Is the New Rolex Submariner a Disappointment? | Watchfinder & Co. 

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I can’t believe what they’ve done. They’ve ruined the design. The old one on the left looks way better. Or is it the right? Erm...

Plot Twist: This video is actually recycled footage from the “Can you spot the fake Rolex” video. They simply changed the narrator’s voice over.

I like the Submariner but I’d rather have something else these days. The prices people are prepared to pay and the BS involved to get one are a turn off. I feel the same way about most of the watches Rolex make.

"this is a watch harder to get hold of than a greased pig let loose in Takeshi's Castle" haha 😂

I like Rolex. I do not like Rolex's sales practices with respect to their AD's. For a watch that in terms of quantity are not rare, or in terms of quality state of the art, it's amazing how difficult it is to obtain one at retail prices. I guess like a lot of things, that privilege is reserved for the rich that buy tens of thousands of dollars worth of useless jewelry to even be on a waiting list with a real chance of getting a watch. Or else those who trade in the grey market get them from AD's and flip them for almost 4X retail. Pretty sure the AD's get some kickbacks on resale. My dad bought a Day Date President in the 80's, 18K gold, and got a discount on sale. Those days seem long gone.

I remember when you could buy a Rolex Sub in a US military PX! Now you can't even buy them in a Rolex shop. Who would have ever figured that?

I really liked the way you compared both models. Made it very clear to see the minor changes. Side by side was very difficult to observe any changes.

Watchfinder - You missed one of the biggest changes... the addition of anti-reflective coating to the base of the crystal. That's why in the side by side, the new one is darker than the old. Subtle, but very much an awesome and also a BIG change for Rolex.

5:56 That is a brilliant transition to the newer model; really illustrates the major visual differences.

My biggest complaint about the Sub and the GMT since the maxi case was released was it's square looking appearance with those lugs and skinny width bracelet. This new watch case is a HUGE welcome.

For as slow as Rolex are they (mostly) get things right and seeing the new Sub gave me a grin as the things I didn’t like were changed and for me the watch is technically and aesthetically better looking. The ONLY thing I’d have liked to have seen was a reduction in that dial text, as historically accurate as it is I would love to see a return to two lines three at most, it would balance out the dial just that little bit better top to bottom.

I just picked up mine from my AD last week. 1.5 year wait. It was worth it! Great timepiece and instantly worth more than $ in the bank.

The real disappointment is the consolidation of the dial variants from 5 down to 3. If you don’t want yellow gold, you can choose whatever dial color you want as long as it’s black. Pretty obvious cost cutting as only the yellow gold and two tone variants get a colored dial now (blue).

Head of R & D at Rolex must be the easiest job going, unless of course they don't have one.

Love your work. Witty, informative, therapeutic. And I agree with your assessment on the sub too.

Can we please appreciate the awesome comparison shots / blends? Thanks a lot, Watchfinder! But I do agree that some cleaning of those two pieces wouldn't have hurt the delightful narration of this video.

Thank you for making the clarification. I love how much I learn from the channel. Short, sweet, and too the point.

Nothing wrong with sticking to a perfect design. BUT from there on, innovation must come in either better auality for the same money or making the same quality available for cheaper like in Computing.

My Rolex submariner is from 1988 never wear it anymore my favourite is still the Zenith El Primero first series from 1969 😉

I just simply love the videos on this channel! The research is impeccable, comparisons balanced, views insightful, and the voice - the Johny 'Apple' Ive like voice with the calm, deep, restraint... wow! 🌟👌🏻👏🏻👏🏻

The true disappointment is that it is so hard for new customers to get one :) even for someone who did in half-gold getting a steel one with the same AD at that.

You guys should start seriously considering shooting in 4K! I personally love enjoying your videos on my monitor but at 1080p, things aren't the clearest they can be :(

The before/after image morphs did more to explain the changes than the dozen articles I’ve read on this. Thanks!

I hope it’s the same case as with the daydate some years back.. don’t change the size.. stay true to the heritage and keep the 40mm..

It is not even one mm. It is more like half of a mm if u measure both

Even though the hour hand is thicker on the new model, the whole dial is more spacious and less congested than on previous generation. And that is something always to be praised and acclaimed ! Despite its 41mm this new Submariiner is closer to the spirit of the original than the old one ! To my eyes, at least !

Very well presented & enjoyable presentation. Thank you 😊 Please Stay Safe.

One thing no reviewer seems to have mentioned is how much more comfortable and balanced the new 41mm watch feels on the wrist compared to the 40mm. The reason is because the bracelet is 1mm wider and the clasp is also wider and bigger which stops the unbalanced "top heavy" feel of the 40mm that I found would "tilt" on the wrist due to the wide maxi case and very narrow, small clasp.

Love the submariner owned one for 25 years and could never part with it. I understand rolex releasing a new submariner. But it means nothing to me. As I will never get the chance to purchase one. I'll just enjoy what I have. After all it is a rolex submariner.

