Top 9 Things You Didn't Know About Rolex | Crown & Caliber

Recently, we talked about Rolex terminology, which got us thinking about some deeper cut Rolex things that we have seen over the years on different models. Though Rolex stays pretty tried and true, there are moments where designs quietly change or materials shift. This video helps pull back the "green curtain" on a few of our favorites to come up with a group of facts you may not know about Rolex.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:56 Anti-Reflective Rolex Submariner Cyclops
02:54 Solid End Link Bracelets with Pierced Lugs on Rolex Submariner, GMT-Master II, and Explorer II
04:25 Rolex GMT-Master II Stick Dial
05:23 The Rolex Calibre 3186
07:07 Service Laser Etched Coronet/Crystal
08:13 The Explorer's 3,6, and 9
09:21 5-Digit Bracelets vs. 6-Digit Bracelets
10:33 The Rolex Flat 4
11:31 The Daytona Lugs
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[@UGA.D]

Interesting Rolex Quirk... If you go into a Rolex AD during business hours, they won't have any of the watches you highlighted in this video.

[@Alex-lx2pg]

Not necessarily true. Walk into an AD and buy 2 or 3 Day Dates or other PM models. Then, amazingly some of these SS sports models will appear out of the back and will be available to you! I'm sorry, I am unable to speak from any first hand experience since my wallet does not allow it, but sadly it's true. Lol!

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@userofyoutube999]

😂😂😂😂😂👍

[@stuartclubb4302]

That's because you entered through the front door. The bundling is done during business hours out the back door.

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

Stuart Clubb That’s what she said 🤣🤣🤣

[@denisranieri1214]

That lamp going on and off behind you bothers me more than the asymmetrical lugs on the Daytona...

[@CJ-rb3do]

Superb. The Daytona facts blew my mind🤯

[@kristianpeterson2571]

Having been to Rolex training in Dallas and being such a fan, I could nerd out on this stuff all day long. Thanks for the great video!

[@robboyer6448]

Fascinating video!! Please keep doing these

[@tonywilder1335]

I love watches and also play drums. This is similar to deciphering changes in drum manufacturing over time. Lug styles on drums, badges, serial numbers, snare strainers, etc. It makes it interesting and amazing to see how small subtle changes impact value or “perceived” value.

[@Halfmoon67]

Oh, btw, the daytona and its atrocious asymmetry is now completely ruined to me 🤣

[@petewatchcollector]

Yeah, makes me not so disappointed that I can't get one :)

[@threefive2072]

you'll be disappointed to find it on all five digit subs, explorer ii's and gmts ... !

[@andrewst12]

great video, normally when I see a video titled things you don't know about Rolex, they are normally things that I already knew

[@RidiculousName]

Great video. Another little known fact...you would need an electron microscope to see the sideways "s" in the coronet.

[@jblack1979]

Very informative video lugs were crazy would have never noticed that

[@SuperAJ360]

I believe what Rolex did and will do with its quirky production differences also happened to other brands, it's just that we love Rolex so much that this differences showed up in our eye sight and made huge difference in its perceived value. Great video Crown & Caliber!!! Cheers

[@miggyz8975]

duuuuuuude! never knew about the Daytona SS lugs. mind is blown... all these years and now I cannot stop seeing it

[@danielbecker2570]

I did not know the 5 digit vs 6 digit bracelet difference but now I understand why the fit of my 16234 is a little off... thanks for the great vid

[@daveopincar2469]

Thank you Nathan and Crown & Caliber for the uniqueness of Rolex watches and there differences. Keep the watch videos coming. All the best.

[@shaheenevans]

Love it ! Can you do the same for Tudor or omega speedy, Didn’t know any of these - the Daytona lugs was a dozzy

[@MTbone7]

Vids getting really good Nathan!

[@johnmcdonagh1607]

Wow, brilliant info’ 👍👍. Bravo, my friend 😉.

[@TheBugkillah]

Daytona lugs... maybe they're asymmetrical for a quick differentiation from white gold and platinum?

