116619lb vs 15202

[mps354]

Hey guys, wanted to get your thoughts. I’m looking to add a blue dial watch to the collection, and have narrowed it down to a blue Rolex sub and a steel 15202. Anyone else go through a similar process? I have a number of watches on both the sporty side and dressy side, so I’m not really leaning one way or another.

I know it always comes down to personal preference, so I’m just curious which way you guys would go

[lukey77]

As an owner of a 15202, PP5712, a Daytona and Rolex BLNR, I can categorically say that the 15202 is my favourite of all of them.

However, it really depends what you want it for. The 15202 is fairly delicate and I would say certainly not an every day watch.

The Rolexes on the other hand - I wear the BLNR daily to work, play football and swimming with the kids, I can bang it about and it’s fine.

In summary- completely different watches and depends what you want it for, and what other watches you have in collection.
If you already have an every day sports watch - 15202 hands down. But be warned it’s delicate.



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[mps354]

Originally Posted by lukey77

As an owner of a 15202, PP5712, a Daytona and Rolex BLNR, I can categorically say that the 15202 is my favourite of all of them.

However, it really depends what you want it for. The 15202 is fairly delicate and I would say certainly not an every day watch.

The Rolexes on the other hand - I wear the BLNR daily to work, play football and swimming with the kids, I can bang it about and it’s fine.

In summary- completely different watches and depends what you want it for, and what other watches you have in collection.
If you already have an every day sports watch - 15202 hands down. But be warned it’s delicate.



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Great pic! Neither would be my daily...I’m more of a rotation guy

[lukey77]

Originally Posted by mps354

Great pic! Neither would be my daily...I’m more of a rotation guy

15202 then.
Alternatively my Daytona is this one- also an option?



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[Vipes]

I’m leaning towards adding the 15202 40th anniversary edition. I had a white dial 15202 a couple of years ago and I regret selling it. I also had the WG Sub and it is a very nice and versatile piece. In the end, I got bored of the blue dial.

I find the Jumbo way more interesting. Gorgeous bracelet, petite tapisserie dial and a classic Genta designed watch.

[mustangtornado]

got mine last night...love it. (the plastic is now off)


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[incontrol]

Originally Posted by mustangtornado

got mine last night...love it. (the plastic is now off)


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Congrats! Beautiful watch.


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[z32turbo]

Originally Posted by lukey77

15202 then.
Alternatively my Daytona is this one- also an option?



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This

[Bearxj86]

I’ve owned both and they are both great but are different watches.

15202 - a PITA to wind and set date. No second hand- fragile and easy to scratch bezel. I would wear with a cuff or in non rough activities. Haut horology and an iconic piece. Beautiful, thin and elegant.

Smurf- Beautiful , hefty. A tank but easily scratched PCLs.

The answer is both. I would say if you have other watches the 15202 is better but if you are only have 1-3 watches the smurf is more versatile

[wisguy]

Owned the 15202 in the last and many Rolexes (not the Smurf), hands down the AP.

[mps354]

Originally Posted by lukey77

15202 then.
Alternatively my Daytona is this one- also an option?



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I love that Daytona but feels too similar to my ss 116500

[mps354]

Originally Posted by Vipes

I’m leaning towards adding the 15202 40th anniversary edition. I had a white dial 15202 a couple of years ago and I regret selling it. I also had the WG Sub and it is a very nice and versatile piece. In the end, I got bored of the blue dial.

I find the Jumbo way more interesting. Gorgeous bracelet, petite tapisserie dial and a classic Genta designed watch.

Yeah, agree, it’s beautiful (at least in pics). I also had a 15202 in white and foolishly let it go several years back

[mps354]

Originally Posted by mustangtornado

got mine last night...love it. (the plastic is now off)


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Congrats! Looks great!

[mps354]

Originally Posted by mustangtornado

got mine last night...love it. (the plastic is now off)


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Originally Posted by bearxj86

I’ve owned both and they are both great but are different watches.

15202 - a PITA to wind and set date. No second hand- fragile and easy to scratch bezel. I would wear with a cuff or in non rough activities. Haut horology and an iconic piece. Beautiful, thin and elegant.

Smurf- Beautiful , hefty. A tank but easily scratched PCLs.

The answer is both. I would say if you have other watches the 15202 is better but if you are only have 1-3 watches the smurf is more versatile

Originally Posted by wisguy

Owned the 15202 in the last and many Rolexes (not the Smurf), hands down the AP.

Interesting, thanks for the feedback guys. Did you find the 116619 uncomfortable?

[subtona]

Prefer the sub.
15202 didn’t last for me.

[Bearxj86]

Originally Posted by mps354

Interesting, thanks for the feedback guys. Did you find the 116619 uncomfortable?

Takes a bit of getting used to be ergonomics are great. 15202 more comfortable but 116619 is pretty good.

[mps354]

Originally Posted by subtona

Prefer the sub.
15202 didn’t last for me.

Thanks Gus. I guess you preferred your 5711?

Originally Posted by bearxj86

Takes a bit of getting used to be ergonomics are great. 15202 more comfortable but 116619 is pretty good.

