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Old 13 August 2019, 11:01 PM   #1
kwcsports
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I don't like the newer Sub cases and crown guards

Hi guys a friend just bought a Sub 116610 and while it's a nice watch no doubt, I hate the crown guards and overall case. I've never owned newer Rolex's, I've had a couple of Subs and a GMT, 5512, 5513, 16750 and now an old DJ. Is it just me that likes the older cases better ? I haven't seen many new ones up close, but this one yesterday I did not like.
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Old 13 August 2019, 11:03 PM   #2
2th_doc
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Thats not an odd complaint. There are many TRF members who prefer the 5 digits over the 6 digits.


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Old 13 August 2019, 11:06 PM   #3
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So buy a 5 digit.

Plenty of people that prefer the 5 digit and plenty that prefer the 6 digit.
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Old 13 August 2019, 11:26 PM   #4
Kingface66
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The new cases...and dials....are dreadful.
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Old 13 August 2019, 11:39 PM   #5
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I owned a six digit Sub last year for a total of two weeks and sold it. I can see the appeal but it was just lacking something.
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Old 13 August 2019, 11:43 PM   #6
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Popular tastes changed, to larger bolder watches, and eventually Rolex did too, with the Sub-C etc. The new watches are to the old as a Maybach is to a classic SEL...objectively far better technologically, sure, but lacking the charm of the older versions. I don't think I'll ever own a six-digit model.
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Old 14 August 2019, 02:15 AM   #7
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Uhh, the new cases are called, “Supercases” ! AKA “maxi-cases”...


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Old 14 August 2019, 02:16 AM   #8
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And I sorta like the supercased offerings, I mean, i wouldn’t go out and buy one, but if it was given to me as a giveaway prize or someone gifted me one - I would have to smile and accept it!


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Old 14 August 2019, 03:19 AM   #9
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I'm a longtime vintage Rolex lover/owner, but sometimes I do like to strap on a modern (6-digit) Sub or Daytona.

Sure, they're bulkier and shinier and lack the old-school warmth of vintage Rolexes, but they offer other advantages, such as never worrying about getting them wet, or whether the tritium will fall out of the hands if you clap too hard. And sometimes I just like the feeling of a "new" watch. You can love old and new. It's not one or the other.

Same way I love classic Mustangs, but I have no problem driving a new GT350.
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Old 14 August 2019, 04:00 AM   #10
El Cascarrabias
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Same way I love classic Mustangs, but I have no problem driving a new GT350.
Sorry, but no comparison. The new mustang's lines are proportional and aesthetically pleasing.

The six digit supercase keeping the 20mm bracelet? Not! I think going to a 22mm bracelet would have helped the proportions because that would have thinned the lugs from the inside.

How an icon company like Rolex came up with this is just so curious.

But! Some people like'em, so . . .
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Old 14 August 2019, 04:26 AM   #11
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I took a picture of my two subs side by side a couple of years ago, the 1680 is from -78 and the 116610 is from -18. I got used to the maxi case after a couple of days. Oh, and sorry about the poor lighting, it is quite dark in the vault.
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Old 14 August 2019, 04:29 AM   #12
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I took a picture of my two subs side by side a couple of years ago, the 1680 is from -78 and the 116610 is from -18. I got used to the maxi case after a couple of days. Oh, and sorry about the poor lighting, it is quite dark in the vault.
Poor lighting or not, both won't get kicked out of bed
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Old 14 August 2019, 05:36 AM   #13
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Everything looks better in the dark lol
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Old 14 August 2019, 05:44 AM   #14
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Mary Mary here ...

I like everything about the 116610LN (especially) but would also admit to an unhealthy yearning for most of the current range of Rolex Sub and GMT options.

I know the larger case, ceramic references have been around for a few years now but it just seems to me to be natural progression, with Rolex being as clever as ever to keep their product lines relevent and desirable .

Larger cases, more distinct crown guards, those beefy lugs and the ceramic bezel / insert. Just lovely. Significantly too, after a long run where the 5-digit models were just subtly tweaked over time (much less so than we saw in the 4-digit era) , tweaks so subtle in fact that it was really only the WIS folks who could determine if your Sub or GMT was two years old ... or ten years old. Then, the 6-digit ceramic references arrived and were suddenly very different. Overnight , it became patently obvious that you were rocking a new Sub on your wrist ... or your watch was one of those funky old ones, you remember them ... a bit aesthetically dated ... dinky little case and that cheap looking alloy insert ... not a 'vintage-cool' Rolex, ... just you know ... 'old' Someone who owned a 5-digit watch ... but who secretly wished they had a 4-digit watch, quietly added the term 'classic' to the Rolex vernacular and that's helped 5-digit watch owners feel a bit better ( ever wondered why we see so many threads starting with "How old does a Rolex have to be to be vintage? ").

