Rolex has the reputation of being unhurried at releasing products - slower than a snail on horse tranquilizers. But Rolex, more than simply about releasing new products, is about keeping up with trends and improving their existing models. For the most part, they are simply being careful. As you know, the most notable designs of Rolex are 40-60 years old. It is difficult to mess with a good design and feel comfortable about it. The new Rolex Date-Just, for example, has made itself bigger, literally: from 36mm to 41mm (the 36mm model is retained though). And this year, the basic Rolex Submariner Ceramic Bezel line has received a few changes - and this made me an incredibly huge fan of this classic.
The new case actually works well because it is more angular than squared. To an extent, it is a more retro look than the out-going Submariner model. There are a few good changes to the design that take the watch into a new level of desirability. The use of a Rolex Submariner Ceramic Bezel comes first on the line. The out-going model still had the aluminum bezel insert that was starting to look cheap, and certainly got scratched way too easily. The new high tech ceramic bezel has molded in numerals (that wil not scratch off). And since it is ceramic, the bezel will not get dull and is certainly not prone to scratches. This kind of bezel was first introduced in the new GMT Master and the DeepSea Sea-Dweller. Better yet, the different Rolex diving watches are beginning to have characters unique from one another. People used to think of the Submariner and Sea-Dweller as identical - save for the helium escape valve and the lack of magnifier lens on the latter. Now, when you examine a DeepSea Sea-Dweller and Submariner, you can really tell the difference.
The case has a number of updates as well. It appears that the hands are fattened up even more, which makes for a good look. Rolex has a silly name for it "Maxi-dial." Case size is at 42mm - a size that's considered medium. The Rolex Submariner Ceramic Bezel's gold accents really complement the bracelet's gold center link. What's remarkable about all Submariner watches are the gold hands and indicators on the face. All-steel versions of this model, however, use white gold on the face, instead of yellow gold.
The story with the lume is different as well. Out with the green, in with the blue! Blue glowing lume are placed on the hour marker and hands - this makes them brighter and more suitable underwater. And as in the SeaDweller, the lume on the Rolex Submariner Ceramic Bezel is contained in a little case to keep it from being damaged. Rolex also keeps a part of the case in a brushed look - and the rest, a polished look - to make things look serious.
True to Rolex's standards, nothing has changed with regards to the precision of the in-house movement. A certified Chronometer - that is what each model is. I've been told by a number of watch repair people that they like working on Rolex movements for being simple and easy to get parts for. Truly, Rolex was way successful in producing a world-class mass produced movement and watch.
UPDATE. Recently got word that the new Rolesor (mix of steel and gold) Rolex Submariner Ceramic Bezel watch pictures will in fact, have the glidelock deployments of the new DeepSea Sea-Dweller watches. This is certainly a good piece of news! If you can recall, it was just a few years ago that Rolex was able to get rid of the outer pin holes on the lugs. I truly hated some of the older bracelet deployments, but with the new system of the DeepSea Sea-Dweller, Rolex proved that if it put its heart to it, it could come up with the best bracelet deployment in the industry. As mentioned above, the new Rolex Submariner Ceramic Bezel watches will truly have a much upgraded bracelet in comparison to the outgoing models.
Many people who are in love with the Rolex Submariner Ceramic Bezel could yap and yap about this watch. But the real power of this model - regardless of color, or style - is its versatility. For starters, this watch looks great on anyone, on any outfit. With its high value retention and universal appeal, and a design that keeps getting (incrementally) better. As much as the Rolex brand may be overinflated in some matters, you can always depend on the staying power of the Rolex Submariner. Now, I just have to get one myself one of these days.
This article was added on Wednesday 11 November, 2009.
