Rolex Submariner vs Blancpain Fifty Fathoms vs GO SeaQ - 10k Diver Comparison 

Come on ... you need to be realistic... you can’t even compare a Rolex submariner with Blancpain or Glashütte , these two are hand crafted watches and high horology ... these are not mass produced watch produced by industrial machines and with quality issues like a Rolex ... Rolex is at the level of Omega but never in the level of Blancpain or Glashütte

Giving a 10 for the Rolex? The Rolex movement is not on the same level as the other two.

Glashutte, would be the one for me,,, beautiful,,,

I like the Blancpain out of these three particular models.

The Rolex is a nice watch. But, it isn’t even in the same league as the other two. I would choose the GO. But, it would be a tough decision between the GO and the Blancpain. I understand it’s a subjective comparison. However, giving each movement a 10 is where you lost me. The Rolex movement is not on the same level.

Loved that comparison but you did seem a little biased to the Rolex. I know it’s all about personal opinions but for me the Rolex would come last out of the three.

Glashutte for sure. They’re all great but the effort made in turning out that Glashutte edges it for me.

I would only by a watch from a company willing and able to sell me one. Other people can demean themselves, sucking up to dealers and buying overpriced trinkets to move up a waiting list. Not for me.

Glashutte Original SeaQ Panorama Date is the best ....

Rolex brand recognition: 10 Preception: 4. Is it fake, are you just flexing, no imagination and a little douchy

my favorite is the blancpain. mostly due to the highest finishing on the movement

The Rolex is simply inferior to the other two, by quite a margin, in every single component.

3 great pieces make for a difficult decision. Can't go wrong with any of them, but for me it would be the 50 Fathoms. Just something about the history and the look that appeal to my WIS sensibilities

I would imagine that the quality of the Blancpain & Glashutte movements would be greater than Rolex?!?

GO nailed it! The movement is the best, the quality is the best and the design is stunning. Every day, when I take a look on the stunning curved sapphire glass and the numerals, I feel that it is extra ordinary.

My dream watch is the Blancpain. With 5 days power reserve, basically there's no worry it will stopped even if u don't wear it for few days. I find the gold with a leather strap for the Blancpain looked nice and elegant. Would be better if it come without date. Rolex is really too common and it's not on the same level as the other 2 brands.

The Glashutte is beautiful. If only they offered that version in 40-41mm, with a fully brushed bracelet...

yeah whatever, i only buy rolex because I can't afford luxury watches and i need to sell it later to get my $ back

This is a Diver Legend and for good reason! This watch has REAL "Soul" and is loaded with personality. It is Ferrari over Mercedez. I've had the Sea Dweller and the Fifty Fathoms. I sold off the boring utilitarian form of the Sea Dweller and kept the Fifty Fathoms as the only Haute Horology Diver in my collection and never thought twice about it. The Sea Dweller went towards an H Moser, so this was a major upgrade in the collection. Overall, you will rarely ever find anyone else with a Blancpain on the wrist compared to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who wears a sub. Follow your heart, follow the beauty, heck - even follow the science. This haute horology piece beat the Rolex Sub Mariner to market in 1953; this is the true first modern day dive watch ever built. Commissioned by the French Military, Cousteau wore this watch with great pride It was years before Blancpain's patent expired on the Unidirectional bezel and Rolex copied that onto their sub-mariner. You too can own a piece of history. Thank me later...

The Glashütte SeaQ Panorama Datum is a amazing piece ... Blancpain very closed second ...

This is frankly a very good video, Bruce, thanks for making it. The only points I find debatable is rating the finish / build quality of the Submariner above that of the FF. Both the FF and the GO are in a different league altogether for finishing vs. the Rolex. And also for movement where, for all its robustness, the Rolex is miles behind both the other brands.

I would have to take the Blancpain, I just love that bezel, face, movement and finish, part of a 3 watch collection.

As you can’t buy the Rolex, why even do a comparison using it. It’s a watch that is unavailable, therefore the whole video is hypothetical.

