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Omega Planet Ocean vs Rolex Sub

E
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Went to the AD with my wife yesterday. I was killing time while she had something looked at. Went to the case of temptation (I’ve already spent my watch allowance for 2021 and 2022) and looked at a New model (2020, don’t know the reference, maybe 126xxx) Rolex Sub no date. Preowned and listed at 13.5 with no wiggle room. Also, looked at a beautiful 39.5mm black ceramic PO with retail of around 10k, and likely a 10% discount (I didn’t ask). My AD pal let me try both on for fun. Both wore well on my wrist which is maybe 6.6ish inch. PO is thicker but absolutely stunning. Rolex has the Rolex name and value.

investment wise, I suspect you could sell the Rolex for like 20k or so in 10 years if you bought it and babied it - even with no full service. It’s very doubtful that you could sell the PO for 10k ten years later, even if babied. But IMO the PO was the watch that made my heart flutter more. The fit was sublime and the watch was just gorgeous and I loved the look and longevity of the ceramic case and titanium crown and HEV. So well done by Omega.
 
dsio
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From a value perspective I’d take a look at a pre-owned PO as the ceramic bezels hold up very well and the savings could be significant.
 
E
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dsio dsio
From a value perspective I’d take a look at a pre-owned PO as the ceramic bezels hold up very well and the savings could be significant.

the PO I looked at had a full ceramic case. I think used prices would be around 8 k
 
PandaSPUR
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If its just a plain black sub, I dont see it being 20k in 10 years. Despite the gray market craziness, only certain models end up really holding value over time (like the hulk). If you're buying at grey market inflated prices, I would not consider "investment value"
 
3rdstringholder
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E Edgeworth
Went to the AD with my wife yesterday. I was killing time while she had something looked at. Went to the case of temptation (I’ve already spent my watch allowance for 2021 and 2022) and looked at a New model (2020, don’t know the reference, maybe 126xxx) Rolex Sub no date. Preowned and listed at 13.5 with no wiggle room. Also, looked at a beautiful 39.5mm black ceramic PO with retail of around 10k, and likely a 10% discount (I didn’t ask). My AD pal let me try both on for fun. Both wore well on my wrist which is maybe 6.6ish inch. PO is thicker but absolutely stunning. Rolex has the Rolex name and value.

investment wise, I suspect you could sell the Rolex for like 20k or so in 10 years if you bought it and babied it - even with no full service. It’s very doubtful that you could sell the PO for 10k ten years later, even if babied. But IMO the PO was the watch that made my heart flutter more. The fit was sublime and the watch was just gorgeous and I loved the look and longevity of the ceramic case and titanium crown and HEV. So well done by Omega.
Your AD pal must not be that good of a buddy if there's no wiggle room on the Rolex pricing. You'll find that folks here don't much fancy investment talk. It's more "buy the watch, wear the watch and enjoy the watch". I do agree with your comparison opinions about the PO and the Sub....Spot on!
 
T
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I've had a sub date since early 2016 (the 116610). Wore it 50:50 with my Omega SMPc for years. I gifted the Omega to my brother a couple years ago. Last October I bought a steel Planet Ocean in 39.5 mm. I've worn the Rolex for about two weeks since then. It's always the PO. I've been tempted to sell the Rolex for a 300 Diver and an Aqua Terra, but I know I won't be able to get the Rolex back if I want it again. Certainly not for the discount price I paid in 2016. I don't care about what I can get for my watches, but I do care about what I have to give for new watches.
 
Foo2rama
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Case materials slight edge to Rolex. Movement leans towards Omega. Initial price is higher on the Rolex, but if you sell history shows depreciation amount is pretty equal.

this has been covered over and over.

the only reason the answer is the PO is that in a fight the PO is much heavier and clearly a better weapon.

if you never plan to use a watch in a fight it’s up to personal preference.
 
SN13
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In early 2010's (2011-2015), before the "Daytona" Ceramic Wait-listing... You could buy a 114060 (Ceramic Nodate) for about $6k in great condition used... New was $7.5ish. And you could get 5 digit non-ceramic Subs for $4k.... I bought my Explorer 2 for $3k because I felt it was a better deal than the $4k Submariners. I still remember missing a good deal on a used GMT-Master-II 5 digit rolex for $4.5k

They were ALL depreciated compared to new.... the recent "Used is worth more than new" is abnormal....

