Never meet your heroes?
Discussion
So having craved a Rolex sub now for a long time I am starting to be in the position where I could make it happen.
I've lusted after them in photos for a while and seen quite a few on peoples wrists over the years.
Of course, the current Rolex supply situation means I am unable to go into an AD to try one on any time soon. So I asked a friend who had one if I could handle his / try it on and have a general closer look at it.
I trust him that he has a real one... but I must admit I was hugely disappointed. I thought the build quality was pretty poor, the bezel was stiff and difficult to turn, the bracelet was very lightweight and thin. Overall the watch seemed very small and very underwhelming compared to the hype and frankly the price.
I wear a 42mm Planet Ocean, Tudor S&G and a 45mm Calibre 1 Tag as my main daily watches so I know I am coming from larger / heavier pieces. I wasn't expecting it to be as heavy or large... but this was like a toy.
I asked him if he was 100% sure it was real as I was so surprised in the drop in quality from my other watches. He assured me it came brand new from an AD 18 months ago and showed me a picture of him wearing it in the shop. I have no reason to think he then went and bought a hooky one.
Just me? Are they 'all like that Sir'?
What else have you tried on that was ultimately a letdown?
I've lusted after them in photos for a while and seen quite a few on peoples wrists over the years.
Of course, the current Rolex supply situation means I am unable to go into an AD to try one on any time soon. So I asked a friend who had one if I could handle his / try it on and have a general closer look at it.
I trust him that he has a real one... but I must admit I was hugely disappointed. I thought the build quality was pretty poor, the bezel was stiff and difficult to turn, the bracelet was very lightweight and thin. Overall the watch seemed very small and very underwhelming compared to the hype and frankly the price.
I wear a 42mm Planet Ocean, Tudor S&G and a 45mm Calibre 1 Tag as my main daily watches so I know I am coming from larger / heavier pieces. I wasn't expecting it to be as heavy or large... but this was like a toy.
I asked him if he was 100% sure it was real as I was so surprised in the drop in quality from my other watches. He assured me it came brand new from an AD 18 months ago and showed me a picture of him wearing it in the shop. I have no reason to think he then went and bought a hooky one.
Just me? Are they 'all like that Sir'?
What else have you tried on that was ultimately a letdown?
ReaperCushions said:
What else have you tried on that was ultimately a letdown?
An oh so sexy nurse with a beguiling half-knowing smile? Ah, you mean watch-related...Only recent one was Tudor GMT but, as I have since reacquainted with one, I am clearly fickle...
If in doubt; don't. Etc
Hi,
I would recommend trying another.
I’ve got a sub and whilst it does feel smaller when I’ve been wearing a bell & Ross or something of that ilk, the quality for me shines through and is pretty weighty.
It’definitely my favourite watch and currently thinking of going for a pepsi, have almost justified the white gold version to myself.
M.
I would recommend trying another.
I’ve got a sub and whilst it does feel smaller when I’ve been wearing a bell & Ross or something of that ilk, the quality for me shines through and is pretty weighty.
It’definitely my favourite watch and currently thinking of going for a pepsi, have almost justified the white gold version to myself.
M.
I completely agree ref Rolex. Aside from the investment potential, they simply aren’t worth the hype.
I had a new Omega Seamaster 300M in 2003 & a close friend had a Sea Dweller.
Quality wise, especially in terms of the bracelet, there was no comparison. Omega trumped it easily.
They sell on the name. Much like BMW.
I had a new Omega Seamaster 300M in 2003 & a close friend had a Sea Dweller.
Quality wise, especially in terms of the bracelet, there was no comparison. Omega trumped it easily.
They sell on the name. Much like BMW.
This doesn’t sound right at all. A current model sub like this should have a substantial bracelet and clasp ( the older ones have very cheap feeling clasps), a decent weight to the watch and a bezel that (IMO) is second to none in terms of quality.
I say this as an owner of Omega, Tudor, Sinn, Breitling etc. The Rolex quality is without doubt the very finest and therefore I suspect your friend has a fake somehow.
I say this as an owner of Omega, Tudor, Sinn, Breitling etc. The Rolex quality is without doubt the very finest and therefore I suspect your friend has a fake somehow.
I’ve tried on a fair few watches over the years, and my stainless Daytona feels as weighty as it needs to be, the Oysterlock bracelet is perfection, and crucially it has internals by Rolex, not some multinational conglomerate.
Perhaps the op is looking at the wrong things, is being fooled? As some car manufacturers give their thinly built cars a solid sound to the doors closing, perhaps there’s a similar con with cheaper watches feeling solid?
But hey. If you don’t like one completely unnecessary luxury item, you just buy another completely unnecessary luxury item!
Perhaps the op is looking at the wrong things, is being fooled? As some car manufacturers give their thinly built cars a solid sound to the doors closing, perhaps there’s a similar con with cheaper watches feeling solid?
But hey. If you don’t like one completely unnecessary luxury item, you just buy another completely unnecessary luxury item!
Badda said:
Couldn’t disagree more on both counts!
Have you owned either by the way?
