Newer Rolexes…

Same here what I would like is the old case shapes but with all the modern upgrades

Yes the case is bigger and modified, has an improved movement and based on the older model in your picture a ceramic bezel, possibly sapphire glass and a better clasp with micro adjust on the run. Personally would be happy to have both.

I think this is actually a popular opinion. In my experience it seems most prefer the 5 digit and earlier versions. I disagree with that and prefer the modern versions. I wouldn't mind adding a vintage but I'm very content with my 6 digits.

I would absolutely love to see Rolex issue watches in smaller cases with modern movements, bezels etc. You are not alone. Many people feel this way

No you're absolutely right, there's nothing more beautiful than a Vintage Rolex. And the biggest difference is between modern and vintage Daytonas. Back in the 60s they were so pure, so classy and thin, like early Carrera but now they're thick and no classy at all. Just made to be shown sadly 🤷🏻‍♂️

Being a very conservative company (from a design perspective) Rolex have now fixed the designs of all their sports models - that’s what they looked like, this is what they do look like, this is what they will always look like.

Once you’re in this mindset of a design, all you’ve really got left is exaggeration: make it chunkier; make the crown guards; make the hands and indices thicker; make more of everything that makes a Submariner a Submariner.

The problem with this approach is, if you’re not careful, you end up with a pastiche of the original. This has happened in the car industry; Germany, in particular - think Audi, BMW, Porsche. I think this is also what you’re seeing with modern Rolex.

I very much doubt we’ll ever see any really innovative designs from Rolex ever again. Milguasses, Air-Kings and Explorer IIs (the original spelunking model) are a thing of the past.

Owning the 16570 and the 226570 explorer 2 ,I actually prefer the bigger model ,I find it fits me better ,but as regards the new modern ceramic bezels I actually prefer the older less shiny aluminium ones

I agree. The newer versions all seem much more “blingy” and ostentatious to me. Maybe the pricing and availability issues contribute to it subconsciously for me

Like many other things "they don't make them like they used to", I ran into a friend from high school the other day mentioned I picked up watch collecting as a hobby and he said "when are you going to buy a rolex " I laughed and said that's a bit rich for my blood and for all intents and purposes is grossly overpriced for they are, I'm bashing them by means but just don't see the reason for the insane cost and I personally feel they're more of a status symbol now imo anyways 🤷

Got my GMT on a R&R in Hong Kong in 68. I’ve not been interested in another Rolex since. My son wears it now.

I concur, only difference is when I wear it, to me it's like an optical illusion.

It doesn't wear like you think it would, like at all.

The lugs are thicker / boxier and it makes the whole case less elegant imo. I would go pre-maxi dial/2010 if I had the money.

How then, does it wear? Is it somehow less boxy on the wrist? That’d be a pretty big optical illusion 😂

The ‘maxi’-style case design that large Rolex watches like the GMT Master II, Submariner, and Explorer II use is much broader shouldered, squatter, and substantial looking than the previous large-format Rolex case. The lugs are wider spaced and the bezel is larger, giving the watches a lot more visual ‘punch’ than earlier versions, despite not being any physically larger. That visual impact makes the watches look bigger without actually being substantially larger

It’s not just Rolex, that are optimizing for visual impact. Compare the current Omega Seamaster Pro 300/Diver 300 and Tag Heuer Monaco to the mid-2000’s era ones: they’re hardly any larger, but look and feel a lot bigger - especially on the wrist. Some of the changes are obvious - a slightly larger bezel with fatter text for the Seamaster, for example - but others are rather subtle (e.g., the thicker lug shaping on the new Monaco’s, the shape of the helium escape valve on the SMP’s).

It’ll be interesting to see how things go as we’re heading towards smaller watches. I feel like the Black Bay 54 and updated Explorer 36 demonstrate that the high impact design ethos - which goes hand-in-hand with simpler forms (e.g., look at the wave pattern on the new SMP v. the older one; it’s a lot simpler and more graphic) works even better on reduced proportions than they do on their larger siblings.

definitely not alone in this. I'm speaking mainly about the sub here, but on paper the newer references have better specs, better movements, a bezel that is more scratch resistant and won't fade, far superior bracelets and clasps etc.

I do feel though that the pre super case, maxi-dial references are just more classic, understated and to my eyes more beautiful.

I feel like Rolex made the modern watches bigger and more flashy and while I don't dislike the new sub, but the 14060 was the last of the great, classic subs.

Proportions for me, it hugs the wrist like you think it wouldn't because of how boxy it looks. I can't explain it 😂 also fits smaller. I was anti >40mm and a las..... 😂 😭

I think that the design proportions of the current models look fantastic, but the actual size-dimensions I am not at all a fan of.

There’s a place in the market for “bigger watches” (which are now, in effect, the “normal” size), but it’s about time we started to see this shift towards “smaller” (more classically-sized) pieces.

I’d love to see this “punchy” design (well-put by the way) in a smaller package.

That’s the thing though: the size hasn’t necessarily changed. For example, the GMT Master II has been 40mm since its inception. Yet the current model looks far more substantial than the 80’s era models. Changing things like bezel width and font, lug shape, index size, and whether there are crown guards can often have as big of an impact on wrist presence than a couple millimeters.

I actually prefer the new case - I’ve got a larger wrist and it just balances out the watch that bit better