My journey to find the ultimate Submariner - A Decade of Divers>>>>

[jholbrook]

As I'm sure most of you can relate, I've owned MANY different watches from several manufacturers, and a variety of Rolex watches in particular. My love of Rolex really started with an attraction toward the diver style watch, which of course Rolex pioneered. However, my appreciation of diver style watches did not begin with the Submariner.

Ten years ago, or about this time in 1999 is when I purchased my first diver. Previous to that I'd owned some "nice watches" - a Gucci in the early 90's (remember when they were popular) and a Movado Museum watch later in the 90's - both were two-tone, black dial watches. But this Tag Heuer 2000 was my introduction to the diver styled watch:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/tag2000a.jpg

After I got the Tag, I really fell in love with the utility and versatility of the diver style watch, and began researching them. Prior to this, I'd never owned an all-stainless steel watch but began to see them more and more on people. I wasn't sure I would like it, so I wanted to try to look without spending a lot of money. So I found the Invicta 8926 and later the Invicta 9937 and found stainless steel to my liking:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/invicta.jpg

As I continued down my horological journey (into madness??) I found my way to Omega and the Seamaster Professional:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/smp3.jpg

Eventually I found my way to Rolex. I decided to buy a 16610 Submariner and called my favorite AD to put in the order. They didn't have one in stock, but quoted me one heckuva deal on a Sea-Dweller. So I gambled a bit, and end up really liking watch. I kept it for five years, and hardly a day went by that I didn't wear it, at least for a few hours:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Framed/sea-dweller-logobackground.jpg

Not long after that, I decided to scratch an horological itch I'd had for some time. Being a child of the 80's, I really like a TT watch. So I finally got a watch I'd long had my eye on - the 16613 Submariner:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Framed/16613BFULL.jpg

In many ways, the 16613 has been my favorite watch I've ever owned. I've certainly kept it in my collection longer than any other watch I own, and can't imagine not having one.

Still, the desire for a stainless Submariner hadn't quite been satisfied. So when my dealer called me to let me know they got in one of the first batches of LV Submariners, I had to give it a try:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Framed/50thsub1WALLPAPER.jpg

It's a great watch, but I never thought the bezel looked good with a suit, so I sold it not long after buying.

Eventually I found my way to vintage Rolex, and was bitten hard by the "red" Submariner bug - I've had three, and currently own a 1970 red 1680:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Framed/red-sub1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Framed/2-red-subsframed.jpg

Which brings me to my current Y series stainless steel 16610 that I bought late last year. I'm loving this watch nearly as much as my 16613!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Framed/rolexsubreflectiona-1.jpg

All of this to say, I think I've determined that I'm a Sub guy. :) Everything about the watch just fits me so well. Argueably, most of the other watches in my collection are Sub variations:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Framed/16710-3186A1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Framed/yachtgrey1a.jpg

It's been a long journey of self-discovery. But it's been fun. :)

[Spider-Man]

true words of a nice "watch-odyssee"!

wear them in good health, John! :dr:

btw: nice scans :gut:

[simon]

John,

are you missing the Sea Dweller? How do you compare it to your Submariners?

[Hannibal]

Nice journey report. :gut:
Which watch will be the next one? ;)
Kind regards
Volker

[jholbrook]

Originally posted by simon
John,

are you missing the Sea Dweller? How do you compare it to your Submariners?

You know, I'm really not - now that I have my 16610. I did miss having a black dial diver. I've found I like the 16610 an itsy-bitsy more just because it looks a bit better with a suit as it isn't as thick as the SD. I did wear the SD with a suit once in a while - but not often. I have no hesitation though with my 16610. :gut:

[jholbrook]

Originally posted by Hannibal
Nice journey report. :gut:
Which watch will be the next one? ;)
Kind regards
Volker

Volker - I'd like to think I'm done with sport watches. On to the YG DD! :tongue:

[alicia]

;) nice trip, and your redsub's a dream again and again :verneig:

[Bullit]

What a trip. Thanks for your thoughts and the pics. :gut: :gut: :gut:

Erik

[OrangeHand]

Great collection. :gut:

You will have to add the Deep Sea Sea Dweller to this. ;)

[NicoH]

Nice!

You know what I like best? That it came down to the classic Submariner again =) You can play around with all sorts of colors on the bezel but there´s no better sports watch than the SS Sub. I really like that you´re sporting the 16610 Sub in the WS thread that often ;)

Thanks for taking us along-
Nico

[jholbrook]

Originally posted by OrangeHand
Great collection. :gut:

You will have to add the Deep Sea Sea Dweller to this. ;)

I respect the watch for its capabilities, but it's completely impractical for me. Sorry. :ka:

[jholbrook]

Originally posted by NicoH
You can play around with all sorts of colors on the bezel but there´s no better sports watch than the SS Sub.

No arguements here Nico! :gut:

[Hannibal]

Original von jholbrook
Volker - I'd like to think I'm done with sport watches. On to the YG DD! :tongue:
Only time will tell. ;) Anyway, you own so many beautiful watches, enjoy them.
Kind regards
Volker

[andie]

When I see such a fantastic collection, I'm always wondering '... can there still be another challenge'?
I mean, whats coming next? Is there still any other watch out there which might top what I already have?
Will the hunt ever be over?

[jholbrook]

Originally posted by andie
Will the hunt ever be over?

I hope not! Hunting is half the fun! :tongue:

But, I could see me beging done after getting a couple of DD's...one white and one yellow gold. :gut: