Interesting visit to the AD today

[DocD]

I had some uncanny timing today. I was in a local AD that I never visited before and had a great talk with the owner. He was extremely pleasant and knowledgable about Rolex. Amazingly, the Rolex rep walked in to the store during our conversation.

The bottom line is that the Rolex rep was 100% "positive" that the changes we will see include a ceramic bezel on the SS GMT II. However, he said that there will be NO CHANGES this year on the SS sub date.

He said that eventually all the sport models will be moving to the new size case and that probably next year the SS Sub Date will have the new ceramic bezel, but you won't see it next week at Basel, but you WILL see it on the SS GMT II.

He looked at my SS Sub Date and told me that in a year or two it will be the "old model" once it has the new ceramic bezel, but it's not happening this year.

So, in a week we'll see if his information is accurate. So if I'm wrong, don't shoot the messenger!

[Blue Bull]

Interesting info,my surgical colleague.So,its a new SS GMT .Lets see if the rep is correct,only a few days to go,before the show ....

[greenfan]

I wonder if it will be possible to put the new ceramic bezel, at an older GMT II?

[D4UK]

i do hope so...

[mike]

Originally Posted by greenfan

I wonder if it will be possible to put the new ceramic bezel, at an older GMT II?

I'd really doubt it. My guess is there would be a difference in the ID and OD if it's an insert at all.

[Ironstark]

Originally Posted by greenfan

I wonder if it will be possible to put the new ceramic bezel, at an older GMT II?

It wont. The new GMT II in Gold and TT show that the case, bezel etc..dimensions are not the same as the 16710/13 etc... Plus the bezel and insert are new designs. The way in which they function and are attached to the case is again not the same as the previous generation.
If it was possible then an older watch could be made to look newer than it actually is.Not something Rolex would condone or tolerate

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Ironstark

It wont. The new GMT II in Gold and TT show that the case, bezel etc..dimensions are not the same as the 16710/13 etc... Plus the bezel and insert are new designs. The way in which they function and are attached to the case is again not the same as the previous generation.
If it was possible then an older watch could be made to look newer than it actually is.Not something Rolex would condone or tolerate

Good info....makes sense to me.

Thanks - JJ

[astcell]

I wonder if the price will still be $5075US.

[Blown Wide Open]

Thank you for the insight Doc

PAtrick

[DocD]

I'm sure that IF the SS GMT II does get a ceramic bezel, it will also get the new clasp, and I'm also confident that the price will increase substantially. There's no way that our good friends at Rolex will "upgrade" a watch without significantly "upgrading" the price!

[kenlperry]

Awww! I'm gonna be sick to my stomach if they do upgrade the SS GMT2 in the next few days, weeks, or months for that matter. I sold my SUB over the weekend and just bought a brand new black bezel/dial GMT2 at retail for $5075...

[leopardprey]

Awww! I'm gonna be sick to my stomach if they do upgrade the SS GMT2 in the next few days, weeks, or months for that matter. I sold my SUB over the weekend and just bought a brand new black bezel/dial GMT2 at retail for $5075...

I would not fret over it. Advantages you have:

A traditional Classic Rolex, not changed much in 50 years.

Thinner in height than the new style cases, fits better on the wrist.

Bezel that rotates 120 clicks compared to 24 clicks, thus you can use the bezel to record elapsed time accurately, and also get closer to tracking home time when in Countries that are on 1/2 hour time differences (india, Afghan, IRan, Myanmar, Nepal, etc..)

Can also swap out bezels, with option of having a 2 tone color shceme that is very useful.

Some people actually do prefer the old style bracelet than the new design as well.

Also, the twin lock crown fits better on the wrist, is time proven and more than strong enough for even the most gruelling activities and adventures.

[Solar]

I agree; the classics are proven performers. Any changes at Basel will be more than just a ceramic bezel, there will be design and metallurgical differences which put the new watch in a different price level all together.

The steel sport line are the old classics that went around the world with the explorers of a different era; no sat coms, no sat navigation, just simpler tools and a Rolex Sub, GMT or Explorer. I don't see Rolex scrapping those.

The new designs, such as the Anniversary GMT, are in my opinion beautiful, and are the new classics. The two tone Subs and GMT are also works of art to me, they represent change, but we still have the stainless sports line.

What you'll own will depend on your budget and what you intend to do with the watch on a daily basis, or more specifically, what the watch will endure or not endure.

I've seen posts about the stainless GMT disappearing, being phased out. I don't think so. I think any changes will be additions of new designs, not deletions of classics that work and that sell.


Chris

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Awww! I'm gonna be sick to my stomach if they do upgrade the SS GMT2 in the next few days, weeks, or months for that matter. I sold my SUB over the weekend and just bought a brand new black bezel/dial GMT2 at retail for $5075...

I would not fret over it. Advantages you have:

A traditional Classic Rolex, not changed much in 50 years.

Thinner in height than the new style cases, fits better on the wrist.

Bezel that rotates 120 clicks compared to 24 clicks, thus you can use the bezel to record elapsed time accurately, and also get closer to tracking home time when in Countries that are on 1/2 hour time differences (india, Afghan, IRan, Myanmar, Nepal, etc..)

Can also swap out bezels, with option of having a 2 tone color shceme that is very useful.

Some people actually do prefer the old style bracelet than the new design as well.

Also, the twin lock crown fits better on the wrist, is time proven and more than strong enough for even the most gruelling activities and adventures.

[diablojota]

I'm not sure I buy it. The blue bezel posted was a single color. GMT uses green. I think they will release the new Sub at Basel. The fact there was water droplets on it indicates that. Unless they are coming out with a whole new model all together.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by diablojota

I'm not sure I buy it. The blue bezel posted was a single color. GMT uses green. I think they will release the new Sub at Basel. The fact there was water droplets on it indicates that. Unless they are coming out with a whole new model all together.

Yes, Frank....and I think it's gonna be a FULL SOLID GOLD Sub with blue dial and matching blue Ceramic bezel...and definitely with the new bracelet and superb clasp!!

[leopardprey]

The steel sport line are the old classics that went around the world with the explorers of a different era; no sat coms, no sat navigation, just simpler tools and a Rolex Sub, GMT or Explorer. I don't see Rolex scrapping those.

That is what I am talking about!!!!!!! THose were the days. A Ruck on the back, a good knife, map and compass and a Rolex on the wrist!

Or a UDT vest, Aqualung, flippers, dive knife, and a Rolex Sub on the wrist!

The good ole days! (Actually just about 15 years ago!)

[astcell]

A ceramic bezel on the GMT II is a given, but will it be an anniversary edition?!

[langejl]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Yes, Frank....and I think it's gonna be a FULL SOLID GOLD Sub with blue dial and matching blue Ceramic bezel...and definitely with the new bracelet and superb clasp!!

Are they changing the bracelet or is the "new" style the one they have now on the Sub?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by langejl

Are they changing the bracelet or is the "new" style the one they have now on the Sub?

The current Sub has the older FLIPLOCK bracelet. Not sure what the new one will bring....just having a few wild guesses....like the rest of these guys!!

[langejl]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

The current Sub has the older FLIPLOCK bracelet. Not sure what the new one will bring....just having a few wild guesses....like the rest of these guys!!

And the sub and the SD have the same bracelet?

[mike]

Originally Posted by astcell

A ceramic bezel on the GMT II is a given, but will it be an anniversary edition?!

No, the only anniversary GMT is the all gold version. The TT and if and when SS version are/will be regular production items with their own reference numbers.

[D4UK]

Originally Posted by mike

No, the only anniversary GMT is the all gold version. The TT and if and when SS version are/will be regular production items with their own reference numbers.

Mike what is yours or others opinion of the LV - is this an anniversary model? or at least were the ones produced in 2003 anniversary models? (even though they are also production models)

Out of interest.. what makes the All gold model the Anniversary...?

[mike]

Originally Posted by D4UK

Mike what is yours or others opinion of the LV - is this an anniversary model? or at least were the ones produced in 2003 anniversary models? (even though they are also production models)

Out of interest.. what makes the All gold model the Anniversary...?

The all gold was the only one made during the 50th year. The TT (and maybe SS) followed later.

Generally the LV (any year) is considered the anniversary sub, because no changes were made. There are those that say only the 03 (Y) is the true anniversary, but they are in the minority.
The LV was made "to commorate" 50 years of theSubmariner. It remains a regular production model.