Hulk is looking too Hulkish!?!

[jrs146]

I’ve had an interesting turn of events. I’ve always considered myself a “6-digit guy”. Many years ago, my first Professional model was a 16610 and I never really bonded with it. It was sold after a few months. Since then I had always gone for 6-digit models and really loved the look and feel.

Over the course of the last few months I’ve acquired a 16610LV and just a few days ago a 16710 and I think I’m starting to really appreciate the smaller case and less blingy features.

I’ve always loved the Hulk. That green sunburst dial is amazing. But since spending more time with my 5-digits I’m beginning to think the hulk is a little too Hulky (lol). I decided to take the LVc with me on our vacation this week and really put it to the test. I have no intention of selling it but I’m finding my new perspective interesting and I’m hoping to rekindle my love for this awesome watch.

My question is how many of you have also gone back and forth between 5 and 6 digit love? What side of the coin did you end up on?




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[soran]

Well I think the kermit is a bit more versatile as it's more low key than the all green hulk

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by soran

Well I think the kermit is a bit more versatile as it's more low key than the all green hulk

I totally agree. I think you hit the nail on the head with the phrase low key. I’ve been enjoying that aspect. Odds are I’ll just keep them all for versatility. But I used to love the hulk for how big and bold it was. Now I’m more into the subtle features of the 5-digits.


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[Gaijin]

My old AD back in the States gave me first crack at their first SS GMT II C that came in. An M serial number. I passed on it.


I eventually bought a GMT II C though I kinda knew better ( wasn't in love with it ) and wore it a few years and sold it. I just never really embraced the ceramics. Any model.

However I love the DJ II and the new different color OP 39s which both I guess you can say are 6 digit models.

When it comes to any Rolex that has a bezel with numbers on it I realized that I greatly prefer the 5 digit aluminum bezel models.

[c41006]

I owned a couple of 5 digit Subs before purchasing my 6 digit GMT and to me the 6 digits feel so much nicer due to the better bracelet and ceramic bezel.

[Speed]

I have a 16710 and a 116710 - LN.

I like them both...but have no need for another ceramic. One is more than enough.

[MickCollins1916]

I go back-and-forth on this issue. I have an LVc, SD43, and SD4K, the latter being my favorite watch ever, along with a 115520 and 214270. Had a 116713 I sold and now miss. I like all of them.

But I also have a 16600, 16700, 16753, 14060m, and Tudor 79090, amongst my lot, and every time I strap one of them on, I appreciate them too.

My answer to the 5 vs 6 digit question depends on the day, but if only one could stay, it would be the SD4K, hands-down.

[rgwarden]

Originally Posted by jrs146

I’ve had an interesting turn of events. I’ve always considered myself a “6-digit guy”. Many years ago, my first Professional model was a 16610 and I never really bonded with it. It was sold after a few months. Since then I had always gone for 6-digit models and really loved the look and feel.

Over the course of the last few months I’ve acquired a 16610LV and just a few days ago a 16710 and I think I’m starting to really appreciate the smaller case and less blingy features.

I’ve always loved the Hulk. That green sunburst dial is amazing. But since spending more time with my 5-digits I’m beginning to think the hulk is a little too Hulky (lol). I decided to take the LVc with me on our vacation this week and really put it to the test. I have no intention of selling it but I’m finding my new perspective interesting and I’m hoping to rekindle my love for this awesome watch.

My question is how many of you have also gone back and forth between 5 and 6 digit love? What side of the coin did you end up on?




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I loved the BLNR. I waited months for one. One of the happiest moments I’ve had finally putting it on in the boutique for the first time in Feb 2015.
But after 18 months it started to feel too Batmanny. Dimensions, PCLs, pretty much all the things I’d been drawn to just began to grate with me. And the final straw was trying on a black 16570 and finding myself quite simply preferring it.
I still have days where I curse myself for not accepting that I want both hahahahaha but most of the time when I see any 5 digit next to its 6 digit counterpart I remember why I flipped and would do so again.


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[quarts]

personally, i prefer the 6 digit...

[101031-28]

I go back-and-forth between four, five and six digits. I find they each have qualities that I really enjoy and I know that I would not be able to pick one as my only choice.

