#again unless you mean the anniversary of the day these characters first debuted or appearance then yeah I might join but I feel you don't

[amisbro]

Let’s Talk:  Broccoli’s Gamble

And how it paid off for them The first thing we have to do is go ALLLLLL THE WAY BACK to 8/8/2009 when Broccoli announced on their blog that they were going to be starting a franchise called “Uta no Prince-Sama”.  It was a game that would follow 6 idols that were going to school at Saotome Gauken (Shining Academy) as they attempt to make their debut with the composer whom the player would name in the game BUT for the purposes of this post we will use the name that is most familiar in Haruka Nanami. Before that November would start with the CDs for the 6 original boys that would appear in UtaPri and this would run up to February where we would get to hear the first songs of the cast at that time.  We WOULD get “Welcome to UTAPRI World” later but we’re splitting hairs. When the first game came out a lot was probably riding on it because Broccoli wanted it to succeed and ,while I can’t find #’s for the original, we can assume it did very well for the company because they kept going with the games all the way up to February 26th of 2015 when All-Star After Secret released and is the last “new” game for either the PSP or the VITA at this time with Dolce Vita to come later Little did we realize that ,while the game gamble was going to pay off, No one probably looked at UtaPri and thought as an Anime it would go past one 13 week series.  Most probably thought it was going to be ,at the least, a single cour series and at the most maybe 2...an OVA ,2 more Series and a Movie was PROBABLY not in the cards if you gave Broc truth serum. But Broc had another part of this plan and that was their stage shows While they only started at a 1500 seat building called “U-Port Hall” they went bigger and better as they moved up to 10K seat buildings to NOW aroud the 30K mark which they have filled for 3 different Lives!  That was impressive There is NO WAY their gamble could  keeping paying off right?  I mean eventually the house wins and you go broke! WELL While I don’t have the numbers for the character singles of the first two series in the Anime Seasons 3 and 4 have shown that Broc was going to keep winning...and in some cases it wouldn’t have to be the character singles from STARISH to outright do it because if you remember around Season 3 when QN had their frist Anime Single they were in the top 3 peaking at #2...they couldn’t do better than that surely WRONG When Season 4 came around what we found out was that QUARTET NIGHT had a fanbase that was REALLY HUNGRY and it was so much so when the Anime came out that what happened was they didn’t want to give up the #1 spot for a long time and they broke a lot of records not just for UtaPri but for Anime Singles as a whole and that has to tell you something. Season 4 was also another gamble for Broccoli:  To allow a “rival group” in HEAVENS to be able to have singles with STARISH members and also to have their own group single. It ALMOST didn’t payoff Interestingly enough when the group singles came out the one that peaked the highest was JUSTICE IMPULSE which was around the top 5 while others made either the top 10 but didn’t stick or just didn’t break it.  Mamoru Miyano’s character single with Yuuma Uchida NEARLY broke the top 10 but not quite but others weren’t nearly as lucky.  With Ren/Van’s and Yamato/Syo’s being the top marks for the duets what would this mean for HEAVENS when their group single came out? Well?! HEAVENS had their single come out last and it was after the masterful job that God’s S.T.A.R. did.  They also had to contend with the fact that the mainstays in STARISH were in the top 5 when their single came out (as was Mamo’s single for the season in Tempest IIRC) so there was NO WAY they would get past that right? WRONG Now I’m going to stop here for a second and I will say that ,yes these songs were under King Records, BUT its the idea that a group that was constructed by Broccoli to be the opposition to STARISH originally was going to be put in this spot.  What would happen? Not much...just the top 3! “Immortal Inferno” peaked at #3 on the Daily charts and yet again Broc beat the house.  Whether we want to admit it they did a hell of a job constructing this group because you had old vets and new guys that no one really knew.  Sure you had Kimura ,OnoD and Midorin BUT we had Hidenori ,Daiki Yamashita and also Yuuma...oh and Wingu unless you watched FREE! (spoiler:  I did and I had no idea he was in it). HEAVENS was the renegades and they did the unthinkable.  Even with their first ever Drama CD in HEAVEN SKY they did pretty well with a top 5 peak even if it didn’t last the duration of the time on the chart. Surely Broccoli was done with the gambles right?  I mean they HAVE to lose the next one right? Well this brings us to a more present day event Last Year was the debut of a game called “Shining Live” which is a co-production with Broccoli and KLab and it did AMAZING in Japan with the game getting over 2 Million downloads since its launch in August of last year!  Put that in perspective:  If you got the numbers from the first 10 weeks on the three music games between VITA and PSP I don’t think they sold 1 Million TOTAL! But Japan was going to be a relatively easy market...how would they do IF the games made it outside of Japan (and this was something Broccoli has been against with restricting PVs for the games in the past)?  Well there would NEED to be at least an English version to find out On May 11 2017 (you can check that through the twitter creation date) there WAS an English twitter created for Shining Live but no posts on it were known about and all news would have to be translated by a fan account at the time.  It wasn’t until before the JP version came out (I believe it was during 7th Anniversary) that a Global version was announced.  No news on the date (because of the fact it was going to be in English and Chinese) but one had been announced...this was going to be the BIGGEST gamble that it takes! Well for a while there were crickets...no one knew anything about the development of the global version and all was silent THEN JANUARY 2018 CAME! It was around this time that the English Twitter started posting news and updates about the game with trailers and the like.  When they got closer to a suspected release date they started with the translated bios of the characters so that newcomers to the series could get to know the characters they would be seeing over the coming months in the game. Then January 24th a.k.a. ONE DAY AFTER CAMUS’ BIRTHDAY came and the game was launched in less than a 3 month period (maybe even less than that) the Global version broke 1 Million more downloads with the English version on Google Play having over 100K! Broccoli is that gambler that ,no matter what, will look at the situation and go “We’re doing this” Its interesting when you think about it because Broccoli took a franchise that is almost 10 years old unofficially (the Anniversary is always designated by the first game release) and gambled SO HARD with it that now the question that needs to be asked is this “If you knew you were gonna come up Trumps Broc...why did you make fans wait outside of Japan?” In many respects Broccoli has won every gamble with UtaPri they can make...there IS one left and its been proven in Japan they can win with them Will they make THE BET in the Western Market? I don’t see how they can lose at this point to be honest

