Franken Sub by Bamford

[namor]

I saw this Bamford mod in the Antiquorum auction, not having ever seen this particular change before. Now I know that modifying a Rolex is frequently considered to be akin to flat out heresy of the rankest order. But! Give it a moments thought before condemning it to eternal hellfire.

IMG_4088.jpeg

Because if you are honest, many of the changes Rolex has made to its steel sport models are not improvements. I deeply regret their decision to replace the lume plots on the Sub/SD with gold surrounds, for example. I also think the use of a shiny ceramic bezel insert detracts from the simple utility that the aluminum ones had, scratches notwithstanding. And there is no rational reason to have stopped using drilled lugs on these models.

So here is Bamford taking a gussied up dive watch and reversing those miss steps, as well as putting the sword hands that the British MOD specified and muting the shiny case a bit with a light bead blast. Sure - it’s a Frankenstein watch, no question about it. If you are a purist, it’s an abomination. But it’s got a lot of wearable features for someone whose desire is a tool watch that does not have the vulnerabilities of a 40 year old vintage diver. Just one man’s opinion…

[hoppyjr]

There were a couple Milsub variants, done by third party companies like Bamford, back when the 114060 was released.

Not my jam, but I do wish Rolex would give us a modern Milsub. In the meantime, the Tudor FXD USN and CWC RN Ti will have to do.

[Selym]

They're gonna get a "cease and desist" from Bill Yao.

[HapaHapa]

They're gonna get a "cease and desist" from Bill Yao.

Lol haven't seen posts about his antics in a while.

[Ryeguy]

I have no issue with it, and honestly prefer the look of the classic MilSub over some of the modern Sub releases.

I see Bamford one of the better “restomod” purveyors of the watch world.

As for Rolex releasing a “modern MilSub”, I’m guessing the answer is no. I think the current Sub buyer wants applied indices and the shiny ceramic bezel insert. I’m not sure there is a large enough market for a historical throwback design for Rolex to make the investment in manufacturing.

[Wario406]

I like it a lot.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-b ... igure-bill

[TSD]

There were a couple Milsub variants, done by third party companies like Bamford, back when the 114060 was released.

They're gonna get a "cease and desist" from Bill Yao.

I’m pretty sure Bamford got a C&D after they made these, and that was the end of the Bamford-modded Rolex Subs. They moved on to modded Tags and Zeniths.

[DocHollidayDDS]

Reminds me of the white-dial Pan Am GMT-Master that Blaken made some time ago.



I've got no problem with homages to vintage watches that the vast majority of people will never have an opportunity to own, or likely ever even see in person.

[matt.wu]

I like the Project X version that came with a Brevet Big Crown. One just sold on Loupe This recently. Was watching it, but got too expensive for me.

https://loupethis.com/auctions/project- ... riner-hs01

[Ryeguy]

One thing I thought was interesting on the Bamford design (if I remember this correctly) was they used the actual Rolex dial to make the MilSub dial.

They stripped it down the brass, then repainted it.

I think the argument was, can you recreate the Rolex logo without being authorized by Rolex to do so?

It gets into a very grey area of the counterfeit topic because the only part that isn't "Rolex" is the paint.

[TSD]

One thing I thought was interesting on the Bamford design (if I remember this correctly) was they used the actual Rolex dial to make the MilSub dial.

They stripped it down the brass, then repainted it.

I think the argument was, can you recreate the Rolex logo without being authorized by Rolex to do so?

It gets into a very grey area of the counterfeit topic because the only part that isn't "Rolex" is the paint.

Rolex takes the same stance with anyone selling a re-dialed watch, really. They’ll claim it’s no longer a genuine dial once repainted.

That makes it a counterfeit in Rolex circles. And then they burn you as a witch. Lol