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View Poll Results: What would you pay for an 116619 customized as a 16619
A premium over the $20k-$24k going rate of a 116619 4 9.76%
$17k-21k Within $3k of the going rate 3 7.32%
Less than $17k 6 14.63%
I wouldn’t touch it, and I hate you for ruining a “classic” 28 68.29%
Voters: 41. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 12 January 2018, 06:24 AM   #1
bobernet
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5-digit case profile white gold Submariner (16619)

I added a poll option so all the purists can vent their rage...

I can’t stand the super case profile on the new Subs, GMTs, etc. I’ve tried to like them and have owned them in the past - including an 116619. I sold them all and now own only a 16613.

I have the opportunity to have an 116619 customized to exactly match the 5-digit case profile. I don’t expect to ever sell it if I do this, but never is a long time. I know some purists will call this a franken. I know some people will say “I’d never touch it.” The market to sell will be smaller.

That said, I’m trying to get an idea of the approximate real cost of doing this to decide if it’s worth it to me. Real cost = cost of customization + depreciation hit.

Thanks for helping!
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Old 12 January 2018, 06:29 AM   #2
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I wouldn't hate you for it, because I'm fine with customizing your own watch, but I'd probably never buy such a thing. I'd rather just buy an older watch.

So, I voted the last option, since that was the closest one, but as far as I'm concerned, do what you want to your watch.
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Old 12 January 2018, 06:30 AM   #3
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Pics to help visualize...






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Old 12 January 2018, 06:32 AM   #4
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Why?

Rolex never made a white gold sub in the 5-digit case size, so by doing this you get:

Smurf blue dial
Updated ceramic bezel
Solid bracelet
Glide lock clasp
Movement updates
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Old 12 January 2018, 06:35 AM   #5
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Why?

Rolex never made a white gold sub in the 5-digit case size, so by doing this you get:

Smurf blue dial
Updated ceramic bezel
Solid bracelet
Glide lock clasp
Movement updates
I prefer black faces, aluminum bezels, and old bracelets/clasps, anyways.

Still, I'd be unlikely to buy any modded Rolex that isn't reversible. This is the kind of thing you only do assuming you'll never sell it, and, if that's the case, do whatever makes you happy.
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Old 12 January 2018, 06:36 AM   #6
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Will echo the why, but it your watch. Do you dislike yellow gold?
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Old 12 January 2018, 07:17 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobernet View Post
I added a poll option so all the purists can vent their rage...

I can’t stand the super case profile on the new Subs, GMTs, etc. I’ve tried to like them and have owned them in the past - including an 116619. I sold them all and now own only a 16613.

I have the opportunity to have an 116619 customized to exactly match the 5-digit case profile. I don’t expect to ever sell it if I do this, but never is a long time. I know some purists will call this a franken. I know some people will say “I’d never touch it.” The market to sell will be smaller.

That said, I’m trying to get an idea of the approximate real cost of doing this to decide if it’s worth it to me. Real cost = cost of customization + depreciation hit.

Thanks for helping!
I’d love to see that.

As time goes on I’m starting to find the maxi case just plain ugly on the all steel and the WG references. Yellow gold and TT work better. There. I’ve said it.

Here’s a study I did of a 5 digit case profile on ceramic. I’ll try and do the same tomorrow for the smurf
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File Type: jpeg 84DDF1CC-B91C-4BB9-A898-49746DDC852C.jpeg (176.4 KB, 485 views)
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Old 12 January 2018, 07:22 AM   #8
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I like it and already asked LAWW to do it for me with a LVC but alas they said they could not.

Unfortunately I think it would be worth maybe 15k afterwards. Depends if you find that one buyer.

No chance of going SS to open up a bigger market?
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Old 12 January 2018, 08:27 AM   #9
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I like it and already asked LAWW to do it for me with a LVC but alas they said they could not.



Unfortunately I think it would be worth maybe 15k afterwards. Depends if you find that one buyer.



No chance of going SS to open up a bigger market?


If you are serious about getting it done, Les Artisans de Genève will do it.

No chance of SS. I’m really not looking to flip, and am trying to gauge valuation just as a sanity check. I’m 80% sure I’m going to do it.
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Old 12 January 2018, 08:46 AM   #10
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If you are serious about getting it done, Les Artisans de Genève will do it.

No chance of SS. I’m really not looking to flip, and am trying to gauge valuation just as a sanity check. I’m 80% sure I’m going to do it.
Awesome. I will wait until basel before jumping off any cliffs
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Old 12 January 2018, 08:27 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by GB-man View Post
I like it and already asked LAWW to do it for me with a LVC but alas they said they could not.

Unfortunately I think it would be worth maybe 15k afterwards. Depends if you find that one buyer.

No chance of going SS to open up a bigger market?
Curious as to why LAWW wouldn't do it?
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Old 12 January 2018, 08:28 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by bobernet View Post
If you are serious about getting it done, Les Artisans de Genève will do it.

