Newbie to this forum...

[Dreadnaught]

Hi there, I am new here and have a question to all the regulars here.

"Has the design change over years for the Sub and SD?"

I don't own one yet, but would be keen to buy either one of them.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Dreadnaught

Hi there, I am new here and have a question to all the regulars here.

"Has the design change over years for the Sub and SD?"

I don't own one yet, but would be keen to buy either one of them.

Welcome to TRF Dreadnaught,well to your question well basically the Sub has not changed much in the 50 odd years.Sure there has been a few cosmetic changes to the case,like the introduction of the crown guards.And a few movements improvements and add the date function.But over the years,I suppose the biggest change was to change from acrylic crystal to sapphire crystal.Now some of the older watches like the 5513 are selling for very high prices 40 plus years old and still beating strong.The Sub was a good design from its introduction,and theres a story if its not broke don't fix it.And its the same for nearly all the Rolex models, in reality they have changed very little since the fifties.

[mailman]

Hey Dreadnaught. Welcome to TRF. Stick around and post often

[Uncle-AJ]

Hell dreadnought and welcome to TRF.

[Prince]

Welcome to TRF, Dreadnaught.

Actually, NO Rolex has changed very much over the years. That is one of the hallmarks of Rolex - no change for change's sake. This is why you can place an early '50's-vintage Datejust next to a new one, and there will be very little difference between the two.

[C.J.]

Welcome to TRF, Dreadnaught Glad you stopped in Stay awhile and enjoy

[mike]

Originally Posted by Dreadnaught

Hi there, I am new here and have a question to all the regulars here.

"Has the design change over years for the Sub and SD?"

I don't own one yet, but would be keen to buy either one of them.

Hi Dreadnaught,

I think padi summed it up best,there have been a few changes to the the Sub over the years, but Rolex is not known for change for change sake.
The basic design remains the same. The acryllic crystal has given way to one of sapphire (a much stronger and scratch resistant material) and Rolex,as has others because of legal restrictions, moved from tritium markers to luminova.
Markers are now of the WG surround variety. The biggest changes I think are under the hood as Rolex moved from the 15xx series movements to the faster beat 30xx movements. ( whether this was an improvement or not could start it's own debate! LOL!)
The bezel is unidirectional as opposed to bidirectional,but these are viewed as improvements as opposed to changes.
If you were to put a vintage Sub next to a modern you could certain see the differences, but the heritage would shine through.

Modern sub and a circa 1978 5513,



Here's a 1680 circa 1979,

and the modern verison

[Gedanken]

Hmm - just trying to think of the changes over the years:

6202 - depth rating went from 100 to 200 metres, changed from pencil to Mercedes hands

5513 - crown guards added, bezel became unidirectional(?), Fliplock clasp introduced (?)

1680 - date added

Comex 5513/1665 - helium valve added, depth rating changed to 500m, later 600m, Sea Dweller name introduced

16660 - sapphire crystal added, new helium valve installed, depth rating increased to 1220m

That's what I can recall off the top of my head, and I haven't covered the bracelet changes. I'm going to have to go home this evening to check the details.

[JJ Irani]

Welcome to TRF. Looks like your questions have been answered...in more ways than one!!

Cheers - JJ

[Dreadnaught]

I just came back from Beijing and was shock to see Rolex fakes all around. I was comparing the pics (from Mike) and the ones that are sold there. I can't see any difference!

Even the hands are moving as smoothly as the original Rolex. I have also noticed that on the crystal of the fakes (near 6 o'clock) it has a etching of the Rolex logo. So tempting to get one. But decided not to...

I am thinking of getting a used Sub. What are the thing's that I should look out for to avoid scam?

Appreciate any advice...

Originally Posted by Dreadnaught

I am thinking of getting a used Sub. What are the thing's that I should look out for to avoid scam?

Appreciate any advice...

More than buying the watch... buy the seller. Some ADs have previously enjoyed watches to select from, and some estate jewellry stores have good selections of used watches.

If buying online, buy from known sellers who have references. Check the buy-sell section here, I think there's at least one 16610 for sale here. Also check timezone and watchuseek.com.

Or you could just wait until JJ (aka bald kiwi loon or BKL) decides it's time to flip his and you'll get a pristine example as JJ hermetically seals his watches while on his wrist and while in storage.