#Amisbro #Let's Talk #uta no prince 2000% #Broccoli #can they lose a bet

[wristwatchjournal]

In-Depth – History of the Rolex Submariner – Part 4, The Modern Ceramic References

Our journey through time is almost complete. Today, we bring you the fourth and final instalment of our in-depth look at the Rolex Submariner history. The key subjects of this last article will, of course, be the Ref. 114060 and the Ref. 116610 (and all its variants), which form the current Rolex Submariner line-up. Certainly, the overall idea behind this luxury diver’s watch didn’t change much with these new references. Indeed, the current collection could easily be called “conservative” design-wise. The modern days of the Rolex Submariner are to be found somewhere else, in materials and mechanics. 

If you recall from Part 3, by the early 1990s Rolex had pretty much settled on its formula for the Submariner and Submariner Date. There were, of course, subtle evolutions and improvements, but overall the models remained largely unchanged for the next two decades. During this time though, something rather significant happened to another of the brand’s popular tool watch collections. Hardcore fans will have already guessed that I am referring to the unveiling of the yellow gold GMT-Master II Ref. 116718LN in 2005. This model marked the 50th anniversary of the GMT-Master collection and features a striking green dial (it was also available with a black dial).

The 2005 yellow gold GMT-Master II Ref. 116718LN was the first Rolex to feature a “Cerachrom” bezel (internal name for ceramic), a material that will later be used in most collections.

Our interest in this model lies not with the colour of its dial though, but rather with the black bezel insert framing it. This was the public’s first look at Rolex’s brand new, patented Cerachrom bezel insert. Fashioned from extremely hard ceramic material, it is virtually impervious to scratches, and its colour is unaffected by the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The numerals and graduations are engraved directly into the ceramic and then coated with a very thin layer of gold or platinum using a PVD process. A final diamond polishing removes the gold or platinum from the rest of the bezel’s surface, resulting in the exceptional, long‑lasting lustre we’ve all come to know.

The Rolex Submariner Date as we know it today, in its 116610LN version

It was a forgone conclusion that this new ceramic bezel would eventually find its way to the Submariner. But watch fans would have to wait a further three years for that to happen. And even then, Rolex started with precious metal versions first, before finally getting to the steel options two years later. I think it’s fair to say it was worth the wait. Although some still prefer the look and feel of the aluminium versions, particularly because as they age they give the watch its own unique character and certainly aren’t as ‘shiny’. Regardless, as you’re about to discover, the bezel wasn’t the only thing to change on the new generation of Submariners.

Ref. 116618 & Ref. 116619

In 2008, Rolex brought not one, but three new solid gold Submariner Date references to market: the Ref. 116618LN (solid yellow gold, black dial/bezel); the Ref. 116618LB (solid yellow gold, blue dial/bezel); and the Ref. 116619LB (solid white gold, blue dial/blue bezel). These models introduced two significant changes to the collection. First, was the long-awaited inclusion of the Cerachrom bezel insert in both black and blue. Second, was the debut of the so-called ‘Maxi Case’.

Although somewhat expected, the arrival of the Cerachrom bezel was still celebrated by Rolex enthusiasts everywhere. This was a big step towards modernising one of the Crown’s most famous – and commercially successful – models. The yellow gold models kept with the colour conventions established by Rolex back in the 1970s. The white gold version, however, was another matter entirely.

For a start, there had never been a white gold Submariner before. To differentiate it further, Rolex gave this model a lacquered blue dial which is flatter in appearance than the ‘shinier’ blue dials found on yellow gold models. It’s this combination of white gold and the blue on blue dial/bezel combo that led to the Ref. 116619LB being given the nickname the “Smurf” by collectors. Interestingly though, despite being ‘unusual’ – normally catnip for Rolex fans – the Smurf has never quite enjoyed the same level of commercial success as the gold versions. And certainly, doesn’t even come close to the steel versions.

