OK. I think I know who you are now. Those are incredibly rare and I HAVE seen just one left handed sea dweller.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Wish I didn't have a Rolex Submariner.
- Thread starter mcdj
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
OK. I think I know who you are now. Those are incredibly rare and I HAVE seen just one left handed sea dweller.
AH, you want to flip the dial and the bezel. Well, the bezel is easy enough. I changed the bezel on my GMT myself. You can look up guides to do that, but you'd want to have a professional open the watch up to flip the dial. Rolex definitely wont' do this for you.
Is it that awful to have the crown where it is? I've worn my watch on both wrists and the crown seems to be in the right position either way.
Is it that awful to have the crown where it is? I've worn my watch on both wrists and the crown seems to be in the right position either way.
Whether it tells time with class is purely subjective.
If its a YM2, not sure class would be the word I would use
Easy to make fun of what you do not have
Aluminum is nice too!
You would need to clip and resolder the dial feet to rotate the dial by 180 degrees. Shouldn't be a problem for an experienced watch repairer.
I have about a dozen watches including a Daytona and GMT IIC that I mostly wear. Not sure I can make room for an 
watch. Kinda like the gold one.....
watch. Kinda like the gold one..... I really don't think so. Quite the opposite actually
A device that end up in the drawer is a device that is a pain to use and make your life more complicated, or is only useful in very rare occasions.
This really is not the case with the Apple Watch. Judging from reviews and the information we have on it so far, it does a lot of cool stuff and seems like a very great device to use on a daily basis, and it doesn't seem hard to find a reason to use it.
The real problem seem to be the price, specifically how do you justify paying so much money on this since even it do what it do very well, it is still possible to do all those in a sometime less convenient manner on your iPhone.
That's how I feel about my tag aquaracer. I've looked at "nicer" (more expensive) watches but I just don't see myself not wearing this one. It's pretty much my favorite in each characteristic that's important to me. That said, I would probably shelf it for the right Cartier ballon bleu.
I also can't bring myself to buying a Quartz watch anymore after getting used to the smooth mechanical movement. I don't think a full blown electronic watch would work for me.
Great post. I feel a bit sad about my Hamilton. Not nearly a Rolex, but still a nice watch and to me very attractive. I wear it constantly except when playing basketball. I think it looks great and I'm always happy to have it on.
But I think its days are numbered. And that is a bit sad.
Well...
Flip phones are making a comeback of sorts, partly as an indicator that the user has better things to do than interact with a smartphone all day.
I think the same kind of my-life-is-full-enough-thank-you lifestyle could be indicated by wearing your Submariner, even while people all around you start using smartwatches.
Of course, you'll need to steel yourself for a calm reaction the first time that someone shows you a smartwatch with a Submariner replica watchface
More modest watches in my case (vintage Seiko chronos and divers), but my sentiments are the same as many of you - I won't be replacing them with an Apple watch any time soon. Anyone who wants to give up their Rolex, Omega, etc, I'm happy to save these unloved specimens from life in a dark drawer in a straight swap for a shiny Apple watch.
I doubt you'll ever see a dial on your Apple watch like this:
I doubt you'll ever see a dial on your Apple watch like this:
I'm honestly not sure what I am going to do. For now, my Tag goes in it's box for a few months and I am going to dedicate myself to the Apple Watch. If I fall in love I will sell the Tag. Which is going to be strange, as I love that watch and have worn it every day for years (except for the 2 months it was being cleaned and receiving a new battery... don't ask about why it took that long).
But... there is a very real possibility I will realize my wrist is meant to be classic and low tech and the Apple Watch will go and the Tag will come back to its home. We will see!
But... there is a very real possibility I will realize my wrist is meant to be classic and low tech and the Apple Watch will go and the Tag will come back to its home. We will see!
Pretty sure you undermined your whole argument with this paragraph. Who wouldn't want to have an 18 year old on-hand, even if she did go in the drawer for special occasions?
You have found your old age. It's like grandpa in the old days not getting why anyone would need a cellphone and stuck to the rotary phone until death.
As the world move forward, you have found your comfort zone and choose to stay still.
Maybe you will pick up a later generation Apple Watch, maybe you won't. But if you realize one day that Apple Watch is actually useful, may your Rolex sit with all of your other watches and rarely be worn again.
It always amuses me when people compare smart watches to 'regular' watches.
