Some noob Rolex questions...

[Bob Fossil]

Morning all

Firstly, apologies if any of these questions have obvious answers, I've done quite a bit of research but wanted to sound out the more knowledgeable members of the PH watch forum...

I'm considering buying my first Rolex, but being new to the Rolex world (I'm an Omega man, usually) I have a couple of questions:

1. Is the green Submariner genuinely limited edition? The AD I spoke to told me he can get them very easily, which makes me think they're not quite so limited... I've always liked the Sub but a lot of people seem to have them these days, I thought the limited edition may hold its value better (and be rarer)? Should I wait for the updated version?

2. I'm also considering the Sea Dweller - I believe this is now discontinued... does this mean I can't get one new anywhere, and will have to look at pre-owned? If so, what are they typically fetching these days?

3. The GMT-II (is that the correct name?) took my eye whilst looking at the Submariner. I liked the ceramic bezel, and the fact that I've not seen anybody else wearing one (I've seen quite a few subs). Are they much rarer than the subs? I kind of like the fact that I've not seen many around.

Finally, I've alwasy fancied a vintage Air King - is there anybody on here who has experience of owing one of these v. a newer one? Would be good to get some "real-world" experience. Are they much smaller, etc?

I appreciate there are a load of questions there, so thanks in advance for your help.

[Maxf]

Bob Fossil said:

Morning all

Firstly, apologies if any of these questions have obvious answers, I've done quite a bit of research but wanted to sound out the more knowledgeable members of the PH watch forum...

I'm considering buying my first Rolex, but being new to the Rolex world (I'm an Omega man, usually) I have a couple of questions:

1. Is the green Submariner genuinely limited edition? The AD I spoke to told me he can get them very easily, which makes me think they're not quite so limited... I've always liked the Sub but a lot of people seem to have them these days, I thought the limited edition may hold its value better (and be rarer)? Should I wait for the updated version?

No. They are limited in as far as Rolex will one day stop making them!

Bob Fossil said:

2. I'm also considering the Sea Dweller - I believe this is now discontinued... does this mean I can't get one new anywhere, and will have to look at pre-owned? If so, what are they typically fetching these days?

You may still get a new one - but there are tons of pre-owned around. I paid £1900 without box/papers and have seen them as high as £3500 in unworn condition with everything.

Bob Fossil said:

3. The GMT-II (is that the correct name?) took my eye whilst looking at the Submariner. I liked the ceramic bezel, and the fact that I've not seen anybody else wearing one (I've seen quite a few subs). Are they much rarer than the subs? I kind of like the fact that I've not seen many around.

Rarer than the sub as the watch has only been out for a couple of years - Subs have been around in one form or another since the 1950s.

Bob Fossil said:

Finally, I've alwasy fancied a vintage Air King - is there anybody on here who has experience of owing one of these v. a newer one? Would be good to get some "real-world" experience. Are they much smaller, etc?

I've not got a vintage air king, but have other vintage watches. The closest is probably a vintage datejust. I have had no problems with the watch as I havent had any with my newer watches. You need to make sure that it is waterproof, but this can be done easily by a pressure test. They are a lot smaller than a GMTII/Sub/SD both in diameter and thickness.

[andy_s]

Bob Fossil said:

I'm considering buying my first Rolex, but being new to the Rolex world (I'm an Omega man, usually) I have a couple of questions:

1. Is the green Submariner genuinely limited edition?

No idea

Bob Fossil said:

2. I'm also considering the Sea Dweller

Are you also looking at the Deep Sea (which is the modern Sea Dweller) - this is in production and seems to have flopped a little (relatively speaking), making it easier to get hold of. I don't know how this affects resale though but that may be moot point anyway if you intend keeping it.

Bob Fossil said:

3. The GMT-II (is that the correct name?) took my eye whilst looking at the Submariner. I liked the ceramic bezel, and the fact that I've not seen anybody else wearing one (I've seen quite a few subs). Are they much rarer than the subs? I kind of like the fact that I've not seen many around.

They do seem rarer than the subs, and as above, the GMT has been out for shorter than the sub and isn't as popular. It has been out for at least 20 years though (albeit without the ceramic bezel). Have you considered the Explorer IIs? Rarer still (or at least not as noticeable).

