What is the perfect submariner?

[dextroam11]

I have never seen a submariner in person.

So for TRF members who have seen different references of submariners...

Which reference is the perfect submariner for you? (don't care about the color.. Let's just compare no-date sub for example)

I have been watching many videos of comparing no-date 114060, 124060, and even 5-digit reference ones. Everything has it's pros/cons but what do you guys think?

Which is the perfect (or near-perfect) submariner for ya?

[WalterW]

None. Go for a gmt for sure. It’s a lot more
Useful, especially for travelers. Lighter, more comfortable and comes in very unique colors.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by dextroam11

Everything has it's pros/cons

You said it all right here. There is no perfect anything, Submariner or otherwise. It's hard to beat the dimensions and proportions of the 5 digits, but the modern bracelet makes the older ones feel like a $20 Timex. Ceramic bezels don't scratch and fade but the older green is more vibrant. The newer movement has better power reserve but may lack reliability. The list goes on and on.

If you've never seen any of them that should be your first goal. It's hard to imagine you wouldn't have a strong opinion one way or another when you feel the two (or three) side by side in the metal.

[dextroam11]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

You said it all right here. There is no perfect anything, Submariner or otherwise. It's hard to beat the dimensions and proportions of the 5 digits, but the modern bracelet makes the older ones feel like a $20 Timex. Ceramic bezels don't scratch and fade but the older green is more vibrant. The newer movement has better power reserve but may lack reliability. The list goes on and on.

If you've never seen any of them that should be your first goal. It's hard to imagine you wouldn't have a strong opinion one way or another when you feel the two (or three) side by side in the metal.

Usually there is a certain reference model that people think it's good. Of course newer version will have better/improved movement but aesthetically speaking (and also how comfortable it sits on your wrist) I just wanted to know which one is the "near-perfect" submariner. Sure, everything is subjective and has its pros/cons but which sub do you think is the best submariner of all?

To be honest, I dont think I will ever get to have 3 different references of sub side by side, nor it will not be my goal over getting my 1st watch

[Andad]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

You said it all right here. There is no perfect anything, Submariner or otherwise. It's hard to beat the dimensions and proportions of the 5 digits, but the modern bracelet makes the older ones feel like a $20 Timex. Ceramic bezels don't scratch and fade but the older green is more vibrant. The newer movement has better power reserve but may lack reliability. The list goes on and on.

If you've never seen any of them that should be your first goal. It's hard to imagine you wouldn't have a strong opinion one way or another when you feel the two (or three) side by side in the metal.

I like my $20 'Timex' with the funny green bezel Jeff.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Andad

I like my $20 'Timex' with the funny green bezel Jeff.

This one wins for me

[Brny11]

Originally Posted by Andad

I like my $20 'Timex' with the funny green bezel Jeff.

To be fair to that post, I see what he means. Maybe just not articulated very well. The 16610 is by NO means cheap. Just might feel that way if you are used to the bracelet of a modern era sub. However… a modern Daytona ($40k grey) is a far superior watch when compared to Paul Newman’s Paul Newman ($18M grey lol).

A lot more to watches than the technical capabilities on paper. 16610lv is one of the classics.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by Andad

I like my $20 'Timex' with the funny green bezel Jeff.

I *love* that watch. And as I said, its green beats to new one in my book. And being one of the last 5 digits it certainly has a better bracelet, though still not as robust as the newer ones. But you can't honestly tell me that you think an oyster bracelet from the 70s or 80s exudes the level of quality that most of us associate with this brand. Charming, perhaps. Bulletproof, no.

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[Mystro]

[brandrea]

For me its the perfect Submariner. YMMV



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[Big Tex Rolex]

You will find articles touting the older Submariners …
I have a 14060M “Two Liner” that I love for its clean look, but …
I love the new 41mm 124060.
I prefer the No Date (does a diver need to know the date !!???) … because of that same cleaner look without the Cyclopes … but I would take whatever the AD had.

