Rolex Sub - Date or No Date?

[Mart-1]

I'm thinking about getting a Rolex Submariner (black) and will buy secondhand probably as I prefer the lugs and case on the version discontinued a year or two ago

I can't quite decide whether to get a non-date one (14060) or the date (16610) but am leaning towards the non date

Just wondering if either is more true to the original Submariner, and whether either is more collectible?

Any tips on what model year / specification to look for? (I won't be looking for vintage Comex type used watches, but a good condition modern version)

Thanks

Martin

[gary3170]

personally i dont like the "cyclops" i,d go for the non date
plus the non date is going/gone out of production(future investment)?
your choice though go to a AD and try both or buy both lol

[Zingari]

Date - End of.

[CmdrBond]

14060 - original Bond watch

[Ari]

Appreciate it's probably not the "purists" view, but always looks a bit "cheaper option" without the date. Bit like a car with steel wheels instead of alloys.

[DayTrader]

Zingari said:

Date - End of.

No date. End of.

[DayTrader]

Ari said:

Appreciate it's probably not the "purists" view, but always looks a bit "cheaper option" without the date. Bit like a car with steel wheels instead of alloys.

This is PistonHeads...it's more like a GT3RS without a Radio

[crostonian]

The best compromise is surely a Sea Dweller which has a date but no cyclops.

[anonymous-user]

If it was my money, I'd go no-date. Can't stand the cyclops bulge, it seems like such an afterthought which ruins an otherwise excellent watch.

[Gazzab]

Go date. I use the date everyday and like the cyclops. My non-date watches always throw me.

Edited by Gazzab on Monday 19th December 20:32

[Ari]

The cyclops can be removed if you're that bothered, it's only stuck on.

Personally I like it, it's a Rolex feature.

[anonymous-user]

Ari said:

The cyclops can be removed if you're that bothered, it's only stuck on.

Personally I like it, it's a Rolex feature.

I didn't believe that until I just googled it! I was always under the impression that the crystal was somehow cut with the cyclops in place, and then polished up to give the magnification. I never knew that it was just bonded to the crystal.

[DayTrader]

£50 I think for Rolex to remove it last time I asked.

[ayton 1]

Depends on your eyesight, I never liked the cyclops but now I struggle with my Breitling
Date the Sub/date is starting to look Good

[Gazzab]

I struggled to read the date on one of my watches this evening...haven't worn it for a few months and so was setting it up. My 10 yr old was able to help...!

[mcpiston]

Tried both on a couple of months back (granted the new versions) and preferred the non date.

[andy_s]

crostonian said:

The best compromise is surely a Sea Dweller which has a date but no cyclops.

I'd be tempted by this option, the size of the older ones more comparable to the subs as well. Certainly worth a look although I've no idea how that stacks up in terms of price.

What's the best year range to go for (ie price at it's bottom end before rising again as you get older ) - nineties?

[Mart-1]

Thanks for the replies. Opinion is certainly divided

I've decided to go non date after chatting with my unofficial watch consultant friend - she's given me good advice in the past when i'm not 100% sure about a watch, and she likes the non date too, which was my inclination by a margin

Personal taste made me go for the more classic look of the non date as Cmdr Bond noted, but I can understand that the cyclops date version appeals to others

Sea Dweller sounds a very nice compromise plan but I found a brand new old style non date sub for sale and have ordered it - thought i'll get it while I still can

As I recently bought a JLC Tribute to Deep Sea, I wanted a similar'ish diver style watch that I felt happier to knock about in day to day, so the Sea Dweller starts to get a bit pricier for this purpose


Still.....maybe I need a Sea Dweller too?

God - it's an illness

[kazste]

I went for non date, big decision for me at least as the cyclops is the main indicator of a Rolex (to me at least) but preferred the cleaner look. If you want a new one then look around as got my old sub version new from goldsmiths only a month ago so probably a few more lying around.

[sparkyhx]

for a while I wouldn't buy a watch without date, now - if I had a choice it would be with date, but I no longer exclude non date watches from my collection.