My"Possible" Journey to Five Digit Only!

[Maiden]

HI all, I hope everyone is safe and well. I am going through an interesting decision making process regarding my collection and I thought I would share with the forum. I apologize in advance for what I think will be a long post, so if its a TLDR, no offence taken!

So I am someone who loves both 5 digit and 6 digit Rolex's. My first Rolex, and the subject of this discussion, is my Subc 114060. Love that watch! Over the years I have owned a Ceramic Bluesey 116613lb, a five digit Datejust 16014, a TT GMT 16713 a five digit Day Date 18238 and a five digit Gold Sub 16618LN.

Currently I own the 114060 and the Gold Sub 16618LN. The gold sub is my daily and the SubC my "beater" for want of a better word.

As stated I love both references, although I "lean" toward the more refined, vintage feel of the five digits. I know for my gold references that is certainly the case.

Last weekend I was at cottage with some pals and a guy had a 16610 on his wrist. It just looked so damn sexy to me. It got me thinking about moving on my 114060 for a 16610. This week I went down to my local dealer as he had an older X serial 16610 in stock. I tried it on and loved the look. It was an older watch than I would want so I went away thinking, if I did this, I would like to get a later model. Well lo and behold, two days later he takes in a minty, full kit, 16610 from 2010. I headed down this morning for a look.

So the dilemma, wearing both, I do like the look of the 16610 on my wrist better, by a hair...the interesting thing is from of five feet away, in a full length mirror, the differences in aesthetic are almost non existent. This confirms what have I always thought..seeing a lot of these watches in the wild I am always surprised how close you need to look to tell the difference between the five and six digit subs if you are not up close. The layman would never know. Really that's how it should be.

So for me its all about the fine details....up close, the elegance of the smaller lugs, the smaller markers, narrower bezel ,crown guards etc....

The challenge.... I dont dislike my Sub C at all, while value retention is not a huge factor, its looking like this will be a straight swap if I do it. My subC is 6 years old paid 7K CAN$ taxes in with my 20% discount back in the good old days! Worth almost double that now.

So I have a couple of weeks to think about it, I am going to compare them a few more times. As I said the financials are not super important, at this point in my life I think I want to wear what looks best on my wrist to ME. Really isn't that what its all about? So that is where I am leaning. But darn I still love my first Rolex, appreciate all that six digit engineering, plus I have a five digit albeit gold in the collection.

What to do?
What say you

[illiguy]

Go 5-digits. Sounds like you’d regret and always want to go 16610 from 114060 if you didn’t.

[timlaw]

biased but i love the 5 digit references so i say do it - but then again i am on the list for a (non date) new sub so go figure. one of those classic no lose decisions

[FTX I]

I'd add a 16610 not trade.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by FTX I

I'd add a 16610 not trade.

Exactly this

Why not just add the 5 digit, giving you the best of both worlds.

[Maiden]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Exactly this

Why not just add the 5 digit, giving you the best of both worlds.

Would love to do it but I have basically a one in and out policy...plus I am working on a dress watch for the "add" in my collection. Don't fault the logic though..

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Maiden

Would love to do it but I have basically a one in and out policy...plus I am working on a dress watch for the "add" in my collection. Don't fault the logic though..

Understood. I’m pretty much at that stage too

My logic was/is as follows: you love the 6 digit Submariner and IMHO the 5 digit 16610 date is different enough that both can easily co-exist.

That’s said, I’d never want to give up the 114060 for a 16610, YMMV and if it’s a strict one in one out policy I’d stay put.

[erhein]

Man, this is exactly my quandary. I have a 116610LN from May, 2015. But I also have three 5 digit models--16710 and 16713 GMT II's and a 16570 Explorer II, all obtained after the Sub. I love the Sub and will always have a Sub, but the 5 digit models are so much more comfortable on my 165cm wrist. Not that the 116610 is uncomfortable, just that the others are more comfortable. OTOH, when I'm wearing the 116610 and look at it, I love its presence on the wrist. My thinking has been, if I'm not sure, don't make a trade.

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by FTX I

I'd add a 16610 not trade.

I agree with this

[JSolution]

Yeah sounds like you need to add in this situation. Have both for a while then if you want to move one on you
Can decide then

[Rado63]

I look at it as collector genre. There are collectors who prefer the four digit genre, or the five or the out of production six digit genre and of course current in production six digit references. Collecting five digits is great because the entire catalog is mostly available somewhere at any given time from countless resellers. Which you can buy, sell, trade, and keep some forever, without the AD wait lists, and bundling with other items to get a steel sports. There are also interesting dial variations in some of the five digits which make some more collectible than others.

[WatchNutcase]

I also have the 114060 and have tried on the 5 digit version side by side with it. I totally agree that from 5 feet away in the mirror you or anyone else cant tell the difference. I went with the 114060 over the 5 digit because of the solid bracelet and more substantial quality feeling to it, the 114060 does feel more modern for sure.

It wasn't worth buying the older model to me just because it was ever so slightly slimmer fitting. The difference is so minute, and I'd rather have the newer sturdier watch that will age and become its own classic one day.

[mosanman]

I had a 116613LN for a month before I sold it, then a 116610LN, for less than 3 months.
I tried to like the SubC, hence why I bought it twice, but eventually, I had come to the conclusion that the Sub supercase just wasn't for me and I couldn't unsee how square it looked on my skinny girly wrist.

So I traded it in for a 16610 and have no regrets.
That was almost 2 years ago now, and I'm still enjoying this piece a lot, it actually gets more wrist time than my BLRO!