[The GMan]

1. Is the green Submariner genuinely limited edition? The AD I spoke to told me he can get them very easily, which makes me think they're not quite so limited... I've always liked the Sub but a lot of people seem to have them these days, I thought the limited edition may hold its value better (and be rarer)? Should I wait for the updated version?

[/quote]
No. They are limited in as far as Rolex will one day stop making them!




I had been led to believe there was a limited anniversary edtion in green that has slighty different bezel markings to the other Subs in green?


Anyway I love my Sub and went through a similar thought process to yourself. The GMT II is a lovely watch, and I was nearly going to buy one, but I'd always wanted a Sub so went with that.


Edited to add: I bought my wife a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 15210, with an engine turned bezel. This is 34mm so the same size as the Air King and is tiny on me.

Edited by The GMan on Tuesday 8th September 11:03

[Bob Fossil]

andy_s said:

Are you also looking at the Deep Sea (which is the modern Sea Dweller)

Hadn't considered that one, but I like the look of it. They seem a bit too expensive though (£5k ish?) I was looking around the £4k mark. Unless a pre-owned would be around that level?

Looking to keep it forever so resale doesn't worry me too much.

andy_s said:

Have you considered the Explorer IIs? Rarer still (or at least not as noticeable).

Looks ok (at least with the black face) - are they the same bezel size as the Subs / GMT?

The more I think about it, the more I'm erring away from the idea of a Sub... I want something not everyone has.

Unless there is a genuinely limited edition green one?

What is the consensus on the quality of Rolexes (sp?) these days? Is it similar to how some view Mercedes, i.e. the older ones are rock solid, genuine craftsmanship but the newer ones are just expensive pieces of branding? I'd rather buy an older one if it's better made.

Thanks again

[The GMan]

Bob Fossil said:

andy_s said:

Are you also looking at the Deep Sea (which is the modern Sea Dweller)

Hadn't considered that one, but I like the look of it. They seem a bit too expensive though (£5k ish?) I was looking around the £4k mark. Unless a pre-owned would be around that level?

Looking to keep it forever so resale doesn't worry me too much.

andy_s said:

Have you considered the Explorer IIs? Rarer still (or at least not as noticeable).

Looks ok (at least with the black face) - are they the same bezel size as the Subs / GMT?

The more I think about it, the more I'm erring away from the idea of a Sub... I want something not everyone has.

Unless there is a genuinely limited edition green one?

What is the consensus on the quality of Rolexes (sp?) these days? Is it similar to how some view Mercedes, i.e. the older ones are rock solid, genuine craftsmanship but the newer ones are just expensive pieces of branding? I'd rather buy an older one if it's better made.

Thanks again

I didn’t but my Sub new, I bought a 2000(actually I need to double check year) pinhole model from watches.co.uk

I know what you mean by everyone having a sub and felt the same when I bought mine and that’s why I was looking at a GMT II with the Pepsi bezel and also a green sub. However I can honestly say recently I have seen more people wearing Omega PO and Panerai Luminor Base models, than I have subs. Saying that though I work more in Newcastle now instead of London.

I hardly wear my Panerai now as I feel my Rolex is good for all occasions and love it.

There are some limited older Subs out there, some of them cost a some fortune though, have a look at this site: http://doubleredseadweller.com/index.htm

Edited by The GMan on Tuesday 8th September 13:57

[EvoSlayer]

Bob Fossil said:

I was looking around the £4k mark.

The more I think about it, the more I'm erring away from the idea of a Sub... I want something not everyone has.

Had you considered an anniversary Milgauss (green glass), just taken delivery of mine and think it looks fantastic, I have a few others but this week I have been mostly wearing this.



I have a green sub and as far as I know it is not limited and was released as a 50th anniversary model in 2003 but not as a limited run.

Edited by EvoSlayer on Tuesday 8th September 20:47

[Bob Fossil]

EvoSlayer said:

Had you considered an anniversary Milgauss (green glass), just taken delivery of mine and think it looks fantastic, I have a few others but this week I have been mostly wearing this.

I have a green sub and as far as I know it is not limited and was released as a 50th anniversary model in 2003 but not as a limited run.

Now, that is nice. Unless I'm missing something, it has no date though? I was after something with a date function (yes, my memory is that bad!)