I have only paid OVER MSRP for one, out of production Rolex watch that I really wanted... I know that it may lose 50% of it's "Value" and I'm ok with that.... because i wanted the watch, not the "iNvEsTmEnT"
 
C
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Looking at the history of many "investment" vehicles; stocks, real estate, crypto-currency, rare bourbon, whatever, you see that bubbles tend to form over whatever is trendy. Those that got in early do well and the excitement builds.

There are so damn many Rolexes out there - it's not like Rolex is doing "limited editions" of anything; they just keep slow-rolling to drive excitement and brand awareness.

Eventually, these used Rolexes are going to be used Rolexes. Some people will have made a lot of money; and other people will have paid $15,000 US for a $5,000 used watch.

"Investing" in a used (or new gray market priced) Rolex right now is one step above putting $5,000 on red at the roulette table. There's no real value in it above that right now there are a bunch of people who want to wear that brand and have the disposable income.

You should buy the watch you want to wear, assuming you will never get the money back out of it. If doing that makes you shudder and think twice; don't.
 
E
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
Case materials slight edge to Rolex. Movement leans towards Omega. Initial price is higher on the Rolex, but if you sell history shows depreciation amount is pretty equal.

this has been covered over and over.

the only reason the answer is the PO is that in a fight the PO is much heavier and clearly a better weapon.

if you never plan to use a watch in a fight it’s up to personal preference.

I looked at black PO with full ceramic case. The ceramic is light and I prefer it over the oystersteel. I honestly give case materials edge to the Omega. But you do pay a big premium to get the 39.5mm PO in the ceramic case instead of steel.
 
E
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3rdstringholder 3rdstringholder
Your AD pal must not be that good of a buddy if there's no wiggle room on the Rolex pricing. You'll find that folks here don't much fancy investment talk. It's more "buy the watch, wear the watch and enjoy the watch". I do agree with your comparison opinions about the PO and the Sub....Spot on!

yah he’s really not much of a buddy other than that I’ve talked to him a few times. He was confident that the Rolex would sell for marked price. If I go back in 2-3 months and it’s still there, then he might change his tune on the wiggle room
 
E
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C ChiefMark
Looking at the history of many "investment" vehicles; stocks, real estate, crypto-currency, rare bourbon, whatever, you see that bubbles tend to form over whatever is trendy. Those that got in early do well and the excitement builds.

There are so damn many Rolexes out there - it's not like Rolex is doing "limited editions" of anything; they just keep slow-rolling to drive excitement and brand awareness.

Eventually, these used Rolexes are going to be used Rolexes. Some people will have made a lot of money; and other people will have paid $15,000 US for a $5,000 used watch.

"Investing" in a used (or new gray market priced) Rolex right now is one step above putting $5,000 on red at the roulette table. There's no real value in it above that right now there are a bunch of people who want to wear that brand and have the disposable income.

You should buy the watch you want to wear, assuming you will never get the money back out of it. If doing that makes you shudder and think twice; don't.

good points. I never plan to sell any watch I buy. I have two adult kids. I’ll wear a watch until I’m ready to replace it, then one of my kids will get the old one.

I buy watches I love but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with considering investment value as one consideration in the decision. IMO there are a few brands that historically hold their value better than others. If I’m looking at two watches and it’s a somewhat close call in other aspects, then the depreciation issue may tip the scales.
 
C
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Probably why I prefer to let someone else take the depreciation on my watch purchases. Most of my watches were gently pre-owned except for the Hamilton/Seiko/Junghans level of expenditure, where I know the watch isn't going to hold value worth worrying about and just want the watch. Buying an as-new with box & papers Omega at thousands off MSRP is fine with me. I'm going to wear them anyway; so I'm less concerned with resale value.

I wear my watches wile riding motorcycles; so my give a sh*t level is obviously not very high.
 
Cayohuesovespa
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IMO, buying a Sub no date as an investment rolex will likely let you down as a bad investment.
1. you likely wont wear it for fear of damaging your investment. I know, i did it.
2. the rolex bubble will burst. this isn't one of those that will accrue over time enough to bother.
i have a 2500 PO and I'm enjoying it daily. which is the type of investment in my happiness i was looking for.
If it were my choice, i would buy a well cared for second hand PO and take that 9k savings and put it into a money market fund that will grow instead. speculation on watch markets is best left for the foolish.
just my $0.02
good luck!
 