[dextroam11]

Originally Posted by brandrea

For me its the perfect Submariner. YMMV

Attachment 1238145Attachment 1238146

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is this 114060 or 124060? Hard for me to tell just by looking at the pic

[JRell]

Originally Posted by dextroam11

is this 114060 or 124060? Hard for me to tell just by looking at the pic

That is a 124060.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by dextroam11

is this 114060 or 124060? Hard for me to tell just by looking at the pic

Originally Posted by JRell

That is a 124060.

Winner winner chicken dinner

[direwolf]

My vote would be the 16610 for overall aesthetics, comfort and functionality. I have had the fortune of being able to wear and enjoy the five digits, the 11 series, as well as the 12 series. The one major take away I have is if you actually dive, snorkel, swim, surf, sail ect., the lightness and comfort of the 5 series makes for a better sports watch.

[JRell]

Had the 114060. Loved it, but traded it in for my 124060. Perfection.

[Big Tex Rolex]

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[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by Big Tex Rolex

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This.

[SLWoodster]

For someone like yourself, the perfect submariner is the one you can get.

Why go down this rabbit hole if you can't even get one?

There's hundreds of options and variations on submariners. Comex, 4 digit, no crown guard, 36mm aka james bond, Tiffany signed, tropical, flat 4... come on... haven't even scratched the surface...

Originally Posted by dextroam11

I have never seen a submariner in person.

So for TRF members who have seen different references of submariners...

Which reference is the perfect submariner for you? (don't care about the color.. Let's just compare no-date sub for example)

I have been watching many videos of comparing no-date 114060, 124060, and even 5-digit reference ones. Everything has it's pros/cons but what do you guys think?

Which is the perfect (or near-perfect) submariner for ya?

[dextroam11]

Originally Posted by SLWoodster

For someone like yourself, the perfect submariner is the one you can get.

Why go down this rabbit hole if you can't even get one?

There's hundreds of options and variations on submariners. Comex, 4 digit, no crown guard, 36mm aka james bond, Tiffany signed, tropical, flat 4... come on... haven't even scratched the surface...

I mean.. grey market has all the options you list available so I was just trying to find the right one. Yes sure, if I can just talk to AD and get one, 124060 would be my only option, but I am willing to go grey as well.
As I mentioned though, I've read and watched many videos of sub comparison, but I just wanted to hear what TRF think about.

[Old Expat Beast]

I'd say the 5513. The longest-running reference (almost 30 years from the early 1960s till about 1990).

[dnuggett]

The new 41mm Sub is the perfect sub for me. I can’t tell you what the perfect sub for you is.

[jswing]

Probably my favorite of all time was my matte dial 5513, but I don't really like wearing vintage, so the best for me is my 124060.

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[fania123]

This one for me.

[subprimero]

My pick is the almost vintage 14060.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by subprimero

My pick is the almost vintage 14060.

my pick as well, but I'd take a 4 liner too.

[Meyrin]

Originally Posted by subprimero

My pick is the almost vintage 14060.

My pick too! I've been wearing my 14060 for over 25 years now. Perfect for me!

[Boaters]

The one on my wrist

[Kyle3130]

Like others have stated, that is a subjective question. I have been wearing my 124060 daily since I got it in June but I also own a 14060M 2-liner that is so classic and comfortable (also my first Rolex). I love them both for different reasons and I couldn't choose only one hence the reasons I own both.

[Casotakar]

Definition of best for me with this watch is definitely the Submariner. It’s called the Submariner. Not Sub no-date, or hulk or Kermit or cermit, etc. Submariner is a black dial, black uni directional bezel, 3 hand rolex. The best will always be the brand new one based of my definition and reasons…you know exactly if it’s been dropped, serviced and by whom, ever had a breached case, how it’s been used, etc.

Even if you bought a new when the latest was the 5513 or 6538 etc. that is the best. It just turns out when I was born and by the time I grew up and able to afford one, the latest is now 124060 lol. Don’t get me on this old new stock stuff…that’s no guarantee.

If I was buying on looks ignoring everything else probably 6538 or 5513 or earliest models but thanks to the newest they corrected a lot of visual cues the earlier ceramics lacked and ratios Rolex messed up.

124060 for me. Date windows belong on other references Rolex makes.


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