Coming back to Rolex - Which Sub?

[ksteryous]

Hey guys, been a way from the watch world for a while. So I’m clearly out of touch with the goings on in the Rolex world lately. I had a Sea Dweller a while ago and sold it maybe 7 or 8 years ago...regretted it ever since!!

Now I’m ready to get another but going to stick with the Sub this time. I have a chance to get one from my local AD who just happened to have one in stock at a sister store...they can send it to my local store but I have to put 20% down.

I’ve never seen first hand the modern ceramic one, and from pictures alone, I’m not 100% sure I like it better than the older 5 digit non ceramic models. So I’m a little hesitant to put 20% down. It looks bulkier to me in the pics???

I’ve really had my eyes on the classifieds trying to pick up a 16610 for less $$, but then this opportunity popped up at my AD.

So realizing this is totally subjective and personal, what would you do? Stick to the used model I know I love, or just screw it, get the new one at the AD? Have the new ones been well received, holding good resale value, etc?

Thanks,
Kenton

[DLRIDES]

Since you liked your SD, find a nice 116600 (pre-clops), newer yet considered a classic.



The Submariner maxi-case is not proportional to the bracelet.

[c41006]

You can’t go wrong with the 5 digit models but you should try on a ceramic Sub before you make a final decision.

[Urosfan]

Welcome back sub nd would be a great choice imo

[Finslayer83]

I preferred the 14060M until I held it next to a 114060....it fits the price better in terms of feel and most modern design.

The bracelet is awesome, beyond awesome.

Plus you get killer good lume.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

Since you liked your SD, find a nice 116600 (pre-clops), newer yet considered a classic.



The Submariner maxi-case is not proportional to the bracelet.

I agree; it's more of a classic design then any of the other ceramic bezel watches which Rolex makes.

[ksteryous]

Hey so is the maxi-case on the new one? Just not familiar with that term.

And yeah, I’d go back to the SD, but price is a little issue right now.

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

Since you liked your SD, find a nice 116600 (pre-clops), newer yet considered a classic.



The Submariner maxi-case is not proportional to the bracelet.

[HogwldFLTR]

The maxi cases have significantly wider lugs everywhere and they tend to be boxy in appearance instead of tapered looking. Notice how the taper decreased from the 14060 to the 114060 with the 116600 being more in the middle. Also the crown guard lugs increase in width going from the 14060 to the 114060. I wish I had all three side by side to show you.

Here's my 116600:



My former 114060 with its really wide crown guard lugs,



and my 14060 which I'm wearing tonight.

[ksteryous]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

The maxi cases have significantly wider lugs everywhere and they tend to be boxy in appearance instead of tapered looking. Notice how the taper decreased from the 14060 to the 114060 with the 116600 being more in the middle. Also the crown guard lugs increase in width going from the 14060 to the 114060. I wish I had all three side by side to show you.

Hmmm...that’s very helpful. I’m just not sure I’m digging the maxi case on the Sub. Definitely would help to actually see it on and hold it.

[MTdweller]

I wanted the 16613LB for years and when the six-digit models came out, I wasn’t a big fan of the wider lugs. But when I finally got to handle the 116613LB, the ceramic bezel, bracelet (with Glidelock clasp), and overall heft of the watch was noticeably superior to the old five-digit models. The concerns I had with the wider lugs (from looking at pictures) were no longer a factor for me.

Bottom line: I would try on a SubC before you make your decision. Good luck!

[Chadkd]

I feel the same way. The new subs are too wide in the hips. I wanted to like it, but didn’t. Bought a used 2007/2008 sub instead.

[kauffee]

Overall the ceramic Subs feel more solid to me than 5 digit. Bezel, case, and especially bracelet are all over-engineered in a good way. You should try it on before making a decision. Remember that at the current moment, you can’t really go wrong buying a new Sub. If you decide it’s not for you, you can recoup your money (and maybe more) in a heartbeat.

[Andrés G]

I’ve had several 5 digit and 6 digit Subs. I greatly prefer the newer version.

[WEST HAM ROLEX]

I have an old no date

But you could go 114060

[Nairn1980]

How about a GMT instead?

[Quicksilver]

I had a 114060 ceramic. The fit and finish and the bracelet were superb. But those lugs! They destroy the classic proportions of the watch and make it look boxy (more so than the GMT where the lugs don’t seem quite as noticeable). The bezel also seemed wider. After a while I found the lugs so ugly and tiresome that I flipped it for a 14060M which I much prefer. My advice is to try both. As an old Rolex aficionado that has been away for a while, you may find the change startling.

Here are some comparison pics -

[andyxxx]

I have the latest sub c and the earlier model.

