The beauty of old Subs.

[Quicksilver]

On Monday I was browsing the window of the used Rolex dealer in Burlington Arcade - The Vintage Watch Company.

My eye was arrested by the display of old Subs - from the 50's through to the 70's.

It struck me how beautiful they were precisely because they were used. They had that attractive burnished look to them and the lack of "gleam" that marks a new Sub. I loved the models with the cream/yellow dial markings - they need no application of gold to make them stand out.

The gleam of a new watch is very nice and I love my new Sub. But I think the dulled finish of a well used but cared for watch is very attractive. I understand why some like to buy vintage.

Now I need my watch to get a bit stressed looking as soon as possible.

[C. Davidson]

Thats why I bang my watch up without hesitation!

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by C. Davidson

Thats why I bang my watch up without hesitation!

[Jedi]

David,

As a proud Sub owner and diver, it's really satisfying to glance down at my watch and recount where the dings and scratches have come from, including chips in the crystal. I get my watch pressure tested every six months. Dives with me everytime.

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by Jedi

David,

As a proud Sub owner and diver, it's really satisfying to glance down at my watch and recount where the dings and scratches have come from, including chips in the crystal. I get my watch pressure tested every six months. Dives with me everytime.

That's fantastic Lee - every scratch is a badge of honour.

I am going to Thailand in December. I am unlikely to go diving but I want to try and make sure my Sub at least gets some real sea water exposure through off-boat swimming.

[GBJIV]

I could not agree more - I also like thinking about the history - if some of those watches could talk. Some good - some bad... It is nice to take a step back from the shiny AD case and appreciate the vintage. Certainly without the beautiful "now" vintage pieces - Rolex would not be near the company they are today...

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by GBJIV

I could not agree more - I also like thinking about the history - if some of those watches could talk. Some good - some bad... It is nice to take a step back from the shiny AD case and appreciate the vintage. Certainly without the beautiful "now" vintage pieces - Rolex would not be near the company they are today...

Yes - the vintage pieces are the heritage of Rolex. That's why they are so fascinating.

[redshirt1957]

Have no idea what you are talking about?

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Have no idea what you are talking about?

Hey - I've just seen that huge collection of vintage Subs you've posted.

[SLS]

Well, for the MSRP of a new Sub, you can pick up a nice 5513, 1680 (white) or a 1680. Much better value IMO, granted you don't get all the goodies at that price, but they are so fun to wear!
~Scott

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by SLS

Well, for the MSRP of a new Sub, you can pick up a nice 5513, 1680 (white) or a 1680. Much better value IMO, granted you don't get all the goodies at that price, but they are so fun to wear!
~Scott

Yes - I never ould have thought of a vintage Sub previously but now the idea is becoming atractive.

Have any of you seen this site before - http://www.vintagesubmariner.com/index.html

It has some very interesting information and photographs.

[SLS]

Careful, vintage is fun, but once you get started, it's a slippery slope!
~Scott

[SLS]

Oops double post

[rocco1109]

I love that Burlington Arcade. When I was in London this summer for a couple weeks, I think I went there five or six times. I love that Omega boutique on the end.

There's also these "transitionals." Matte dials with sapphire crystals. Are they vintage? Modern?

I guess it does not matter. They're just fun to wear

[Quicksilver]

Great photograph Will.

You can certainly loose yourself for a while looking at the watches in Burlington Arcade. The Vintage Watch Shop is reputed to have one of the best selections of vintage Rolexes anywhere - they seem to have more bubble backs than anything else. There is always a crowd at the shop front.

The Omega Boutique is superb as well - they also have some Rolex Subs on display (odd for an Omega shop !).

Looking in these shops it's easy to understand, as Scott has said, that you can rapidly lighten your wallet.

I suppose the transitionals are vintage because they are no longer in production. I think of any watch that is no longer in production as vintage - its just that some are more vintage than others.

[Brunotheboxer]

good post.

[Troy]

Only one I have that is vintage

[Quicksilver]

Very nice Troy

I love the Tudor variation on the dial - "Submariner Rotor Self Winding "

[Spark]

I'm obviously weird I love vintage, but I like them to look like this......

[Quicksilver]

That's stunning Mark. Has it just come from a Rolex service where it was polished ?

Although it has a beautiful shine its lost none of its vintage beauty. You must be very proud to wear it.

[Spark]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

That's stunning Mark. Has it just come from a Rolex service where it was polished ?

Although it has a beautiful shine its lost none of its vintage beauty. You must be very proud to wear it.

Thanks David.
Yeah the Red was serviced last month, but the 5513 was a year ago now.

[mike]

Vintage--A golden era the likes of which we will never see again.

16800-matt



Plastic divers,



But don't forget the golden era of GILT



Or the GMT transitional,

[meloncap78]

Beautiful watch Mark! The only word that comes to mind when I look at it is "candy".

[Troy]

very nice

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

On Monday I was browsing the window of the used Rolex dealer in Burlington Arcade - The Vintage Watch Company.

My eye was arrested by the display of old Subs - from the 50's through to the 70's.

It struck me how beautiful they were precisely because they were used. They had that attractive burnished look to them and the lack of "gleam" that marks a new Sub. I loved the models with the cream/yellow dial markings - they need no application of gold to make them stand out.

The gleam of a new watch is very nice and I love my new Sub. But I think the dulled finish of a well used but cared for watch is very attractive. I understand why some like to buy vintage.

Now I need my watch to get a bit stressed looking as soon as possible.

I am still such a newbie at this that when I see a vintage Rollie I don't know whether to scratch my watch or wind my butt!

That confession admitted, I have to say I absolutely love the vintage models. They are like a fine antique (which I do know something about as I owned and antiques shop for many years) and I want some!

I love the "petina" dials and just the overall look of the bloody things. My issue is I don't know how to determine if everything is 100% original which I think is very important.

Guess I'll hang around TRF for another decade and gain some wisdom before I start collecting these!

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

I am still such a newbie at this that when I see a vintage Rollie I don't know whether to scratch my watch or wind my butt!

That confession admitted, I have to say I absolutely love the vintage models. They are like a fine antique (which I do know something about as I owned and antiques shop for many years) and I want some!

I love the "petina" dials and just the overall look of the bloody things. My issue is I don't know how to determine if everything is 100% original which I think is very important.

Guess I'll hang around TRF for another decade and gain some wisdom before I start collecting these!

Thats a good point - to buy vintage with confidence you need to have some knowledge. I have read many tales on this site of people buying watches from reputable dealers which turn out to be Frankenwatches. It might not be the dealers fault - often they sell a watch "as seen" so a little knowledge helps.

[Rolexito]

This Subs Vintages are a delight!......

[Perdu]

Vintage is the way to go if I ever have another. I've really come to appreciate them. I would love to visit Burlington Arcade but I only get home every three or four years.

[Perdu]

Bubba,

Where can you get original tritium dials and hands?

Thanks, Gary

[therolexguy]

Vintage is FUNNNNNN...but contagous!