IMHO Rolex does what they do very well. Unlike suits and shoes, the Rolex buyer is never gonna upgrade each season so restricting the styling changes to (almost) nothing for a few years at a time lets buyers enjoy their (criminally overpriced) Rolex for a while ... before a dramatic change encourages (bullies ?) the faithful into an upgrade and keeps the newbies coming in the door.

If I was starting out again, I'd opt for a 5513 or 1675, jump right over the 5 digit references and drop the rest of my money on a 116610LN. That said, I loved my 16600 SeaDweller (recently sold) but for me the 5-digit references are a bit 'Been there ... done that'
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Old 14 August 2019, 05:55 AM   #15
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Like a lot of things it probably looks better after a few beers


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Old 14 August 2019, 06:06 AM   #16
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I owned my previous 114060 for half a year then sold it, my tastes drifted to 5 digit models. There are plenty on here that feel the same.
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Old 14 August 2019, 09:12 AM   #17
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I prefer the cases on the 5 digit references.
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Old 14 August 2019, 10:07 AM   #18
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Sorry, but no comparison. The new mustang's lines are proportional and aesthetically pleasing.
I agree, but like everything else to do with aesthetics, it’s completely subjective.

Plenty of watch lovers find the world of vintage Rolexes tiresome, especially nowadays, and actually prefer the newer designs. They also don’t want to deal with the minefields of collecting vintage, so buying a 116610 is a lot more appealing than a 1680. (To some people, not me, although I own both.)
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Old 14 August 2019, 10:32 AM   #19
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The size of your forearms makes a big difference. Muscular Popeyes can pull of the maxi just fine.


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Old 14 August 2019, 10:38 AM   #20
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Lots do and many don’t. I like both, which is one of the reasons I love the SD43
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Old 14 August 2019, 11:54 PM   #21
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The new cases...and dials....are dreadful.
Yes, yes, yes
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Old 15 August 2019, 12:01 AM   #22
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The size of your forearms makes a big difference. Muscular Popeyes can pull of the maxi just fine.


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I don't believe it's a matter of arm size. Those that don't like the 6 digit models are turned off by the watch's proportions in general. At least that's the way it is for me.
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Old 15 August 2019, 12:04 AM   #23
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Lots do and many don’t. I like both, which is one of the reasons I love the SD43
That watch is much better proportioned Brian.
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Old 15 August 2019, 12:30 AM   #24
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That watch is much better proportioned Brian.
Agreed

I really do like the supercase as well. I find its lugs are less noticeable on the wrist.

guess it just all comes down to personal preference.

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Old 15 August 2019, 12:46 AM   #25
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I prefer the 6 digit !!!!!!
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Old 15 August 2019, 01:15 AM   #26
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same, not a fan of maxicase maxidial
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Old 15 August 2019, 03:03 AM   #27
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Love vintage- wear my 1016 often, and sometimes the 14270. BUT, it’s the 21470 that goes on vacation. Modern does have its advantages.
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Old 15 August 2019, 03:20 AM   #28
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Agreed

I really do like the supercase as well. I find its lugs are less noticeable on the wrist.

guess it just all comes down to personal preference.

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Sd43 is better proportioned and less maxi than the sub...lugs are not as thick
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Old 15 August 2019, 12:35 PM   #29
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Sd43 is better proportioned and less maxi than the sub...lugs are not as thick


I agree but that bezel is so damn shiny! It just shouts “notice me!”

The only modern size/proportion that I think is an improvement is the datejust.
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Old 15 August 2019, 03:03 PM   #30
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I'm a longtime vintage Rolex lover/owner, but sometimes I do like to strap on a modern (6-digit) Sub or Daytona.

Sure, they're bulkier and shinier and lack the old-school warmth of vintage Rolexes, but they offer other advantages, such as never worrying about getting them wet, or whether the tritium will fall out of the hands if you clap too hard. And sometimes I just like the feeling of a "new" watch. You can love old and new. It's not one or the other.

Same way I love classic Mustangs, but I have no problem driving a new GT350.
My thoughts exactly. I wear both vintage and modern Rolexes and love them both for different reasons.

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