The ceramic does not look as 'sleek' but feels far more substantial (I think mainly because of the bracelet) and I choose it out of the two every time.

[SeaDweller50]

Plus one for the SD4K for the best of both worlds but you will pay a premium for one now.

[kans86]

I would try a ceramic one before making a decision. I prefer the 5 digit but others may opt for the new one.

[WJGESQ]

Hulk.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

Since you liked your SD, find a nice 116600 (pre-clops), newer yet considered a classic.



The Submariner maxi-case is not proportional to the bracelet.

#truth.

[mmmmp]

Originally Posted by MTdweller

I wanted the 16613LB for years and when the six-digit models came out, I wasn’t a big fan of the wider lugs. But when I finally got to handle the 116613LB, the ceramic bezel, bracelet (with Glidelock clasp), and overall heft of the watch was noticeably superior to the old five-digit models. The concerns I had with the wider lugs (from looking at pictures) were no longer a factor for me.

Bottom line: I would try on a SubC before you make your decision. Good luck!

Mtdweller - Your story is identical to mine!

To the OP all I want to add / say is: I'd like to think you'll go to an AD and see it in person. Go see it, try it on, you know, get a feel for the watch. Sometimes, as most of us know, a piece can look and feel quite different from photos or video. Often a watch looks even *better* when inspected 'up close and personal' although sometimes the opposite is true.

In any event to make a significant purchase 'sight unseen' is not only a little dangerous but a touch foolhardy. (Not calling *you* foolish but I've witnessed pretty - let's say heavily...*motivated* buyers. I'm guilty of impulse buying too but never on expensive items.

Slide down to your local AD and really give the piece a solid visual inspection. Hell, when it's on your wrist hammer off some cell phone pix to look at when you get home. If the watch has a GlideLock bracelet, that's a bonus as you'll be able to get a great fit with little hassle.

Nice to have you back to TRF and good luck with your upcoming acquisition. Make sure to create an incoming thread to post some pics.

Cheers,
Mark

Sent from my SGH-I547C using Tapatalk

[Angelis]

I was looking at getting a SubC and tried it at a Grey Seller on Wednesday. I really wanted to like it and would have got it there and then but it felt very large and blocky. A few hours later and I purchased a 14060M. Definetly try one one before you buy.

Yesterday I ordered a NATO strap for it whilst the steel bracelet goes off for refurbishment. The plan was to use it temporarily but I'm really liking the NATO. So much so I've just ordered another 3 different colours from Amazon and will swap the NATo's depending on what I'm wearing.

[siempreko]

Originally Posted by MTdweller

I wanted the 16613LB for years and when the six-digit models came out, I wasn’t a big fan of the wider lugs. But when I finally got to handle the 116613LB, the ceramic bezel, bracelet (with Glidelock clasp), and overall heft of the watch was noticeably superior to the old five-digit models. The concerns I had with the wider lugs (from looking at pictures) were no longer a factor for me.

Bottom line: I would try on a SubC before you make your decision. Good luck!

I had the exact same experience! Plus the benefit of the solid links!


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[Tombstone]

Love the SubC no date. A bit crazy right now trying to get one most ADs have had only a handful since Nov. of 2017.

[MCO1]

The old ones are great! I don't love the boxy lugs as well but if I were coming back into the fold I would go with the new one. I would do it for the ceramic bezel and bracelet alone.

[T01]

ND sub

[Maiden]

You must simply try it on and decide what is right for YOU. Only YOU will know this. No right answer either way. I would add that if you are in a situation where you may be adversely affected by the current SS shortages (ie if you pass on this you may have trouble sourcing another in a reasonable time frame) you should consider trying the Sub C site unseen as you will probably be able to unload for little to no loss if you don't bond with it. Good luck.

[ksteryous]

Good stuff guys...I guess bottom line is I need to at least try on the new one before I decide against it. And I guess the fact that my AD can even get one right now is a bit lucky, so maybe I just need to take advantage of that.

Plus, like someone said, if I really end up not liking the boxy look, I probably won't have a difficult time selling it, and could easily go for a 5 digit model then.

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by ksteryous

Good stuff guys...I guess bottom line is I need to at least try on the new one before I decide against it. And I guess the fact that my AD can even get one right now is a bit lucky, so maybe I just need to take advantage of that.

Plus, like someone said, if I really end up not liking the boxy look, I probably won't have a difficult time selling it, and could easily go for a 5 digit model then.

Yeah, try it on and go from there.
The new subs just don't work for me either, but I have a few friends with them and they love them. Maybe if I never had a 5 digit I'd have a different opinion... who knows
All the best