[Bigblu10]

Love 6 digit and would never go back to 5 digit. While the stamped steel tuna clasp was time tested and proven over decades it just feels cheap and inferior for being on a several thousand dollar watch. Same with hollow Oyster bracelet center links. All the 6 digit improvements make perfect sense and I like them.

[Mystro]

I appreciate my classic Bluesy Sub for 20 years but the problem was when new Rolex models entered my collection. The new 6 digit models are so significantly more satisfying to wear and look at. The build quality is night and day. That was the final realization I could never go back and really be happy with the older design. I sold them and never looked back.

[ap1]

6>5 right?

I give the nod to ceramics for sturdier feel. I don’t like the clasps on 5. I’d say 5s are more comfortable

[Pattyb69]

I can't speak for the 5 digit references because I love ceramic and the case dimensions of the 6 digit sport models. However, I currently own a Hulk and REALLY loved it for the past 6 months but have lately felt that it might be a bit too "Hulky" haha. I'm starting to get tired of how green/bright it can be. I usually rush into decisions and flip by now, but I'm gonna leave it off the wrist for a bit and see if I and up missing it.

[grimps]

I’ve only ever owned 6 digits and would never buy an old used watch.
I have the Hulk and bought it as a daily beater before all the fuss started over them.
I wore it to work in Iraq and in Siberia , I travelled around Asia on vacation with it too and nobody ever noticed or at least mentioned it to me.
Now it’s become a more collectible I’ve started wearing it less and now wear my no date Sub as a beater

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by Pattyb69

I can't speak for the 5 digit references because I love ceramic and the case dimensions of the 6 digit sport models. However, I currently own a Hulk and REALLY loved it for the past 6 months but have lately felt that it might be a bit too "Hulky" haha. I'm starting to get tired of how green/bright it can be. I usually rush into decisions and flip by now, but I'm gonna leave it off the wrist for a bit and see if I and up missing it.

Looks like we’re considering the same thing. I’m doing the opposite though. I’m going to give it priority wrist time to really test my love for it. I do hope I end up loving it still.

Originally Posted by Manuela

I go back-and-forth between four, five and six digits. I find they each have qualities that I really enjoy and I know that I would not be able to pick one as my only choice.

Agreed. This is probably the right answer for me. Different but equal.

Originally Posted by Mystro

I appreciate my classic Bluesy Sub for 20 years but the problem was when new Rolex models entered my collection. The new 6 digit models are so significantly more satisfying to wear and look at. The build quality is night and day. That was the final realization I could never go back and really be happy with the older design. I sold them and never looked back.

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Love 6 digit and would never go back to 5 digit. While the stamped steel tuna clasp was time tested and proven over decades it just feels cheap and inferior for being on a several thousand dollar watch. Same with hollow Oyster bracelet center links. All the 6 digit improvements make perfect sense and I like them.

Originally Posted by ap1

6>5 right?

I give the nod to ceramics for sturdier feel. I don’t like the clasps on 5. I’d say 5s are more comfortable

I guess this is what I was surprised to realize. I totally agree that the upgrades on the 6-digits are far superior. The bracelet and clasps are miles better. The ceramic bezel is sturdy and scratch resistant. Who doesn’t love a glidelock and an easy-link??

But then again, once you get past the hoopla of the upgrades and look from afar... I find the sudo-retro feel of the 5-digits appealing... “downgrades” and all.

Perhaps all those upgrades pushed the 6-digits into the jewelry realm while the 5-digits were still strongly rooted in the tool dimension.

I’m not sure one is better than the other... just different. My love for Rolex was really started strongly in the 6-digit camp. And those new enhancements were a huge reason why. I’m really enjoying breaking away from that though and enjoying the previous models. Most likely I’ll keep them both.

Some pics for comparison











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[Gaijin]

Josh, great pics, nice comparisons.

To me the 5 digit just are what I look at and go "Rolex!"

It is what I grew up seeing and associating with the brand and thus have an affinity for them.

[henrylee]

I rotate from a 16710 and the BLNR. Love both for their different qualities.