I have a Rolex Ceramic Sub “no date” and love it, however I have fallen in love with the Glashutte and looking for a dealer near me. Thanks for the great videos and showing your fans that there is more than just Rolex.

build quality should be fifty fathoms the best

Crystal on the rolex...eyesore cyclops and no AR for no reason. 4/10.

GO is one of my favorite houses the 70s original chronograph is my favorite watch. I'd go with GO

Excellent question Bruce, was waiting for that. Glashutte by a mile. Whether it be my money or someone else's. Glashutte breaks the barrier in aesthetics and raises it by quite a few notches leaving behind Rolex and BB FF quite some way back. Nice comparison although I would have taken the Glashütte a lot closer to the Rolex score, like 90.

Just bought the SeaQ last week because I said to myself, "F Rolex, I'm not paying these extreme secondary market prices". What happened to the days of walking into a store and coming out with an item as long as you can afford it? It's a great watch!

Great video but the perfect 10 for Rolex value doesn't make as much sense :)

Blancpain fifty Fathoms Automatique in a complete different league then GO & Rolex. The ultra luxury diver!

Ok watched it now....in which areas was is the finishing of the blancpain not so good? Not had one in hand for more than a few mins before

What a great video, I really enjoyed that! I'd personally go for the Blancpain, as it's always been a grail of mine. I just love the timeless look of the case, dial, bezel & brilliant movement. Your recent videos have really piqued my interest in the Glashutte divers. I wonder if they used a flat sapphire crystal for the display caseback, instead of a bubble crystal, if it would wear better. Wasn't surprised to see Rolex win this, however.

Should have included availability category.

I hadn't ever experienced these 3 pieces in real life, so I cannot choose one, but on paper and for the design my choice is the Glashuette SeaQ Panorama date. Anyway 3 gorgeous pieces with incredible histories.

With 15k I would buy immediately with the GO SeaQ with the grey dial - it’s simply gorgeous and an other level of watch making compared to the Rolex. For the retail price, the Rolex would my clear favorite. Thx for the video!

The Rolex doesn't even belong with those other 2. I only had to watch up to category 3 to know how it was going to go and skipped to the end. Blah.

I would give the Sub 9 for fit and comfort because the crown and the edges on the lower side can be distracting and also 9 for the movement because of the 48 hours of power reserve. Wouldn’t change the emd result though and thats fine IMO.

Love the glasshute

I would give Rolex Movement a 5. To value all movements on same level is really not professional.

You are so wrong about almost everything in this review, you still have to learn a lot about watches 😊

They're all great watches and I think anyone would be happy to own any one of them but if I could pick just one my favorite has always been the Fifty Fathoms, that's my pick.

Thank you for the comparison ! Awesome ! However, I would disagree that Rolex movement is on par with both GO & Blancpain, its nowhere in that league.

Curious as to why you chose to use the SeaQ panorama in this comparison instead of the 39.5mm. Based on your categories I think it might have come closer to the Sub picking up points in fit/comfort and design/versatility.

