IR Factory Rolex Submariner 116610 LN Review
Following on from my IR Factory Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller Deep Blue “James Cameron” 116600 review, we now have the 116610 LN Submariner to take a look over.
Again, starting with the basics, this Sub measures in at 40mm with a 13mm thickness and runs the old faithful ETA 2826-2 movement per the DSSD. Also the like DSSD, the bracelet and case are in 316F stainless steel, again skipping over on 904L steel. The price for this, comes in at around $310 from your favourite TD, which is very competitively priced.
Unlike the DSSD, the Submariner has more good points and very few bad points.
Let’s start with the bad (or not so good) points and get them out the way.
OK, the bezel engraving could be very slightly deeper, although it is a lot better than their DSSD, and if I’m honest is perfectly adequate, but thought I would mention it for those that are really anal. However, like the DSSD the colour of the font is white. I am struggling to find any platinum or silvery sheen from the font at all. Talking of fonts, the ROLEX engraving on the rehaut is rather bold as opposed to being quite subtle. You definitely notice its there. Don’t get me wrong, the engraving is very good and nicely lines up with the minute markers, but just seems a little too deep. Despite everything lining up nicely on the rehaut, the last two digits of the serial number are offset to the top slightly which might just be a flaw on the version we received. There are some very slightly sharper edges on the bracelet, but nothing that is going to slit your wrist while wearing it and doesn’t make it any less comfortable to wear.
Now we move on to the good points. (I told you there weren’t many bad points)
First off, there aren’t nearly as many protective stickers as were on their DSSD, and what there was on the Sub, came off nice and easily with no sticky residue left over – Hallelujah!
They have got the pearl bang on with the Submariner, and looks great sitting nicely centred in the bezel which clicks beautifully when rotating and feels solid with no wobble or looseness.
The dial and DWO seem to be something the IR factory have got on top of straight from the off, and like the DSSD, they have done a great job with the dial. Although it is very good, there is nothing to dramatically set it apart from any of the other factories. The DWO is again excellent with a nice font and is perfectly centred with the cyclops on the sapphire crystal also nicely aligned and giving a good magnification. Talking of the crystal, the LEC is obvious and noticeable in certain angles.
The crown also has nice crisp detailing and winds nice and smoothly. As I mentioned on the DSSD review, the bracelet was one of its best features, and again with the Submariner the bracelet is fantastic.
Granted I had mentioned earlier that there were some slightly sharp edges, but these are easily overlooked when you notice that the brushed steel has a lovely brushed grain and has a fantastic tight SEL fitment.
All the clasp engraving is again excellent and nice and sharp and crisp. The only criticism is the coronet on the over retainer. If you look closely at it, it appears as if there is glue that has splurged out from under it or some bad welding when it has been fitted. Despite this, the bracelet is again a triumph for the IR factory.
I could go further into detail about case and crown guard shape, but for the quality at the price that this is being sold for, there really is no better bang for your buck. There are too many good points to outweigh the bad, and what faults that are evident are easily forgiven when you consider the good points and especially the price.
I reckon that a v2 of this with the minor flaws ironed out, and still at the same price point, will take a lot of sales away from the other factories that produce the Submariner - Noob, ARF, BP etc., look out – IR are coming!
Again, starting with the basics, this Sub measures in at 40mm with a 13mm thickness and runs the old faithful ETA 2826-2 movement per the DSSD. Also the like DSSD, the bracelet and case are in 316F stainless steel, again skipping over on 904L steel. The price for this, comes in at around $310 from your favourite TD, which is very competitively priced.
Unlike the DSSD, the Submariner has more good points and very few bad points.
Let’s start with the bad (or not so good) points and get them out the way.
OK, the bezel engraving could be very slightly deeper, although it is a lot better than their DSSD, and if I’m honest is perfectly adequate, but thought I would mention it for those that are really anal. However, like the DSSD the colour of the font is white. I am struggling to find any platinum or silvery sheen from the font at all. Talking of fonts, the ROLEX engraving on the rehaut is rather bold as opposed to being quite subtle. You definitely notice its there. Don’t get me wrong, the engraving is very good and nicely lines up with the minute markers, but just seems a little too deep. Despite everything lining up nicely on the rehaut, the last two digits of the serial number are offset to the top slightly which might just be a flaw on the version we received. There are some very slightly sharper edges on the bracelet, but nothing that is going to slit your wrist while wearing it and doesn’t make it any less comfortable to wear.
Now we move on to the good points. (I told you there weren’t many bad points)
First off, there aren’t nearly as many protective stickers as were on their DSSD, and what there was on the Sub, came off nice and easily with no sticky residue left over – Hallelujah!
They have got the pearl bang on with the Submariner, and looks great sitting nicely centred in the bezel which clicks beautifully when rotating and feels solid with no wobble or looseness.
The dial and DWO seem to be something the IR factory have got on top of straight from the off, and like the DSSD, they have done a great job with the dial. Although it is very good, there is nothing to dramatically set it apart from any of the other factories. The DWO is again excellent with a nice font and is perfectly centred with the cyclops on the sapphire crystal also nicely aligned and giving a good magnification. Talking of the crystal, the LEC is obvious and noticeable in certain angles.
The crown also has nice crisp detailing and winds nice and smoothly. As I mentioned on the DSSD review, the bracelet was one of its best features, and again with the Submariner the bracelet is fantastic.
Granted I had mentioned earlier that there were some slightly sharp edges, but these are easily overlooked when you notice that the brushed steel has a lovely brushed grain and has a fantastic tight SEL fitment.
All the clasp engraving is again excellent and nice and sharp and crisp. The only criticism is the coronet on the over retainer. If you look closely at it, it appears as if there is glue that has splurged out from under it or some bad welding when it has been fitted. Despite this, the bracelet is again a triumph for the IR factory.
I could go further into detail about case and crown guard shape, but for the quality at the price that this is being sold for, there really is no better bang for your buck. There are too many good points to outweigh the bad, and what faults that are evident are easily forgiven when you consider the good points and especially the price.
I reckon that a v2 of this with the minor flaws ironed out, and still at the same price point, will take a lot of sales away from the other factories that produce the Submariner - Noob, ARF, BP etc., look out – IR are coming!
