Why Didn’t the SUB Get An Updated Movement?

[kokota]

Originally Posted by lhawli

Lastly, I realized (please calibrate me here), Rolex doesn’t just update the caliber without even making the slightest of esthetic changes, even if it’s just as silly as discontinuing a oyster bracelet for a jubilee. So what does that mean for the Subs? I’ll be dammed if they get a bracelet other than a brushed oyster - so could be a new case, thinner lugs, or even a 41?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Actually they have updated the Yacht-Master movement with no other changes apparently.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=664028

They’ve done this in the past with other models also.

[s.m.b.]

Originally Posted by Burbank90

And now I don't feel like buying a 114060 anymore... the Seamaster 300 w/ co-axial, 55 hr power reserve, and 15K gauss resistance is looking pretty fine all a sudden.

All we wanted was a 70 hour power reserve Rolex!

If that's what you need in a watch, go for it!

[Sandpit]

two scenarios i would think. 1) perhaps there are manufacturing constraints and there are enough 3235 models being made at present. The 3135 tooling is there and they can keep churning them out. 2) maybe the Sub is due a full remodel in the next 2 or 3 years and so they’re waiting.

Honestly though, I just don’t see the additional power reserve being all that important. Maybe if you don’t wear it during the weekend but who wouldn’t wear a sub over the weekend?

[904VT]

The Submariner imo gets a similar update schedule to the Daytona.....as much as I love the GMT Master, I do believe Rolex takes the Subs and Daytonas even more seriously in what and when is updated.

2025 for a new movement in the Sub/Sub Date.....especially SS imo

[mbrown55]

very good question, my guess is they will slowly phase in a new movement. The 3135 is probably on its way out. I can't imagine its cost effective to maintain production on two similar but different movements.

[Montremoi]

Originally Posted by Sandpit

Honestly though, I just don’t see the additional power reserve being all that important. Maybe if you don’t wear it during the weekend but who wouldn’t wear a sub over the weekend?

I don't. I often spend two days at home, where I remove my watch. So a three-day power reserve makes a lot of sense.

[SkyJuice]

Rolex takes one step at a time.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Montremoi

I don't. I often spend two days at home, where I remove my watch. So a three-day power reserve makes a lot of sense.

I agree, the 3 day power reserve is awesome. I love my Daytona is able to go almost 3 days without wearing and can just set the time and go. 70 hr reserve especially is extremely convenient for a larger collection. But then add a GMT function or Annual Calendar and it's super convenient to have the larger reserve and not have to reset those complications as often. I'm not a winder guy so 70 hr+ is great

[Brew]

Because it is not core to Rolex's market.

[DoctorA]

I think rolex deliberately keptnthe sub as it’s selling very well as is so why bother!!

[TimingIsEverything]

Originally Posted by lhawli

Based on the outcome from Rolex this Basel, you would have thought the easies and most logical one was an updated Sub with the 3235 caliber!

Why did this not happen? I don’t care and I’m quite happy with my LV with the iconic 3135 “proved the test of time” caliber but still doesn’t make any sense!

Lastly, I realized (please calibrate me here), Rolex doesn’t just update the caliber without even making the slightest of esthetic changes, even if it’s just as silly as discontinuing a oyster bracelet for a jubilee. So what does that mean for the Subs? I’ll be dammed if they get a bracelet other than a brushed oyster - so could be a new case, thinner lugs, or even a 41?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I really don't know. I was wondering the same thing myself. It must come down to some business or logistics reason. They updated the movement in the Yacht-Master which had been released after the ceramic Submariners.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Rokoru

Omega and Tudor have a technically "better" movement in their divers and at a much sharper price point...

What do you mean by technically better is it more accurate than the 31 movement doubtful.Yes the 32 movement has a greater power-reserve by making the spring-barrel wall much thinner.Is the extra power-reserve really needed expect most when off wrist will be on a machine winder.The present 48 hours is perfectly adequate as if needed you can always manually wind.The ball-bearing rotor might prove to be a slight improvement over the older sleeve axle rotor.But if that goes wrong it cannot at the moment be repaired so if it does quite expensive to replace.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by padi56

What do you mean by technically better is it more accurate than the 31 movement doubtful.Yes the 32 movement has a greater power-reserve by making the spring-barrel wall much thinner.Is the extra power-reserve really needed expect most when off wrist will be on a machine winder.The present 48 hours is perfectly adequate as if needed you can always manually wind.The ball-bearing rotor might prove to be a slight improvement over the older sleeve axle rotor.But if that goes wrong it cannot at the moment be repaired so if it does quite expensive to replace.

Well said and great points. The 3135 imo is an awesome movement as is. Super accurate and reliable from my experience.

[Wizardly]

Rolex is the Catholic Church of watches. Consistent, slow and because of that, many times the flavor of the day disagrees with what they do.

