I don't like the Submariner and that's okay
It seems every time you make a negative comment about a Rolex, you're immediately branded as a Rolex hater and your opinion is dismissed because, presumably, you're just envious and bitter you can't afford one.
After all, the Sub is basically the poster child of the word "watch". There are millions of it out there and just as many fakes and homages. So how could any enthusiast not lust over this icon, right?
Aesthetics is a subjective topic and everyone has an opinion on it. I work in the cinema industry and visual composition is kind of my thing, so maybe I'm just a little bit more passionate about it than the average person. Or maybe I'm a hopeless nerd obsessed with typefaces. 😀
Either way, I don't like the Submariner design. As revered as this style is, it doesn't work for my personal aesthetic sensitivity and it doesn't appeal to my brain. Here's why:
No, I'm not a Rolex hater. Saying I don't aspire to own the legendary Submariner in the future doesn't mean I'm poor or a "novice collector". I just don't like the Sub like I don't like bucket hats or loafers. And that's okay. I have similar moans and niggles about every watch because no watch is perfect. My divergent tastes aren't an attack on your tastes and you are free to enjoy any watch you like. If you're happy with the watch on your wrist, I'm happy. 👍
This platform is fun because we all have different tastes and favorite watches to share with each other. Diversity in collecting is something to promote. Please kindly respect that Rolex isn't the be-all and end-all for everyone. ❤
Font nerd. Hobbyist modder. My favorite part about this hobby is hunting for hidden gems.
More power to you, there are more than enough fish in the pond, though I am completely unaware of the alleged ongoing war or that might just be down to my happy-go-lucky disposition.
I have been making fun of the brochure's worth of text on the dial for 20 years. I have seen them on others for at least that long and I always think that they look nice and shiny when I do. Round indices don't do anything for me. I pains me to admit, however, that a cyclops may now be useful.
So, like you, I am not a hater. I don't aspire to a Submariner, but I never say never. If the right vintage piece came along...
I like the Sub design (but nowhere near as much as a Doxa Sub Clive Cussler Edition), I cannot afford one and I do not need the instant status or appreciation that one automatically brings. My issue with it is that it has become as common as a teenager wearing Jordan sneakers. And not only the Sub; it is enough to browse few pages of this board to find them all.
The brand has always been fascinating and special. The watch however, somehow ceased to be; at least in my eyes.
I’m definitely with you on loafers.
(And the Submariner, to be fair)
Like sports-utility vehicles, tool watches are deliberately ugly. Their looks are intended to project robustness and purpose, not beauty and balance.
Personally I'm fine with the three Rolex models meant for people that live indoors: the OP, the Datejust, and the Day-Date. Ugh, I guess the Milgauss exists but if Rolex realized that they would surely cancel it. Oddly, the WIS types drool over the cruder and uglier models about which I can't pretend to care.
I have been making fun of the brochure's worth of text on the dial for 20 years. I have seen them on others for at least that long and I always think that they look nice and shiny when I do. Round indices don't do anything for me. I pains me to admit, however, that a cyclops may now be useful.
So, like you, I am not a hater. I don't aspire to a Submariner, but I never say never. If the right vintage piece came along...
My opinion of the cyclops may change as well in a few years...
But in general, I prefer no date dials for the sake of symmetry. Or maybe that's just what I tell myself to cope with my degrading sight. 😂
Agree. Don't aspire to own one, but good luck and good health to anyone who does.
The fact that you pointed out nearly every aspect of it in a negative way definitely doesnt sound like bias at all 😂
👍❤🎯 Well said. For some, it's the ultimate watch. It's a grail or a milestone. And that's okay. But I don't want one.
Also, it looks like an homage watch. 😀
I like the Sub design (but nowhere near as much as a Doxa Sub Clive Cussler Edition), I cannot afford one and I do not need the instant status or appreciation that one automatically brings. My issue with it is that it has become as common as a teenager wearing Jordan sneakers. And not only the Sub; it is enough to browse few pages of this board to find them all.
The brand has always been fascinating and special. The watch however, somehow ceased to be; at least in my eyes.
Social media and flex culture really put a disproportionate spotlight on the Rolex sports models in recent years and I think a lot of us have developed fatigue for these designs because they are shoved down our throats every other post.
Paradoxically, the microbrands scene has been booming during the same years and diversity is at an all-time high.
I agree nobody HAS to like any watch. And I get your point. There are a few Rolex models I have zero interest in as well.
But to be fair I have seen a lot of negative comments on here full of contempt towards Rolex. Genuine frustration with the brand and it’s ADs to straight up reverse snobbery 😅
The fact that you pointed out nearly every aspect of it in a negative way definitely doesnt sound like bias at all 😂
That's exactly the kind of pedantic reaction I expected. 👍
I think the bezel design, grip, and action are among the very best on the market. The indices are immaculate and a delight to look at under a macro lens. I love the lollipop secondhand. I love the crown guards, just not the large lugs of the modern maxi case. And the rugged oyster bracelet is my favorite style on any type of watch.