No doubt the SubC is the superior watch, I loved the shiny ceramic bezel and solid glidelock bracelet.
Alot complain about the tinny 5 digit bracelet, but to me it also has its own charm.
I bought a 97200 for my 16610 but found it threw the weight off, and went back to the 93250 and I actually prefer how light the 5 digit bracelet is.

For me, the only thing that lets the 16610 down is the lack of quick adjustment without a tool. However, I'm trying to source an easy link to overcome this.

I echo what you say about the 5 and 6 digit being difficult to distinguish from a distance, but since you're wearing it, you definitely do notice the difference. The first time I put on a 16610 after having the 116610 it felt like a completely different watch.

[Sandpit]

Originally Posted by mosanman

I had a 116613LN for a month before I sold it, then a 116610LN, for less than 3 months.
I tried to like the SubC, hence why I bought it twice, but eventually, I had come to the conclusion that the Sub supercase just wasn't for me and I couldn't unsee how square it looked on my skinny girly wrist.

So I traded it in for a 16610 and have no regrets.
That was almost 2 years ago now, and I'm still enjoying this piece a lot, it actually gets more wrist time than my BLRO!

No doubt the SubC is the superior watch, I loved the shiny ceramic bezel and solid glidelock bracelet.
Alot complain about the tinny 5 digit bracelet, but to me it also has its own charm.
I bought a 97200 for my 16610 but found it threw the weight off, and went back to the 93250 and I actually prefer how light the 5 digit bracelet is.

For me, the only thing that lets the 16610 down is the lack of quick adjustment without a tool. However, I'm trying to source an easy link to overcome this.

I echo what you say about the 5 and 6 digit being difficult to distinguish from a distance, but since you're wearing it, you definitely do notice the difference. The first time I put on a 16610 after having the 116610 it felt like a completely different watch.

This looks fantastic on your wrist.

I’ve read previously you could just carry around a toothpick with you instead of a tool for the quick clasp change. Simpler than switching the clasp out.

[Bruno Datejust]

Originally Posted by Sandpit

This looks fantastic on your wrist.

I’ve read previously you could just carry around a toothpick with you instead of a tool for the quick clasp change. Simpler than switching the clasp out.

I agree. I use all the same a toothpick to adjust my 16610 clasp (I did it also on my 16234). Consider only that the toothpick won't stand it for two times.

[mosanman]

Originally Posted by Sandpit

This looks fantastic on your wrist.

I’ve read previously you could just carry around a toothpick with you instead of a tool for the quick clasp change. Simpler than switching the clasp out.

Thanks!

I have the iPhone sim remover on my keys, but sometimes it's not convenient to adjust when out and about, and you need the adjustment. Plus there's also the risk of the little spring bar popping out, done this several times, luckily at home.

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by Sandpit

This looks fantastic on your wrist.

I’ve read previously you could just carry around a toothpick with you instead of a tool for the quick clasp change. Simpler than switching the clasp out.

Thumbtack also works wonders.

[MRPWRPATX21]

Pro-5 digits, especially concerning the Sub...just not a fan of the super case, though I don't dislike the ceramic bezel.

[Sandpit]

I absolutely get it. I love the small details on the 5 digits way way more. I’ve tried the 6 digits and they don’t sing to me the way the 5 digits do.

I’m picking up a mint, barely worn 2010 16610 tomorrow. I can’t wait. The 5 digits are the last of the true Rolex tool watches in my opinion.

[Solo118]

Nothing wrong with a 5 Digit! I really would consider any non-ceramic Daytona a 5 digit at this point as the design goes back 20 years! Doesn't have super-maxi case or anything too over-the-top

[Casey VP-26]

Very interesting. (WOW!!! Just noticed my 2500th post.)

[Loevhagen]

Paperclip, toothpick, sometimes a fork, a knife with a tip, a pencil, a...what ever. Adjusting the e.g. 93150 bracelet is no problem. The few seconds to adjust it a seldom time during the year is not a real world problem. The benefit is to wear a watch that has had - and stil has - an effortless design for years - until the maxi case came along.

[ADR1982]

Get the 5 digit while you can get a minty piece. You can always add the 6 digit again possibly with updated movement. Also for what its worth most watches look the same to casual observer from 10 feet away. Unless it has the cyclops which is a dead giveaway.

Ive had people ask me if my 16710 is a seiko. I think your choice should be based on how you feel wearing it

[Sandpit]

Originally Posted by ADR1982

Get the 5 digit while you can get a minty piece. You can always add the 6 digit again possibly with updated movement. Also for what its worth most watches look the same to casual observer from 10 feet away. Unless it has the cyclops which is a dead giveaway.

Ive had people ask me if my 16710 is a seiko. I think your choice should be based on how you feel wearing it

Agree with this. Mint, late release full sets are getting very difficult to find.

[Loevhagen]

Originally Posted by Sandpit

Mint, late release full sets are getting very difficult to find.

But they are still out there. :)

[996marty]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

But they are still out there. :)

Looks stunning

[BNA/LION]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

But they are still out there. :)

Damn You! That is a beautiful watch and matching with the shirt, Brilliant!

[Maiden]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

But they are still out there. :)

Agreed, love my five digit in gold!


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[campfire]

Add. Then you can figure out what direction to take after some time with both.

[Cru Jones]

Get it if you prefer it. Don’t stress. Neither watch is rare, so you can always change again.

Would I do this flip? Never. I prefer the newer Submariners for many reasons. But YMMV.