As someone who has owned all three, the FF and GO are superior in finish***, the wrist fit of the Rolex bracelet is superior due to its adjustability, the accuracy of the FF and GO are superior over the Rolex***, the way the watch sits on the wrist is superior for the FF and Rolex - it is actually surprising how well the FF sits on the wrist, it wears more like a 43mm due to the short, down turned lugs, the SeaQ has excellent wrist fit for me, but I could see how it would be an issue for those with thinner wrists, the lume is far superior on the FF, the history goes to FF, the marketing goes to Rolex, the resale value definitely goes to Rolex, the Rolex is the most durable, almost a really expensive beater, the wrist pop/cool factor goes to the FF, but to Rolex for those who don't know watches - no one except watch people notice the GO, the Rolex gets the "is it real/fake and how much did it cost" from non-watch folks, but the "oh another Sub..." from watch people, the FF gets "that is a beautiful watch" from the non-watch folks and outright drool from the people into watches. The Rolex is more versatile and fits better on folks with a 165mm or smaller wrist - for reference my wrist is 195mm. The Rolex is the least expensive to service. Imo, I would rank them #1 FF, #2 Rolex and #3 GO, but honestly all three are exceptional watches and I understand how any of the three are loved by their owners - and I can easily see the owners of the SeaQ being annoyed I put it in the #3 spot as it is a technically superior watch to the Rolex in most ways. ps: I think the Sea Dweller is a better comparison scale wise to the big-boy FF & GO in this video - I own this also - my rankings remain the same, except the Sea Dweller is technically better for actual dive use. And while I am at it, the FF with the Blue Dial and Red Gold case is a total show stopper, not a practical diver due to cost, but it is my most beloved watch. ps: While I am just spitting my opinion, in the GO I suggest folks consider the Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date - not a diver so it is not a good alternative to these three, but it does have 100 bar water resistance and is my favorite Glashutte Original - it is a unique beauty and an amazing piece - totally love it! ***Bruce - this is the one part of your video that I just can't wrap my head around your perspective... on no planet does the machined Rolex Submariner have the best fit and finish compared to these other two hand crafted and finished pieces - I can appreciate you prefer the design of the Sub, but that is not the same as fit and finish.. And ditto on the movement accuracy, I just am befuddled as to how you came to this conclusion - your Hulk's 3135 must be one of those totally nutz on ones, because there is no way that movement is more accurate to the SeaQ's 36-13 or FF's 1315. And don't even get me started on power reserve... Hulk = 48 hours, SeaQ = 100 hours, FF = 120 hours.

Shall we add...not being a target for a mugging

As a dive watch lover, my choices are Blancpain and Glashutte. I love going to an AD and stare at them thru the display. While I respect Rolex, their designs have never moved me. That’s is actually a good thing because there is no way I can get on the wait list or afford to pay an arm and leg on the grey market for a Sub. If I could pick one out of three for free, I would go with Blancpain.

Sorry Bruce but you can’t even have a mass produced watch like Rolex next to a hand-crafted piece of Art like Blancpain. Blancpain is all about horology … you honestly cant have them in the same level - Very disappointed about it .. it’s totally disrespectful for a company like Blancpain .. it’s like comparing a Ferrari with a Mercedes Benz C- class

Did you guys hear about the diver in the Bahamas that died because of bezel playback? Tragic

Waiting for this review....posting a 👍🏻 before I’ve watched it. Thanks Bruce keep up the additional content you’ve been making since going full time on yt

Great comparison, Bruce! I really enjoyed this video. Personally I agree with you and I also think that most people would pick the Submariner in the end. That's what I did as well a few years ago ;-) If I had to pick one for the rest of my life as my ONLY watch and I couldn't sell it I would also go with the Sub as it's the most accurate, sturdy and versatile watch. If I could have other watches as well and wouldn't own a Sub I would probably pick the SeaQ as it's the most appealing to me. So it really depends in which situation I would be if I would have to choose on of those. Btw. GREAT to see that you have already so many Patreon backers, Bruce! I'm really happy to see this, keep it up! All the best from Germany, Daniel

All nice, but I would say the Blancpain should win. I've never seen a lume so good yet you gave it a 9, movement hand finished= better, brand history, the oldest watch manufacturer. Love your stuff Bruce but this is looking a little bit bias. But like you say everyone has an opion. Great video though, first time I have seen a comparison like this, you should do more of these.

Blancpain for sure. The GO doesn't have a design that I fancy and the Rolex is a bit same-y. I don't think the hype of a Rolex is reflective of any sort of technical innovation or aesthetic superiority. The Blancpain beats it in both (subjective, I know).

Of the three there’s no secret why the Sub endures with its prolific basic design and level of finish, quality and known reliability. One thing to note however is that the micro adjustment clasp on the Glashutte’s bracelet sets the standard for ergonomic function and any watchmaker not paying attention as they design their next generation of improved bracelets will be missing the mark.

