Red Sub: Please Help

[zbg3]

Hello TRF:

I am relatively new to the world of vintage Rolex, but I have researched and seen just enough vintage watches to know that the red sub really appeals to me. I read the article on the "Sticky: Excellent Red Sub Post" which was awesome, but I would appreciate some additional help!

My local (and trusted) dealer has the red sub pictured below in his store which he says is circa 1971. Here are some questions I have:

1) Which "Mark" is this?
2) From the picture, how does the condition of the watch look?
3) How does the patina look? (If I'm buying a vintage watch, I want it to look vintage and still be legible)
4) I know this may be hard to tell from just a picture, but how much would you estimate is a fair price to pay for this one?
5) Any recommendations where to get some cool straps (deployment preferable) that are compatible with this watch?

Any other insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by zbg3

Hello TRF:

I am relatively new to the world of vintage Rolex, but I have researched and seen just enough vintage watches to know that the red sub really appeals to me. I read the article on the "Sticky: Excellent Red Sub Post" which was awesome, but I would appreciate some additional help!

My local (and trusted) dealer has the red sub pictured below in his store which he says is circa 1971. Here are some questions I have:

1) Which "Mark" is this?
2) From the picture, how does the condition of the watch look?
3) How does the patina look? (If I'm buying a vintage watch, I want it to look vintage and still be legible)
4) I know this may be hard to tell from just a picture, but how much would you estimate is a fair price to pay for this one?
5) Any recommendations where to get some cool straps (deployment preferable) that are compatible with this watch?

Any other insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Id request a straight on dial shot, def need to make sure theres no chips out of the hash marks. Price is very dependent on dial condition and you cant see half of the edge of the dial which is one of the most important things to check

[foodle]

1) Looks to be a Mark V dial

2) From the limited view, lugs look thick and crown guards do not appear over polished. However, would need a few more pics to be sure. Bezel insert and pearl look new.

3) Patina is darkish and mottled/uneven, so it's definitely not my thing. But patina preference is really a personal choice.

4) No bracelet drops the price some. I assume no box and papers. So about $9-10k. Expect to pay more to a dealer than to a private seller.

[southtexas]

Mk 5 in pretty good shape. Nice insert. Hard to tell condition from that one pic...are the plots decaying/mildewing? Could be a sign of water intrusion or just camera angle/pixilation or nothing at all...

What is the serial to determine all is (period) correct? How much is he asking (if you don't mind my asking)?

[Robbyvm]

to soon to tell... more pics are needed if you want serious and detailed opinions

[NukeMan]

Originally Posted by Robbyvm

to soon to tell... more pics are needed if you want serious and detailed opinions

X2 on that, but my initial thought is that it looks good!

[Mark020]

Good as in real: yes. Good as in good: no.

[Robbyvm]

Originally Posted by Mark020

Good as in real: yes. Good as in good: no.

+1
Still waiting for those pics...

[The_Walrus]

Dial may have seen some moisture from this picture.
Make sure you crack the back open to investigate this properly!!!

[zbg3]

Sorry it took so long to get these pics. In the meantime, another local watch dealer got in a red sub. I would be trading in my Milgauss GV + adding cash to get the red sub, and both dealers are at the same amount of cash to be added. Please let me know which example you prefer between the red sub with the GREEN band or the red sub with the BROWN band, why you prefer it, if these are nice examples, etc. Disclaimer: The red sub with the BROWN band was photographed with an iPhone and I believe the "chip" between 11 and 12 is just on the insert. Thanks in advance!

[jdmi32]

It would really help if you gave us the asking prices. As always, price and what you're looking for at that price is the determining factor in these transactions.

[zbg3]

Both dealers want me to trade in my milgauss and add $6k cash which means they are valuing these subs at $11k-$11.5k. One of the dealers (not on commission) has said that in the last 6 months, prices of red subs have gone up 10-20%.

[foodle]

I wouldn't pay $11k for either of these.

The first (green) seems to have some issue with uneven patina on the dial and hands (maybe some water intrusion as lume on hands seems to be deteriorating). Without better pics, it's hard to tell.

The second (brown) seems to have an over-polished case, at least on the upper left lug (dishing around the lug hole). Also the bezel insert has some damage. Need some better pics of the dial.

Both don't have a bracelet.

I wouldn't pay any more than about $9k for either. As for what the dealer said about red sub pricing, dealers say a lot of stuff about pricing and the vintage watch market. Somehow everything they say justifies them charging a higher price.