Why are crown side lugs thinner?

[Dsmith1974]

I’ve never heard an explanation why crown side lugs are thinner on 5 digit subs and I can’t think of one either.

Does anyone know?

[Old Expat Beast]

Aesthetic balance.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Aesthetic balance.

Exactly and its still on most all Rolex professional Rolex watches even todays.

[Snow-Dweller]

I thought this was only the Daytona...in my ignorance.

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Aesthetic balance.

The penny drops! I was thinking being equal would be the most symmetric and balanced but didn’t think about the extra width of the crown. So it’s a compensation.

Thanks!

[stratguy]

I have a 5 digit sub and the crown-side lugs are not thinner. I believe this is a Daytona phenomena.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Aesthetic balance.

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by stratguy

I have a 5 digit sub and the crown-side lugs are not thinner. I believe this is a Daytona phenomena.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I’d be worried if the weren’t. Have you got a photo?

[Spoonage]

I wish my DaytonaC lugs were same width. I believe the PM versions are equal width. It looks unbalanced to me thinner on the crown side and very noticeable on the DaytonaC.

[Bigblu10]

I have a 6 digit Sub and the lugs are symmetrical. I see no difference.

[stratguy]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

I’d be worried if the weren’t. Have you got a photo?

Here is a 14060M from 2010 that has never been polished. They don't look thinner to me.

[Dsmith1974]

Yes I would have to agree with you there. If anything the non crown side looks a little thinner.

Maybe it was the 5 digit refs after the maxi dial then? Hopefully some of the more experienced guys on here can help clarify?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tie219]

Interesting, on my 2005 GMT, I noticed the lugs on the crown side are slightly thinner. I initially thought it was from polishing but the watch still has thick bevels on the case. Then I read from someone on here that the thinner lug is normal.

[Dirt]

It's a typical feature on a Daytona.

If it's noticed on any other model then it's a QC issue.
I have more commonly seen a single thicker lug at the bottom left hand corner on the odd brand new watch and on one Service replacement Mid-case which was replaced by Rolex with another in Geneva as it was mutually agreed that it was an unacceptable defect.
And it was more typically found around the early 2000's period.

In summary, the lugs are supposed to be symetrical on all Rolex watches except the Daytona

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Dirt

the lugs are supposed to be symetrical on all Rolex watches except the Daytona

I agree with this.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by stratguy

Here is a 14060M from 2010 that has never been polished. They don't look thinner to me.

To me there appears to be both a perspective and lighting issue with the photo.

[peterpl]

is this a fact like someone has actually measured with calipers? Or is this just a "i think it looks thinner from my eyes" thing?

To me all the lugs look identical to me. Not sure how the eye can even perceive such minute difference if there is any.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by peterpl

is this a fact like someone has actually measured with calipers? Or is this just a "i think it looks thinner from my eyes" thing?

To me all the lugs look identical to me. Not sure how the eye can even perceive such minute difference if there is any.

That's a good point.
As far as i know, nobody has actually gone to the trouble of measuring the width of the lugs on a new Mid-case.
It is afterall a visual thing anyway, and if one can't perceive a difference then it's all good Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that sort of thing

I suppose one needs to have a critical eye, or an eye for detail.
Otherwise it doesn't matter.

Another aspect to consider is there will be variation in the visual differences. Some cases wil be perfectly fine and others will be at the other end of the specrtum where they are absolute shockers(in the Rolex way of course)

[Old Expat Beast]

This is, or was, from the Rolex website.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

This is, or was, from the Rolex website.

Perfect
And also note the wasted shape of the case side to facilitate the unscrewing, screwing and operation of the Screw down crown pushers.
It's a well thought out design

[SG56]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Perfect
And also note the wasted shape of the case side to facilitate the unscrewing, screwing and operation of the Screw down crown pushers.
It's a well thought out design

Good point!

[roosvelt]

If you look at unpolished, 18038 DD they're all not the same when it comes to the case. I believe it has to do to the old way of the final hand polish it receives. Todays models done on a jig so you get a precise case.

[Devildog]

So, in summary, apart from the steel and the all yellow gold Daytonas, its just down to poor QC

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Perfect
And also note the wasted shape of the case side to facilitate the unscrewing, screwing and operation of the Screw down crown pushers.
It's a well thought out design

Strange that aside from the all yellow gold (case and bracelet) Daytonas all the PM Daytonas have a symmetrical case (which looks much better IMO)

[peterpl]

Cant see it saying anything about wider lugs on the opposite side of the case for other models or the Daytona on the Rolex website?

Where is the above picture from? and how old is it? I've just looked at my DD40s, Bluesy, GMT2, SD4k and 16610LV and they all look identical on both sides to me.

[ian.thomas]

Originally Posted by stratguy

I have a 5 digit sub and the crown-side lugs are not thinner.

Agree. My D-series 16610 lugs look the same.

[SubMarine]

They're not. You have in your possession a polished watch.