Still prefer your Seamaster myself 👍🏻

That was a ton of fun and I'm glad i was awake for it before bed. I can tell you right now that I would buy the grey dial Glasshütte with the steel case and rose gold crown and hands. That is one of my favorite watches I have seen ( online) in the last few years. It might cost a smidge more than 15K, but only a hair more. I love the look of that watch. Black no date Sub would be second choice. I think the Blancpain is rather ungainly. It reminds me a bit of a hockey puck. The lume was pretty amazing though. I'll give you props for being very fair in your assessment, despiste your bias for the Hulk. I can't wait to see what everyone else says tomorrow. PS I just looked up the retail price: $14,800. I made it!

SeaQ for me Bruce. Thx for the video, nice comparison. Keep 'em coming....

That Glashutte would be my pick if not for the dial...all amazing pieces! Great video.

Bruce, I’d like to see a similar video at the $5K and $2K price points

Thank you, Bruce, great comparison. I can't afford any without dipping into the emergency fund, but if I were to have one dropped in my lap....I'd say Rolex first, GO second and BP last. As gorgeous as the movement on the Blancpain is, it just doesn't appeal to me. Sometimes during the day, I picked the GO. Let's face it: all three are awesome! Thanks again.

The fit category - I wonder how many wear their watch low like you vs above the wristbone. That'll make a difference.

Since the mass produced Rolex is impossible to get anyway, I’ll take the beautiful Blancpain. Rolex indifference, artificial supply constraints and AD/boutique terrible service has in my view marred a great watch.

Blancpain came last. Hahahaha got to be a joke.

If I had the opportunity to buy some Rolex steel sports model at retail I would definitely go for it. I would wear it, enjoy it and sell for a profit after some time. For that money I may buy something completely different. At this price point I would rather go for something else than a diver 🙂

That was a great video that provides plenty of food for thought if your in the market for a luxury dive watch. Is it just me or is the bezel on the Fifty Fathoms out of alignment?? I know this has been a quality control issue with the FF in the past🥴

Thanks for the video. It seemed heavily biased towards Rolex though. Rolex movement may be accurate, but it has no finishing what so ever. It hides conveniently behind a solid caseback.

The only negative I would say about a Sub is that it should have gone back to the beautiful pre ceramic case. Apart from the shape what people forget is that the new subs are heavier.

Man I anticipated coming in being a Wilsdorf fanboy, but that GO is stunning. My sweetspot for divers is 42-44 mm, so I might have to put that one on my radar.

I'm saving up for the 50 Fathoms. Love everything about it. Would like to own the Sub but not at what the average buyer is forced to pay.

Very good video really enjoyed the comparison for me I wouldn't but the R cos I'm not keen on submariners I would go for a G. I liked the finish lots

On repeat play, I think that you should have given the GOSQPD the 10 that it deserves and 8.5 to the Sub.

Great video Bruce, a fair comparison, with many valid points. I bought a 114060 in Jan for MSRP, then immediately retired from the watch game. Lol To be completely honest, that 50 Fathoms, or a Sinn EZM 12, keep calling me. Oh yeah, the IWC Pilot too. I'll be fine in the morning when I close that bank vault Sub clasp and prepare for the day's battle. All will be forgotten. :)

You’d have to be high to think the Rolex finishing and build quality is better than BP. This is not a matter of your opinions being subjective, this is pure bias and only because you own the Rolex. Rolex is not even in the same league. Comparing true Haute Horology to effin mass produced dung. And oh, I have the sub and the BP.

Forget about rolex till they do something about supplying stocks to the ADs, you may want to put subjective value that anyone can buy in current situation instead of the RRP watches.

I dont have any of the 3 however i would go for the GO! Its looks really special.

Hey Bruce good to see you again. I hope all is well.

Dislike because you want only increase the value of your Rolex and not make a profi comparison. Personally I like more the Fifty Fathoms, but the clear winner here in overall is the german.