Things that are slow to change usually are doing fairly well.)

(The above is a comparison, not meant to start a discussion of religion.) :)

[Vaxe]

Originally Posted by Fabrice M

It’s for next year, Basel 2020.

Agreed, just a matter of time before the entire line gets the crown at 6 on the dial

[jimcameron]

Why would they waste their time?

[skirsch]

I think the reason the Submariner was not updated with the 3235 movement this year had more to do with Rolex strategy than anything else. Given the log jam with SS models and the general unavailability of the watches, the last thing that Rolex wanted was another watch that was going to make a big splash like the Pepsi GMT last year. Rather, they chose to do some smaller evolutions of watches and hold off on bigger releases for a period of time.

While I have absolutely no information, my sense would be that Rolex knows exactly the watches they are releasing over the next 3-4 years and just needs to decide on the sequence of the releases and how it fits into their distribution. Lets face it, a Submariner with the 3235 movement is a given at some point. I also think that the redone Explorer 2 is another watch in the current pipeline within the next few years. Rolex takes their time to run the business to meet their needs vs worrying about any of the smoke that comes from the collector community. Don't get me wrong, they know what people are looking to see released but it is done according to the needs of Rolex.
Just my thoughts.

[zjd168]

They can sell every single one they make with waiting list, what is the urgency

[Rokoru]

I think they are taking a bit more time because they are still having brainstorm sessions about the prototypes they have produced of the next Submariner..

slimmer lugs yes or no? Oyster yes or no? PM first yes or no? Blue sub yes or no? Green sub yes or no? More sizes for the Sub yes or no?

I mean, everybody knows it is going to be a big hit so they better get it right from the start (not like the YM 42mm, the minute hand looks a little off to me)

[Juan Luis]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

The Jubilee on GMTs is a blast from the past, my friend.

There's nothing new about this conceptually.

Don't hold your breath for a Jubilee on a Sub, although anything is possible.

The Oyster predates the Sub, but it was designed to be robust, even in the folded link, "tuna-can" days of yore.

The Jubilee is a more refined, dressy design that would truly be out of place on any Submariner.

I wouldn't complain, but I'd be scratching my head.

Yes it is!

[Rokoru]

Originally Posted by lhawli

Based on the outcome from Rolex this Basel, you would have thought the easies and most logical one was an updated Sub with the 3235 caliber!

Why did this not happen? I don’t care and I’m quite happy with my LV with the iconic 3135 “proved the test of time” caliber but still doesn’t make any sense!

Lastly, I realized (please calibrate me here), Rolex doesn’t just update the caliber without even making the slightest of esthetic changes, even if it’s just as silly as discontinuing a oyster bracelet for a jubilee. So what does that mean for the Subs? I’ll be dammed if they get a bracelet other than a brushed oyster - so could be a new case, thinner lugs, or even a 41?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

The Yachtmaster line got the updated movement and they didn´t change at all...

[17noir]

I was hoping they updated the Sub. Was holding off on buying the no date for the 70hr PR.

[enjoythemusic]

EASY answer, because the new Yacht-Master Sub Date (YMSD) got the new movement for $27k on plastic strap.

[steadywaters]

If Rolex said it would not update the Sub movement for another 10 years, would you not buy a Sub in the next 10 years?

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by lhawli

Based on the outcome from Rolex this Basel, you would have thought the easies and most logical one was an updated Sub with the 3235 caliber!

Why did this not happen? I don’t care and I’m quite happy with my LV with the iconic 3135 “proved the test of time” caliber but still doesn’t make any sense!

Lastly, I realized (please calibrate me here), Rolex doesn’t just update the caliber without even making the slightest of esthetic changes, even if it’s just as silly as discontinuing a oyster bracelet for a jubilee. So what does that mean for the Subs? I’ll be dammed if they get a bracelet other than a brushed oyster - so could be a new case, thinner lugs, or even a 41?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Because it’s already one of the best and most hearty movements out there. Period. It’s funny the fact that things are very slow to change had somehow made me appreciate my 16610 and 116520 more in the last two days. Slow change my friends are how icons are made. Don’t believe me, look at the sub, classic speedy pro, Navi, and zenith el premaro chronos. All these are more less the same as they were decades ago. That my friends is how icons are made.

[lhawli]

Originally Posted by steadywaters

If Rolex said it would not update the Sub movement for another 10 years, would you not buy a Sub in the next 10 years?

Of course I would and I own the LV since 2018 despite rumors. I actually am happy to have the iconic 3135 caliber “proven the test of time”.

I was just curious, as it was a no brained move on their part yet didn’t happen. That’s all :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[AK797]

I thought before they would do the GMTs first and then the Subs next, makes more sense than to do a few models of each every year.

[Starwalker]

As I recall they update the GMT line first and then the sub.