No one buys a smart watch as a piece of jewelry or just to have time/date/stopwatch on their wrist. If that was their main motivation they would have bought a regular watch years and years ago. The wast majority buying smart watches today has not worn a regular watch for years - if at all (depending on age).
People buy smart watches because of the *other* things they can do.
Which is why I personally do not see the need for a smart watch to mimic the look of traditional watches at all. Because it isn't - and forcing what is in reality a tiny computer with screen into a certain format only limits the possibilities.
No one buys a smart watch as a piece of jewelry or just to have time/date/stopwatch on their wrist. If that was their main motivation they would have bought a regular watch years and years ago. The wast majority buying smart watches today has not worn a regular watch for years - if at all (depending on age).
People buy smart watches because of the *other* things they can do.
Which is why I personally do not see the need for a smart watch to mimic the look of traditional watches at all. Because it isn't - and forcing what is in reality a tiny computer with screen into a certain format only limits the possibilities.
These guys won't get it, or care. To them, Apple has sunk the swiss watch industry already, and this is the greatest thing to have ever existed.
I wear a Daytona mostly, but I've got my Panerai 512 on now. Not a hope in hell of dropping either of these beauties for a half assed mini iPhone that doesn't even know why it exists. I'm kind of glad though, because I love these watches so much, had Apple announced something mind blowing, I'd be sad to put these down.
Thankfully that isn't the case
PAM 112 checking in
Day to day I just wear a Welder or Nixon, but for going out or events I will wear something nicer.
That being said, I'm sure at some point I'll pick up an Apple Watch! However it will be the sport and nothing very expensive.
You guys (major watch guys) aren't the market for this. It's called the "Apple Watch", but it is by no means a replacement of the culture you are immersed in. It's more or less a way to interact with our phones without using our phones. The Apple Watch will be more one day, while your watches are meant to just do two things: tell time and look cool. This is more or less just an extension of technology progress whereas classic watches are a staple of one of the oldest human inventions.
So I don't think there should be any doubt or problems with you not wanting to jump in, especially this first iteration. It's a totally different device than what you guys swear by. It's a different product entirely than what you are comparing it to.
So I don't think there should be any doubt or problems with you not wanting to jump in, especially this first iteration. It's a totally different device than what you guys swear by. It's a different product entirely than what you are comparing it to.
Really interesting topic, OP, especially since you were involved in an early iteration of a smartwatch.
The Apple Watch is an interesting gadget, but it's not interesting enough for me to get one and use as a watch. Besides that I'm very happy with my Breitling NaviTimer, the Apple Watch doesn't do the essential thing I want any piece of technology I'm putting on my wrist to do: to tell the time, discreetly.
It requires either an exaggerated wrist movement to get it to do this, or a two hand operation. This is socially problematic to say the least. With all the hype around it now, it's not going to push into the league of nice mechanical watches, and I dare even say it's soon going to turn out not to be a gamechanger, but a fad.
The Apple Watch is an interesting gadget, but it's not interesting enough for me to get one and use as a watch. Besides that I'm very happy with my Breitling NaviTimer, the Apple Watch doesn't do the essential thing I want any piece of technology I'm putting on my wrist to do: to tell the time, discreetly.
It requires either an exaggerated wrist movement to get it to do this, or a two hand operation. This is socially problematic to say the least. With all the hype around it now, it's not going to push into the league of nice mechanical watches, and I dare even say it's soon going to turn out not to be a gamechanger, but a fad.
Great post OP. Haven't got even remotely as long or interesting history with watches as yourself, but I feel your pain.
I own a number of nice mechanicals including a no date Sub, an old Seamaster, a few older Hamiltons and some other lower end stuff, Seiko and Citizens. Bought a Tudor Pelagos a while back and it's absolutely the only watch I wear, or want to wear. It's utilitarian, under the radar quality, the titanium, the matte finish, the bezel lume, the snowflake hand, the clasp, the ....ooh, I still like to stare at it. The knock against it is the lack of in-house Rolex movement of course (rectified by the incoming version 2 in June, complete with ghastly essay on the dial - that's saved me £3k, ha!), but otherwise it's my perfect watch. So much so, not been remotely interested in buying a watch since, a feat in itself!
Simultaneous to all that is my love for tech and Apple stuff. The Apple Watch leaves me conflicted, but not nearly as much as I'd have thought - in a battle of "what should I wear today" I can't possibly see the AW beating out my Tudor.
