.

They could, but I don't see Rolex messing with the Submariner line. It's long been a holy grail for the brand. But who knows? Maybe they go to 42mm cases on a "special addition" Sub and keep the 40mm intact along side it. Hard to complain about it as long as the original style is still available. The question becomes allocation of production resources, and Rolex is pretty conservative on that front.

What I'd love to se at Basel World is the return of the SS GMT2 Pepsi. I wouldn't balk at the GMT line getting a bump to 42mm like the Explorer II. Those 2mm would make a world of difference to my tired old eyes and beefy 7.75" wrists. :)

[GB-man]

God knows I hope so.