My new 39.5 Planet Ocean doesn't just beat the Submariner - it crushes it!

Before I go into this, understand I'm not a Rolex hater. I have owned three Rolexes. I wore my 5 digit Sub Date as one of my only watches for several years. I took it to Afghanistan and throughout Central Asia on operations in the early 2000s. I really enjoyed the watch, and like many Sub owners, my desire for it came directly from watching old Bond movies. It was always a tool watch to me.

Like many of you, I found watch forums, learned much more about watches, and expanded my horological knowledge. I have since owned a blue DJ41 and an Explorer 1 39mm. Both were sold. I was drawn to several Omega models, but I never liked the skeleton sword hands of the Seamaster 300. I figured a new Omega dive watch was not in the cards. However, I did buy my first Omega (an Aqua Terra 8900) three years ago. I still love it.

Earlier this year, I had been thinking about getting another Submariner. I hate the gray market craziness, but I still started looking. At the same time, I began noticing the Planet Ocean. It didn't have the skeleton hands, so I was immediately interested.

The biggest push came when I saw some detailed photos of a new PO and Sub Date side by side. The Rolex looks ancient in comparison. The Rolex STILL has no Anti Reflective coating (ridiculous). Of course it still has the huge, hideous cyclops. Its dial looks completely boring compared to the Planet Ocean. It was kind of like a light switch was thrown in my head, and I couldn't remember why I had been interested in the Sub. Add to that the incredible 8800 METAS movement, and I can't think of any reason to pursue a Submariner.

And please don't even mention the "investment" potential of a Rolex. Investment watches go into safes. My watches go on my wrist and into the real world.

Now that I have worn the 39.5 PO for a while, all my hopes have been confirmed. It is the quintessential modern tool watch, unequalled by any other brand. The PO completely crushes the Sub.

Very nice indeed.

Had any offers to take your Submariner off your hands? If not, I am surprised!

No, the Sub is long gone. I have no more Rolexes. I don't like them as much as I used to.

I know many people still like them, and that's cool of course. But I am over Rolex.

I really like the 2500, and I almost went that way when choosing my PO. I think you would also love the 8800!

Totally agree. You are right - the Rolex cyclops functions well, but it is an eyesore and doesn't belong on a high end watch, even if it's a tool watch.

I waffled for 6 months on the thickness of the modern OP. As a rule, I really dislike thick, bulky watches. But I have read SO many testimonials by 8800 owners about how the thickness was not an issue that I thought it might be ok. Certainly, we WIS are good at rationalizing our purchases. But I found very few people say they sold the 8800 PO because of the thickness. I agree that it wears well. It feels solid and hefty, but it doesn't feel bigger than my Sub Date felt.

That's what the Aqua Terra is for! 😁 At least that's how I justified my purchase back in 2018 😗

You bet! It is fun to brag about a successful watch purchase, especially when it works out so well.

The ceramic dial also has the liquid metal process, which is tremendously cool.

The HEV was a small concern for me before I bought, but I rarely notice it while wearing the watch. In stock photos, it seems like this huge, unsightly growth. But on the wrist, it really melts into the background.