Submariner: Solid vs Hollow End Links ?

[dnieto17]

Hey RF,

I'm in the market for a 5-digit sub and narrowed it down to 2 models.

Both are Rolex Submariner 16610's.

Watch 1: 'swiss' only dial with hollow end links

- I like this because the 'swiss' only looks more symmetrical, but I worry the hollow end links will be too light

Watch 2: "swiss made" dial with solid end links

Not as symmetrical to the eye, but solid end links.

- Does adding a date functionality make the watch noticeably heavier where hollow end links balance it out?

Couple Caveats:

Would love any input from the forum.

I'm buying this online, and it's really my first purchase of a grail watch that I'll keep for a lifetime.

I used to own an Explorer I with SEL, and loved the weight; it felt like a hug on the wrist.

I owned a 14060m with hollow end links and the weight, along with not having a date, drove me crazy because the watch felt a little light.


So, do I go with the watch that's prettier to look at, but feels light, or a watch that feels better on the wrist but is "worse" to look at.

*Also, I realize how insane I sound comparing two virtually identical watches, but I figured this is the place to split hairs!

Thank you!

-Danny

[joli160]

Solid for me, the rattling and poor fitting end links belong on the four digits.
A modern watch like the 16610 doesn’t feel good with those

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by joli160

Solid for me, the rattling and poor fitting end links belong on the four digits.
A modern watch like the 16610 doesn’t feel good with those

Agreed. Makes quite a big difference. If you want the full vintage vibe then go hollow.

[Auto16610]

You will never notice the Swiss Made writing. But you will notice the rattle from the hollow end links. Get the latest newest 16610 you can find. Watch put for over polished lugs and crown guards.

[douglasf13]

Having owned several of both, I think the hollow end links look cooler and are maybe more comfortable, but the solid end links feel beefier and don’t rattle. I slightly lean solid.

[Chambers]

Solid IMO

[brandrea]

For comfort, hollow. For feel, solid.

No right or wrong, and I get it, the hollow end links and bracelets do feel somewhat flimsy by comparison but that should not be confused with durable.

[Booth9999]

Hollow feels cheaper to me. Solid for me

[thesharkfactor]

Never mind hollow v solid, it matters not. You buy on condtion, the 'swiss made' watch looks better to me.
Condition is what is important here.

[Tools]

If your criteria for buying a classic and highly respected watch is that it might "feel too light", I can't help you.

[Agamemnon]

Solid for me too.
I don't understand where is the symmetry in two watches both with date window.

[slide13]

The Swiss vs Swiss Made wouldn't even factor in for me personally, it's too small to really notice in daily wear if you're not specifically looking for it.

I like the 5 digit watches and if I was getting one I'd want hollow end links and spring bar holes in the case....that to me has the vintage feel of classic Rolex and is what I think of when I think of the 5 digit watches

The 5 digit w/o holes and with solid end links feels like a transition watch to the 6 digits to me, at that point I'd rather go full modern and get a 6 digit model

[Incident]

Keep looking...you can find the 16610 with Swiss only dial, holes case and SEL.

[jatco]

Of the 2, Swiss Made. Hands and dial look better/ crisper.. imo.

[harrist8]

You like the SEL, but prefer the Swiss only dial. I think the SEL should have significantly more weighting in your decision because you are looking at how symmetrical the two dials appear on magnified images on a computer. In real life, SWISS vs SWISS MADE is so small you wouldn’t even notice it. However, you will feel the difference in the SEL all the time it is on your wrist.

[dnieto17]

Originally Posted by Incident

Keep looking...you can find the 16610 with Swiss only dial, holes case and SEL.

Really?? I've seen a few out there but doubted their authenticity, thinking maybe someone swapped bracelets or it was a franken-watch.

I thought the SEL were introduced in 2001?

[Ferdelious]

I'd go solid.

[911991]

IMO part of the classic/vintage watch experience is having the older components(Sort of like putting modern high performance radial tires on a Model T car) my 1985 Sub D has the hollow links, and yep it does clink when you handle it, but once on the wrist its not noticeable. My newer watches all have the sold links and feel more solid off the wrist, but feel the same on the wrist.

[javier]

Solid

[HKtoter]

Look for solid end links on the bracelet, a case with lug holes

[dnieto17]

Thank you Rolex forum!

[7enderbender]

That’s what the 16600 Sea Dweller is for in my book. More solid feel, date, but no cyclops.

[dnieto17]

Went with the SEL 16610!

Both were great, but at the end of the day, buy the seller. The HEL seller, had no return policy, and many reviews for poor service.

Plus, I can't help but remember the way my SEL explorer I felt on the wrist, and just had to go with the SEL! I'm so excited!!!!!!

Thank you guys for the advice and will post photos when it arrives!

[jatco]

Originally Posted by dnieto17

Went with the SEL 16610!

Both were great, but at the end of the day, buy the seller. The HEL seller, had no return policy, and many reviews for poor service.

Plus, I can't help but remember the way my SEL explorer I felt on the wrist, and just had to go with the SEL! I'm so excited!!!!!!

Thank you guys for the advice and will post photos when it arrives!

Right on..
Good choice for the right reasons... Congrats..

[fskywalker]

My S serial 16610 came with the 93150 hollow ends and have no complaints whatsoever. It has the case lip for the SEL and owned for a while the 97200 modern sun bracelet with SEL and glidelock, which fitted great but ended up selling the bracelet and is back on the 93150.

As long as both cases have the SEL lip you can swap bracelets later!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Cory_Logic]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

My S serial 16610 came with the 93150 hollow ends and have no complaints whatsoever. It has the case lip for the SEL and owned for a while the 97200 modern sun bracelet with SEL and glidelock, which fitted great but ended up selling the bracelet and is back on the 93150.

As long as both cases have the SEL lip you can swap bracelets later!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I’ve tried to swap bracelets before BUT the 93150 will always be my top bracelet something about it just fits perfectly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cryptowalkway]

Hollow end links feel like you got the watch from a Christmas cracker IMO

[CarlOver]

Sel

[Chester01]

The date adds functionality to the watch and that’s not up for debate. The purpose of these watch’s (and even in the past) was functionality. There will be a time you need the date and it’s there. I mean even back in the day, professional divers no matter their field spent more time out of the water than in and used the date completing reports, paperwork, etc. I see the sub as a gestalt and so don’t feel like it detracts from the looks. Then again, I don’t buy jewelry and if you want the prettier watch to take some intasnaps and tuck back into the case get a current version ceramic.

Now as for the sel, I not sure I see a clear advantage other than adding heft. My 1997 sub has almost no stretch to speak of. That said, If I were in the game for a 5 digit, I would get the most recent version i could get my hands on (like 2008ish before the change I think) in the best condition.

[tifosi]

I prefer solid end links, but I wouldn’t kick a hollow end linked watch out of bed.