The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

[fritzl]



Hi fritzl, earlier I meant to say thank you for the kind words about my previous post.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

The more I look at the red/burgandy bezel, the more I like it.  In addtition, the more I thought about the price, the more I thought this watch represents a fantastic opportunity for Rolex/Tudor, particularly here in the US to get a strong foothold in the under $5,000 market for sports watches in the US.  I was just in a Rolex AD yesterday, and I saw the the Non-Date Ceramic Sub for the first time in person.  Overall, I liked the watch.  Over the years I've owned 3 Subs and each had the date.  But these watches are starting to carry prices that seem a bit high for a steel Rolex.  The non-date Sub was $7,500 and the Sub Date was $8550.  To be honest I was surprised the price difference was so great.  Years ago the price difference was only a few hundred dollars and the differences for a while were more significant (such as different movement, no chronometer cert. for the no date, and then there was the solid end links on the Sub Date, and then more recently, there was the ceramic bezel and solid bracelet to further distinguish the two watches and price differences.  I think when the non-date Sub was closer to $6,000 someone who might spend upto $5,000 might stretch and spend a bit more to get it.  But now the gap between those wanting a new Rolex Sub but who can only spend around $5K are even further from their wish of owning one.  However, the Tudor if as you suggest hits our shores at around $3,000 that might satisfiy a lot of would be buyers desires to own a Sub, and maybe take some sales from other companies with watches prices significantly less than a Rolex Sub.   

However, I think for this Tudor to really have some good sales figures in the States, Rolex will have to spend some money and advertise the watch.  I regularly see advertisements for various Rolex watches in many types of magazines such as watch magazines, automobile magazines, fashion magazines, travel magazines, and sports magazines.  However, the few times I see ads for Tudor in US magazines, its only in watch magazines.  I never see ads for Tudors in automobile magazines, sports magazines, or travel magazines.  I think Rolex should spend some money and spread the word about this great new diving watch.  With such a reasonable price its a great opportunity for Rolex/Tudor, now its a matter of whether they really take advantage of this watch a market it properly.  I guess we will have to wait and see what Rolex does with this watch.

   Even if you decide its not the right watch for you, I look forward to hearing your thoughts once you have seen it in person. 

oh, it's easy. you present your knowledge in an authentic manner. i like this.

regarding the price i was referring to the MSRP of € 2400. the ad was in a car magazine(Austria).

well, let me say, i really don't like the ceramic versions, which are so popular. I do not endorse Rolex's decision to jump more or less completely on this train. I can imagine, I'm not a technician by any sort, that the material is superior and it shows some techonological leadership, which is part of the watch game, imo.

I will definitely let you know about my thoughts.

 

[Find Finn]



well, let me say, i really don't like the ceramic versions, which are so popular. I do not endorse Rolex's decision to jump more or less completely on this train. I can imagine, I'm not a technician by any sort, that the material is superior and it shows some techonological leadership, which is part of the watch game, imo.
I will definitely let you know about my thoughts.

Ceramic coatings will start to wear off sooner or later, as they aren't bulletproof as most people think.

 

[fritzl]



Ceramic coatings will start to wear off sooner or later, as they aren't bulletproof as most people think.

well, i don't need them and I don't like the artificial look of them. horses for courses.

 

[Find Finn]

I didn't read everything Dino wrote, as I'm lazy.


I think it fits some watch designs, but in general I'm not a fan either. If "you are" in the market for a ceramic coated bezel/watch, it's worth keeping in mind, that the coating wont last.

 

[JonathanCWalker]

Got this a couple of weeks ago.

 

[dddrees]

Ceramic coatings will start to wear off sooner or later, as they aren't bulletproof as most people think.

I'm not sure I know what you mean. The Tudor Black Bay bezel is made out of steel and the Ceramic Bezels the Rolex models use are not coated with Ceramic. They are made entirely out of Ceramic and these materials are rather durable and will not wear off.

 

[dddrees]

Wearing this one today.

 

[Dino944]

well, let me say, i really don't like the ceramic versions, which are so popular. I do not endorse Rolex's decision to jump more or less completely on this train. I can imagine, I'm not a technician by any sort, that the material is superior and it shows some techonological leadership, which is part of the watch game, imo.
I will definitely let you know about my thoughts.

