Sub - was this a refresh or redesign?

[JRell]

So I was thinking. We had the super case for 12 years, and now they slimmed the look of the lugs, widened the bracelet. To some it was a dramatic change, but to me and many watch reviews, it was a subtle change with gradual move away from the super case. Would it be safe to say this is another 10-12 years with the new case? If so, what is next? Probably going back more to the original design. It is all cyclical.

If so, and knowing they they will eventually move completely away from the larger case, I don’t know other that the 70 hour power reserve, how much of an improvement this really was. The change from the previous to the current was minimal, but then the next change will be even more different than the previous 6 digits, so probably worth hanging on to the current subs and seeing where this is really all going in the future.

Not to say I won’t look to get the new bluesy, but I am not sure it makes sense to trade up my 114060. The new will be the old someday! Maybe holding on to the current subs if you have it, and trade when there is a drastic change makes more sense. Both the previous and the current could look much more dated if there is a real redesign. Who knows maybe Rolex won’t wait 12 years. Maybe this was more like a mid-model refresh like they do with cars, before the complete redesign.

[Dsmith1974]

It was a return to form.


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[mykii]

It was a bad refresh. Can't forgive the abandonment of 65+ years of history to become 41mm.

[Bigblu10]

Rolex is not like a car company nor any other. They only make minor tweaks over the years. If you are expecting some sort of radical re-design this likely won't happen with Rolex. The "new" Sub is hardly a big redesign.

[Heady Topper]

Was this thread necessary? There are dozen others... Also, how do you know they'll move away from bugger cases? They literally just made it bigger

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[Ranger67]

I'd say a refresh as changes are reasonably subtle and you have to look hard to notice any difference, i wont be trading my existing Bluesy for one, but have contacted my AD to view the new range whenever its possible as i would like to add a Black face, either KCermit or whatever its reference is, or a Sub date/non date either one will do.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by Heady Topper

Was this thread necessary? There are dozen others... Also, how do you know they'll move away from bugger cases? They literally just made it bigger

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I am overthinking it, I know.

[Ranger67]

Originally Posted by JRell

I am overthinking it, I know.

Doesn't matter, I'm sure most threads are duplicated, just putting your thoughts down is fine, we can all respond or ignore but i have noticed a lot of unnecessary churlish replies.

[Seaswirl]

OP, I think you’re over thinking this. It’s a modest refresh and there will be others. All models eventually get discontinued and replaced with something newer and shinier. The great thing about Rolex is that changes are incremental ensuring that their watches are as relevant today as when they first released it. Accept that there is a newer Sub, but remember that your Sub is still as great a watch as it was last week. Enjoy it!

[JRell]

Originally Posted by Ranger67

Doesn't matter, I'm sure most threads are duplicated, just putting your thoughts down is fine, we can all respond or ignore but i have noticed a lot of unnecessary churlish replies.

Thanks and I think I will be following your lead with keeping and adding! Appreciate the advice.

[Dsmith1974]

The next biggest change I would welcome would be cut down the four lines to three or even two.


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[JRell]

Originally Posted by Seaswirl

OP, I think you’re over thinking this. It’s a modest refresh and there will be others. All models eventually get discontinued and replaced with something newer and shinier. The great thing about Rolex is that changes are incremental ensuring that their watches are as relevant today as when they first released it. Accept that there is a newer Sub, but remember that your Sub is still as great a watch as it was last week. Enjoy it!

Thanks man - need this Rolex therapy!

[socalwatchcollector]

Originally Posted by mykii

it was a bad refresh. Can't forgive the abandonment of 65+ years of history to become 41mm.

+1

[zjd168]

Originally Posted by mykii

It was a bad refresh. Can't forgive the abandonment of 65+ years of history to become 41mm.

it is just name change for marketing, the real difference is about 0.2 mm, and it wasn't 40.00 mm before

[just1time]

I swear people going on and on about how the new sub looks better. When to me i almost see no difference. I agree it is a refresh. No significant change in my opinion. Not worth pursuing when I am perfectly ok with the current subs I have.

[just1time]

Originally Posted by Seaswirl

OP, I think you’re over thinking this. It’s a modest refresh and there will be others. All models eventually get discontinued and replaced with something newer and shinier. The great thing about Rolex is that changes are incremental ensuring that their watches are as relevant today as when they first released it. Accept that there is a newer Sub, but remember that your Sub is still as great a watch as it was last week. Enjoy it!

Exactly...well said

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by mykii

It was a bad refresh. Can't forgive the abandonment of 65+ years of history to become 41mm.

Depends on what you measuring. The bezel is now 41mm, the case is pretty much same as previous.

Besides, Rolex was NOT always 40mm. It started ay 37mm, then 38mm and so on.

[zjd168]

most people can't tell the difference so the change is subtle.

I guess the next biggest change people yelling for will be the re-introduce of the RED submarine text line, people will go crazy again, same for the products, both old and new.

[Tools]

I think that it was genius.

Rolex learned early that their boxy design was not considered aesthetically pleasing to many, myself included.

They have looked at the problem, and come up with a solution that brings back a more pleasing proportion to the human eye.

In art there are rules and guidelines, such as the Golden Proportion, and Rule of Thirds, and so on. The previous ratios of the case to bracelet and dial were not well though out - this has been corrected.

[FTX I]

A bit of both IMO. I see as an update. A welcome update because now I have two new watches I can plan for the future even though I already own both 11 series.

[GBD]

Small changes, but all together make for a significant improvement. New sub looks way more congruent and harmonious, imo.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by mykii

It was a bad refresh. Can't forgive the abandonment of 65+ years of history to become 41mm.

Abandonment of 65+ years of history??

The Submariner wasn't 40mm to start with

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Abandonment of 65+ years of history??

The Submariner wasn't 40mm to start with

Certainly you must admit an odd # like 41mm is just that....odd.
40mm just works better.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Tools

I think that it was genius.

Rolex learned early that their boxy design was not considered aesthetically pleasing to many, myself included.

They have looked at the problem, and come up with a solution that brings back a more pleasing proportion to the human eye.

In art there are rules and guidelines, such as the Golden Proportion, and Rule of Thirds, and so on. The previous ratios of the case to bracelet and dial were not well though out - this has been corrected.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Certainly you must admit an odd # like 41mm is just that....odd.
40mm just works better.

I'll grant you, odd is odd

But I also think it was odd having the de facto 'mens' Datejust be larger than Submariner. So I think it makes sense.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

I'll grant you, odd is odd

But I also think it was odd having the de facto 'mens' Datejust be larger than Submariner. So I think it makes sense.

I have both the 114060 and datejust 41. The sub looks and feels bigger than the datejust with the super case.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by JRell

I have both the 114060 and datejust 41. The sub looks and feels bigger than the datejust with the super case.

I know it does, further highlighting the unnecessary use of case diameter as a metric to judge the watch. The number tells you nothing on it's own.

I wear a SD43 as my daily and it does not feel 'huge' as the number might suggest. Case geometry is far more important imo.

[Dr. Robert]

Bah humbug, I want a 124060!

[Rokoru]

IMHO these changes are really big. New case design, new movement, bigger hands, 41 mm case, wider bracelet. I think this case will be loved by many once we find out that it wears the same or even smaller than the previous 6 digits... I hope to get mine this weekend!

[Rexplorer214270]

Won't the Sub still wear the same with the widening of the bracelet?