Having said that, being naturally tech curious I've preordered the cheapest AW, black Sport 38mm (and I'm usually a max iPad/iPhone/Mac kind of guy). I'm a bit of a gym nut so will certainly use it there. Equally, I can see me using it on my right wrist (normal watch on left) when I'm driving and then flinging it into a pocket or bag when I arrive. Also, given that 95% of my existence is informal and casual, I'm not averse to the idea of wearing it upside down on my right wrist - sounds odd initially, but I've worn Fitbits and such in this manner many times previously and it doesn't really raise an eyebrow. This is partly why I've plumped for the 38mm over the 42mm. To the "you'll look ridiculous" crowd, have you actually seen all the junk some blokes wear on their wrists? Leather strips, strings, charity bands? An upturned AW on a rubber strap won't look all that different. I'm 38 and athletic looking if that makes a difference. May not look good, but I'm all about function personally, not fashion. Would never do it during formal circumstances of course, but those occasions are rare for my personal circumstances.
I own a number of nice mechanicals including a no date Sub, an old Seamaster, a few older Hamiltons and some other lower end stuff, Seiko and Citizens. Bought a Tudor Pelagos a while back and it's absolutely the only watch I wear, or want to wear. It's utilitarian, under the radar quality, the titanium, the matte finish, the bezel lume, the snowflake hand, the clasp, the ....ooh, I still like to stare at it
. The knock against it is the lack of in-house Rolex movement of course (rectified by the incoming version 2 in June, complete with ghastly essay on the dial - that's saved me £3k, ha!), but otherwise it's my perfect watch. So much so, not been remotely interested in buying a watch since, a feat in itself! Simultaneous to all that is my love for tech and Apple stuff. The Apple Watch leaves me conflicted, but not nearly as much as I'd have thought - in a battle of "what should I wear today" I can't possibly see the AW beating out my Tudor.
Having said that, being naturally tech curious I've preordered the cheapest AW, black Sport 38mm (and I'm usually a max iPad/iPhone/Mac kind of guy). I'm a bit of a gym nut so will certainly use it there. Equally, I can see me using it on my right wrist (normal watch on left) when I'm driving and then flinging it into a pocket or bag when I arrive. Also, given that 95% of my existence is informal and casual, I'm not averse to the idea of wearing it upside down on my right wrist - sounds odd initially, but I've worn Fitbits and such in this manner many times previously and it doesn't really raise an eyebrow. This is partly why I've plumped for the 38mm over the 42mm. To the "you'll look ridiculous" crowd, have you actually seen all the junk some blokes wear on their wrists? Leather strips, strings, charity bands? An upturned AW on a rubber strap won't look all that different. I'm 38 and athletic looking if that makes a difference. May not look good, but I'm all about function personally, not fashion. Would never do it during formal circumstances of course, but those occasions are rare for my personal circumstances.
Last edited:
sorry, i feel the opposite here.
I guess I'm fairly young and don't have much of a collection going on, (just a Tag Aquaracer, IWC Portugese, and an incoming Apple Watch, maybe a Rolex in the pipelines). The Apple Watch will now become my daily, replacing the Tag. Obviously when going out for a fancy dinner date or social gathering, I will be strapping on the Portuguese. But for everything else and in my daily life, I have no issues using the Apple Watch. It is so much more capable than a regular watch, despite being less stylish or carrying that prestige.
You say you want to keep your monogamous relationship with your submariner, I say I'm a slut. Different strokes for different folks, which is totally understandable.
I guess I'm fairly young and don't have much of a collection going on, (just a Tag Aquaracer, IWC Portugese, and an incoming Apple Watch, maybe a Rolex in the pipelines). The Apple Watch will now become my daily, replacing the Tag. Obviously when going out for a fancy dinner date or social gathering, I will be strapping on the Portuguese. But for everything else and in my daily life, I have no issues using the Apple Watch. It is so much more capable than a regular watch, despite being less stylish or carrying that prestige.
You say you want to keep your monogamous relationship with your submariner, I say I'm a slut. Different strokes for different folks, which is totally understandable.
I too am a collector and with various Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Bell & Ross, Baume & Mericer. To me the Apple Watch is a cute toy that I can wear to work and the gym. Over the years my watches have taken the most abuse at work and they can finally sit at home and age gracefully until called upon outside of work.