Great review Bruce , three great divers that deserve their own shine . Value for money the hulk is the ultimate . The hulk is the watch for me all day.

personally I find all these watches too big so my pick would be the Planet Ocean in 39.5mm spec. Out of the 3 it would be the GO though. The Rolex is a great watch at RRP....but I’ve tried, and in my area there’s no chance

Bruce, awesome video! I really enjoyed the video and am surprised to see so many people get bent out of shape about someone else’s opinion of jewelry. Haha. Keep up the great work. 👍 I personally agree with you, I’m not in a position to buy any of them but the Submariner truly stands above the rest. Rolex company policies don’t affect the quality of the watch and everyone talking about the decoration and quality is irrelevant when the Rolex is more consistently accurate. But the other two definitely have strong suits of their own, I mean the range of their quality is only a difference of six points.

Hi Bruce, I would have to go with Rolex. Thanks for the Patreon acknowledgement at end of the video. Have a nice weekend. Regards, John V

This is the quality content I’m here for 🥃

Bathyscaphe needs to be there!

The Rolex is a of design and size that fits the eye and wrist of most buyers in this segment. It’s solid case-back hides a machined finish workhorse movement that doesn’t disappoint in accuracy and durability. In horological ranking, the Sub is much more akin to Omega and Grand Seiko. The BP and GO combined, produce less than 30,000 watches annually compared to Rolex in excess of one million. The small workshop-like manufacturing of BP and GO allow for hand finishing of movements and cases that Rolex simply can’t do. The smaller manufacturers are for true enthusiasts that demand the unique qualities described. In Kentucky we’d say we’re comparing Quarter Horses to Thoroughbreds. Ironically, Rolex sponsors most all Thoroughbred events! Enjoyed the video Bruce! Keep up the good work.

I would go for the Glashütte, without a doubt. As all the other reviews I saw said, the Rolex is not even in the same ballpark. The Rolex might actually cost USD 1000 to produce, as you mention, however, there is no way the guys from Glashütte are able to pull it of at this price. It simply as a totally different league and the Blancpain, as well.

They are all superb. Personally I think the GQ is stunning in the metal . However I’m big on comfort, fit and wearability it’s probably the most important factor for me in a sports watch , the GQ appears to miss the mark here therefore for me it’s the hulk . People do love to hate on it but it is unquestionably a truly great sports watch

Thank you Bruce for the Comparison! Blancpain 5015 have the best watch finish, but the worst strap.

Blancpain for me

16:25 Of course youtubers and bloggers who talk nice about Rolex shouldnt be on the waiting list ;) So the "subjective value" of buying a watch for a lot less than market value is great

For my 6.5” wrist the sub sat a little too tall (~13mm) and the glide lock was way too bulky. Much prefer the slimmer case size of the 116710. Blancpain and GO way too big for someone with my wrist size.

Pls review the New Polaris Mariner time date only.

Awesome video. Keep doing what you are doing.

Phecond...but phirst to say phirst

Rolex is overall the best watch in term of social perception, being quality watch, and maybe asset investment, anyway I would take 50 fathoms if I never seen SeaQ, I really its finishing of the case and caliber, light playing, and the clasp and bracelet.

I prefer the aesthetics of the Blancpain over the other two which would probably drive my decision. Currently, I own the Panerai Submersible 959.

I love the video and thanks for the comparison- I agreed very much with all your points beside the movement ... come one man 🤣🤣 ... they aren’t even closed ... the Rolex has a old movement which actually looks very pedestrian

I'm still up. perfect.

Hi Bruce, again a well made video on your channel. I would prefer the little brother of the SeaQ without a date window. What I do not understand is that Rolex no longer offers the Hulk as this version is my favorite one in program. Furthermore I guess that your thoughts about the watches can be comprehended and of course there will never be a pure objective conclusion. BR from Germany Uwe

I own both a Submariner and a Blancpain FF. I honestly love them both! I like each for their own reasons, I don’t think I could say which I like better. They each have their own personalities and reasons to be adorned.

I wish the GO came in a 40mm size, slightly thinner and a longer power reserve.