[@threefive2072]

Dude! 40mm Explorer lugs are not symmetrical either! Reading the comments I'm amazed by how many people are surprised by this and only see it on the Daytona. Which confirms my hypothesis that the "trick" is working ... I have a 1997 Explorer II and wore it daily for months before I noticed it. My theory is that removing a little mass helps balance out the added mass of the crown and guards. I.e. it's an aesthetic thing. From pictures looks to be the same on all 5 digit subs and GMTs. You can easily gauge the difference by looking at the intersection of the lug with the scallops on the bezel of the Sub or the GMT if you think your mind is playing tricks on you.

[@trainingwolves7]

I have also noticed this on my 16613.

[@jh-il5sb]

that was an informative video. so many little quirks to fixate on. i knew about the flat four being more desirable on the kermit, but what years had the kermit have the flat 4?

[@philipv3098]

The difference in lug width has been explained elsewhere. It has to do with optical symmetry. Rolex wants to counterweight the thickness of the pushers by making the lugs near the pushers smaller. This can be achieved in steel. That’s why the steel Daytona is ,an will always be ,the most iconic Rolex.

[@danielmartini3229]

it isn't though sub, president or even an explorer are way more iconic

[@ticktology]

Most iconic Rolex is the submariner. Also, if it’s for “optical symmetry” why isn’t it done on the precious metal Daytonas?

[@LUV2T8KU]

Good Rolex information.

[@luke2244]

Even 3 years later this is still a great video. My first thought with the asymmetrical lugs on the Daytona was the asymmetrical case design on the omega speedmaster on the pusher side. My only thought is that the stainless steel version of the Daytona would be seen as more of a practical, tool watch that would need as much clearance and durability as possible, whereas the precious metal version could sacrifice function in favor of form. But again, just a theory. Has anybody answered this question? I’d be very interested to hear.

[@AntiMyth]

II is still a Roman numeral. It's just sans serif.

[@threefive2072]

agree

[@stuartclubb4302]

It seemed appropriate that you chose the Wizard of Oz to highlight the green curtain.

[@geoffreysmith4618]

Great video!! Do one on Omega.

[@oleggrekov2737]

Super! Very interesting and informative! Love to watch you Chanel! Thank you, Nathan!

[@yelinaung485]

Great video. Your videos always give something. Keep the good job man. 👍👍👍

[@titor8017]

Super cool. Saved this video

[@yatipol]

Love my Datejust 36!

[@drshahid1007]

Very nice video👋🏻

[@johncorcoran2569]

Love the crazy Rolex history! Soo enjoy these videos! Keep it up!

[@toddallgier914]

Hey Nathan. Great video. Thank you. You really should unplug that glowing orb behind you. Distracted the heck out of me. Lol.

[@miazoi7891]

Now I can say, "Why yes, this is a flat four 14060... Thank you for noticing!" At least in my mind I can think that. Exceptional video!!!

[@HagonCreations]

I absolutely loved this video. Please keep up the great work and like so many of the other comments, I / we would like to see this approach to other brands.

[@DonFrankos]

I have an explorer 2 from 2003 with the same daytona lug problem. any thoughts on that?

[@MrSolrac94]

Great video ! Very interesting points you discussed !

[@rlejano]

Not all are new info to me but I enjoyed that! Thanks.

[@kevinxu8454]

There is a big difference in lugs with the Daytona’s. There is even a difference in precious metals, platinum and gold Daytona’s have different lugs as well. There are at least 3/4 different lug variations with the modern Daytona. You can go to the Rolex website and look at the different models to view the different lugs. Btw really nice video. All that knowledge took me so many years to gather and you summed up so much in one video. Very nice content for the Rolex enthusiasts and collectors.

[@mlamesq8]

My steel white dial Daytona also has a typo on its dial. Between the letters R & G in “COSMOGRAPH” has an extra space. I’ll dub it “typo” Daytona. Really enjoyed the video.

[@mbglobal5858]

great video

[@Viallineo]

Excellent. Love these idiosyncrasies and feel that I have learned a lot from it. Thank you.

[@ianstewart9153]

Fun and informative. Thank you.

