Rolex Sub - Date or Non Date - Affects on resale
Rolex Sub - Date or Non Date - Affects on resale
Author
Discussion

jonamv8

Original Poster:

3,296 posts

196 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
quotequote all
Hi,

Got my eye on a black and black SS sub.

It's a none date although I was originally looking for a date. This ones a good price good condition etc.

Are the non-dates worth less or harder to move on? I ask as I like to think if I needed the cash back out to buy something else then I can move my watches relatively easily cash out. Is there more demands for dates?

Any advice appreciated

CardShark

4,262 posts

209 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
quotequote all
The date is probably more popular though there's still a good market for the non-date version with many preferring the cleaner look without the cyclops. It sounds like you're looking at a used watch rather than new, in which case as long as you buy at the right price you should be OK when it comes to resale. Don't expect to make all of your money back, especially if you're buying from a dealer, however either model should retain a good percentage of its purchase price.

nikaiyo2

5,973 posts

225 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
quotequote all
Hahah I would disagree with the above 100%. Too me the non date is "the" Sub, the cyclops ruins the date for me.

In a way I think the two opinions kind of give you your answer, I recon when it comes to re-sale those looking for a date or non date are likely to be split 50/50 ish... So buy the one you like the best smile

CardShark

4,262 posts

209 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
quotequote all
To be fair I think you're neither agreeing or disagreeing wink I didn't state a personal preference, I just stated that IMO the date is probably more popular even if it doesn't completely dominate over the non-date and you've demonstrated yourself that there's a market for the latter smile Or is it that you believe the non-date market is larger than the date?

We do agree on buying the watch that is preferred, though.


Edited by CardShark on Thursday 24th March 18:38

nikaiyo2

5,973 posts

225 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
quotequote all
Hahah we agree on the important bits smile

Tbh when I was looking for my ND I think there must have been 5x the number of dates vs NDs for sale, that might have just been the age old, when you want to buy something, it's not for sale lol At that time all the good non dates seemed to fly but the dates were still there a few weeks later! I was quite particular with what I wanted...

It seems to be the opposite at the moment, Watchfinder only seem to have 3 ND subs on their website!

z4RRSchris

12,527 posts

209 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
quotequote all
it's all about the non date version

daveenty

2,385 posts

240 months

Friday 25th March 2016
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I think it's down to personal preference, mine being the two line non-date 14060 which I'm proud to own.

I believe the date version is slightly more expensive to buy, though this should reflect on resale anyway.


jonamv8

Original Poster:

3,296 posts

196 months

Saturday 26th March 2016
quotequote all
I've got a date cyclops on my yachtmaster so the idea of a non date is appealing to me. Seems there is a decent market for the non date should I decide to move on at a later date

audidoody

8,598 posts

286 months

Saturday 26th March 2016
quotequote all
ND all the way for me (i have a 14060M Sub)

http://www.fratellowatches.com/fratello-watches-ch...

It was designed as a dive watch

Not many divers diver need to know what day it is while timing a safety stop at 5m.

Edited by audidoody on Saturday 26th March 13:41

Sam All

3,101 posts

131 months

Saturday 26th March 2016
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Thanks for posting that - enjoyed reading the article.

Sy1441

1,283 posts

190 months

Sunday 27th March 2016
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We'd always sell around 10 dates for every non-date when I worked in the trade, possibly due to the stock of non-dates always being tighter.

ExplorerII

279 posts

164 months

Monday 28th March 2016
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The problem with the 5 figure serial ND Subs is that they do not have solid-end-links, and therefore are very rattly. They all have the lug-holes, too, which I hate, personally. If you are going to buy a 5 letter serial ND Sub then get a random serial as they contain the Blu Parachrom hairspring.

The Sub date is vastly more popular, mainly due to the cyclops which is synonymous with Rolex. They also command a much higher price. Although the original Dr No Submariner class did not have a date, so purists will argue that the ND Sub is the one to go for.

So, in answer to your question, YES, the ND is much harder to push on. You've only got to look at ebay to see the price difference and the fact that ND's sell for much less, if at all.

Edited by ExplorerII on Monday 28th March 06:32

bayleaf

285 posts

129 months

Monday 28th March 2016
quotequote all
ExplorerII said:
The problem with the 5 figure serial ND Subs is that they do not have solid-end-links, and therefore are very rattly. They all have the lug-holes, too, which I hate, personally. If you are going to buy a 5 letter serial ND Sub then get a random serial as they contain the Blu Parachrom hairspring.

The Sub date is vastly more popular, mainly due to the cyclops which is synonymous with Rolex. They also command a much higher price. Although the original Dr No Submariner class did not have a date, so purists will argue that the ND Sub is the one to go for.

So, in answer to your question, YES, the ND is much harder to push on. You've only got to look at ebay to see the price difference and the fact that ND's sell for much less, if at all.

Edited by ExplorerII on Monday 28th March 06:32
Absolute balls.
The ND sells for a bit less because the retail is a bit less originally. Saying the ND sells for much less if at all is a complete fabrication. A lot of people, me inc, hate the unsightly date cyclops and up their budget to the SD purely to get round it. You can also have a ND crystal fitted to get around it.

MrJuice

3,770 posts

186 months

Monday 28th March 2016
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Everything has a price. If you buy well, I don't think there will be much difference in loss at selling time or time taken to sell. I'd guess an AD or grey dealer would be more inclined to discount a ND sub more (in percentage terms) than a dated sub.

Vanguard21

279 posts

164 months

Monday 28th March 2016
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In answer to the Ops question, they are harder to move on without a doubt, especially the pre ceramic one's. If you want a watch that will retain its value then I strongly advise you to get a Sub Date.

HarrySmash

459 posts

169 months

Monday 28th March 2016
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For me, the cyclops is a defining feature on the Submariner, when I bought mine the date version was the only way to go.

silverback mike

11,293 posts

283 months

Monday 28th March 2016
quotequote all
I'm a bit different here. Tried both and preferred the non date. Wasn't too interested in resale as I don't plan on selling. Guess I'm a bit weird as to me the raised glass made it look one sided. I would have been fine if it had one on the other side too nuts I like the clean face of the non date bit I agree, I think probably worth a little less if you were to sell on.

bobbybee

889 posts

184 months

Monday 28th March 2016
quotequote all
Allowing for similar age, rarity and condition
The Submariner is worth less because it costs less new
The Submariner-Date is worth more because it costs more new
The Sea-Dewller is worth the most because it costs the most

It really is that simple.
In my mind the Submariner is the cheap one, for those that can't afford the proper Submariner-Date and the Sea-Dweller is for those who actually need a dive watch.

bayleaf

285 posts

129 months

Monday 28th March 2016
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bobbybee said:
the proper Submariner-Date
I think it's pretty much universally accepted that the proper sub is the ND.

bobbybee

889 posts

184 months

Monday 28th March 2016
quotequote all
bayleaf said:
I think it's pretty much universally accepted that the proper sub is the ND.
Yes the proper Submariner is the Submariner, but it's no Submariner-Date, hence costs less, due to lack of complication, back in '96 when I bought my Submariner-Date, the Submariner wasn't even chronometer rated

Edited by bobbybee on Monday 28th March 18:04