If Rolex releases a Red Sub what differences will there be like the SD43?

[wfreed22]

With the popularity of the SD43 release last year it seems inevitable that Rolex will give us a line of red text on a Submariner in the near future. But just as the SD43 was not a true recreation of the old SD's (43mm and cyclops) what do you think Rolex would change if they were to release a new Red Sub?

[Ajax Ademaro]

It's impossible to speculate, so I will just give my wish list. Updated movement with a slimmer lug profile. That would be my dream sub.

[dmash]

Red sub is not happening, get real

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by dmash

Red sub is not happening, get real

I tend to agree.

The SD43 is an anniversary model and a perfect opportunity to breathe some new life into a flaging model.
The Kermit was an anniversary variant for and of a standard model range.

There is an extremely small chance of it happening with a model that sells out before it even hits the dealers doorstep.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Dirt

I tend to agree.

The SD43 is an anniversary model and a perfect opportunity to breathe some new life into a flaging model.
The Kermit was an anniversary variant for and of a standard model range.

There is an extremely small chance of it happening with a model that sells out before it even hits the dealers doorstep.

They're not going to take away EVERY monochrome option for a diver aside from the Deep Sea People are smoking something else to state it’s ‘inevitable’ Rolex would do this. Fact is, a lot of people (myself included) see the red text as fun (slightly trendy) but by no means conservative and classic. Sure it’s a throw back to a certain model, but it wasn’t the normality across the entire diver range for years and years and years. On top of all that, the entire point of taking the SD43 the direction they did, was to differentiate it from the Sub to try and garner more sales. Why in the world would they add one of this differentiating characteristics back to the model they’re trying to distance from?

I think the Sub will get the new movement, slightly slimmer lugs, and....and....that’s it. I don’t see the Sub getting ANYthing major if I’m being honest.

[mangoseed]

Originally Posted by dmash

Red sub is not happening, get real

The hostile nature of your post is unappreciated, the OP clearly stated "if".

[wfreed22]

Originally Posted by dmash

Red sub is not happening, get real

Maybe you are right but the idea behind this thread wasn't really whether it will happen or not but if it did how would they change it like they changed the SD43. I doubt anyone would have guessed the addition of a cyclops, maybe the bigger case size. I thought it would be fun to speculate what additions/subtractions could happen if they released a new Red Sub.

But if we want to tackle your response, why would Rolex never do it? I would assume if they did it would be one of the most popular releases of all time.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by wfreed22

Maybe you are right but the idea behind this thread wasn't really whether it will happen or not but if it did how would they change it like they changed the SD43. I doubt anyone would have guessed the addition of a cyclops, maybe the bigger case size. I thought it would be fun to speculate what additions/subtractions could happen if they released a new Red Sub.

But if we want to tackle your response, why would Rolex never do it? I would assume if they did it would be one of the most popular releases of all time.

Myself and others have clearly answered above. They made those changes to the SD to clearly differentiate itself from the Submariner, as SD sales were *always* lacking in comparison.....and not by some small number either. Therefore, it makes absolutely no sense for them to add one of this differentiating characteristics back onto the Submariner. That is, unless, as I posted in a follow up, they decide to have a red text Submariner release coincide with the discontinuation of the SD43 red text. That would be incredibly unlikely though.

Originally Posted by wfreed22

No offense taken but c'mon let's play the what if game for a little bit. You might just have some fun :)

Of course bud, didn't mean to steer you thread in the wrong direction I definitely think the inevitable Submariner revision will consist of the obvious 32xx movement and probably a slight slimming of the lugs. Anything past that will honestly be surprising to me.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by dmash

Red sub is not happening, get real

If it does happen it will be a 42 mm "monstrosity"

Although it probably wont have lugs only a mother could love

[007_Omega]

Originally Posted by dmash

Red sub is not happening, get real

This. The Sub does need an update but then again it's only really us enthusiasts that care. They sell more than they stock with the thing.

Give it classic proportions again. If it needs to be bigger, then just make the thing bigger rather than turning the case into a square hunk of steel. A 41mm Sub, classic lugs with the updated movement would be perfection.

They don't need to sell their bread and butter with a red line.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by 007_Omega

This. The Sub does need an update but then again it's only really us enthusiasts that care. They sell more than they stock with the thing.

Give it classic proportions again. If it needs to be bigger, then just make the thing bigger rather than turning the case into a square hunk of steel. A 41mm Sub, classic lugs with the updated movement would be perfection.

They don't need to sell their bread and butter with a red line.

Honestly, I’d be cool with no increase in size. Just shave the case a bit, add the movement. No real major redesign needed or production facility overhauls. Easy breezy

[storm66]

Plenty of room for two....
Red text Sub to run alongside the Red text SD...
If they hadn’t put the cyclops on the SD!..... what were they thinking

[007_Omega]

Originally Posted by dmash

Honestly, I’d be cool with no increase in size. Just shave the case a bit, add the movement. No real major redesign needed or production facility overhauls. Easy breezy

I could live with 40mm as well but a lot people want bigger watches. They could still say it is 40mm lol..like they have with other models that are actually 39mm.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by 007_Omega

This. The Sub does need an update but then again it's only really us enthusiasts that care. They sell more than they stock with the thing.

