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Few debates ignite as much passion as the choice between two iconic Rolex models: the Submariner Ref. 5512 and the Explorer Ref. 1016. Both watches embody Rolex’s legacy of precision and durability, yet they cater to distinct tastes and lifestyles. This article delves into their histories, design philosophies, and enduring appeal, offering a nuanced comparison to guide collectors and enthusiasts alike.

The Submariner Ref. 5512: A Dive into Horological Mastery
Historical Evolution
Introduced in 1959, the Submariner Ref. 5512 marked a pivotal moment in Rolex’s dive watch lineage. Departing from its 38mm predecessors, this model debuted a robust 40mm replica Rolex Oyster case with crown guards – a design innovation that became a hallmark of modern Submariners. The 5512’s production spanned over two decades, ending in 1980, during which it evolved through subtle yet significant iterations. Early versions featured square crown guards, later transitioning to the “Eagle Beak” style before settling on rounded guards. These changes not only enhanced functionality but also solidified its rugged aesthetic.

Dial Variations and Collectibility
The 5512’s dials are a study in horological artistry. Early models bore two-line text, reflecting the use of non-chronometer movements like the Caliber 1530. With the adoption of chronometer-certified Calibers 1560 and 1570, dials expanded to four lines, including “Superlative Chronometer” and “Officially Certified” inscriptions. Collectors further categorize variations by gilt vs. matte finishes, “meters-first” vs. “feet-first” depth ratings, and the iconic “Maxi” dials with oversized lume plots. Such diversity makes the 5512 a treasure trove for enthusiasts, with prices ranging from €10,000 for entry-level examples to over €30,000 for rare editions.

Design and Wearability
For Jorg, the Submariner’s allure lies in its timeless design and versatility. The 40mm case suits his 18.5cm wrist comfortably, while its unidirectional bezel and luminous markers exude tool-watch practicality. Though he humorously admits to “desk diving,” the 5512’s blend of form and function – paired with its historical significance – cements its status as a grail watch.

The Explorer Ref. 1016: Elegance in Simplicity
A Legacy of Understatement
Debuting in 1960, the Explorer Ref. 1016 distilled Rolex’s design ethos into a minimalist masterpiece. Unlike the Submariner’s specialized diving features, the 1016 prioritized legibility and durability for everyday wear. Its 36mm Oyster case housed a clean dial adorned with luminous 3-6-9 numerals and Mercedes-style hands – a layout that remains iconic. Produced until 1989, the 1016 saw incremental updates, including matte dials and solid-link bracelets, yet retained its signature elegance throughout its 29-year run.

The Hunt for Perfection
Mike’s advocacy for the 1016 stems from its understated versatility. As a daily wearer, its 36mm case offers a discreet, comfortable fit, particularly for slimmer wrists. However, acquiring a pristine example is no small feat. Many 1016s suffered from over-polishing, and surviving models with original proportions command premiums. Mike’s own quest led him to a 1989 L-series model – a late-production gem that balances vintage charm with near-mint condition.

Timeless Appeal
The Explorer’s lack of complications is its strength. Without a rotating bezel or date window, it embodies purity, appealing to those who value subtlety. Its design transcends trends, making it equally at home on a bracelet, leather strap, or NATO. For Mike, this simplicity – coupled with its storied history as a mountaineering companion – elevates the 1016 to the pinnacle of all-purpose luxury watches.

Both models occupy rarefied air in Rolex’s pantheon, yet their differences resonate with distinct audiences. The Submariner 5512 captivates with its technical prowess and bold aesthetics, while the Explorer 1016 wins hearts through minimalist refinement. Market values reflect this divide, with both models fetching €20,000-€30,000 for exceptional specimens.