Welcome and stick around. BTW, if you want a really cool dive watch that you won't see on every second person's hand, look at Panerai.

[Rockrolex]

Welcome to TRF, Dreadnaught. Glad you found your way to our merry madhouse. It looks like all your questions have been answered, so let me just say, stick around and post often and enjoy the fun here.

Oh, and John (Atomic) is correct. If you are going to step into the pre-owned market, buy the seller. Make sure the seller has good references (and plenty of them)as a seller. Don't let multiple references as a buyer fool you. You want someone who has sold many high end products and has good feeback on all of them.

Don't expect to get real bargains, but from reputable sellers you can get good deals.

Good luck on your quest and keep us posted.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Dreadnaught

I just came back from Beijing and was shock to see Rolex fakes all around. I was comparing the pics (from Mike) and the ones that are sold there. I can't see any difference!

Even the hands are moving as smoothly as the original Rolex. I have also noticed that on the crystal of the fakes (near 6 o'clock) it has a etching of the Rolex logo. So tempting to get one. But decided not to...

I am thinking of getting a used Sub. What are the thing's that I should look out for to avoid scam?

Appreciate any advice...

Be very careful out there, my friend. Rolex is one of the most replicated objects on earth!! As the other members advise...buy the seller and then the watch.

Some ADs do deal in used watches. At least I know that my AD does. He gives out a fresh one year warranty on any used Rolex from the date of purchase. Try out a good AD near you....you never know....you could get lucky!

Good luck - JJ

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Dreadnaught

Even the hands are moving as smoothly as the original Rolex. I have also noticed that on the crystal of the fakes (near 6 o'clock) it has a etching of the Rolex logo. So tempting to get one. But decided not to...



Appreciate any advice...

If you can see the crown etching with the naked eye, it's definetly a fake.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by mailman

If you can see the crown etching with the naked eye, it's definetly a fake.

Agreed! It's extremely difficult to see the etching with the naked eye - IMPOSSIBLE!! You need a 10x loupe and a table lamp light to see it.

JJ

[Dreadnaught]

Thanks, everyone!

[Dreadnaught]

Someone has suggested me to get a Seiko MasterMarine SBDX001 or a Marcello C Tridente, instead of a Rolex Sub.

Obviously, I would save a lot of $$$, if I go for either/both of the alternatives, but I am aware that we are comparing "VW and Benz".

But besides the presitge of wearing a Rolex, what else is Rolex better when we compare with the others?

I was told that the movement of the Seiko MM is equally good or if not better than Rolex. For the Tridente, It is a larger and more solid diver than Rolex with similar movements.

I am stuck. What should I do?

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Dreadnaught

Someone has suggested me to get a Seiko MasterMarine SBDX001 or a Marcello C Tridente, instead of a Rolex Sub.

Obviously, I would save a lot of $$$, if I go for either/both of the alternatives, but I am aware that we are comparing "VW and Benz".

But besides the presitge of wearing a Rolex, what else is Rolex better when we compare with the others?

I was told that the movement of the Seiko MM is equally good or if not better than Rolex. For the Tridente, It is a larger and more solid diver than Rolex with similar movements.

I am stuck. What should I do?

You've answered your own question there, DN. The prestige factor is probably the biggest one. That's not to say Rolex isn't good. It is one of the best, but would never be considered THE BEST (whatever that means - and it means different things to different people).

Seikos are very good and well made. And they're a lot less $$ than Rolex. But, like Porsche, "There is no substitute."

You gotta go with what will make you happiest in the long run.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

You've answered your own question there, DN. The prestige factor is probably the biggest one. That's not to say Rolex isn't good. It is one of the best, but would never be considered THE BEST (whatever that means - and it means different things to different people).

Seikos are very good and well made. And they're a lot less $$ than Rolex. But, like Porsche, "There is no substitute."

You gotta go with what will make you happiest in the long run.

Ed is right on here. I have a Sub and a Seiko Black Monster and love them both. We have a few mwmbers here that have both brands and and enjoy them to the fullest.

[John05]

I have a fossil watch, a tag heuer, and a rolex. All of them are running smoothly and tells me the exact time. But whatever the reason is, rolex makes me when I'm wearing it.

Whatever makes you is the best decision.

[Gedanken]

Well, just read my signature.