No chance of SS. I’m really not looking to flip, and am trying to gauge valuation just as a sanity check. I’m 80% sure I’m going to do it.
Knocked this up for you
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Old 12 January 2018, 08:36 PM   #13
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Knocked this up for you


Look much better in my opinion. I chose 5 digit too at anytime


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Old 12 January 2018, 08:50 PM   #14
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Knocked this up for you
Wasn't sure myself , but after seeing this knock up I would say a big yes to this watch . But unless you are going to keep forever, you know you will take a hit if resold & Rolex wouldn't entertain it, if sent in for a Service .
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Old 12 January 2018, 09:07 PM   #15
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I would not do it nor would I buy it unless it had some long term unique value.
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Old 12 January 2018, 09:13 PM   #16
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Knocked this up for you
This does indeed look a lot better with the trimmed down lugs, but I just wouldn't do it to a watch like that.
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Old 12 January 2018, 09:21 PM   #17
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I can understand the OP’s thoughts about this. I too find the six digit subs maxi case horrendous (sorry, just my opinion) even though I have had several and subsequently sold them all. I also think the crown guards look terrible. I have just now re purchased a 16610 sub because of the perfect proportions of the 5 digit reference. Having said that, I would tend to wait till Basel in a couple of months. Never know if a new redesigned model might be unveiled going back to the slimmer looks.....
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Old 12 January 2018, 10:20 PM   #18
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Just buy a 5 digit and put a custom bezel insert and dial. Why bother wrecking a new Sub? You can always change the custom dial and bezel out to bring it back to stock at a latter date.
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Old 12 January 2018, 10:25 PM   #19
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Don’t care for your mod idea. If I were you I’d just get a vintage Sub, or get another watch entirely. Not a fan of making major alterations of watches of high end watches, just seems silly when there are so many great watches On market.

As an aside, I like the current model sub more than the vintage, although that’s just my preference.
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Old 12 January 2018, 10:39 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobernet View Post
I added a poll option so all the purists can vent their rage...

I can’t stand the super case profile on the new Subs, GMTs, etc. I’ve tried to like them and have owned them in the past - including an 116619. I sold them all and now own only a 16613.

I have the opportunity to have an 116619 customized to exactly match the 5-digit case profile. I don’t expect to ever sell it if I do this, but never is a long time. I know some purists will call this a franken. I know some people will say “I’d never touch it.” The market to sell will be smaller.

That said, I’m trying to get an idea of the approximate real cost of doing this to decide if it’s worth it to me. Real cost = cost of customization + depreciation hit.

Thanks for helping!

I think it would look great !

I have a suggestion to consider ..................... the issue with the 6 digit cases is the case to bracelet proportions ! Instead of re-cutting the complete case, change the lug width to 22mm or possibly 24mm. Of course, a new bracelet would have to be made, but the watch would retain its “bulk”, and would have a better transition to the bracelet.

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Old 13 January 2018, 12:55 AM   #21
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As long as everything is OEM then this is a mod not a franken. I'm sure this would be very popular if officially released but not many would mod their own to this spec unless they were very sure of it being a keeper.
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Old 13 January 2018, 03:55 AM   #22
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Originally Posted by bobernet View Post
Why?

Rolex never made a white gold sub in the 5-digit case size, so by doing this you get:

Smurf blue dial
Updated ceramic bezel
Solid bracelet
Glide lock clasp
Movement updates
Smurf blue is too pastel(y)
Agree
All the older solid gold Subs had solid center links 5 digit
Glide lock is good
Only movement update is the parachrom hairspring. 3135 movement remains the same.
Why not source a nice yellow gold 16618 with sunburst dial?
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Old 13 January 2018, 04:18 AM   #23
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Why not source a nice yellow gold 16618 with sunburst dial?

That is still an option, but it would kill my use of the Sub as a “beater” for lack of a better term. Something that’s low profile that gets used more discreetly than full yellow/rose gold.



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Old 13 January 2018, 04:28 AM   #24
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A steel Submariner with classic proportions and a SB blue dial would be cool - but since it does not exist (yet), I settle for this 16618. I mean, it's just one digit away from the 16619...:



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Old 13 January 2018, 07:44 PM   #25
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Impossible for me to respond. I don't hate you and the ceramic bezel itself is too wide for it to work. Any attempt to trim down the lugs of a Sub or GMT ceramic looks exactly what it is - A Sub or GMT C with trimmed down lugs. If you want the classic sleekness there's only one way to do it. There's no going back for the SubC.
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Old 14 January 2018, 03:20 AM   #26
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I don't think the opinion of people on the internet matters - unless you think you will eventually sell it of course. I prefer the 5 digit case as well but don't think I would ever be able to take away the factory originality. If you decide to go through with it, post pics - good luck!
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Old 14 January 2018, 03:27 AM   #27
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Can't vote because I would never buy nor pay any amount for a 'customized' Rolex, but I most certainly wouldn't hate you for 'ruining' a classic.. It's your watch, do what makes you happy!
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Old 14 January 2018, 03:30 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Devildog View Post
Curious as to why LAWW wouldn't do it?
This was the response I got

“The case geometry of the Ceramic Sub is too different to achieve those results of the previous model.”
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Old 14 January 2018, 04:08 AM   #29
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A steel Submariner with classic proportions and a SB blue dial would be cool - but since it does not exist (yet), I settle for this 16618. I mean, it's just one digit away from the 16619...:





Beautiful watch. On its own merits, I love the 16618.

I'm only considering a 16619 to fill a niche.


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