Spotted Something On The DSSD.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

On the bezel inserts of the SD 16600 and Sub Dates / Sub ND's, the first 15 minutes have minute markers. Socalled "diver's elapsed time" markers.

You have FULL four minute markers between the first 3 five-markers:





On the coming DSSD, however, you have minute markers ALL the way around the bezel insert.

So there is NO special (i.e.: unique compared to the rest of the bezel) diver's elapsed time indication.

Besides that the markers are not uniform....there are THREE minute markers between some of the markers and FOUR between some of the others (note the FOUR markers between "55" and the triangle:


(Pic originally posted by Warren).

Not sure if I like that change!

The DSSD is supposed to be a professional diver's watch, but Rolex has ruined the classic diver's bezel insert with this busy design, imho.

[KLM]

Hmmmm...yea, I don't care for the extra minute markers on the bezel, looks so much cleaner without. And why the difference in the minute markers themselves? Strange....

[mike]

I'm all over it. First thing I though of when I saw the Bazel photos was a return to a true tool watch like certain mil subs.



Photo from "out there".

[topcat30093]

Well spotted Bo.
I don't know if its bein complacent but I have noticed it before.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Wow, Mike!

The Milsub did not come to my mind!

Now the "busy" bezel insert makes much more sense to me!

Thanks for pointing this out!

Must say that this DSSD is getting more and more interesting by the day:

• Matte dial
• Domed crystal
• Ref. # 116660, harking back to the 16660
• Now the tribute to the Milsub!

[Magik]

I agree although the face of the watch does look busier, there is that retro/nostalgic feel that harkens back to some of the "special" Rolex dive watches in the past.

[mike]

Yep! I've said it before, this one is going to scream.

[Letsgodiving]

Many dive watches have minute markers that go all the way around and some I've seen go to the 20, 25 and 30 minute mark on the bezel. I guess it's really just an added reference to keep an eye on your down time at a glance and serves to remind you in an easily noticed way that 15 or 30 or whatever mins have elapsed. Other than that I don't see any benefit to it.

As far as there being 3 ticks vs. 4 ticks it looks like it is just a matter of spacing between the various numbers. The triangle and the number 10 just allow for more space. It does add to the general busy look of the watch though IMO.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by mike

Yep! I've said it before, this one is going to scream.

So is my bank advisor when I buy the DSSD.

[mike]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

So is my bank advisor when I buy the DSSD.

Not as loud as my wife!!

[Scarface]

Amazing eye Bo

[Jedi]

So because it's a 'tribute' to the Milsub opinions have changed and now the lack of 15minute marker, and extra markers are ok?

[zak98]

yep.. looks like spacing for text of 20, 30, 40 and 50 take up more space on bezel so only 3 tick marks.

others have 4 because 10 takes up less space that the other numbers.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by mike

Not as loud as my wife!!

Will she even notice another watch............

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Wow, Mike!

The Milsub did not come to my mind!

Now the "busy" bezel insert makes much more sense to me!

Thanks for pointing this out!

Must say that this DSSD is getting more and more interesting by the day:

• Matte dial
• Domed crystal
• Ref. # 116660, harking back to the 16660
• Now the tribute to the Milsub!

Please for the uninitiated explain the difference between the sub and milsub, apart from the obvious bezel? thanks bo

[TDH]

Wow did not notice that one before Bo, and Mike thanks for pointing the details of retro mil sub!!!

[Chris B]

Well spotted Bo

[Dalton]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Wow, Mike!

The Milsub did not come to my mind!

Now the "busy" bezel insert makes much more sense to me!

Thanks for pointing this out!

Must say that this DSSD is getting more and more interesting by the day:

• Matte dial
• Domed crystal
• Ref. # 116660, harking back to the 16660
• Now the tribute to the Milsub!

you are certainly a man that knows the details. your threads are better than some books on these matters. Have you ever written a manuscript or book? if you havent, you should.

[jasonbellevue]

Thanks for pointing that one out, Mike. Good eye, Bo.

[sea-dweller]

Good observation !

[B-ling88]

Wow I've never noticed that either. I would like to see it in person though as I am waiting for it to be released at AD's for my decision wether to go for the current SD or the new DSSD.

[mike]

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

Please for the uninitiated explain the difference between the sub and milsub, apart from the obvious bezel? thanks bo

Steve,

In addition to the 60 minute insert used on some mil. sub. references, Gladiator hands were used for better illumination (surface area) and a different seconds hand.

The spring bars were also fixed for better strength,



NOT MY PHOTO.

Allowing the watch to only be used with a cloth strap.

Few and far between these watches carried distinctive markings on the case back and were among the first to use a maxi-dial type arrangement.

A couple variations exist, but are very few in number and are highly prized by collectors. As always authentication is paramount with these pieces.

Pricing on a genuine example runs well into six digits.

Sadly, the new Rolex website gives no information on the early testing of these watches by the British Military, but the old site gave a lot of good information and documentation on their testing including several dives with the watches with the crown unscrewed with no damage.

[Peter Messmore]

Does Mil Sub stand for military sub? Peter

[marshallr47]

Originally Posted by mike

Not as loud as my wife!!

[seantk]

Bo,

I had not noticed the size difference of the minute markers. I can't wait to see one in person!! I read the ceramic (cerachrom) bezel engraving is different than the GMT IIc - meaning it is very smooth to the touch and you cannot feel the engraving

Sean

[Gurmot]

I like it and think it keeps things in balance. One of the advantages of the GMTII is that the bezel is marked all the way round whereas the subs tend to only have the first 1/4 marked.

Cheers - Simon

[f16570]

Well spotted Bo, not sure how "busy" it will look in real life, Just have to wait & see.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Dalton

you are certainly a man that knows the details. your threads are better than some books on these matters. Have you ever written a manuscript or book? if you havent, you should.

Thanks, all, for you kind words. Much appreciated!

Dalton, your saying this really means a lot to me!

Originally Posted by mike

(...)

(...)

Another interesting detail: The crystal of the DSSD resembles the crystal of the Milsub, imho, in as much as the superdomed crystal of the Milsub rises directly from the bezel edge just like on the DSSD. Cool feature!

Originally Posted by seantk

Bo,
(...)I read the ceramic (cerachrom) bezel engraving is different than the GMT IIc - meaning it is very smooth to the touch and you cannot feel the engraving(...)

I hope so. I also hope that the bezel looks less shiny in real life than that of the GMT IIc. One of the reasons as to why I flipped the SS GMT IIc to get an SD again were the glossy bezel and shiny centre links. I don't like bling.

Come to think of it, these subtle "tributes" to the Milsub are like the "Lightning Bolt" hand of the old and first Milgauss. The lightning bolt hand again saw the day of light with the current Milgauss watches. I kind of like Rolex pointing back to its history with these small features. It will be interesting to see if Rolex will introduce further watches with subtle "retro" features in future.

[mickeydainish]

Well spotted Bo.... I enjoy your threads very much. U deliver an insight or a fact like you are living the experience over again and not just delivering a lecture... Good on ya my friend. :-)

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by mike

Not as loud as my wife!!