Rolex

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The present rendition of an old classic: Submariner...

Inspired by the enthusiastic reports of our dear friend Baron with the latest rendition of Rolex classic GMT, I decided to give another try to my Ceramic Submariner green dial.(Ref 116610)

I bought this watch a few years ago, one of the first to reach my Country. I liked the timepiece very much, specially the highly polish finish, and the ceramic bezel. The watch is very impressive indeed, and it exudes quality at every angle you look at it.

And though I´m not a technique expert, I have no doubt that the movement, new stainless steel and water proof quality are all characteristics highly improved with reference to previous offerings of the Submariner model. The new bracelet and adjusting and closing system is a work of art.

In spite of all these positive impressions this watch gave me, I never could fell in love as I fell with my previous models. It is no secret that I love Submariners, but I am specially fond of the vintage ones, like my 5508, 5513 and 1680. Thus the new Sub in my collection received very little use.

I get such a different feeling wearing one of the oldies on my wrist! They are lighter in weight, and feel much smaller, though the new Submariner is not really much bigger. Not to mention the charming qualities of a vintage, their patina, etc.

I tried the Ceramic Sub during all this week end, together with my old 1680 Red Sub, and my 16613 TT Submariner, which I weared on my right wrist (under my shirt cuff to avoid any funny question from onlookers!)

The Ceramic looks bigger mainly due to the thicker crown guards, and thick lugs, otherwise the lug span is the same in the three brothers: 47,5 mm. And the diameter of its bezel keeps the same 40 mm of the 16613.

The watches got a difference in the width between tips of lugs: 25 mm in the 1680 and 16613 and 28 mm in the Ceramic version.

Tips of lugs is thicker too: 2,8 mm on the 1680, 3 mm on the 16613 and 4 mm on the Ceramic version.  This also contributes to the "bigger" image of the new watch.

Weights are 104 grams for the 1680, 149 grams for the 16613TT, and 151 grams for the Ceramic. When you are accustomed to wear a 5513 and a 1680 for more that 40 years like me, you really feel the difference in weight!

I´m happy Rolex didn´t follow the trend of making the new Submariner a much bigger timepiece, as I feel the measures of the original model 5513/1680 are the ideal ones. I do not really like the trend of the last years of bigger and bigger watches.

I will keep wearing my Ceramic Submariner during the next week, and will try to get to love it as much as I love its old brothers. It is a great watch though it definitively lacks the charm of a vintage Submariner.

My previous scuba diving watch was my 14060M as I didn´t wish to risk any of my vintage Subs. I think the Ceramic Sub will be an ideal diving companion to replace that one.

I wish you´ll enjoy the pictures!
Best cordial regards, Abel.