[@VMIyanks04]

So what do you think about the Speedmaster’s asymmetrical case? Are you okay with that because it’s deliberately used as a crown guard? It’s barely noticeable to me and I wear mine everyday, but I’m sure glad it’s there to guard my pushers!

[@DoctorAB282]

Always you are star ⭐️✌️

[@bjoernaltmann]

Regarding what you called a “stick dial”: that’s just another way of writing the Roman 2. All depends on the style of font used, nothing out of the ordinary there. - The 4 is flat at the top for the same reason the capital A used to have a flat top: this enlarges the counter (the space inside a character) and prevents it from filling in with ink when printed.

[@Halfmoon67]

Very interesting video !! Thanks for sharing !

[@pammoore8963]

I love these details!! Amazing observations. Thank you! ❤️

[@jayjay9932]

And people are going crazy about Seiko's misaligned bezels.

[@paulhawkins95]

From what I have heard about Daytona’s is the asymmetrical lugs are to balance the add weight of the pushers on the right side of the watch. I did not know the precious metal watches were symmetrical.

[@eddyvega4534]

Just got my first used watch from crown and caliber. Nerve racking at first but it was a great experience.

[@gyang333]

Wow. Most of these I had known but the Daytona lug symmetry is crazy!

[@threefive2072]

it appears to be like this on all 40mm subs, gmts and explorers ...

[@thos313]

I will never look at a Daytona the same way again. Guess I will have to acquire a precious metal model now... (thanks a lot!)

[@jeffhogan2766]

The difference in the lug size on the Daytona makes me like it better

[@adventureswithtime]

Wow. Who knew all of these things existed. You also collect numismatics and the same thing happens there when they actually replace the dies used to strike a coin or token. All manner of varieties are created. To find these one has to examine many items side by side. We call this looking for the nit on the back of a fly. Great content.

[@alter3go411]

so how about the TT daytonas?

[@TheTimelyFocus]

SS Daytona just got crossed of my list until it comes out with symmetrical lugs. That was the only reason I did not like the Speedmaster Pro and now the best alternative is dead to me. Great insight!

[@Coffee8Watches]

I just checked my two tone Daytona and it has the same characteristic as the stainless steel model. Wow. Thanks for the information.

[@NateTrucker92]

You did a great job, I'd love to play this game!

[@chinosoria5]

In the explorer you do not said about production with black number 3,6,9?

[@scottallan3327]

Good video today,I love talking about rolex

[@srkgv]

You forgot to mention the “short hands” explorer haha

[@CrownandCaliber]

Oh the "T-Rex" hands. Haha!

[@sergebernard]

Well done!!

[@oneal14attnet]

Wonderful video!!!! Does any other luxury manufacturer have this many production flaws? And still remain dominant in the watch scene? Rolex has convinced us that poor quality control is a virtue! Now that is a magic trick of ever there was one.

[@tomyjusten3867]

Could use a 214270 MK1 picture for the MK1. Numbers should be white gold (gry) and not white lume.

[@roygen]

I own a 2011 SS 116520 (white dial) and never noticed the lug difference. But It does have the APH error dial on mine.

[@rodrigogutierrezreyes4702]

This video was very interesting. And to second @Geoffrey Smith, yes please, do one on Omega watches.

[@VinnyTheCuz]

That was an amazing video

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

Interesting about the Daytona lugs.

[@robertgraf2490]

The non-symmetrical Daytona lugs don’t bother me nearly as much as the subdials not being in line with the 3 and 9 o’clock positions

[@lichang1755]

The case construction of ss and gold daytona are different. I noticed the lug difference on my daytona a lot earlier and trust me, it does not affect anything aesthetically.

[@pc0736]

Great vid, very informative. How about fuchsia gmt bezels? Some same they are all from faded Pepsi and others say they were produced that way as fuchsia. Can you shed light on this? Cheers.

[@andreaiacolina]

A very interesting video!

[@alter3go411]

Do you think the MK1 dial on the modern pepsi is going to demand a premium in the future? ' ?

[@BaadSaint]

Excellent and thank you! You just saved the future me from having to get extremely wealthy to buy one! Totally ruined my Daytona urges!!!

