Dude. Add a fellow designer i must say these design- focused, historical videos are FANTASTIC and stand out amongst other watch KZfaqrs. Keep it up! I'd love to see a video about your thoughts on Panerai's reserved design language, Seiko/Grand Seiko's approach to watch design as a Japanese brand, and this on various approaches to asymmetrical dials (fpjourne, lange, glasshutte, etc) Thanks!

The irony I think is when Rolex watches were really being used as tool watches, they were thinner, beautifully proportioned, simple, well made (they age beautifully), and wearable as a daily. Now that tool watches (of any brand) are no longer necessary (serve less of a practical purpose) they are thicker wider stronger and....uglier.

Great review. I love vintage and modern Rolex!

Very thoughtful channel. Thank you.

I like the old and the new. Big ups on your predictions there, Nostradamus.

I’m honestly curious on how Jean Claude Biver would remix the Oystercase formula.

Great video - excellent points, especially why Rolex went with thicker lugs to extend the usable life of the watch beyond just 3-4 polishings. One correction: the pepsi GMT does not have tapered lugs compared with the earlier 6-digit GMTs, although that was a widely reported myth at launch. The supercase GMT always had minutely narrower lugs and more tapered lugs than the 6-digit sub. The only changes made to the pepsi SS were 1) a slightly different polishing method on the flanks and 2) a small change in internal lug hole placement. Rolex has since confirmed this although the forums went mad for several months on the subject.

Nice video. Good information. I don't like the bigger case myself, and the Pepsi with a smaller profile is a lot nicer I think. I hope they do go back to the older style cases like the 5 digit ones.

Just found this channel, really love the content!

As always excellent content with an wealth of shared knowledge, both informative and well presented. As a newly started channel I greatly appreciate the time and effort creating content takes. That said keep up the great work!

I like the modern case much better. It makes the Sub look more unique compared to all the other watches out there. I do not understand why Rolex has not made a radiant blue dial Sub.

ID guy....I think you hit the nail right on the head. I love the 5 digit references. They are the perfect size and live to wear them. I do hope future Rolex builds take your advice. Until then, I'll continue to look at the 5 digits references to collect.

Your prediction was pretty much spot on mate!!!

Captivating viewing for all watch geeks. Thanks. Would love to see your opinion and see any redesign/improvements on a lower tier watch which I think has a near perfect design: - the Tissot Heritage Visodate - apart from (many say,) the “in your face” day/date window itself.

I love the supercase. It's like the Sub's graduation to apex predator level, retaining its perfect 40mm diameter, despite becoming more muscular and being equipped with upgraded weaponry (cerachrom bezel).

Maybe I am biased, but I like the new case better too. That's what I wear, that's what I like.

Again another excellent video ... with very informative information ... curiously after watching this movie I compared my 20 years old sea dweller to my new Pepsi and yes the lugs seem closer in look and feel ... thanks again for this enjoyable video ....

I bought a 114060 strictly because of the larger case. I'm a big guy with 7.75" wrists. I don't want small and elegant in a dive/tool watch. I want it to feel like a tool watch, not a dress watch. Thin lugs, 36mm cases, they look like ladies watches on me. My Explorer 1 214270 at 39mm is the smallest watch I own. Everything else (Omegas, Breitlings etc) are all roughly 44mm. All small and all large watches doesn't serve all manner of customer. Have both for folks with different sized wrists and arms.

I love the 5513. I also enjoy that it came without a date. Its the definition of a tool watch on point. The newer watches are flashy and I more prefer the older understated versions.

I'm not a fan of the chunky lugs, but that pales in comparison with the decision to get rid of the drilled lugs. The drilled lugs really gave the Sub the feeling of being a "tool watch", and the spring bars were more secure. On a more practical level, they also made it way easier to swap out the bracelet/strap. I really feel the Sub lost some of its heritage along with those lug holes.

I love mid-century design with all its shortcomings. I’m happy with the super case as it distinguishes itself from true vintage Rolexes. Maybe it is more substantial and possibly more practical but it provides me a measure of what Rolexes to avoid; because I consider Rolex at its core to be a brand of vintage appeal. Let the philistines have their brand new Rolex Subs.

Fantastically informative video

I’ve owned the classic 16610 and new 116610LN and 116610LV Hulk subs. Needless to say, I ended up selling my Ceramic LN and Hulk and kept the classic 16610. The shapelier lugs and crown guards of the old school subs just can’t be beat.

Really top notch video...keep it up.

EXCELLENT topic for a video and production value. I’ve been waiting for someone to make this video, thanks for sharing - liked and looking forward to more great content. I agree with everything you said. I own both, and constantly rotate between as I can’t decide. I guess the perfect size is probably the super case after one polishing haha I think the super case fits the Submariner more than any other Rolex as it was always meant to be rugged tooltastic goodness

Excellent video

I like the refresh mock up, just move the logo away from the 12 o,clock triangle and bingo

It's been said by many that the 6-digit is a better watch, but the 5-digit is a better Submariner. That certainly sums up my feelings pretty well...I just can't fall in love w/ the looks of the modern Sub. Anyway, nice video.

Love the blue dial..

nice video!! really cool!