Give it classic proportions again. If it needs to be bigger, then just make the thing bigger rather than turning the case into a square hunk of steel. A 41mm Sub, classic lugs with the updated movement would be perfection.

They don't need to sell their bread and butter with a red line.

Originally Posted by dmash

Honestly, I’d be cool with no increase in size. Just shave the case a bit, add the movement. No real major redesign needed or production facility overhauls. Easy breezy

I doubt that Rolex would simply shave the lugs and add a new movement. The reason? It could be seen as a regressive step back to the style of the 4 & 5 digit subs.

Yes, you could say that Rolex did that with the SD43 by bringing back the red line of text and the slim lugged case proportions, however, they made it bigger and added the cyclops as differentiators.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Devildog

I doubt that Rolex would simply shave the lugs and add a new movement. The reason? It could be seen as a regressive step back to the style of the 4 & 5 digit subs.

Yes, you could say that Rolex did that with the SD43 by bringing back the red line of text and the slim lugged case proportions, however, they made it bigger and added the cyclops as differentiators.

But they just did this (albeit slight) to the GMT. I’d definitely like to see more than that knocked off.

[037]

Originally Posted by Devildog

I doubt that Rolex would simply shave the lugs and add a new movement.

That's exactly what they did with the DSSD and most seem to love it. All Rolex would need to do on the Sub is throw on a wider bracelet with wider endlinks, cut the area between the lugs accordingly (which would make them slightly narrower) and throw in a 32xx. You'd have your slight update that would matter significantly with only small changes.

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by dmash

Red sub is not happening, get real

I remember a lot of people also saying that there is no way Rolex would make a SS Daytona with ceramic bezel. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by dmash

Red sub is not happening, get real

Agree.

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by dmash

Red sub is not happening, get real

Kind of like they'll never make a SS Pepsi

[VicLeChic]

Smaller size, lower depth rating, no date option, thinner, no diver extension (flip lock), no red lettering, no minute markers on the bezel passed 15 min, no HEV.

[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

Smaller size, lower depth rating, no date option, thinner, no diver extension (flip lock), no red lettering, no minute markers on the bezel passed 15 min, no HEV.

[brandrea]

If the re tooled Blro gives us any hints, it would be a slightly restyled case and a new movement, but who knows ...

[HogwldFLTR]

Red sub would kill their SD sales. I can't see it happening.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Red sub would kill their SD sales. I can't see it happening.

but wait....what if Rolex truly milked the market.....and in 2020 (after SD has been around for 3 years and accumulated a good amount of sales) they release a red text Submariner while simultaneously discontinuing the red text SD and giving it all white?


Please no

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Red sub would kill their SD sales. I can't see it happening.

Pretty much this.

E-

[wfreed22]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Pretty much this.

E-

Which makes me question why they put a cyclops on the new SD, could of had two unique watches and two different markets. Feels like they made a SD for sub fans.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by wfreed22

Which makes me question why they put a cyclops on the new SD, could of had two unique watches and two different markets. Feels like they made a SD for sub fans.

You just hit the nail on the head my friend. A lot of people are calling the SD43 the 'Submariner for guys who always wanted a larger size'. I personally think they should have 'added' that model and kept a 40mm SD. But we can't have everything in life.

[TVal07]

Originally Posted by wfreed22

Which makes me question why they put a cyclops on the new SD, could of had two unique watches and two different markets. Feels like they made a SD for sub fans.

Could not agree more. It looks out of place on the SD and was an unnecessary “enhancement” to the SD43. Minus the cyclops, it would have truly been a perfectly logical change to the lineup. That said, lots of folks on here love it, so you buy what you love.

I can’t see the intro of red text on the Sub. Feels gimmicky to me without an anniversary model being introduced as the sole reason.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by TVal07

Could not agree more. It looks out of place on the SD and was an unnecessary “enhancement” to the SD43. Minus the cyclops, it would have truly been a perfectly logical change to the lineup. That said, lots of folks on here love it, so you buy what you love.

I can’t see the intro of red text on the Sub. Feels gimmicky to me without an anniversary model being introduced as the sole reason.

When you get to my age you're gonna be happy as well with the enhancement

[Lz4000]

Originally Posted by wfreed22

Which makes me question why they put a cyclops on the new SD, could of had two unique watches and two different markets. Feels like they made a SD for sub fans.

Only reason is that they finally managed to glue that piece on the glass, withstanding 4000ft. Will happen to the Dipsy as well in a few years I guess.

To differentiate from the sub. They put red line and 43mm case