I love hearing about other people’s watch choices, but it’s not just about the outcome. How and why a person buys a particular watch is often much more interesting. It leads to a different perspective on how people make choices, and being either a speculator or a design freak has a big impact. Of course, there’s more to buying a watch than simply weighing specs or design, but most replica watch aficionados do favor one or the other. As a design enthusiast, my main attraction to a watch is its looks. While specs are important, they will never outweigh the visual aspect. But some people do put specs first.
I’ve walked among watch enthusiasts for the past 20 years and am still fascinated by people who put specs first. Our next purchase is based on the same points – the brand, the design, the movement, the specifications and the price. However, the way we prioritize them can be very different. For me, the type of watch – diver, GMT, etc. – is a big guide to my next purchase. However, once I decide which type of watch I want to buy, the more important pursuit is finding one I like the look of. For me, specs are secondary to price, and the price is often an important part of creating context, especially when talking about specs.
But that watch – and any discussion of GMTs in general – leads to a lively discussion about the importance of the “Caller” GMT vs. the “Aviator” GMT, which brings us to the other end of the spectrum. At heart, the mechanical watch, despite the great emotions that accompany it, is still a technical product. Every year, we see new technical marvels that show the human light behind the copy watches we love.
The degree to which you prioritize specs is very personal, but I am often intrigued by watch aficionados who consider specs to be the most important factor in buying a watch. While specs can play a big role in choosing a watch, their importance to your lifestyle can be highly exaggerated. As Thomas van Straaten explains perfectly in his article, we are often blinded by specifications, especially since most of us never test the limits of our watches in our daily lives.

Over the past few years, TUDOR watches have experienced a huge surge in popularity. While Tudor’s history dates back to 1926, it is only in the last decade that the brand has begun to re-establish itself globally as a major luxury watchmaker in the industry.
A central part of Tudor’s recent success has been its numerous heritage models, which are inspired by important vintage replica watches from the brand’s history. Tudor’s archives are filled with iconic designs, and the brand’s Heritage Collection has reinvented some of its most noteworthy models with modern materials and manufacturing techniques. In addition to the highly successful Black Bay collection and the alarm-equipped Advisor model, there is also TUDOR’s Heritage Chrono collection, inspired by the brand’s vintage sports chronographs. The first Heritage Chrono appeared in 2010, but it was the addition of a striking blue and orange variant in 2013 that really brought this vintage-inspired model to the attention of collectors. Enter Tudor’s Heritage Chrono Blue.
The overall design of the Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue is based in large part on the famous Tudor “Montecarlo” chronographs of the 1970s. Produced from 1971 until around 1977, this second generation of Tudor chronographs earned the nickname “Montecarlo” for the colorful appearance of its dial, which is slightly reminiscent of a casino roulette wheel.
Like the original reference number 7169/0 from the 1970s, the modern TUDOR Heritage Chrono Blue features a stainless steel case, a 12-hour rotating bezel, a double dial layout, and a date window at 6 o’clock. However, while the original vintage model featured an acrylic crystal with a Cyclops magnifying lens above the date window, the modern version features a scratch-resistant synthetic sapphire crystal and omits the Cyclops lens of its predecessor.
While the modern example has some minor updates and technical improvements (such as the interchangeable positions of the sub-dials), the overall aesthetic of the TUDOR Heritage Chrono Blue is almost a recreation of a vintage fake Rolex watch and follows the exact same color profile as the 1970s blue version with bright blue and orange accents on the dial. Moreover, thanks to its modern materials and build quality, the 42 mm stainless steel case of the TUDOR Heritage Chrono Blue offers users sufficient water resistance to 150 meters (500 feet), thanks to its screw-down crown, caseback, and chronograph pushers.