I did not know about the 5514 and 5517. So those were the first super cases, interesting. So Rolex did not just pull the new super cases out of thin air, I always wondered. Rolex does goes back to its history to incorporate into modern designs. Very nice although I prefer the pre ceramic sizes. I have a 16600 Sea-Dweller. Great size for my wrist.

Didn’t realize my new Sub will not patina. I am glad about that. 👍

Great video , i’m obsessed with the submariner and this is a bit of fun. Keep it up! Can you do the same on the date just?

Supercases were introduced to compete with PANERAI's cushion case....during the Panerai trend. It looks wrong tbh.. The super case is super crap.

Not sure that Rolex had us in mind when they thickened the case. Why would the company want its product to "last longer", i.e. tolerate more re finishing?. If your submariner shits the bed, i think Rolex would rather you buy a new one then simply service and polish it. They make more $ that way

The massive thickness of the lugs pre-refresh (last year? or maybe 2020) is a bad look. That said, I prefer the "oyster" style case of the Yacht Master, DJ, DD and Daytona but the newest gen supercase watches are much better imo.

I just got my Submariner Date after a 7 months wait. I can safely say I love everything about the design and look. If they were to release a new submariner in the model look that you proposed, I would be thrilled to know I made the right decision not waiting for the new model.

No, they built it so they can design bracelet attachments that cannot be changed out. Thus it is to integrate the model range more tightly.

Miss the old intro

Thoughts on the black bay 58?

Many were hoping there would be a Tudor sub shown at basel that would fill that desire for a 5 digit sub homage. Instead they gave us that us navy prototype abomination. Something with a modern movement that looked like a 5 digit in the case/lugs and didn't cost $9k would seem to be too much to ask from Rolex/Tudor. I guess thats why off brand homages of all types and quality sell as well as they do.

Your prediction is really the ideal scenario. After seeing Basel’19 releases, I can guarantee this will not happen!

VERY well done video. You are very kind in your comments. Unspoken, but implicit, is that the Rolex Submariner looks just like someone stuck an aftermarket bracelet on it and still thinks it looks nice. Wrong answer. It looks terrible.

wasn't the "supercase" brought out in 2008 with the Submariner 116619LB "Smurf"?

I kept hearing about a waiting list but I walked right in asked for one left an was called back in a hr later for one never opened or even made it to show room

If the trend if to go a bit wider and that they've used up the super case option, why cannot Rolex simply go 42mm on the next Sub generation and taper the case a bit? There're the Explorer and since BW 2019 so is the Yachtmaster...why not on the Sub?

“Build it and they will come”

Educated aesthetic criticism always welcome - nice. The Supercase is crude and poorly proportioned. If they broadened the bracelet it would have looked ok, but they couldn't be bothered beyond the clasp. As such it's a classic pencil-neck. Not quite as bad as the Gen 1 Deepsea. Having said all this, I've just worn out my 25 year old Sub. Three bracelets and 24/7 use of diving, forestry, cycling and mountaineering take their toll. Oh hang on, I can't buy a new one anyway... Nice mock-ups, id buy one!

last one minute -WOWW

"My balls keep telling me to let me o" lol.

So people can have a justification for upgrading

Though not a deal breaker, i like the old lugs better. even if it is unnoticeable casually with the maxi case , the old lug design looks more streamlined when inspecting the watch or in pictures.

You're talking about two different "Rolex's", today's version won't service anything older than 30 years, so screw "life-time" this is market place.

Rolex is becoming an older man's watch over time. Old guys can't read small detail so well, thus the maxi dial. They also want older people to feel "rugged", thus the maxi case. I can see someone wearing a T shirt that says "Old Guys Rule", and sporting a Maxi Rolex Sub.

A 40mm watch like the Sub with or without the supercase looks small on a 18cm/7in wrist and above. I've noticed that those who have small wrists are the ones who tend to claim that "we are returning to smaller sizes". Yet Rolex release the DJ41, SD43, SD43TT, DSSD 44mm, YM42, Exp2. But never mind, people with a small wrist complex will carry on claiming nonsense. Can we not end this stupid debate once for all and let the brands offer several case sizes for different wrist sizes?

Watchstradamus!!!

The increased lug size on the 6 digit subs has nothing whatsoever to do with Rolex wanting to increase the amount of polishes the watch can take.

I love my super case

Rolex ruined the look of the Sub completely. Why reinvent the wheel?

bro holla

I don't like the super case. The older design looks much more pleasing to the eye. I don't want more metal...I want something that looks great!

Really, I mean, your a designer, of what, i don't know. But you cant believe that Rolex did that to give us "more metal for the money". Lol

Good lord change it back. The lugs are just horrible.

Don't forget people got substantially bigger (and fatter) since the fifties...

The maxi case is hideous. I have owned a 6 digit sub (the 40mm version) and a Batman. Sold them both. Could not get used to the ugliness.

Sorry but your visuals are bs. Index right into the crown? Cleaned dial text? Smal crownguards but big crown? It looks like a watch that likes to be a sub

No interest in vintage unrestored old Rolexes. They look like throw aways to me. Sorry fans, just my humble opinion.

Hate the super cases. They're just this square block of steel with a dial perched on top. Terrible things.

Rolex “Fatgly case”.

The maxi case is a complete fail. The new Pepsi lugs shows the way forward.

The five digit is a grail for me , the new maxi case is ugly no finesse or beauty 😉

Ugly oversized case