Interesting, thanks. Never had a precious metal bracelet

[Bearxj86]

If you want to do 5711 versus 116619, it's a no brainer on the 5711 :)

[Vipes]

Originally Posted by mps354

Interesting, thanks for the feedback guys. Did you find the 116619 uncomfortable?

For a heavy watch, the Rolex was very comfortable. The full PM with glide lock makes the watch very well balanced.

[mr_gray]

i have a 15400 and a 116619LB.

i have worn a 15202.

the 15202 feels very thin and slight. it is beautiful and fits my 6.5 or so inch wrist v well. the 116619lb has been my daily since january pretty much (i was going to rotate but that has not happened).

two totally different watches i guess. the 116619lb is very heavy (228 grams all links). the glidelock is essential and comfort is great.

two great watches. i don't see how you could go wrong. i would struggle as to which to choose. the thing about the 116619lb is:
- robust
- blue dial is utterly beguiling. it's liquid wet looking gloss. very beautiful.
- 116619lb is an unusually beautiful/practical pm watch imo
- 15202 2 hands is rough imo
- 15202 is far more elegant than 116619.
- some people would say 116619 is far more "modern"

the bezel on subC is very useful. as is the date.

[GB-man]

Jumbo is great but I too became tired of dealing with the crown and movement. If you’re a patient man then jumbo. If not then sub lol

[Muxi]

Between the two I would go for the Smurf but we all need an AP in our lives.

[Uros]

15202 for size, proportions, history etc. really iconic piece and as said not for every day


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[AK797]

Depends on others in your collection, if you have other CE Rolexes then I'd favour the AP.

[DGB]

Originally Posted by AK797

Depends on others in your collection, if you have other CE Rolexes then I'd favour the AP.

+1
What are your other watches?
Do you have already a Sub or a RO?

RO is a higher end watch, better finished, would be a tiny bit more scratch resistant.

Sub is more robust, gold, nice dial, heavier on the wrist.

I would go for the 202.


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[lukey77]

Originally Posted by DGB

+1
What are your other watches?
Do you have already a Sub or a RO?

RO is a higher end watch, better finished, would be a tiny bit more scratch resistant.

Sub is more robust, gold, nice dial, heavier on the wrist.

I would go for the 202.


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Royal Oak is a scratch magnet compared to the Rolex.


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[DGB]

Originally Posted by lukey77

Royal Oak is a scratch magnet compared to the Rolex.


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It is, compared to the 904L steel.
but I am comparing to the Sub white gold as per OP subject. Gold is softer than stainless steel, it will scratch much easier.


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[subtona]

Originally Posted by mps354

Thanks Gus. I guess you preferred your 5711?

Imho the 5711 would be my choice by far over the 15202.

*The lower WR of the AP (no screw down crown)
*bezel damage pain (not an issue if you are OK with rich patina after a short period of ownership),
*date setting function

are the top three things I would consider.

If you haven’t seen it, here is a comparison when I owned them, prior to the current market insanity


https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=643387

Ps for what it’s worth, I am at this moment strongly considering (very likely) a 116619 purchase at this moment.

[RolexZen]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Jumbo is great but I too became tired of dealing with the crown and movement. If you’re a patient man then jumbo. If not then sub lol

One compromise is just not worrying about setting the date on the Jumbo, lol. I think the Fratello Watches guy does that.

Me, I set it, and don’t find it too much trouble, but it’s close. :-/ The AP winding tool helps quite a bit.

Originally Posted by mr_gray

I’ve always loved the Smurf, except for the inelegant slab side of the maxi case (one of the reasons I let my BLNR go). Love the unique colorway and the stealth wealth, along with the weight and the subtle difference in appearance of WG vs SS.

Mr Gray, any chance you could post a shot of your Smurf on your 6.5” wrist?

[mps354]

Originally Posted by bearxj86

If you want to do 5711 versus 116619, it's a no brainer on the 5711 :)

Thanks

Originally Posted by Vipes

For a heavy watch, the Rolex was very comfortable. The full PM with glide lock makes the watch very well balanced.

Funny, I just tried on an aluminum centigraphe from FP Journe...I think it’s like 50 grams including the bracelet. I guess the exact opposite of the 116619

Originally Posted by mr_gray

i have a 15400 and a 116619LB.

i have worn a 15202.

the 15202 feels very thin and slight. it is beautiful and fits my 6.5 or so inch wrist v well. the 116619lb has been my daily since january pretty much (i was going to rotate but that has not happened).

two totally different watches i guess. the 116619lb is very heavy (228 grams all links). the glidelock is essential and comfort is great.

two great watches. i don't see how you could go wrong. i would struggle as to which to choose. the thing about the 116619lb is:
- robust
- blue dial is utterly beguiling. it's liquid wet looking gloss. very beautiful.
- 116619lb is an unusually beautiful/practical pm watch imo
- 15202 2 hands is rough imo
- 15202 is far more elegant than 116619.
- some people would say 116619 is far more "modern"

the bezel on subC is very useful. as is the date.

Thanks, I appreciate the input