I have mixed feelings about the look of the newer ceramic versions of the Sub & GMT. I am sure I could enjoy owning one. But at the price they cost, one could get a very nice vintage Sub or GMT.

Ceramic coatings will start to wear off sooner or later, as they aren't bulletproof as most people think.

Ceramic bezels can be damaged. Someone on another forum posted a photo after dropping a ceramic bezel Sub onto a non-carpeted floor from a height of 3-4 ft. There was a picture of the bezel in 2 or 3 large pieces. However, I'm not sure the ceramic will wear off, as its a ceramic insert and not a ceramic coating. Rolex says there are light coatings of platinum or gold that are applied to the graduation markings on the bezels, and I think those could wear off over time.

 

[Dino944]

Got this a couple of weeks ago.

Congrats and enjoy it!

 

[fritzl]



I have mixed feelings about the look of the newer ceramic versions of the Sub & GMT.  I am sure I could enjoy owning one.  But at the price they cost, one could get a very nice vintage Sub or GMT.  

this

 

[Find Finn]



Ceramic bezels can be damaged.  Someone on another forum posted a photo after dropping a ceramic bezel Sub onto a non-carpeted floor from a height of 3-4 ft.  There was a picture of the bezel in 2 or 3 large pieces.  However, I'm not sure the ceramic will wear off, as its a ceramic insert and not a ceramic coating. Rolex says there are light coatings of platinum or gold that are applied to the graduation markings on the bezels, and I think those could wear off over time. 

The owner of Linde Werdelin, was qoute in an interview saying, that the coating on their Spidos wouldn't last "forever".


Any vintage zenith experts on here?

 

[NonServiam]

Both the Tudor Black Bay and the Pelagos are very nice divers, tried both recently at my local Rolex dealer (not in the US). The Black Bay was particularly handsome, with plenty of vintage feel. A very nice case! For me, the red bezel would be perfect, as I have plenty of Subs and other black-bezeled watches. To generate more sales, they probably should make a black version though.

The Pelagos didn't resonate quite as much, probably because of the material. Not a great titanium fan in watches. But the bracelet and clasp was highly functional, an inspiration to other producers of "diving" watches. Somehow I picked up a few Seiko vibes from it, not sure why. That should not necessarily be a bad thing, but still ... A Seiko Samurai would be a lot cheaper

I like the snowflake hands, but feel that the BB should have gone all snowflake.

Tudor is definitely onto something!

Since this is the watch p0rn thread, not the watch talk thread, here are pics of my late Tudor Sub 79090. Sold it as I always chose my vintage Subs from the box when it came down to it. But a fantastic watch in its own right. If you want a vintage Sub but find the Rolex too dear, this is what you get!

 

[dddrees]

Both the Tudor Black Bay and the Pelagos are very nice divers, tried both recently at my local Rolex dealer (not in the US). The Black Bay was particularly handsome, with plenty of vintage feel. A very nice case! For me, the red bezel would be perfect, as I have plenty of Subs and other black-bezeled watches. To generate more sales, they probably should make a black version though.
The Pelagos didn't resonate quite as much, probably because of the material. Not a great titanium fan in watches. But the bracelet and clasp was highly functional, an inspiration to other producers of "diving" watches. Somehow I picked up a few Seiko vibes from it, not sure why. That should not necessarily be a bad thing, but still ... A Seiko Samurai would be a lot cheaper

I like the snowflake hands, but feel that the BB should have gone all snowflake.
Tudor is definitely onto something!
Since this is the watch p0rn thread, not the watch talk thread, here are pics of my late Tudor Sub 79090. Sold it as I always chose my vintage Subs from the box when it came down to it. But a fantastic watch in its own right. If you want a vintage Sub but find the Rolex too dear, this is what you get!

Great looking watch.

 

[Kaplan]

I find the newer Tudors much more interesting than the newer Rolexes. IMO Rolex have moved their sports watches too far from being real tool watches to being chunky and unbalanced (case vs bracelet), overbranded (rehaut) and overpriced (for a tool watch) statement pieces. I'll never get rid of my 20 year old sub, but if I was looking for something new it would be Tudor over Rolex. I guess it's a good thing there's still vintage, but it's sad to see that their best designs/pricepoint is behind them.

 

[drizzt3117]

Does Tudor make a no date sub?