Rolex Subs for Newbies

Without a doubt a reasonably priced in between vintage and modern would be an early 90s tritium dial 14060. Holes case. Most of these are starting to patina to a nice ivory color and if you’re lucky you can find one with a bezel fading from black to navy.

I would suggest the 16800 or 168000.

The 168000 were only produced for two years, and so there's a limited production aspect of collectibility right there. Very nice examples with nice patina can fetch around $7-8k for just the watch, again depending on patina. This was also the era when the glossy dials were susceptible to 'spidering' if you are into that sort of look (depends on the collector)

16800 matte dials are another option as it has been mentioned, but the difference between a matte dial and a white gold surround dial are about $3-4k apart.

As for the most affordable, as it has already been mentioned, would be a 14060 from the 90s. In this era, the no-date watches will always be cheaper than ones with date.

I would also suggest the 16800 but admit bias as I own one of the last matt dial watches in unpolished condition.


How would the forum value a watch like this - full length oyster bracelet and full box set less the warranty.

Yes, a lot easier to find unpolished 16800 matte dials since they're younger. Very nice watch you have. Your watch would be $11k+ if a dealer were to sell it, but private parties realistically will fetch around $10.5k -- perhaps less, since the market has been a bit iffy as of late. I have a 16800 matte dial with ghost bezel and pumpkin patina that I thought would fly at the price I posted ($10k), but alas... it has not!

I think it's a bit like buying a car - most people go for the most recent one they can afford. But if you're an old car enthusiast you might have a specific car in mind. Having a really old car might look nice in your garage but driving it every day, kids, dogs trips to the tip etc? No. Probably not. But something from the generation where you don't see too many on the road but still with some mod cons and modern enough to be safe on the freeway? Something you can use every day?

I see that similarity in watches. With subs I'd say that 14060 is right in the goldilocks zone - not too old, not too young - just right. I wore this most days for over 20 years


14060 None-Date Sub. Kind of straddles the line between old and current.

I have 3 or 4 nice watches with Date. The thing I hate doing is picking up one of those that I haven't worn for a while and fiddling with the date. I wore this rolex most days so it was always running and kept good time but nowadays I work from home - often in my PJ's - so not wearing a watch for a few days. This one is quick to get going. Give it a shake to get it going, set the time and off I go.


I

What is the current no date sub model?

114060 (I think)

https://www.rolex.com/watches/submariner/m114060-0002.html#

Looks very similar to my picture above so you see they haven't changed much over the years. But the current one is a chronometer, The bracelet has solid end links and the clasp is nice and solid - whereas my end links and clasp are thin pressed steel which was standard on rolex for many many years.

two-line dial 14060M, the last of the classic Submariner watches... with the characteristic lugholes in the case
as discussed here:
https://www.time4apint.com/podcast/the-time-4a-pint-podcast-episode-52
and described here:
https://www.fratellowatches.com/rolex-14060-submariner-52mondayz-week-17/

Funny how Rolex website gives you an illusion that you can buy one for $7500 or choose between the date and no date one)))😗

Personally I'll always go with the no date 5513 or 14060.

I'd definitely be looking at a mid 80's gold markers 5513. The matte dials are too expensive but the glossy dials are still obtainable at decent value as they aren't as highly prized as a matte dial. I also hugely prefer the look of the markers being metal and the dial seems to pop more....matte dials collectable yes but glossy dials with gold markers just look so much better IMO.