Advice needed - Sub - v- sub-alike

[clockworks]

38911 said:

If you own a Rolex, you won't want to wear a Steinhart copy, trust me.

If you are worried about damaging the Rolex, insure it (you will probably want to anyway, in case of theft etc).

I've got a 14060, as well as a Steinhart LV. They probably get equal wrist time. I actually own over 100 watches, but the Sub and Steinhart are worn the most.

[Squadrone Rosso]

I looked long & hard at this a few years back.

Bought the Omega Seamaster Pro Chronometer over a Submariner as it feels & looks like a better quality product, especially the bracelet / clasp area.

When you factor in the cost difference, it's a no brainer. No regrets.

[38911]

Nigel_O said:

Yes, but I have skinny wrists - the Sub is pretty much on the limit of what looks sensible on me - I'm even wondering if the extra two or three millimetres of the Steinhart would tip it over the edge (Sub is 40mm IIRC?)

Posts above are probably correct - if (when?) I get a Sub, I'll probably wear it all the time. If I'm doing something where there's a chance of damage, I'll either put on one of my cheap, old faithful watches, or more likely, just take it off for a while

Another question for the aficionados....

Is a three-month old (and unworn) 114060M worth a grand more than a 2005 14060 (with box, papers & 6 month warranty)?

Depends what factors are important to you. They are very different watches at different price points.

The 114060 will have the newer & better bracelet than the 14060. It's also ceramic bezel and will be the nicer watch to wear. But it'll probably depreciate for a while before it flattens out. There seems to be a fair few new/nearly new 114060s appearing on the market at the moment with generously discounted prices - not sure why this is, but it won't do 2nd hand values any favours.

For £1,000 less the older 2006 14060 has already taken it's depreciation hit and is on the flat / gentle increase in value so represents a much lower risk option in that you can fairly easily recover your money if you don't get on with it. Servicing at some point is a consideration, but very unlikely to be 'needed' for some time on a 2006 model.

2nd hand market demand for the 14060 is higher than the newer 114060, and as they are no longer made, the volume of supply is only ever going to go down, driving prices even higher.

So financially I would go for the 14060 and I like the fact that it's a luxury item that represents a relatively safe store of value - some even consider it an investment. But the 114060 will undoubtedly be the nicer feeling watch to wear, if the higher upfront cost and higher depreciation isn't an issue.

Edited by 38911 on Thursday 1st January 12:19

[Eleven]

Nigel_O said:

Ecurie Ecosse said:

Have you thought about the 16610 Sea Dweller?

Yes, but I have skinny wrists - the Sub is pretty much on the limit of what looks sensible on me - I'm even wondering if the extra two or three millimetres of the Steinhart would tip it over the edge (Sub is 40mm IIRC?)

Posts above are probably correct - if (when?) I get a Sub, I'll probably wear it all the time. If I'm doing something where there's a chance of damage, I'll either put on one of my cheap, old faithful watches, or more likely, just take it off for a while

Another question for the aficionados....

Is a three-month old (and unworn) 114060M worth a grand more than a 2005 14060 (with box, papers & 6 month warranty)?

You need to try both on. Side by side ideally.

The 114060 is a chunkier watch and not to some people's taste. Added to which, if you have skinny wrists the 14060 may look and wear better than the 114060.

[SVS]

clockworks said:

I've got a 14060, as well as a Steinhart LV. They probably get equal wrist time. I actually own over 100 watches, but the Sub and Steinhart are worn the most.

You've got over 100 watches!?! Even for a WIS, that seems incredible. How many years have collecting?

[clockworks]

SVS said:

You've got over 100 watches!?! Even for a WIS, that seems incredible. How many years have collecting?

I've been collecting for about 15 years, but have been into watches for 40+ years. Most were bought secondhand, many as "fixer-uppers" from eBay. It helps that I can do most repair and refurb jobs myself.

My main passion is for clocks, but I ran out of space to collect any more. I now repair clocks as a business. The watches are just a hobby.

[MrSimba]

An interesting thread! Having had Omega's which were beautiful watches before picking up my first Rolex last year and going through the same thought process as your doing now, all I can add is that you won't believe the quality of the Rolex until you own one, anything else just simply isn't a Rolex!

Dom is certainly the man to go and see when he returns from his trip & I'd be very surprised if you left him with an empty wrist!!!

Buy the 'x y or z' watch & everytime you look at it you'll wonder if you should have bought the Rolex, buy the Rolex & you'll have no buyers remorse!!!

[RobinBanks]

Nigel_O said:

RobinBanks said:

Yes, if you're looking at date Rolexes the date does appear not to line up properly with the cyclops apart from head on.

For me, that's yet another reason to go for a no-date - it honestly looked like the sort of issue you'd see on a fake - both the dealer and I tried to look at the face square-on and it still looked out of place

Really? I have a Submariner date and a Datejust and both look fine to me.

[SVS]

MrSimba said:

all I can add is that you won't believe the quality of the Rolex until you own one, anything else just simply isn't a Rolex!

There really isn't anything else that compares with Rolex quality?

Oh yes there is! Oh no there isn't! Oh yes there is!

How about JLC or Patek or Glashutte Original, for example? I'd expect all three to be even higher quality than Rolex, but perhaps an owner could comment.

However, there simply isn't another name that can compare with Rolex in terms of brand equity. It's the Rolex brand that's peerless, not the quality.

