- Posts
- 437
- Likes
- 673
jpjsavage
·When I was 40, around 11 years ago, my wife gave me my first 'proper' watch - a Rolex 16610 submariner.
I remember going to collect the watch from John Pass Jewellers in Crewe. We had the choice between the black and green bezel (I chose the black), but with a promise that if I returned the watch after a week or so I could have the green bezelled one instead. I never did. This watch has been my daily wear ever since.
That purchase started me on my journey collecting watches. I've been lucky to purchase some beautiful watches over the last 11 years but this submariner has always been the watch I come back to. I seldom wear any other watches and I think, honestly, it is the perfect watch for me.
Shortly after my purchase in June 2009, the 16610 was discontinued and the new 116610 came along with its larger wrist presence, wider lugs and ceramic bezel. For me, the changes didn't enhance the watch and I have never been tempted to purchase one.
However, the recently announced 126610 changed that. The slimmer lugs, beautiful dial, ceramic bezel and reports of an outstanding bracelet all tempted me. When I had the opportunity to view the 2020 Rolex collection last month I was impressed and asked my Rolex AD to put me down for the new submariner (no date). Imagine my surprise when I had a call last week to ask me if I would like to purchase the date version (no allocation had been received for the no date). On reflection, this was a great opportunity. I constantly forget the date!
Anyway, yesterday I was able to collect this beauty:
It was love at first sight. The watch is stunning in flesh and supremely comfortable on the wrist. It is elegant to my eyes and significantly larger in comparison to the 16610. Here are a couple of shots to illustrate the difference:
The bracelet is absolutely first class. It is one of the most comfortable watches I have ever worn. The slightly wider lugs (with a small taper), together with the superb glide lock system, just works beautifully on an aesthetic and practical level.
All in all, I have found my new daily wear. I'm going to keep my 16610 (I've learnt that selling a Rolex is nearly always a bad idea) and I will wear it occasionally too. The incremental or evolutionary design approach that Rolex adopt has really worked well here. The 126610 has all the hallmarks of a classic, with a return to the lines of the original subs albeit at a 'controversial' 41mm. On the wrist, it feels fine and significantly smaller than a modern Seadweller or Skydweller. A beautiful watch that will be worn and enjoyed every day for the next 50 years.
I remember going to collect the watch from John Pass Jewellers in Crewe. We had the choice between the black and green bezel (I chose the black), but with a promise that if I returned the watch after a week or so I could have the green bezelled one instead. I never did. This watch has been my daily wear ever since.
That purchase started me on my journey collecting watches. I've been lucky to purchase some beautiful watches over the last 11 years but this submariner has always been the watch I come back to. I seldom wear any other watches and I think, honestly, it is the perfect watch for me.
Shortly after my purchase in June 2009, the 16610 was discontinued and the new 116610 came along with its larger wrist presence, wider lugs and ceramic bezel. For me, the changes didn't enhance the watch and I have never been tempted to purchase one.
However, the recently announced 126610 changed that. The slimmer lugs, beautiful dial, ceramic bezel and reports of an outstanding bracelet all tempted me. When I had the opportunity to view the 2020 Rolex collection last month I was impressed and asked my Rolex AD to put me down for the new submariner (no date). Imagine my surprise when I had a call last week to ask me if I would like to purchase the date version (no allocation had been received for the no date). On reflection, this was a great opportunity. I constantly forget the date!
Anyway, yesterday I was able to collect this beauty:
It was love at first sight. The watch is stunning in flesh and supremely comfortable on the wrist. It is elegant to my eyes and significantly larger in comparison to the 16610. Here are a couple of shots to illustrate the difference:
The bracelet is absolutely first class. It is one of the most comfortable watches I have ever worn. The slightly wider lugs (with a small taper), together with the superb glide lock system, just works beautifully on an aesthetic and practical level.
All in all, I have found my new daily wear. I'm going to keep my 16610 (I've learnt that selling a Rolex is nearly always a bad idea) and I will wear it occasionally too. The incremental or evolutionary design approach that Rolex adopt has really worked well here. The 126610 has all the hallmarks of a classic, with a return to the lines of the original subs albeit at a 'controversial' 41mm. On the wrist, it feels fine and significantly smaller than a modern Seadweller or Skydweller. A beautiful watch that will be worn and enjoyed every day for the next 50 years.
