Was the 41 mm size change to distract from backing off fat lugs?

[Lukebennett21]

Obviously this wouldn’t be the only reason Rolex would make changes to its case design, but it is very convenient they have everyone talking about the 41 mm case size rather than why fat lugs were abandoned. Is the intention behind this somewhat to protect the secondary market value of the last ten years of production.

[Likestheshiny]

The fat lugs were sold out everywhere and desperate buyers were paying a premium over MSRP. Do you really think Rolex viewed them as a shameful problem that needed a stealthy fix?

[Khans14]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

The fat lugs were sold out everywhere and desperate buyers were paying a premium over MSRP. Do you really think Rolex viewed them as a shameful problem that needed a stealthy fix?

Well said.

[cuibono]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

The fat lugs were sold out everywhere and desperate buyers were paying a premium over MSRP. Do you really think Rolex viewed them as a shameful problem that needed a stealthy fix?

Exactly lol

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[Sprezzatura!,]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

The fat lugs were sold out everywhere and desperate buyers were paying a premium over MSRP. Do you really think Rolex viewed them as a shameful problem that needed a stealthy fix?

[Uppersouth]

I think the previous generation is safe. My curiosity is the actual measurement of the case size. Rolex is notorious for wildly rounding up. Especially in the case of the DJ41.


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[Rashid.bk]

Nah, the lugs were to make a 40mm watch look like a 42 and the slimmed down 2020 Subs can now actually come close to that 42mm but wear like a 40mm.

Rolex is smart. This one will feel just like the 40mm, look more symmetrical while looking just a bit larger on wrist, larger but not crossing the line into feeling like a 44 or something. Brilliant.

[JRell]

Lugs are actually wider, the bracelet is always wider, making the lugs appear a bit smaller. Side by side you can tell, but when I look at them separate I can’t tell right away.

[Lukebennett21]

Originally Posted by JRell

Lugs are actually wider, the bracelet is always wider, making the lugs appear a bit smaller. Side by side you can tell, but when I look at them separate I can’t tell right away.

So you are telling me the fat lugs aren’t even fat lugs?!! My mind is blown.

[HiDive]

I don't care what the reasoning behind the lug change was because it looks a lot better now.

[Xenon]

.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by Lukebennett21

So you are telling me the fat lugs aren’t even fat lugs?!! My mind is blown.

Lol I don’t know and me too. I think Rolex did a great job visually improving/tapering the lugs enough to update it, without taking away the tool watch/substantial feel the sub offers in the wrist. I think they also did a good job to make people like me that own the former 6 digits (me) feel they have not been left behind, while building upon a great watch. I am waiting for my new bluesy!

[Lukebennett21]

Originally Posted by JRell

Lol I don’t know and me too. I think Rolex did a great job visually improving/tapering the lugs enough to update it, without taking away the tool watch/substantial feel the sub offers in the wrist. I think they also did a good job to make people like me that own the former 6 digits (me) feel they have not been left behind, while building upon a great watch. I am waiting for my new bluesy!

The bluesy is amazing! That dial.

[Junior_]

I showed my wife the side by side shot of the 114060 and 124060. She could not spot the difference. Nor, without looking at my wrist, could she tell which one I have.

Rolex, as always, with incremental design change.

It's all good. The Sub will always be all good. It's in good hands.

[Indy11]

Originally Posted by Junior_

I showed my wife the side by side shot of the 114060 and 124060. She could not spot the difference. Nor, without looking at my wrist, could she tell which one I have.

Rolex, as always, with incremental design change.

It's all good. The Sub will always be all good. It's in good hands.

Haha, 100% my wife would respond similarly.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by Junior_

I showed my wife the side by side shot of the 114060 and 124060. She could not spot the difference. Nor, without looking at my wrist, could she tell which one I have.

Rolex, as always, with incremental design change.

It's all good. The Sub will always be all good. It's in good hands.

Did the same thing with the same response. That is always the true test for me!

[Breizh]

Originally Posted by Junior_

I showed my wife the side by side shot of the 114060 and 124060. She could not spot the difference. Nor, without looking at my wrist, could she tell which one I have.

