Best first submariner reference?

thelinendial

I think the 14060M (improved movement) is the best of the vintage modern you can get. Personally it’s my favourite for the reasons you mentioned, but also because it’s the best proportioned (in my opinion next to the 124060) and wears the smallest height and lug to lug…. something to consider depending on your wrist size.

For value though, if your wrist wears it well, I’d recommend the modern 41mm 124060 (also because of the great bracelet).

If you are open to Tudor, there is the vintage Tudor Submariners 79090 and 79190 (sapphire, gold surround markers and uni-bezel are the key upgrades). Last of their breed, Rolex parts, and you can still get them at $4k - $6k depending on where you look.

Having had similar deliberations, I opted for two subs instead instead of one 14060M. Mine are of the same family, but smaller; Tudor Subs (36mm) 75090 black and 75190 blue (per my pic, there’s also a choice of steel bezel).

On hindsight, I should have got just one and saved the remainder towards a Vintage GMT.

The unpolished 75090 I just missed (picture from CoinWatchCo) and I’ve yet to take pics of mine,

My 75190 blue with steel bezel,

blufinz52

This. A week after I posted in this thread I got a call from an AD that they had a 124060, which I had requested 7 months earlier. I sold my 16600 to help pay for the new Sub and I couldn't be happier.