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

Cool 😎 vid!! I’m trying to NOT go farther down the rabbit 🐇 hole 🕳!!

[@mlamesq8]

Jeez, it was tough enough to bear when I saw the typo on my dial, now the lugs. Also the “batgirl” went back to Roman numerals, when did that happen? Great vid

[@AbstractMan23]

what is the typo on your dial?

[@mlamesq8]

@@AbstractMan23 There’s an extra space between the letters “R” and “APH” in the word “Chronograph” on the dial.

[@AbstractMan23]

@@mlamesq8 yeah Rolex typography is pretty shoddy. You’ll see a huge space between the L and Y in OFFICIALLY on many dials. This is typography 101 and it’s simply embarrassing they can’t get it right. 🤦🏻 Their typesetting is often poor. I’ve seen wildly uneven spaces either side of the “=“ sign on dials, too.

[@AbstractMan23]

@@mlamesq8 which ref?

[@mlamesq8]

@@AbstractMan23 Ref 116520 white dial.

[@paulflaskamp4076]

Loved the video, very informative. Since the lugs are not symmetrical on a stainless steel Daytona, I am not buying it! LOL 😂 😂😂😂😂

[@Jasperroodog]

APH dial on a daytona ?

[@Nexus.Achiles]

Granular minutiae don't get any better than this. This should be called the granular watch channel.

[@redsubman]

Precious metal Daytonas are asymmetrical as well you can see it on their website it’s very slight

[@elliotbradley]

now i'll never be able to unsee the uneven steel daytona lugs.

[@twang96]

Here’s another anomaly. Around 2013-2015 many Rolexes only had cyclops crystals that are closer to 1.5x magnification. As people complained and got replacements, Rolex stopped the inconsistency and all Rolexes have closer to the 2x-2.5x magnification that they traditionally are supposed to have. Not sure why they let the smaller magnification out of the factory. It’s an obvious “defect”.

[@jameswong6590]

The daytona lugs is shocking.

[@mikec3454]

Two things I took away from this video: - I can never look at a SS Daytona ever again - I never should have sold my "flat 4" 14060 from 1996 ... dang it!

[@bobbysmith3433]

Currant subs bead blaster vs. polished clasp

[@okihaveaname]

Rolex: Oyster is a bracelet. And its a waterproof case. See we make words ambiguous.

[@philcomo3366]

I bought my sub a year ago and I went threw a phase of buying so many different watches. Le petite prince, bb bronze so many omegas. Then realized the only watch that could handle everything I do and look good is my sub.

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

Did you sell your other watches?

[@philmurphey2992]

Ruined the steel Daytona for me. Guess I’ll sell it for something symmetrical when my ad comes through

[@jacc88888]

I realise they are reliable and accurate but part of me thinks there’s a whiff of Emperor’s new clothes about how wonderful Rolex watches are.... hence their ludicrously high prices.

[@dominickcolasanto6582]

Now I only want a PM Daytona

[@kevincrawfordphoto]

What is "UP!" with that white globe behind you?

[@fratbragen]

Seriously, drove me crazy

[@Dani_Sinaci]

Nice, i didn't know of any of these ones... but now i don't like the Daytona so much...🤔

[@zgfvavw3037]

So to summarize: there is a quirk for every one. To have or not to have a quirk which is the million dollar version...

[@samadrid6321]

There was an important difference between the GMT 3185 and 3186 movements. There was an issue with the setting of date and some "wiggle" in the gmt hand. Parachrome balance spring was also not in the 3185.

[@Ricky.913]

Things that make you go hmmm....

[@ROA890]

Sir you just Ruined the Daytona for me !!!!!!! Lol

[@markedfortime]

I could never have a Daytona with non matching lugs. That would drive me insane.

[@jubeeju]

Amazing detail & insight into Rolex quirks but this is exactly why I do not own a Rolex. Rolex "sells" watches extremely well and I love the Oyster Perpetual 36 but I prefer watches that are technically better.

[@han5henman]

Disappointed you didn't talk about tritinova dials!