I think one of the production staff bumped into the press and measurements moved slightly, and could not be bothered to adjust them back because they did not keep a record.

Shout out to Tekeshi’s Castle 👌👍👏

Aah, about time this video happened! Love the channel, and greetings from Sydney!

Great video editing transitions for size comparison!

Wrong title. It should of been, "Is Rolex a disappointment." And the answer is, "Hell yeah."

Did they raise the lug width from 20mm to 21mm? My collection of straps aren’t gonna work no more :’(

What an amazing video, so detailed ! Great job !

Until Rolex brings back the pre-ceramic case with all the modern, latest features, I will not consider buying a new Submariner. The 16610 40mm case was perfect; the only thing that needed an upgrade was the movement, bezel insert, lume, larger makers, bracelet, and clasp. The bezel's ball bearings are nice, too.

Poor omega... 8:18 was a slap. In all fairness, they’ve continued to develop the Seamaster 300m and Speedmaster line with continuity.

Really nice transitions lining up those seconds hand. Oh how much I miss Takeshi's Castle 🤣😭

Thank you for this great video. Adequate content, good length and a nice voice. After a couple of years and a couple of watches I have managed to enter the cue and will hopefully be a proud owner next year. Let’s hope it’s worth waiting for :)

5:39 very cool effect!!! Exactly what we need to understand what we’re changed!

Sure, the new movement and longer power reserve would be nice, but that's it. For anyone who owns a 5-digit Sub or even a 116610 or 114060, there's not enough here to want to sell and "try" to buy the NEW Sub.

New Watchfinder video - sorry sleep you have to wait.

Thank you for the beautiful review.

I’ve been on the waiting list for over a year for a black date, been informed by the dealer I can have my pick of black, green or blue due to a lot dropping off the list. Does that mean I’m not going to get the watch I was waiting for and the new one instead?

I think Rolex has done the right thing here. The old sub _was_ too chunky and didn't look as nice as the older iterations. It's a shame they've gone larger though - I think large watches look cumbersome and lack elegance generally. But I'll forgive them 1mm. 🙂

Well said. Thank you.

I dont like the fact that they made it bigger because of the general trend in which the watches get bigger and bigger, but objectively it is very nice and the adjustment of the proportions work really well I hate to say xD

Has the clasp been bulked up along with the bracelet? With my ceramic sub date first gen (now vintage I guess haha!) my only design concern was the somewhat bulky clasp housing the glidelock system. With another mm here and another mm there a more bulky clasp isn’t the best solution. I’ve never minded the chunky appearance of the lugs and the bulked up case or crown guards that just fits with the overall tool watch appeal hewn out of a single block of steel and quite masculine in appearance, but a bigger fatter wider clasp would bug me. They seem to have feminised the look a touch, made it one step closer to being a dress watch of sorts. Not that anyone actually dives in these ten grand watches. I say ten grand, those days have gone, try picking one of these up for less than north of fifteen these days and, quite frankly, as good as it is it ain’t worth its weight in solid gold. Next I guess they’ll be rounding off the edges and pushing it along to being a Yachtmaster and the original concept of a rugged dive watch will be lost. Mine is the last of the classic 40mm size and I’m more than happy to hang onto that sizing appeal, if I wanted bigger and bulkier I’d have gone down the SeaDweller route. Take a look at the 43mm SD, this is the same watch just a hair smaller. The aspect I’m most appreciative of is hidden away. The new gen movement. I have it in my Wimbledon dial Datejust 41 and it’s awesome. +1s per day and a ridiculous power reserve to boot. It’s a shame such a powerhouse movement resides behind a cap of steel in this world of glass casebacks everywhere. That could be the next step in the lineage. Overall it’s a decent incremental change but pushes the Submariner further out of reach for most everyday buyers, myself included. Rolex want the Patek crowd, they don’t want your business unless you’re driving away from the AD in a Bentley which is why I’ll most likely never buy another Rolex watch. And let’s be careful out there guys. You need a magnifying glass to see the changes. If you’re walking around a city centre wearing a ceramic sub then you are saying to criminal gangs there’s only me between you and a suitcase full of easy hard cash. Come and get it...

why are these so hard to find? Did Rolex limit production to drive up prices??

I feel I'm in the minority here but I love the wider lugs of the 114060 and the more abrupt transition between case and bracelet. I even like the chunkier crown guards more.

Nice review, thank you, Watchfinder

Rolex hit/fixed every issue of the Super-case and bracelet. Bravo Rolex for finally perfecting THE Rolex icon. Obviously the Sub41 will be THE most sought after model making it more rare than a unicorn.

It's a beautiful watch...it will always be. Sadly it is far overpriced for those of us who want a watch, not a fashion statement or investment. With that said your videos are nothing short of amazing.

Good vid, though it clearly didn't take *someone* long to flip their new Sub if Watchfinder have one to show us…

7:28-8:00 same same.. but Different. I look forward to getting it in the future.