In April, Rolex announced it would delay the launch of its new watches until 2021 until further notice, saying it had no specific launch date. At that time, many speculated that we might not see any new fake Rolex watches in 2021. This announcement, coupled with the news from the previous month that Rolex was closing its factories and facilities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, made it seem possible that Rolex might actually be delayed unveiling its new watches altogether. Read more on the Rolex Shortage. However, to the delight of collectors and enthusiasts, Rolex has just set a 2021 release date for its new watch.
This news comes as a major relief to lots of luxury watch collectors and enthusiasts, along with countless retailers around the globe who depend on Rolex models to account for a significant portion of their annual sales. Additionally, the cancellation of Baselworld and the delay in the unveiling of Rolex’s new 2021 replica watches have also resulted in an increased amount of speculation about what the brand is going to unveil.
In addition to there being no new Rolex watches for 2021 thus far, no models have been discontinued either. This has led to many collectors speculating about what Rolex might have planned for 2021. Besides that, given Rolex’s previous and rather vague statement from April, the news that we likely will see some new Rolex watches this year has sparked much excitement from countless individuals.
Despite Rolex now officially naming a date for the launch of its new 2021 watches, this is still not a guarantee that we – the public – will actually see new models in 2021 at all. What’s more, the announcement of any new watches and their actual real-world availability may be significantly different because of Rolex previously shutting down its factories earlier in the year.
Given that these September dates are being described as what will be a coordinated global launch, there is a great chance that the public will actually get some new 2021 Rolex models then. However, there are also two other scenarios to consider:
As the global coronavirus pandemic is not yet over, there is still a lot of uncertainty about whether a pandemic will occur later this year. The first week of September does still pose a risk for significant gatherings, and should global conditions worsen, there is an opportunity that Rolex’s new September launch, along with Geneva Watch Days will ultimately get postponed or canceled altogether.
So what does Rolex have decided for 2021? At this point in time – and likely right up until September 1st (and possibly even later) – only Rolex will know. Speculation among collectors and industry insiders has never been higher; But, whatever Rolex is released or stops in 2021, one thing is certain: it will almost certainly affect the open market price of some existing Rolex watches.

Actor, executive producer, writer, Justin Theroux wears many hats. He has also become a style icon, though he doesn’t stick to the tradition of leading menswear in high-end designer threads (though he seems to like replica watches). Instead, he likes the skinny black jeans and leather motorcycle gear he has worn since college.
While he has appeared on the cover of GQ – and countless supermarket tabloids courtesy of his more famous predecessor – we admire his bucking trend, most other Tinseltown types blindly follow. Theroux’s clothes were sometimes criticized for being stuck in the 1990s, but his watch game was so powerful that all other tailors’ sins could be forgiven.
Theroux (of course) is a Rolex fan and prefers vintage models, and again he chooses fake watches less popular but with no lack of cool. Take the 18k gold Submariner Ref. He was recently found wearing it in 1680. Solid gold sub-dials are kind of rare because the model’s most popular and collectible reference is stainless steel. But wavering is a strong statement.
Theroux’s Rolex replica watch is actually from the year he was born in 1971. Prices are in the $40,000 range and are hard to find. It’s very similar to gold 16618, and it will cost you half as much (and is a good buy), but it has more vintage feelings, such as a “nipple” dial and acrylic glass. The story goes that Theroux began hunting down submarines as a birthday gift to himself in 1971.
Theroux is also known for his sturdy gold Rolex date President, which isn’t the first watch you’d expect from someone with his style, but he’s doing pretty well. He also saw Audemars Piguet, Cartier, and IWC sports in various red-carpet shows and magazine features. But we suspect it comes from his personal collection. So what replica watches should Theroux be wearing? We highly recommend the 1955 Rolex Explorer II 1655 – this was the first year that the reference made its debut. The watch became known as the Steve McQueen, and although there was little evidence that the actor had worn it, it was still a relatively unpopular watch. Rolex uses some design cues for the 40th-anniversary edition, but classic retro references are certainly rarer.

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What is new and popular in the promotional field? Vantage Apparel’s director of sales, Lauren Cocco, Shared the latest trends, including fashion impact, key industry products, and new decor concepts.
Look for “versatile” or transitional items that can be worn all day and have multiple USES. These styles can have different looks and can easily range from casual to athletic to complex, depending on their style.
For instance, the same promotional quarter-zip pullover comes in a variety of styles: add a layer of Henley on top of a sweater for a casual look with jeans and sneakers; Pair a shirt with a button-down for a more upscale look;
Custom Lightweight pullovers, button-down shirts, and Henry shirts are great year-round and year-round options. These can be worn individually or in layers.
Like everyday wardrobes, customers are looking for comfort. Comfort is usually associated with comfortable cotton, softness, and stretch.
Many performance-based fabrics are blended with natural fibers or designed to have a cotton-like feel. Stacked jumpers and layered vests are a good example of this natural trend in the promotional field.
Spandex or stretch fabrics are also more popular — consider more elastic and less restrictive fabrics. Greg Norman Foreward polos are performance-based fabrics. These promotional polos are blended with cotton, ultra-soft to the touch, lightweight and breathable.