Reference Numbers - 5 Digit Sub

[dannyboy123]

I bought my Submariner about 25 years ago (I can't fully remember, may be closer to 28). I take it this is what's known as a 5 digit sub?

I'd be interested if someone could give me a high level overview regarding the timeline from when ref's went 4 to 5 and then to 6. I assume my new GMT and YM are 6's?

I've loved this watch up until about 3-4-5 years ago when I started wearing it less favouring my Panerai, then Rootbeer, Linde Werdelin 3-timer and subsequently my slate YM.

Yesterday I wound up reading a fairly old article on Hodinkee by John Mayer about older Rolex's and that prompted me to dust it off and wear it. I went from being bored of it to loving it instantly (same thing happened a while back when I got my first strap for my ageing Luminor).

I've popped my GMT, YM and Linde Werdelin back in their boxes for a rest and have returned to the Sub and Luminor (the OG pair).

The sub had it's first service about 10 years ago and another 5 years back. I think it's a tad over polished, but by my eye not by much, I can see the right crown side lug is very slightly narrower than lefty.

Last week I was going to flick this to a mate to buy a new Blusey. Glad I didn't. Add rather than subtract I guess.

As an aside the watch fits better on my 6.75" wrist than the photo's suggest, which proves the point that folk on here often make about close up wrist shots not always being the best indicator of true fit/look.

Still want a Bluesy, but am eternally grateful for the 3 I have given the mental market. I'd also love a full yellow gold sub. 2 years ago I'd have hated that idea but the rootbeer switched me on to the joys of PM.

[donq]

5 digit 16610. Swiss only dial, so one of the first Luminova dials after the change from tritium lume. Made around 1999.

[dannyboy123]

Ah, that definitely fits with my timeline, almost, I'm sure its a tad older. maybe its a service dial?

I did have a no date sub before this that I bought around 1990 but that died a death in a punch up, hence the sub-date I now own. Old age and ADD preclude me from fully remembering timeline.

I think my brother back in the UK has the box and papers (bro) but is too idle to dig 'em out and post them back. He actually had the no date sub repaired from memory with after market bits by some old watchmaker in London working out of a cubicle in an underground station. in hindsight........

[dannyboy123]

ooh, how come I got moved?

[csaltphoto]

FYI the crown side lugs are a bit narrower from the factory. Part of the design. I've heard it's supposed to make the case more "balanced" given the extra material on the crown side crown guards. Who knows, it's pretty subtle.

[dannyboy123]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

FYI the crown side lugs are a bit narrower from the factory. Part of the design. I've heard it's supposed to make the case more "balanced" given the extra material on the crown side crown guards. Who knows, it's pretty subtle.

That's interesting so it doesn't lookover polished? I figured I'd lost some material.