Why is the luminous pip on the second hand still smaller than the one on the GMT!?

Reducing the lug width makes a bigger difference than you would think.

The upgraded moment and the trimmer lugs are changes I really like. Job well done Rolex. Now where can I buy one Rolex?

yup still not gonna pay something that's over the retail price. Gs owner here

Next evolutionary step.... Have that magnifier on the underside of the crystal, maybe. Citizen and others featured this like 60 years ago.

I'm not sure about the new size yet. The older model might be the one to go for but isn't always that way? People always want the previous model.

Yes it is lol. I own a 214270 and altough I really like it is absurdly overpriced

Beautiful, How much?

how about the 3131daytona how do it hold still rolex thanks for what you doing

Really liked the transition shots

@8:09 Omega are you listening to the expressive hand guy?

Any chance of other iconic watches other than the usual Rollie? JLC Reverso & Heuer Monaco to name but two

Do both watches weight the same?

It's a great looking watch and I want one!

What’s the lug width on the 126610LN?

I own both the 40 mm and the new 41mm they really are the same mot much differnt. Biggest difference is the increase in size of the bracelet and clasp

The changes are perfect.

i bought my as-new Sub £500 UNDER retail in 2015 from WF when they were in the AD windows with BUY ME signs on them. Crazy days

My AD called last week with one I purchased today can’t wait for it’s arrival!

Great video. You missed the crown designation between Swiss 👑 Made. But great video. You’re right. It isn’t a new watch it’s a nudge along to maintain its relevance as the king of bling. When you’re at the top, someone wants to knock you off your perch. As you say they have actually listened which might not be a first for the industry, but it’s certainly a first in a long while for Rolex.

Sir I know you are a man of great taste and you always bring us class and elegance in every video but today I humbly request you to do something out of the box so can you please make a review for HUBLOT SPIRIT OF BIGBANG MOONPHASE TITANIUM ORANGE, I'm gonna buy that watch soon and already in love with that but after watching your watches to avoid video, I got in a dilemma since in watch industry many people don't like HUBLOT so can please make a video or just reply me with a brief description and what you think.😊😊

Unpopular opinion: I actually like the thicker lugs and crown guards of the previous model.

I was about as anti diameter increase as you could get. But after getting this new Sub I was happily surprised. The size increase to 41mm is a nothing burger. The improvements more than make up for the very slight case increase. It wears virtually identical to the 40mm Maxi case Subs. Arguably the best Submariner ever.

The printing on the dial isn't very good at close quarters. I don't think Grand Seiko have anything to worry about.

I convinced myself the sub was to obvious of a choice that I would never consider it, but this video makes me want one!

I did prefer to the box case and wide lugs thin bracelet.the new one looks so generic. There is nothing wrong with square cases and circular dial....those are much more elegant

Well said.. Well said.

Does a sub fit well on a smaller wrist?

I’ve noticed Rolex are advertising 41mm cases yet on calipers are only slightly larger. It’s genius. Like the OP 39 vs the newer 41. On calipers it’s actually less than .5mm larger and .2mm on bezel. They’re marketing to a modern consumer, but on wrist it isn’t even noticeable. Genius.

Doesn't look like many people are disappointed about the new Subs when I look at the premiums paid in the grey market

Finally PERFECTION and is all thanks to proper PROPORTIONS

I’d love them to bring a Sub out in 43 like the Sea Dweller 43...

I don’t see why it would be. This is what was expected for the new sub.

The only thing disappointing is the rediculous prices on the grey market

I’ve just returned from Takeshi’s Castle, where I did, in fact, capture a greased pig. Please may I have that Rolex as a prize? Thank you very much in anticipation.

I really don’t get the bigger diameter trend 40mm is bearable tho

Agreed.

I saw a video where a dude took the calipers to the new sub and it turns out that it’s not 41mn. It’s barely bigger than 40. The biggest change I see is the skinnier lugs and wider bracelet.

I work in the city, the number of people I see wearing the same model of Rolex is shocking, it's like as common as the Apple watch. I am struggling to justify paying the asking price for such a "common" luxury item, seems every other 5th person has one on in the metropolitan city area, especially all those luxury goods salesman and ladies, they all wear one. it is for sure an icon tho, instantly recognizable, and bezel not so big like some competitors that makes it impossible for those with smaller arms/hands.

It's a hard job to redesign an icon. Talking about icons, how about a video on the Cartier Tank?

Such clickbait. This redesign is a great success. The reprofiled lugs is a small yet huge improvement. The sub is arguably perfect now.

Do you think that the Explorer will retain the 39mm cases going forward?

I´ve just sen them side by side. barely a difference and on its own, it's just the same old sub. On the other hand, the reason i could see them was to try and get an OP, Black Dial. "not this year, maybe next year but don´t count on it" I´ll take my money elsewhere.