Newbie Submariner questions

[bicster]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to be turning 30 this month so thought I'd treat myself to a Rolex to mark the end of my twenties and transition into adulthood (much as it pains me to say that! :-)

Anyway, I've been doing my homework and have come to the conclusion that a Submariner 16610 is the way forward - although when I went to a jewelers at the weekend I was told that this model is being replaced with a new one.

The jeweler couldn't give me any specifics on when the new one was coming out or what it would look like; he seemed to think that the old one was now more expensive because it had been replaced - is that right?

Anyway, does anyone have any information on this new watch? Like when it's going to be released, what it looks like etc...?

Also, I've been looking at the different Submariner variations and see there are two clasps; the fliplock and the glidelock. My understanding is that you only get the glidelock on models that have two tone straps (like gold and silver or gold and steel) - is that correct or can you get the glidelock clasp on a steel 16610?

Finally, I see people are talking about Submariner series X or Y or whatever. What's the difference between the different series and how do I find out more about them?

Many thanks!

Chris

[CPTL]

Sub is in the process of being revamped. Rolex released the new solid gold models two years ago, the TTs last year, and we all expect that the SS will be released this month at the Basel fair. The new SS Sub has NOT been released yet.

Opinions vary about whether ADs are still getting the current model 16610. There have been reports that they're becoming harder to find at ADs.

Changes include: new clasp, ceramic bezel, thicker case lugs (sometimes called "supercase"), maxi dial. The watch should be released in a couple weeks at Basel, and show up at ADs about six months after that.

Price on the 16610 has not gone up and probably will not go up (currently at $5990?); the way it works is Rolex will not update (i.e. raise) prices on discontinued models when they do their annual price increase. Price on the new 116610 is expected to be $7500 to $8000 after the next price increase, which is anticipated soon.

So...your AD is BSing you if he's telling you RUSA's MSRP price on the Sub has gone up because it's discontinued. However, it may be tougher to get a discount--opinions on this vary as well, and discounts in Vegas are notoriously difficult.

And, since we don't seem to think it's wrong to ask for a discount, there's probably nothing wrong with an AD charging over MSRP--if he thinks he can get it.

[mike]

Using history as a guide new releases will come out in less than three weeks at Bazel.

[CPTL]

Oh...there's virtually no difference in any sub since about 2002 when the lug holes went away. Only change since then was around 2007 Rolex started engraving ROLEXROLEXROLEX on the inside of the rehaut. Other than that they're all the same.

Up until just this year, Rolex had a progressive serial number system that started with a letter; letter would change every 8-12 months so you could (roughly) track the release of the watch by the letter. Last few serials are F, D, Z, M, V; you're likely to find M or V in the case at your AD. Also Rolex has just introduced a completely random serialization consisting of 8 randomly ordered letters and numbers. We expect they'll be using this for a while, and there will be no way to tell from the serial number when the watch was made or released.

[R1@160@alltimes]

Serial # mapping...courtesy of TRF's own Larry

[bicster]

Thanks for the info chaps. The guy at the jewellers wanted $5450 for the 16610, which I didn't think was too bad???

So, if the new one's not been released yet; how do we know what the changes are?

Also, what's the deal with the clasps? Is it possible to get a 16610 with a glidelock clasp instead of the fliplock?

Thanks,

Chris

PS What are TTs and SSs?

[on42]

Welcome to the forum.

Hope this helps.

Abbreviations here
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=19888

[CPTL]

We know what the improvements will be because the SS model will follow the same changes made to the all gold and TT models. (Sorry: stainless steel; two-tone)

Also, these are the same changes made to the GMT-II when it went through it's upgrade 5, 4, and 3 years ago. Rolex typically releases the gold model first, then the TT and SS the next two years.

[spuds]

Guys can I just say it was a pleasure to read the info' you gave.....
Who says this place flames newbies?!?

[bicster]

OK, so the two-tone models got the glidelock clasp didn't they? They're also beefier too (wider bits next to the crown, and seem broader) so would it be fair to assume the new 16610 is going to be the same?

Also, what difference does a ceramic bezel make - how would I know the difference?

Thanks!

Chris

[vitix]

i think bicster here wants to see comparison pictures and stuffs like that...

[neillfrith]

Ceramic is the material the bezel insert (the coloured ring round the cristal) is made from. The old submariner used metal inserts the new ones are manufactured using a fancy new technique developed by Rolex. I have no pics on this PC but if you google the GMT2C (different markings but material is the same) or the new TT submariner, this is what the bezel will look like.

As far as what difference does it make...none really in my opinion except bragging rights for Rolex. On the other had Rolex will tell you that it is made out of a super hard scratch proof material.