The second major update to the Submariner Date in 2008 was the introduction of the ‘Maxi Case’. Still measuring 40mm in diameter, the Oyster case was made slightly squarer, with thicker lugs and a chunkier overall profile. The changes were subtle but are immediately obvious when compared side-by-side with a previous generation Submariner. This new case style was also first introduced on the 50th anniversary GMT-Master II mentioned above and was Rolex’s solution to the ‘big’ watch trend, which was gaining momentum at the time. The result is a bulkier, more masculine watch that is still very wearable and comfortable on the wrist.

These models also mark the widespread adoption of the ‘Maxi Dial’, which if you recall made its debut into the collection on the Rolex Kermit in 2003. This style of dial has larger lume plots and thicker hands for better legibility. Some argue that the combination of these two is a better balance than the larger style dial on the Kermit with the slimmer style case. Others say the opposite. Whatever your opinion, it seems these design elements are here to stay. (Unless Rolex unveils something very unexpected on 1st September – like a 42mm case for the Submariner…)

A newer Glidelock clasp also debuted on these solid gold versions of the Submariner Date, allowing the wearer to adjust the length up to 5mm without the use of tools. Rolex has since improved on this significantly and an on the latest versions you can expand the band to about 20mm in 2mm increments. Inside remains the same, chronometer-certified, self-winding manufacture calibre 3135 from the previous generation.

Ref. 116613LN & 116613LB

Almost entirely identical to the full gold models just above, Rolex launched a year later the two-tone “Rolesor” version of the Submariner Date. Technically, no differences. The Rolesor Submariner Date is available in two versions, both mixing stainless steel with 18k yellow gold (for the bezel, the crown and bracelet’s centre links). The first one is the 116613LN, with a black dial and bezel. The second model is the 116613LB, with a blue dial and bezel.

Ref. 116610LN & Ref. 116610LV

It would be another two years before Rolex came with the steel version of the revised Submariner Date. And again, the brand would have a colourful surprise up its sleeve. Like the solid gold versions, the Ref. 116610LN features a ‘Super Case’ and ‘Maxi Dial’ configuration, framed by a Cerachrom bezel. It also uses the traditional black-on-black colour scheme that has defined the model since the very beginning.

At the same, Rolex also unveiled an unofficial successor to the Rolex Kermit. And as with the 50th-anniversary model, the Ref. 116610LV features a green bezel. Although this time crafted from shiny, fade-proof ceramic. But here Rolex took things a step further, giving its new creation a matching green dial. Marking the first time this colour had been used in the Submariner collection, it literally set the watch world on fire. Curiously though, this new green on green Submariner did not mark any special occasion or milestone. It was just another example of Rolex doing whatever the heck Rolex feels like doing.

A new steel Rolex sports watch generally means a new nickname, and this model was no exception. The striking colour, in combination with the chunkier proportions of the ‘Maxi Case’, means the Ref. 116610LV is now better known as the “Hulk”. Which I’m sure you’ll agree, sounds a lot more appealing than “Smurf”. Exceptionally popular, the Rolex Hulk has become even more sought after in recent months as speculation mounts that Rolex is planning to discontinue it this year in advance of the 70th anniversary of the Submariner in 2023. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.

Ref. 114060

As with the previous generation, Rolex didn’t update the Submariner at the same time as the Submariner Date. Instead, the 14060M was superseded two years later in 2012 by the 114060. As you would expect, this model is virtually identical to the Ref. 116610LN. Meaning same case, ceramic bezel insert, dial configuration (with the exception of the date window, of course), and depth rating.

The main difference between the two models, therefore, is found inside the case. The Ref. 114060 is powered by the calibre 3130, introduced in the 14060M around 1999. Unlike with the previous generation though, all Ref. 114060 models are certified as ‘Superlative Chronometers’. And on the contrary of the Submariner Date, the Ref. 114060 is available in only one configuration, in steel with a black dial and black bezel – thus being the most classical, slightly more instrumental version of Rolex’s diver’s watch.

The Current line-up

In a glance, here’s the current Rolex Submariner collection, as offered by the brand in early 2020:

Submariner 114060 – no-date steel, black dial, black bezel

Submariner Date 116610LN – steel, black dial, black bezel

Submariner Date 116610LV – steel, black dial, green bezel

Submariner Date 116613LN – Rolesor (yellow gold and steel), black dial, black bezel

Submariner Date 116613LB – Rolesor (yellow gold and steel), blue dial, blue bezel

Submariner Date 116618LN – Yellow gold, black dial, black bezel

Submariner Date 116618LB – Yellow gold, blue dial, blue bezel

Submariner Date 116619LB – white gold, blue dial, blue bezel

We hope you have enjoyed our four-part, in-depth look at the history and evolution of the Rolex Submariner. If you missed any of the previous instalments, here are links to:

Part 1, The Early References

Part 2, The 55XX Generation and Date 1680

Part 3, The 5-digit Series

Part 4, The Modern Ceramic Models

As always, we welcome all feedback in the comments, and please don’t hesitate to let us know if we’ve missed something worthy of inclusion.

Photos: Monochrome, Xupes, The Watch Club, Rolex

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