[abozz]

The opposite has happened to me, since 1980 I have had Rolex watches, in 2016 I bought a Seiko SBDX017 and a UTS Munchen 3000 and compared both to my 16610 and felt more forceful in the seiko, more beautiful its bezel, more robust, and lost love for the Rolex brand a little, until I was able to buy an 116610 and felt that Rolex was once again competing with modernity

[yannis]

Once i stepped into 6 digit territory i found it extremely hard to keep a 5 digit for more than a few months (every time i tried it).
Too many upgrades and pros over 5 digit refs imo and per my tastes.

[RedLs3]

I always taught the older rolex watches felt fake and flimsy, and they were flimsy and cheap feeling, this is coming from a breitling watch owner. Breitling are more robust and heavy duty pieces. When i buy a 10g or more watch i wanna feel the weight and quality. That is why i bought the deepsea when it came out, first rolex that truly felt like a manly watch

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by RedLs3

I always taught the older rolex watches felt fake and flimsy, and they were flimsy and cheap feeling, this is coming from a breitling watch owner. Breitling are more robust and heavy duty pieces. When i buy a 10g or more watch i wanna feel the weight and quality. That is why i bought the deepsea when it came out, first rolex that truly felt like a manly watch

I agree on the flimsy feel and weight. I guess I find myself challenging the notion that heavier = higher quality.


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[Onikage]

Yep. They'll never be the icons they replaced is how I see it. Yes well made, ceramic bearings in the bezel, well thunk out bracelet, yeah. Needless bulk, and over exentuated accents. Fashion of the time is all I can say. What happened to making a watch only as thick as absolutely necessary whilst boasting high water resistance? What Rolex used to be about?? Adding weight and a few extra mm of steel thickness here and there for no reason whatsoever, other than 'bigger is in now'? Rolex aren't the only ones guilty of this. AP using the same ultra slim movements in 42mm blocks of steel. Even Patek have increased diameters but at least they haven't made a giant, stylised fat Rapper Nautilus. That's all I can say. Haven't owned any Maxi C references and never will by the way. There's a chance they'll all go the way of the Day-Date II come Basel 2018. You heard it from Oni first.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by jrs146

I agree on the flimsy feel and weight. I guess I find myself challenging the notion that heavier = higher quality.


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I find the 5 digits to be extremely comfortable when active due to the lower weights. As a whole, the 5 digits, while very durable, don't exhibit the same build quality as the 6 digits. I'm not sure it's entirely the weight that gives the improved quality feel as much as it could be the sound and feel from more balanced metal weighting from the solid links etc. of the 6 digit. Sometimes the 5 digits just have the feel like they are easier to dent, can't really explain it.

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by 904VT

I find the 5 digits to be extremely comfortable when active due to the lower weights. As a whole, the 5 digits, while very durable, don't exhibit the same build quality as the 6 digits. I'm not sure it's entirely the weight that gives the improved quality feel as much as it could be the sound and feel from more balanced metal weighting from the solid links etc. of the 6 digit. Sometimes the 5 digits just have the feel like they are easier to dent, can't really explain it.

Overall I agree.


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[sensui]

There are gems on both sides I feel. For example I don't take to six digit maxi case subs but the lvc has an irresistible dial....the 16710 is probably my favorite GMT for versatility but I can't resist the color combo of the blnr. I don't see myself exclusively on one side versus the other.

[watchwatcher]

The 5 digits are nice...but I give the nod to the 6 digit for wearability.

The clasp and the bracelet's fewer permanent links are major wins, IMO.

[rgwarden]

It’s not only aesthetics that make me covet the five digits over the six, it’s the fact that current SS drought aside the LVC and BLNR and ND ceramics etc are still being produced, but the 16700s out there are the only ones.... so to find and keep serviced a good five digit has far more appeal for me as a collector. I have to ask myself ‘if I suddenly had a spare few grand which modern Rolex would I really want in the boutique?’ but I can make a far more straightforward case for finding an unworn polar 16570....


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[drm20]

I've got 6 digit and haven't looked back. I do enjoy the more robust cases and especially the improvement in bracelet and clasps!

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by jrs146

I’m beginning to think the hulk is a little too Hulky (lol).

...Says the guy who orders a drink with fruit in it.


It looks good, its the drink that is throwing everything off. An umbrella in it would have the same effect too