Before covid-19 pushed me into semi retirement a few years earlier than my choosing, my rotation of watches usually generated some unwelcomed noise from guys who had nothing more positive to share than inane remarks about my hobby. I am Chinese so when I slipped on one of my older 60s Rolex watches for no compelling reasons, the critics were more understanding almost as if my ethnicity explained the simple steel watch on my wrist as being sadly predictable, that coming from the Middle Kingdom obligated me to own and wear a Rolex watch. Lol.
I agree nobody HAS to like any watch. And I get your point. There are a few Rolex models I have zero interest in as well.
But to be fair I have seen a lot of negative comments on here full of contempt towards Rolex. Genuine frustration with the brand and it’s ADs to straight up reverse snobbery 😅
No more, no less than contempt for Seiko or Citizen. Overblown anecdotal QC issues to straight-up snobbery and being called a beginner or novice because you dare appreciate a brand that isn't Swiss, even if you've been collecting for 20 years.
Bad apples can grow on every part of the branch. 😢
I 100% agree with your message/point. I don’t see at all how disliking a watch (for any reason, let alone clearly articulated ones) automatically makes someone a hater. A “hater” generally doesn’t care to offer a complete opinion or engage in conversation. “Haters be hating,” and that’s about it.
Your labeling of the crown logo as “pretentious” stands out to me in stark contrast to the rest of the details you mentioned. It strikes me as odd that you included a “judgemental” label in the context of otherwise very objective criticisms. Most of the factors you dislike are totally valid, so saying you don’t like the “pretentious” logo seems very out of place. In terms of overall watch design, what is a company supposed to do about their well-established (and relatively unobtrusive) logo, y’know?
The crown is a symbol associated with pretension, power, dominance, arrogance, ego, and hubris. It was worn by monarchs to show their status and superiority over their subjects. It is fundamentally pretentious to present oneself or a brand as unequivocally superior to others. In my eyes, this choice of symbol reflects poorly on the brand image and the values it conveys. Humility is the sign of greatness.
Fair enough. I don’t personally pay much mind to such things.
Don't exactly hate it either, just not high on my list of grails
I respect the iconography of the Submariner (it paved the standards of the professional dive watch). However, there are SO many other options that are widely available, cost less than the Submariner and are well respected (Tudor Black Bay 54/58, the OMEGA Seamaster Professional 300M, Zodiac Sea Wolf, Lorier Neptune, OMEGA Planet Ocean, Seiko 62MAS, OMEGA Seamaster 300 Heritage, Oris Aquis and Tudor Pelagos)
I appreciate their place in watchmaking and their influence in design. I also appreciate an informed and well presented critique. Both can coexist and that’s why I enjoy this platform. Thanks for presenting you thoughts!
I have one as I needed one in my collection. But agree it’s not my favourite looking watch. Prefer the look of my tag 🤷♂️
Kudos for speaking out! You are 💯% entitled to your opinion! I don’t like the Sub either, except maybe the two-tone Blusey. I’d much prefer the Tudor BB58 Blue to the Sub. But I’d prefer the Explorer to the Tudor BB 36. To me, it’s all about the specific watch, not the brand or how much it is, etc. for whether I like it enough to buy it. I love my Speedy, which is another icon that people either love or hate. But I’m also a space nerd, so… 🌙
I mitigated some of your concerns by going for the smaller case pre ceramic no date. I would also prefer if I had a two line version instead of the one with the essay.
I wasn’t dreaming of a submarimer but got a chance to try one out after I was offered a swap deal. It’s actually been a more pleasant daily wear than I imagined. Easy to use, robust, very flexible in its all black design with minimal highly polished bits.
Main reason for me is my bank account is of square typeface, I would’ve preferred some 0000’s (round typeface) 🥲😆
That Rolex doesn't do it for me either. The only Rolex I like is the original Explorer, but I wouldn't pay thousands for one. But each to their own I say. It's a very personal choice, overriding any design principles.
Im not a Rolex fan, but dont really feel any hate for it ? Theres a thousand watches i dont like, and rolex is just one i dont like.
Im not about to get into an argument because someone likes a watch i dont like ?
Thats mental...
Anyway, we all know Grand Seiko is twice the watch a rolex will ever be 😉
Your opinion is yours and your right, i however think the Rolex Submariner Ref.124060 is king.
I agree with only one - bulky. The 116610 case is ugly. The 16610 is for me. Not that I own either, or aspire to.
Also, it looks like an homage watch. 😀
I totally understand that.
Like the red box logo supreme shirts may have been very cool at first because no one did it but then the style was then not just ripped off and sold on the sidewalks of canal St where you can get the same one for like 3/$20 haha but then you started having different brands put their names in white with a red box logo on a plain white t shirt and all of a sudden the trend was dead and even original suprime box logo t shirts were played out and undesirable.
Personally, after seeing a dial go without, I think all wristwatches should stop doing feet conversions. They’re unhelpful and functionally lip service for Americans, and extremely rarely not misleading anyway. (And, Tissot, please pick ONE unit!)
Serica’s 6190 having the WR rating on the front when it’s already on the back, and given the previous tack with their design language, it takes up and unbalances things unnecessarily.