I have and would agree with him. My Sub is an ok watch, bought as I wanted a Rolex as opposed to wanting the right watch. I certainly wouldn't buy again now that I'm more familiar with other watches. I have a Tag Carrera that has a better quality feel to it, IMO. Have you owned either by the way?
I definitely preferred old BMWs by the way, the newer stuff seems very average which is a shame as I loved the brand.
My old sea dweller (circa 2005) had a clinking bracelet with a pressed steel clasp that felt like it really belonged on a casio. My new sub (2017) has a significantly more robust feeling one bracelet and clasp, the glide lock adjustment is great too. My old planet ocean had a hefty feeling bracelet too, and was very comfortable to wear. I'd go and try a new style sub on in a jewellers somewhere if I was you.
Edited by 
boy on Thursday 2nd May 07:34
boy on Thursday 2nd May 07:34Really surprised by the OP's comments, cant say I've found that at all. My GMT blue black is stunning both in quality, and feel, and the oyster strap is sublime quality and i'm comparing this to my Omega, Graham, various Breitlings.
I will say that my Omega sea-master regatta is fair bit heavier than my GMT, and so is my super avenger, but they are larger at 44 and 48mm respectively, but quality is no where near on par with the Rolex, not to say the others are bad, but the Rolex is a cut above, and as you'd expect for the extra cost.
I will say that my Omega sea-master regatta is fair bit heavier than my GMT, and so is my super avenger, but they are larger at 44 and 48mm respectively, but quality is no where near on par with the Rolex, not to say the others are bad, but the Rolex is a cut above, and as you'd expect for the extra cost.
If its an older one then they are lighter but the quality is still there in terms of the sweep, clarity etc, bracelet does feel rubbish thou, but works 
..
I have both a 16610 which is an older sub from 2005 (has the old lume which i like), to me that watch is perfect with suits et el, its not too showy...
I also have a JC DeepSea which is much much heavier and more look at me...
.. I have both a 16610 which is an older sub from 2005 (has the old lume which i like), to me that watch is perfect with suits et el, its not too showy...
I also have a JC DeepSea which is much much heavier and more look at me...
On the subject of heroes - bought a Daytona, never got on with it. Dial too busy for a 'small' watch, struggled to read the time. Gone- bought other heroes instead
Also have a older (1991) Sub. It is a smaller watch, but really comfortable to wear. The strap is a joke compared to a Seamaster or Speedmaster strap, but I've put mine onto a fabric strap which turns it into a discreet watch. I have a GMT in the newer maxi case and it feels like a much more substantial and heavier watch.
Also have a older (1991) Sub. It is a smaller watch, but really comfortable to wear. The strap is a joke compared to a Seamaster or Speedmaster strap, but I've put mine onto a fabric strap which turns it into a discreet watch. I have a GMT in the newer maxi case and it feels like a much more substantial and heavier watch.
I've owned my Sub for years now
At one point I had a Panerai Luminor Base (44mm), Omega PO (45.5mm) and a Breitling Colt Automatic Chronograph (44mm) alongside my Rolex.
For a 40mm watch the Sub feels the right weight to me and I wear it daily having sold all of the above.
The only watch I miss is my Omega, however I found myself wishing I had put my Sub on every time a I wore a different watch. Biggest disappointment was my Panerai, I could not get on with it at all.
Regarding my Sub, unlike some popular opinions on here I find it a very discreet watch to wear and love it.
At one point I had a Panerai Luminor Base (44mm), Omega PO (45.5mm) and a Breitling Colt Automatic Chronograph (44mm) alongside my Rolex.
For a 40mm watch the Sub feels the right weight to me and I wear it daily having sold all of the above.
The only watch I miss is my Omega, however I found myself wishing I had put my Sub on every time a I wore a different watch. Biggest disappointment was my Panerai, I could not get on with it at all.
Regarding my Sub, unlike some popular opinions on here I find it a very discreet watch to wear and love it.
Weight and size do not equate to quality. It's amazes me how many people think this.
"Oh this Sub is a little light compared to my PO" therefore must be inferior.
They are two very different interpretations of a dive watch.
PO / Sub
600m / 300m
Crystal caseback / solid
co-axial movement / usual auto movement
42-45mm case / 40mm case
"Oh this Sub is a little light compared to my PO" therefore must be inferior.
They are two very different interpretations of a dive watch.
PO / Sub
600m / 300m
Crystal caseback / solid
co-axial movement / usual auto movement
42-45mm case / 40mm case
bobbybee said:
Weight and size do not equate to quality. It's amazes me how many people think this.
"Oh this Sub is a little light compared to my PO" therefore must be inferior.
They are two very different interpretations of a dive watch.
PO / Sub
600m / 300m
Crystal caseback / solid
co-axial movement / usual auto movement
42-45mm case / 40mm case
I think your right."Oh this Sub is a little light compared to my PO" therefore must be inferior.
They are two very different interpretations of a dive watch.
PO / Sub
600m / 300m
Crystal caseback / solid
co-axial movement / usual auto movement
42-45mm case / 40mm case
I sold my Breitling to a friend of mine, and he asked if he could hold my Sub while weighing up the Brieitling in his other hand.
I asked want he expected to gain from doing that? He said he just wanted to feel the weight difference....Told him no and he still bought the watch anyway.
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