40M vs. 41M Submariner

[travisb]

I prefer the 41mm all around. If you have concerns about the movement, that's what the warranty is for. I've never had an issue and wouldn't let it play a role in making a decision.

[Krash]

I have the 40. I’m content. I never felt as if I should trade it in for the newer version.

I might add the Bluesy in the future, so I’ll definitely get a better idea what I really think about the 40 vs the 41.


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[m j b]

Originally Posted by Llamathurst

As for the movement concern, I think it's pretty overblown.

Originally Posted by travisb

If you have concerns about the movement, that's what the warranty is for. I've never had an issue and wouldn't let it play a role in making a decision.

I think that the actual number of people truly experiencing problems with the movement is overblown d/t the Internet and that for every complaint there are hundreds of people with no complaints who didn't post an answer to whatever thread someone is complaining in.

Originally Posted by 502 to Right

The 5 digit Sub? Perfection.

Absolutely true, but just confusing the issue for our poor befuddled OP.

[1William]

I have owned both the 11 and 12 series submariners and find the 11 series more to my liking. I like the case and the appearance of both but the 11 does it for me. I recently added the 114060 back into my collection and could not be more pleased. I also own the Hulk but the color makes the watch different from the classic black submariner. Either/Or is a great choice because it is hard to beat a Submariner.

[rockysw]

I would take movement difference out of the equation and then make the decision. I have had both movement and didnt have any problem. Plus you have warranty, so doest matter that much anyways. The movement issue is way overblown.

If going preowned, I dont think the premium on 12 is worth the differences over 11, they are both quite similar looking (and great watches).

[Lightsped]

I have worn both. In the real world, with real people, no one will ever notice the difference. After wearing both, I am unable to tell any real life differences. I have yet to find a justifiable reason to change from 40mm to 41mm.

[Ferrari308]

I own a 40mm 16610 and the watch is really suited for me and my wrist. I recently compared the two side by side and yes, there are a number of things different between the 40 & 41. The 41 is bulkier and a bit heavier than my own Sub. When I compared them, visually I found that my vintage 40 was quite a bit more appealing. It just didn't have the bulk/mass look that the newer one did.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to add a 41, but I think that I am quite happy with my 40.


PDG

[lemaitre]

At a distance of 1 meter I can’t see any differences. My only watch since 2014 is my 116610LN, I love it, wouldn’t change a thing and I don't take it off. However if I were to buy a sub today or in a few years I would buy the newest model available due to warranty issues. I try to be practical in these types of decisions.

[Nads786]

Really good feedback from everyone here. There seems to be a general consensus for the 12 over the 11. I'll have to go try the 11 on again when I have a chance and try to make a decision if one really looks that much different than the other to me.

Thanks everyone!

[slide13]

Originally Posted by Ferrari308

I own a 40mm 16610 and the watch is really suited for me and my wrist. I recently compared the two side by side and yes, there are a number of things different between the 40 & 41. The 41 is bulkier and a bit heavier than my own Sub. When I compared them, visually I found that my vintage 40 was quite a bit more appealing. It just didn't have the bulk/mass look that the newer one did.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to add a 41, but I think that I am quite happy with my 40.


PDG

I was assuming the OP meant the 6 digit 40mm (11xxxx) vs 41mm (12xxxx). But yeah....the 5 digit is the classic, if I could buy a new 5 digit Sub today I would do so, janky bracelet clasp and all. My love for the new 12xxxx series is mostly due to it being the modern version that gets back closest to the 5 digit proportions.

[SS Oyster]

I prefer 126610, but if you are talking LV, I prefer the hulk for the green dial, and this from Starbucks owner.




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[Gerardus]

The 40mm all the way, a no brainer. The clasp from the 12 serie is a no-go for me. Not even to mention the possible movement issues from the 12 series. The warranty is temporary, the movement you stick with....

[ttomczak]

I’ve had several iterations of the 40 for over 20 plus years, and liked them all, I currently have a 12 series LV, and it feels great…. I think at the end of the day, it boils down to ‘you do you’… What feels good to you is what you should buy….

[JRell]

Had them both - no way am I going back to those huge lugs. I am another that never had any issues with the 32 of any of my 32 watches. Only time I even think about it is when I come here.

[thesharkfactor]

40/41 is the tipping point of what fits me. The 40mm Sub looks fine but the 41mm is a cartoon on my wrist.

