The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I think the new ceramic Submariner is a downgrade, just like the GMT IIc.

It might be "technically" better with the new clasp and everything, but the original Rolex spirit and traditions are gone. Maybe that's just me... but they produced the Sub with the same case for over 40 years. Why change something that's perfect?

My beef with GMTIIc is that it's not available with Pepsi bezel, which is synonymous to Rolex GMT. And generally I'm not a big fan of the "fat lugs", either.

My 2c.

I dont see anything perfect about the old model. I can understand that case dimensions might be a turn off for some, but the old bracelet and clasp are such low quality that its almost comical. I would be upset if that clasp came on a $500 watch, let alone a $5000 watch. I get that tradition and exclusivity are important, but taking into account that Rolex is pumping out a million watches per year, the excusive aspect is certainly diminished. A company can sell at whatever price the market will bear (and we are all guilty of overspending on something as simple as a watch), but there comes a point when you are paying a large amount of money and simply getting ripped off. At $410, a breitling OR deployant clasp is as big a rip off as they come, but at least you can say "I paid a ton of money for this--way more than any reasonable person would expect--but at least its of the highest quality." With a rolex clasp, its "I paid a ton of money for this, and its not even high quality. In fact, its not even of fair quality."

Im not a Rolex hater by any means, and I think the new bracelet and clasp are THE BEST that money can buy. Its not just good, its amazingly good. I just cant wrap my head around how somebody who has handled various luxury watches in their life could pick up a old style Rolex and not be completely flabbergasted from an objective viewpoint.

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-RJ

Totally with you on that one RJ. But then again you and I clearly aren't dyed-in-the-wool Rolexaholics. Sometimes tradition outweighs practical considerations, kind of like we've seen with the reaction to the removal of the "sleeve snaggers" (that's rider tabs incidentally!) from the B01 bezel. OK, so the Rolex clasp and bracelet is a quality thing, not just an aesthetic thing, but I guess the same principle holds true.

But as I say, I personally totally agree with you that the old Rolex bracelet and clasp were frankly laughable considering the quality being produced by other brands. However, Rolex obviously saw that themselves and as you say they've NOW produced some of the best clasps ever made.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Wasn't really talking about the clasp but the overall direction that they have taken... I don't like the new Rolex models.

Yacht-Master II is obnoxious, DeepSea is ugly and as I said new GMTIIc and Sub are downgrades in MY eyes... just a personal preference.

It's kinda ironic that all Rolex fans always whined that they never change, but when they do, they whine even more.

Yeah well I guess Breitling fans are just same! It's GOTTA be a WIS thing!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Well a little update...

Dad has turned his attention and is now getting an Omega.

My short lived look at Rolex left me thinking a SDDS would be the only way I would go but just feel it's not enough to justify the price tag with it ! So as much as i'd like to add a Rolex to my collection got now it wil have to wait.

Got my eye on another Breitling