Rolex Submariner no date - Advice

[anonymous-user]

Hi all,

I'm looking to make my first serious watch purchase. I've settled firmly on a Rolex Submariner non date, 114060, after trying on the Tudor Heritage Black Bay. I popped into Goldsmiths in Bristol, Cabot, and was told there was a 2 year waiting list. Manged to try a bi metal sub on which confirmed that it's definitely going to be the Rolex. The Tudor just felt way too chunky on my wrist and the quality just didn't seem to be there compared to the submariner.

Couple of questions:

Will the waiting list be the same for all Goldsmiths or just that one? I imagine it's going to be a case of ringing around ADs and asking if they have stock/waiting list length.

I'm looking to only purchase through an AD, is there anything I need to know other than pay up if they have the watch?

Any tips for insuring the watch? I'm not a home owner so I don't have contents cover.

The gent confirmed that the servicing is every 10 years and the watch would have a 5 year guarantee. I'm willing to wait for a 6 month waiting list but any longer seems a bit crazy!

Thanks for any help, it will be much appreciated.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 18th February 19:48

[ecain63]

The Tudor felt chunky? In my opinion it's a lighter model than the Sub. In fact, they are pretty much identical dimensions wise. To compare the two is more a case of look than quality in my opinion as the Tudor is incredible value for money vs the Rolex equivalent.

If you are looking at a non-date Sub have you looked at the Pelagos? No cyclops to clutter the glass and an incredibly low key watch with near identical Sub features. It's circa 50% the cost of a Sub too.

With regards to waiting times, have a look on Chrono24 for examples ready now or try Iconic watches to see if they can get one in on import from a European AD. My last 3 watches (2 rolex and a pelagos) have all been through those suppliers and all have been much cheaper than list and arrived quicker than a UK dealer could manage.

[anonymous-user]

ecain63 said:

The Tudor felt chunky? In my opinion it's a lighter model than the Sub. In fact, they are pretty much identical dimensions wise. To compare the two is more a case of look than quality in my opinion as the Tudor is incredible value for money vs the Rolex equivalent.

If you are looking at a non-date Sub have you looked at the Pelagos? No cyclops to clutter the glass and an incredibly low key watch with near identical Sub features. It's circa 50% the cost of a Sub too.

With regards to waiting times, have a look on Chrono24 for examples ready now or try Iconic watches to see if they can get one in on import from a European AD. My last 3 watches (2 rolex and a pelagos) have all been through those suppliers and all have been much cheaper than list and arrived quicker than a UK dealer could manage.

The Tudor felt very heavy and what really put me off was the case height. It just didn't look right on my wrist. Beautiful watch though. I was trying to convince myself based on cost but I know I'd regret not going for the sub. I'll take a look at the Pelagos. Cost really isn't an issue as my understanding is I won't really lose anything on the sub over time.

Thanks for the suggestions I'll take a look. If it's imported will I be the first owner or will it be second hand?

Edit: Not a fan of the Pelagos. The BB certainly looks much better in my eyes, thanks for the suggestion though!

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 18th February 19:56

[ecain63]

AB57 said:

The Tudor felt very heavy and what really put me off was the case height. It just didn't look right on my wrist. Beautiful watch though. I was trying to convince myself based on cost but I know I'd regret not going for the sub. I'll take a look at the Pelagos. Cost really isn't an issue as my understanding is I won't really lose anything on the sub over time.

Thanks for the suggestions I'll take a look. If it's imported will I be the first owner or will it be second hand?

Edit: Not a fan of the Pelagos. The BB certainly looks much better in my eyes, thanks for the suggestion though!

Edited by AB57 on Sunday 18th February 19:56

You'll be the first owner, it'll be registered in the dealer that exported it though. My last 3 were: ladies Rolex Date Just from Seville, my Pelagos came from Latvia before it was available in the UK and my wife's Date Just was from a Monaco dealer but registered at a South Korean AD.

[Nomal]

ecain63 said:

You'll be the first owner, it'll be registered in the dealer that exported it though. My last 3 were: ladies Rolex Date Just from Seville, my Pelagos came from Latvia before it was available in the UK and my wife's Date Just was from a Monaco dealer but registered at a South Korean AD.

Eddie, does this affect resale at all? I too have bought from Iconic my last being registered on Spain. Great company to deal with btw.

Have the chance to purchase a Ceramic Daytona from South America for a very small premium , should this concern me?

[mikeh501]

doesnt effect the value at all. A rolex dealer will tell you it does, but whenever ive traded they didnt even look.

[OGR4M]

Regarding insurance, a simple google search for ‘watch insurance’ will yield several results - I believe TH March are a favourite among PHers. Account for a couple of percent of the watch’s value - I’d expect a £5,450 watch to cost between £50-£100 to cover.

With waiting lists, I signed up to the list at Goldsmith’s Bullring a year ago for my no date, was told up to 6 months, but waited less than a week. The lists are longer now, but 2 years for a no date is excessive, 2-3 months max, I’d reckon.

[ecain63]

Nomal said:

Eddie, does this affect resale at all? I too have bought from Iconic my last being registered on Spain. Great company to deal with btw.

Have the chance to purchase a Ceramic Daytona from South America for a very small premium , should this concern me?

In the same way having a car serviced at an Indy Vs a main dealer.... The only effect on the value will be what you spent Vs what you get back. You pay a little less for it but you can also afford to sell a little cheaper later on.

[TiggerBits]

AB57 said:

The Tudor felt very heavy and what really put me off was the case height. It just didn't look right on my wrist. Beautiful watch though. I was trying to convince myself based on cost but I know I'd regret not going for the sub. I'll take a look at the Pelagos. Cost really isn't an issue as my understanding is I won't really lose anything on the sub over time.