Doc Savage
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
Case materials slight edge to Rolex. Movement leans towards Omega. Initial price is higher on the Rolex, but if you sell history shows depreciation amount is pretty equal.

this has been covered over and over.

the only reason the answer is the PO is that in a fight the PO is much heavier and clearly a better weapon.

if you never plan to use a watch in a fight it’s up to personal preference.
I love the scene in Casino Royale where Bond punches the bad guy with his Planet Ocean!

C ChiefMark
...Eventually, these used Rolexes are going to be used Rolexes. Some people will have made a lot of money; and other people will have paid $15,000 US for a $5,000 used watch....

You should buy the watch you want to wear, assuming you will never get the money back out of it. If doing that makes you shudder and think twice; don't.
Great advice, imo. This way of thinking takes the stress out of watch buying for me.
 
Doc Savage
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T tjs1295
I've had a sub date since early 2016 (the 116610). Wore it 50:50 with my Omega SMPc for years. I gifted the Omega to my brother a couple years ago. Last October I bought a steel Planet Ocean in 39.5 mm. I've worn the Rolex for about two weeks since then. It's always the PO. I've been tempted to sell the Rolex for a 300 Diver and an Aqua Terra, but I know I won't be able to get the Rolex back if I want it again. Certainly not for the discount price I paid in 2016. I don't care about what I can get for my watches, but I do care about what I have to give for new watches.
I am really glad to hear this.

I sold my Sub about 10 years ago. I have thought about buying another one, even in these crazy Rolex times, but I just can't bring myself to. Within the past few years, I've owned a blue dial Datejust and an Explorer I 39mm. The DJ didn't do it for me, so I sold that fairly quickly. The Ex I lasted longer, but it still left me wanting.

The PO 39.5 black dial has really piqued my interest. I am about to get one, and I hope it grabs me the way yours has grabbed you.
 
E
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Cayohuesovespa Cayohuesovespa
IMO, buying a Sub no date as an investment rolex will likely let you down as a bad investment.
1. you likely wont wear it for fear of damaging your investment. I know, i did it.
2. the rolex bubble will burst. this isn't one of those that will accrue over time enough to bother.
i have a 2500 PO and I'm enjoying it daily. which is the type of investment in my happiness i was looking for.
If it were my choice, i would buy a well cared for second hand PO and take that 9k savings and put it into a money market fund that will grow instead. speculation on watch markets is best left for the foolish.
just my $0.02
good luck!

Thanks for the advice. The watch I really want is the PO 39.5 in black ceramic. Retail is $10.2k, I think. I bet I can get pre owned in excellent condition for around 8k, or new in the gray market at around 8k but with a 6-10 week wait. And I could probably get BNIB from AD for around 9k.

all I’m saying is that I’m pretty sure this watch, even if I baby it, will be worth quite a bit less than I paid for it in ten years. I also think if I bought the Rolex no date sub for 13.5, there’s at least a decent chance that it could be worth that or more in ten years

so I’m saying: I like everything better about the Omega than the Rolex except that I think the Rolex will hold its value better. IMO. Still that’s just one factor in my decision. If I had to choose today I’d take the Omega that made my eyes hurt.
 
Doc Savage
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C ChiefMark
...I wear my watches wile riding motorcycles; so my give a sh*t level is obviously not very high.
Excellent! 😁
 
C
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E Edgeworth
...The watch I really want is the PO 39.5 in black ceramic. ... I like everything better about the Omega than the Rolex except that I think the Rolex will hold its value better. ... If I had to choose today I’d take the Omega that made my eyes hurt.
It seems to be that you've made up your mind, you're just stuck on it because you've been thinking about watches as investments for too long.

When I want a watch so much it makes my eyes hurt, i buy it.

Except the Lange 1. That's a bridge too far for me.
 
Scooterino36
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E Edgeworth
investment wise, I suspect you could sell the Rolex for like 20k or so in 10 years if you bought it and babied it - even with no full service. It’s very doubtful that you could sell the PO for 10k ten years later.

This is simple in my view. Make up your mind, is this an investment or an expense? You can “limit your loss” by purchasing preowned to mitigate for the unfortunate circumstance that requires you to sell. But if you are investing, buy an index fund than can easily outperform your 10-year return you’re anticipating on this model.

Trying to straddle both and getting the watch you want less seems unwise, or at least, less enjoyable. And isn’t that the point of all this?
 
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