Little help? Know what I like - what model has it?

[3Pedals_6Speeds]

I have a vintage Rolex dress watch (1560 - Gold Oyster Perpetual), but am thinking about an Submariner. I've looked around, but am not seeing what I want, and figure this group knows the range of models better than I do. I'd like something with a patinated dial, but without the "mercedes" hands. I prefer metal rimmed markers, but that's not a deal-breaker. I like the general look of 5512/5513 with patina, but they seem to all have the hands I don't like.

Note - I'm not against a dial with a little spider webbing, but it's not my mission to get one like that either.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

[dysondiver]

5517 ,,, but your bank account wont like it ... hth.


and again ,,, hello and welcome to the forum .

[3Pedals_6Speeds]

I was hoping the MilSub wasn't the only way to scratch that itch, for obvious reasons. :)

[dysondiver]

how about a tudor ,,,, lot less outlay.
or a seamaster , few there to choose from , the professional has less links in the bracelet and solid hands too.

[HRPinDC]

Ref 6204 is another option. But again, it's gonna put a hurtin on the ole bank account.

[Vlad]

I agree with HRPinDC, 6204 or even 6205 should give you what you want and they still show up at relatively reasonable prices (compared to 5517, not to 5513).

The first scan below is 6204 (all original and correct - i.e. expensive). The second one is a 6205 with a service dial, service bezel insert, and a service second hand - otherwise all good (the blob by 3 o'clock is damage to the crystal)

[3Pedals_6Speeds]

So the non-standard hands seems to paint me into a corner I prefer not to afford. If I remove that restriction, and add no-date to the list, what do folks suggest?

[Vlad]

Depending on your budget, I would suggest (price from high to low) 5508 (no date, no crown guards, cal 1530), a 5512 (SCOC, cal 1560/1570, pcg if you can afford it), 5513, or even a 14060M (awesome watch, last of the real submariners, easy to wear, cheap - you can pick up a nice one for under $4k).

[3Pedals_6Speeds]

Vlad - Thanks for the recommendations. Would all be old enough for patina? I guess I'm asking mostly about the 14060M?

Also - "last of the real submariners"? At the risk of setting people off, what does that mean?

[Vlad]

14060M which was produced until few months ago (I have a G serial from Sep 2011, and it's not the last one - there are a number with scrambled serials). The production of 14060 started in the late 80s (... as far as I remember, since that's when the 5513 were terminated), so there should be a number of these watches with nice patina (tritium version of the dial).

As far as the 'last of the real subs' - 1) last Rolex with lugs holes; 2) last Rolex with non solid end links; 3) last Sub with metal bezel insert;