Thanks for the suggestions I'll take a look. If it's imported will I be the first owner or will it be second hand?

Edit: Not a fan of the Pelagos. The BB certainly looks much better in my eyes, thanks for the suggestion though!

Edited by AB57 on Sunday 18th February 19:56

Not sure why you think you won't lose money. rare Rolex's that aren't worn may be an investment, however, a heavily worn Submariner won't be worth much in years to come. Have you considered a nearly new watch ?

[12TS]

My son got one in about 10 weeks in Manchester, so worth going around.

It's insured on our house insurance. IIRC 25 quid for the year.

[TiggerBits]

You may want to look at this one
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rolex-Submariner-114060...

[EC123]

TiggerBits said:

AB57 said:

The Tudor felt very heavy and what really put me off was the case height. It just didn't look right on my wrist. Beautiful watch though. I was trying to convince myself based on cost but I know I'd regret not going for the sub. I'll take a look at the Pelagos. Cost really isn't an issue as my understanding is I won't really lose anything on the sub over time.

Thanks for the suggestions I'll take a look. If it's imported will I be the first owner or will it be second hand?

Edit: Not a fan of the Pelagos. The BB certainly looks much better in my eyes, thanks for the suggestion though!

Edited by AB57 on Sunday 18th February 19:56

Not sure why you think you won't lose money. rare Rolex's that aren't worn may be an investment, however, a heavily worn Submariner won't be worth much in years to come. Have you considered a nearly new watch ?

LOL @ Tiggerbits.

[utgjon]

TiggerBits said:

AB57 said:

The Tudor felt very heavy and what really put me off was the case height. It just didn't look right on my wrist. Beautiful watch though. I was trying to convince myself based on cost but I know I'd regret not going for the sub. I'll take a look at the Pelagos. Cost really isn't an issue as my understanding is I won't really lose anything on the sub over time.

Thanks for the suggestions I'll take a look. If it's imported will I be the first owner or will it be second hand?

Edit: Not a fan of the Pelagos. The BB certainly looks much better in my eyes, thanks for the suggestion though!

Edited by AB57 on Sunday 18th February 19:56

Not sure why you think you won't lose money. rare Rolex's that aren't worn may be an investment, however, a heavily worn Submariner won't be worth much in years to come. Have you considered a nearly new watch ?

I take it you haven't looked at the used Sub market recently...

[aeropilot]

AB57 said:

Hi all,

I'm looking to make my first serious watch purchase. I've settled firmly on a Rolex Submariner non date, 114060, after trying on the Tudor Heritage Black Bay. I popped into Goldsmiths in Bristol, Cabot, and was told there was a 2 year waiting list. Manged to try a bi metal sub on which confirmed that it's definitely going to be the Rolex. The Tudor just felt way too chunky on my wrist and the quality just didn't seem to be there compared to the submariner.

Couple of questions:

Will the waiting list be the same for all Goldsmiths or just that one? I imagine it's going to be a case of ringing around ADs and asking if they have stock/waiting list length.

I'm looking to only purchase through an AD, is there anything I need to know other than pay up if they have the watch?

Try and visit non-franchise AD's outside of the big cities, rather than any of the chain jewellers such as Goldsmiths, Frazer Hart etc.

They won't accept it, but tell them you are prepared to pay a deposit on the spot, at least they will know you are serious. Chances are there are plenty of people on the lists, and often when one comes, many people at the top of these lists pass on it, and you can surprisingly find that you might get one in 6 months or so, or even less.
But, they are not coming through in any degree of large supply, so it depends on what allocation per delivery that particular AD is getting through.
That way its possibly best to try a more remote AD, but be prepared for a personal visit, many will not put your name on a list if you just ring around....those days are no more it seems.
Sadly in the current climate, you are going to have to be prepared to put in some leg work if you are a serious buyer.

I agree with you about the Tudor as well, in terms of how it wears on the wrist compared to the Sub as I have both.

[Mark83]

I was surprised how hard it is to buy a stainless steel date Sub.

I walked into Fraser Hart as I was passing through Stratford. They said as I wasn’t an existing customer or local so it’ll be around two years. I was offered a scrap of paper to leave my contact details on.

I visited another smaller, non-franchised AD and they repeated this existing customer and local story.

[audidoody]

I recommend you get an as-new pre-owned one now.

There are strong rumours of an imminent 10 per cent price rise which will take it to £6,050, That's £1,050 more than 18 months ago.

Who knows what it will be in two years?

[OGR4M]

audidoody said:

I recommend you get an as-new pre-owned one now.

There are strong rumours of an imminent 10 per cent price rise which will take it to £6,050, That's £1,050 more than 18 months ago.

Who knows what it will be in two years?

Am I the only one looking forward to this rise? I have suspicions, although I have no proof to back them up, that Rolex is withholding stock until such rise occurs - and as I’m on the list for one, I reckon I’ll get the call after a rise - even though I’ll obviously have to pay a lot more.

The no dates seem to have dropped in value, as GMTs and date subs have become more popular, I reckon im about ~£400 in the red with mine at the mo...

[audidoody]

WF is asking BIG premiums for as-new with B&P.

£7,250 for 2018 model.

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/search?q=114060

[Mr Overheads]

Get one on Chrono24:
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/rolex/ref-114060.htm

Plenty of UK sellers. Most are technically secondhand, but most will have sat in a box in a safe, then sold on.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for the feedback so far everyone. If I was to buy from Chrono24 or Iconic Watches do they get delivered directly to your house or do you have to pick the watch up from a store?

Also what is the difference with buying from an AD and off a website such as Chrono24 or Iconic Watches?

Lastly, would it be best to ensure it has box and papers for maintaining resale value in the future?

Sorry this is all very new to me.