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Should I trade one of my smp's towards a rolex?

KingCobb
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I am toying with the idea of trading my traditional blue smp towards an excellent condition 124060.....its from one of the vendors on the board.

I like the watch I have, but I like the summer blue better. I feel like the rolex is an itch I need to scratch...but at same time....

Anyway, those of you who own both is there a substantial difference between a SMP and a rolex submariner? Not saying better or worse, but is it different enough to have one of each?
 
ErichPryde
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Go for it. There's very little practical difference between the two watches: They're both divers, they're both accurate enough for average wear, and they're both attractive. Most people won't really notice but you might get the occasional person that notices you have a Rolex, and you'll get more "watch collector points" on boards like Watchuseek and reddit for "having one of the watches in your collection that everyone should own."

If it's an itch you've got to scratch then do it.
 
Dan S
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Have you tried on the Sub? I much prefer the 5-digit.
 
blufinz52
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I had a Seamaster Pro 300 a few years back and currently have a 124060. Imo, there’s no comparison, the Rolex way better. But, that’s just my opinion. I think you should get the Sub.
 
ErichPryde
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Dan S Dan S
Have you tried on the Sub? I much prefer the 5-digit.

I have to agree. Either a 5 digit no date sub, a 16710, or a 16750. I have found the Rolex subforum here very helpful and informative. I'm not kind of person that makes watch decisions without some thought and I haven't found exactly the right Rolex for me yet, but the newer cases definitely strike me as somewhat "transient."
 
ErichPryde
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blufinz52 blufinz52
I had a Seamaster Pro 300 a few years back and currently have a 124060. Imo, there’s no comparison, the Rolex way better. But, that’s just my opinion. I think you should get the Sub.

What makes it better? I don't ask sarcastically, perhaps quantifying this will help the OP.
 
Dan S
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Personally, I prefer true vintage (4-digit) Subs, and they are most often on my wrist these days. But through the 5-digit references, they still retain a lot of the original design and feel. Obviously the Sub is a truly classic design, and it feels that way when I wear them. The design was popular for decades for a reason.

The major changes to the 6-digit Sub case are ugly to me. They just look like bulky imitations of a classic Sub. As if Rolex decided to imitate an Invicta homage to a Sub.

I've had SMPs, and they are nice watches and I found the bracelet very comfortable (although not attractive). But they just didn't do anything for me and I was happy to pass them on.
 
lindo
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Can I come out of left field here and suggest you keep the SMP 300 and put the cash together for a more interesting Rolex.

I came to this view after considering the same question some time ago. Having put together a satisfying collection of Omega vintage and modern watches, and having a few other representative pieces like a Datejust, I wanted a Rolex tool watch that was a bit out of the ordinary, but was not going to break the bank.

To me the Submariner is so ubiquitous (and so imitated by other makers) that it is boring. (Cue dozens of Rolex Submariner lovers dumping on me now for this heresy).

I settled on this Yacht-master II because I liked the platinum bezel and dial, and it did not look like a Submariner. oF course if you need the 300m for diving, that is another matter.

IMG_3479.JPG
 
blufinz52
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
What makes it better? I don't ask sarcastically, perhaps quantifying this will help the OP.

Wasn't a fan of the HEV, which I found superfluous. The bracelet on the Sub is far superior, easy on the fly micro adjustment, which the Seamaster didn't have. Sub bracelet easy to remove/add links, while the bracelet on the Seamaster had pins and collars, which required a small hammer to remove. The Seamaster quit working and it took a well known watchmaker on OF 7 months to repair at $750. I had a 114060 for 7 years and it worked flawlessly and I doubled what I paid for it when I sold it. My experience between the two is night and day. Now if you're talking chronograph, Speedmaster 100%.
 
blufinz52
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lindo lindo
To me the Submariner is so ubiquitous (and so imitated by other makers) that it is boring. (Cue dozens of Rolex Submariner lovers dumping on me now for this heresy).

No dumping from me, we all have different tastes. That's a beautiful YM 👍
 
Aroxx
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I would say it's worth having one of each in the collection. I'm biased because I really want a 5 digit Sub myself. I echo what others have said above about going 5 digit.
 
Archer
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5 or 4 digit. The new stuff is so...distorted that I can’t bring myself to like them.

But if you do, then by all means go for it.
 
ErichPryde
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Archer Archer
5 or 4 digit. The new stuff is so...distorted that I can’t bring myself to like them.

But if you do, then by all means go for it.

reminds me a bit of the difference between a '84 nova and a '69 nova.



upload_2024-2-23_17-41-51.jpeg upload_2024-2-23_17-43-1.jpeg
 
ErichPryde
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blufinz52 blufinz52
Wasn't a fan of the HEV, which I found superfluous. The bracelet on the Sub is far superior, easy on the fly micro adjustment, which the Seamaster didn't have. Sub bracelet easy to remove/add links, while the bracelet on the Seamaster had pins and collars, which required a small hammer to remove. The Seamaster quit working and it took a well known watchmaker on OF 7 months to repair at $750. I had a 114060 for 7 years and it worked flawlessly and I doubled what I paid for it when I sold it. My experience between the two is night and day. Now if you're talking chronograph, Speedmaster 100%.

Ironically all reasons I chose to go with the heritage line.
 
KingCobb
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I like the 5 digits, especially the simpler 2 lines, but I love the ceramic bezel on my smps.
 
chiefenergy
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KingCobb KingCobb
I am toying with the idea of trading my traditional blue smp towards an excellent condition 124060.....its from one of the vendors on the board.

I like the watch I have, but I like the summer blue better. I feel like the rolex is an itch I need to scratch...but at same time....

Anyway, those of you who own both is there a substantial difference between a SMP and a rolex submariner? Not saying better or worse, but is it different enough to have one of each?
Absolutely, the upgrade will create a much better two piece collection.
 
Aroxx
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KingCobb KingCobb
I like the 5 digits, especially the simpler 2 lines, but I love the ceramic bezel on my smps.
I really like the ceramic bezel on my SMP but on the Sub I think the aluminum looks a lot better and more classic.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
reminds me a bit of the difference between a '84 nova and a '69 nova.



upload_2024-2-23_17-41-51.jpeg upload_2024-2-23_17-43-1.jpeg

I know these aren’t the references being discussed above but…
IMG_3501.jpeg IMG_3502.jpeg
 
Archer
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^^^ The Air King is particularly egregious in the changes they have made. The older one is very classic looking, where the new one is a complete mess design wise, at least in my opinion.

Case proportions that were some of the best in my view, are now all out of whack.
 
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