[Ketler]

I've had them all and this is the only one I still have...

Doesn't get any better in my opinion...!!!

[samson66]

The 41 with the wider bracelet and norrow lugs is the way to go. I never warmed to the boxy look of the last generation

[Llamathurst]

32xx issues = IMS Bearing.

[AJMarcus]

I’ve had the 40 Subdate and 40 Sub and now have the 41. You must try each on. They Wear very differently on the wrist. The Submariner 41 is as close to Sub perfection as one can get in my view. It looks more proportional with the narrower lugs and wears perfect. The thicker clasp provides balance allowing the Watch to fit better on the wrist. As far as the newer movement I’ve had zero issues.

[Watch-Geek]

To copy a part of my reply to a similar question:

As for 11 vs. 12, I struggled to like the 11, but disliked:

1. Blocky case - wide lugs, narrow bracelet

2. Short minute and seconds hand - its a pet peeve of mine if the hands don't reach their designated markers

3. Hour hand stem and lume area narrower than minute hand stem and lume area

I was happy to see Rolex address all of my issues with a 12, like it was a custom order for ME, but then got sad when I saw it grew to 41....until I saw videos comparing the two and realized it didn't grow that much and actually looked smaller due to thinner lugs.

It became the PERFECT Sub for ME!

You should buy what YOU LIKE, not what someone else thinks is right, pretty, hyped, purist or any other WIS and social media nonsense..

Cheers!!

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[warrior]

I’ll echo what many have said. The 12 series 41 sub all the way. I had the 114060…the 124060 feels much better on the wrist, feels sleeker and LOOKS sleeker with the more proportional lugs.

[ppierce]

rookie question but does the 40mm come with the ceramic bezel or did that just start on the 41?

[whatsthetime?]

Originally Posted by Nads786

Really good feedback from everyone here. There seems to be a general consensus for the 12 over the 11. I'll have to go try the 11 on again when I have a chance and try to make a decision if one really looks that much different than the other to me.

Thanks everyone!

It's the boxy look of the the 11 as well as the narrower lug width (20mm) and narrower bracelet that throws off the proportions and balance of the 11.

The tapered lugs on the 12 and wider lug width (21mm) and wider bracelet looks much more proportional and the wider clasp makes for a much better balanced fit, whereas I found the 11 to be top heavy.

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

I’ve had the 40 Subdate and 40 Sub and now have the 41. You must try each on. They Wear very differently on the wrist. The Submariner 41 is as close to Sub perfection as one can get in my view. It looks more proportional with the narrower lugs and wears perfect. The thicker clasp provides balance allowing the Watch to fit better on the wrist. As far as the newer movement I’ve had zero issues.

[bp1000]

The sub has worn so classic (in proportion and taper) since 1962 (5513) that it was quite refreshing to me to have a squarer stance in the 11 (40) series which reminded me of the 5508.

Plus, being able to get the sunburst green dial LV was a bonus. Two different things from the norm in 1 watch, big tick for me.
For now I'm still preferring the slightly quirky nature of the solid 10 year run 2010 ceramic sub.

[GST15]

Have worn both and prefer my 41, hands down.

[Beto737]

I sold my Hulk, right before it was discontinued, smart me! I couldn’t get over the lug size.

I finally got my hands on a 41 date Sub, and I believe Rolex perfected the fit. I thought my Pepsi was the best fit, nope. The Sub has the fit, legibility, wrist presence, and utility. Truly a one watch piece.

[Watch-Geek]

Here's an excellent video by Hafiz, it shows that the 40mm looks more massive.
Check out the part where he shows them from the back!

[video]https://youtu.be/jUyB2iCofOc[/video]

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[vitadine]

Never had any issue with a 32xx movement. And that’s in over 10 different watches.
The 32xx is a better movement IMHO, otherwise Rolex wouldn’t have released it.

I‘ve had the Hulk and now have the Cermit, and I like the Cermit much better.

[mactruck]

I own both. They are the same weight pretty much. When wearing either there is no real difference.

[summit]

Had a 12 sub since 2021, love the watch and absolutely nothing wrong with the movement, which is a tiresome topic for the millions of Rolex owners like myself who have had zero issues with it.

However, the 11 series sub is actually quite special. The distinct boxy look does have that old school tonneau case character. I like it.

Ultimately the best approach would be to wait until you can buy new from an AD so the 12 is the smart way but requires patience.