[Nigel_O]

Just turned down the offer of a pre-registered, unworn 114060 for £4,450 from Iconic Watches - I could have collected it tomorrow, but Dom's price is better, so I guess I'll just have to hang on until he gets back from holiday

Damn - was kinda hoping Iconic would have done a bit better deal (advertised price is £4,500), but it seems their buying price was a bit stiffer than Hackett's

Never mind - judging by most feedback on PH, Dom is the man to use anyway

[Nigel_O]

LOL - the Yorkshire in me appears to have worked - I don't think Iconic expected me to walk away - just had a call to say they'll match Dom's price

I think I'll email Dom to sound him out - may be the case that he can sell his Sub and wouldn't be losing a sale if I went to Iconic - if not, my loyalty is with Dom at the moment, but it means I'll have to wait

[yeti]

38911 said:

if you own a Rolex you won't want to wear a Steinhart COPY.

I do agree with this. So the way to play it is to get a Steinhart that doesn't look like your Rolex! Ocean Vintage GMT perhaps (1655 homage), my favourite. Or something distinctively Steinhart like their Triton range.

I wore an Explorer II on oil rigs all over the world for about 15 years; barely a mark on it when sold for a 700 quid profit even after losing all the papers. Just don't put your arm into a threshing machine/turbine/cement mixer and it'll be fine.

[Nigel_O]

Having spoken briefly with Dom before he went on holiday, I could understand the "gent" accolade from PH'ers. Having just had an email from him, I wholeheartedly agree - what a star! He's clearly an "old-school" chap, who believes in good old-fashioned customer service when trying to gain a customer - its worked! - he's beaten Iconic's price, and in the process, got himself a new, loyal customer and I've got myself an unworn, no-date, ceramic Submariner - woohoo!!! The even better news is that I've done it without hitting my share options - managed to rustle up sufficient loose cash to do the deal.

My most expensive prior watch purchase was £65 - not entirely sure that a Sub is a logical next-step, but what the hell...

Just got to wait a couple of weeks for Dom to get back from skiing - I'm an impatient sort, so it'll be a bit frustrating not being able to "buy-it-now"

Thanks to everyone that has helped me with my deliberations over recent days - its been very helpful and has made the decision far less worrying - I feel confident I've done the right thing and that the price is right (well, bloody good, actually)

[SVS]

yeti said:

the way to play it is to get a Steinhart that doesn't look like your Rolex! Ocean Vintage GMT perhaps (1655 homage), my favourite. Or something distinctively Steinhart like their Triton range.

+1

I totally agree: get a Steinhart that isn't a homage and you can enjoy it all the more

As Yeti suggests, there are some distinctly Steinhart models that could interest. Also, Steinhart does pilot and marine watches very well. Why get a homage, when Steinhart offers terrific quality watches in many other styles?

[Ari]

Nigel_O said:

Having spoken briefly with Dom before he went on holiday, I could understand the "gent" accolade from PH'ers. Having just had an email from him, I wholeheartedly agree - what a star! He's clearly an "old-school" chap, who believes in good old-fashioned customer service when trying to gain a customer - its worked! - he's beaten Iconic's price, and in the process, got himself a new, loyal customer and I've got myself an unworn, no-date, ceramic Submariner - woohoo!!! The even better news is that I've done it without hitting my share options - managed to rustle up sufficient loose cash to do the deal.

My most expensive prior watch purchase was £65 - not entirely sure that a Sub is a logical next-step, but what the hell...

Just got to wait a couple of weeks for Dom to get back from skiing - I'm an impatient sort, so it'll be a bit frustrating not being able to "buy-it-now"

Thanks to everyone that has helped me with my deliberations over recent days - its been very helpful and has made the decision far less worrying - I feel confident I've done the right thing and that the price is right (well, bloody good, actually)

Well done - and worth the wait.

[Nigel_O]

Nooooo!

Got a call from Dominic today to say the Sub had already been sold and that he wouldn't be offended if I wanted to accept Iconic's deal.

Then got a text from him to say he'd get me a brand new one for the same price

Now THAT is what I call great service.

Suffice to say, I have decided to wait another week or two in order to give the business to Dominic

[yeti]

Nigel_O said:

Suffice to say, I have decided to wait another week or two in order to give the business to Dominic

Git is always skiing at this time of year

[Nigel_O]

just sent a certain Mr H an inordinate (for me) amount of money, in exchange for something to tell the time with.....

next question for the hardened collectors on here - how does one effectively and convincingly explain to SWMBO that its not really what it looks like?

her boss wears a Rolex, so she's fully aware of what they are and what they cost - can I claim its a "damn good replica"?

[PJ S]

Nigel_O said:

just sent a certain Mr H an inordinate (for me) amount of money, in exchange for something to tell the time with.....

next question for the hardened collectors on here - how does one effectively and convincingly explain to SWMBO that its not really what it looks like?

her boss wears a Rolex, so she's fully aware of what they are and what they cost - can I claim its a "damn good replica"?

Whose money did you spend?
Does she consult with you on what shoes/jewellery she buys herself, with her money?

Tell her a lie, and I'm sure there'll be a time when she embarrasses you by blurting out that it's not a real one – that'll go down well!

[Office_Monkey]

Was going to say MTFU, but that is a lazy reply. I guess it depends on your relationship with the OH. Mine was ok with it - she doesn't get why I'd spend this much on a watch but as long as it didn't affect our day to day (beans on toast, not going out etc.) she is indifferent.