Rolex, as always, with incremental design change.

It's all good. The Sub will always be all good. It's in good hands.

Ha! I did the exact same thing. I explained everything ahead of time (lugs, 40 vs 41 etc...) and she couldn't tell which one was which.
After telling her what a big deal this new Sub was she said "you guys are nuts"

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Breizh

Ha! I did the exact same thing. I explained everything ahead of time (lugs, 40 vs 41 etc...) and she couldn't tell which one was which.
After telling her what a big deal this new Sub was she said "you guys are nuts"

My wife said the same thing. Couldn’t tell the difference. I then explained how the watch enthusiast community is going insane over this. Her response, “you guys don’t have anything better to do?”

LOL


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[cuibono]

Originally Posted by Krash

My wife said the same thing. Couldn’t tell the difference. I then explained how the watch enthusiast community is going insane over this. Her response, “you guys don’t have anything better to do?”

LOL


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I'm starting to wonder if we don't have something better to do... So much brain power focused on 1mm lol

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[Ranger67]

Originally Posted by Krash

My wife said the same thing. Couldn’t tell the difference. I then explained how the watch enthusiast community is going insane over this. Her response, “you guys don’t have anything better to do?”

LOL


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I don’t think anyone even an enthusiast can tell the difference unless close up, the hysteria over the such small incremental changes is incredible and why they are so called fat lugs is beyond me.

[Essray]

I love my hulk but am in love with my explorer ii. The lugs are the key to how it wears. The explorer has that. I wanted to do a modern Kermit (exactly how it is now) years back. But never had the nerve.


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[snarkq]

The maxi case felt way too off. I think it will absolutely go down as an awkward design blunder in Rolex history. I guess if you never wore vintage you wouldn't know better.

[JRell]

I only go vintage and grey poupon, but of course.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by snarkq

The maxi case felt way too off. I think it will absolutely go down as an awkward design blunder in Rolex history. I guess if you never wore vintage you wouldn't know better.

Only for watch nerds like yourself. Not for the rest of the planet.


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[snarkq]

Originally Posted by Krash

Only for watch nerds like yourself. Not for the rest of the planet.


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This is true lol


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[Breizh]

Originally Posted by snarkq

The maxi case felt way too off. I think it will absolutely go down as an awkward design blunder in Rolex history. I guess if you never wore vintage you wouldn't know better.

That's what I always thought as well until I actually tried them both side by side, and to my surprise I much preferred the "fat lugs".
Even when I look at the pictures I took that day the 5 digit looks better, three's something about the maxi case that is not photogenic at all but looks and feels great in the flesh.
I don't think it will go down as an ugly duck, not as elegant as the previous one perhaps, but great looking in its own way. And besides, the 5 digit never had waiting lists.

[lhawli]

Fat lugs or not, Something about knowing my sub is 40 and not 41 makes me nostalgic. Somehow the 41 still doesn’t sound right for a sub in my mind.


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[Etschell]

No problem with fat lugs. Only problem is enthusiasts who fail to evolve. They should gripe about crown guards or non riveted bracelets if they want to live in the past.

[snarkq]

Originally Posted by Etschell

No problem with fat lugs. Only problem is enthusiasts who fail to evolve. They should gripe about crown guards or non riveted bracelets if they want to live in the past.

Fat lugs/maxi case are living in the past. Rolex recognized the mistake and corrected it.


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[Psmith]

Originally Posted by snarkq

Fat lugs/maxi case are living in the past. Rolex recognized the mistake and corrected it.

No they didn't - the previous case was unchanged for 12 successful years. The 41mm is an all-new design, harmonising with the SD and DSSD.
Nothing new about different case shapes and maxi-dials. Some vintage Subs had these, as did the 5-digit LV. Some early Subs were 37mm with Explorer-type dials and no crown guards. I'm not sure what people are attempting to 'prove' here. Different generations of Subs are quite different, yet retain instantly recognisable characteristics. Some people prefer particular references, some like them all - no need for divisiveness.