Red Sub daily wear advice...

[Tudor66]

I have collector/friend willing to sell me his BNIB Red Submariner 1680 for a reasonable price. However he insists that I need to put in my safe and forget about wearing it, as wearing it will diminish the value. I don't own any safe queen watches today.

I see quite a few members posting their Red Sub 1680's, do any of you actually wear the Red Sub daily, or quite often...?

thanks,

[Eric88]

BNIB? Really?
Get it if you can afford it. Then worry about what do do with it.

[cruvon]

I wear mine quite often but mine wasn't BNIB, plus it's a tool watch, so it can take a good wearing, not to worry:). However since the one you looking at is BNIB or NOS(new old stock) as a dealer woud call it and goes at a premium to one that's not, it depends on whether you want to keep it scratch free or add some character to it by way of light scratches through everyday use. If you are paying normal red sub prices with no huge premium for it being BNIB/NOS, you won't loose much. Even if it scratches a bit through daily use, it will still have the original chamfers and be never polished so you won't loose much. Enjoy it and once you get it we would love to see it!

[azguy]

Originally Posted by Eric88

BNIB? Really?
Get it if you can afford it. Then worry about what do do with it.

My thoughts exactly

[Jagatai]

If its yours then you can do whatever you want with it! I have owned several NOS examples and I've enjoyed wearing them - that's why they made 'em tough!!

[pdoukas]

I'd wear it like every watch I own, Rolex or not. In fact my next Rolex will be a red sub and I intend on wearing it in my salt water pool.

[Swearengen]

I wear my Red 1680 every other day in rotation with my other watches. I figured that if its had made it through 40 years it can take a little more useage.

Would love to know what a NOS Red goes for.

[jedly1]

This is the downside if it truly is Nos ... He's right on One level ... From a value perspective wearing it will only erode value.

[Robbyvm]

i don't think our vintage watches should be considered as "investments"
value could go up, value could remain flat, value could go down...
if you intend to keep it buy it and wear it
if you intend to sell it, buy it at a good price, don't wear it and sell it (i would'nt wait for a massive increase in value...)

[Mike1066]

If you intend to keep it, wear it. If you intend to sell it, then invest in something else. Watches are meant to be worn! My dad wears his red sub everyday - no issues. If you are concerned, then get a less perfect example and wear the hell out of it.

V/R

Mike

[swissautopro]

Originally Posted by Eric88

BNIB? Really?
Get it if you can afford it. Then worry about what do do with it.

What he said. No way would I be over-thinking this opportunity.

[drp2002]

Personally I don't see the point in keeping a lovely watch hidden away in a safe!
If you buy it - surely it's because you love the look of it & want to wear it.
Wrapping it away in cotton wool seems such a waste to me.
Wear it with pride and enjoy it.

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by drp2002

Personally I don't see the point in keeping a lovely watch hidden away in a safe! If you buy it - surely it's because you love the look of it & want to wear it. Wrapping it away in cotton wool seems such a waste to me. Wear it with pride and enjoy it.

I agree completely. Collecting watches is really fun when you can wear your hobby on your wrist any day.

I'm waiting for my contact to actually show me the two RedSubs he has packed away....It's taken me a few years to build up a trust with this contact, I bought these two watches from him recently. My 1996 GMT seems almost too new for my current collection...:

[caryyee]

If it's NOS, then you will be paying a hefty premium for one in that condition. I wouldn't hesitate if it's at a reasonable price. However, ask yourself what you intend to do with it, wear it or stash it away? I like to wear my watches, but for a very special piece that is as rare as hens teeth, then I'd probably want to put it away, not necessarily for investment purposes, but because it's so rare. It really depends on how financial you are ... if spending the money prevents you from buying a wearable watch for a year or too, or whether money isn't really an issue for you.

[BaltimoreBrian]

Do you have any pictures to share with us as you consider?

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by BaltimoreBrian

Do you have any pictures to share with us as you consider?

No pictures yet, and I haven't actually seen the watches. This contact/mentor did tell me last week that his Red Sub should be my next purchase, so I suspect he will eventually open show me the watches.

Then, if I can justify another purchase I will join your baltimorebrian thread. Today I am wearing the Tudor7928, and I'm grateful for the watches I have now...

[Michael M.]

Wow!! If it's NOS, or like new and you pass, count me in, I'll buy it

[s4dan]

Wear my meters first red every single day without fail..just as my dad did, although I am considerably more careful in my treatment of it than he was.
As an ex paratrooper to him it was first and foremost a quality watch that he could rely on to take plenty of abuse and keep on ticking and that's why it looked like this when it was passed on to me:



And now:

[Frogman4me]

Can't wait to see pics, I would wear it personally.

[jedly1]

Originally Posted by s4dan

Wear my meters first red every single day without fail..just as my dad did, although I am considerably more careful in my treatment of it than he was.
As an ex paratrooper to him it was first and foremost a quality watch that he could rely on to take plenty of abuse and keep on ticking and that's why it looked like this when it was passed on to me:



And now:

[Clay]

If it is truly NOS then wearing it will only decrease the value...If that kind of thing matters to you...
This is not exactly the same scenario , but I ran across a true NOS, Y series (2001) 16600 last of the lug hole, Sea Dweller...Still has all the stickers on it, etc...I put it away...
I wear my K series 16600 Sea Dweller (that has nicks and scratches) everyday...
Just food for thought!

[bertberr]

All comes down to price / premium over a non-NOS example. If it's not that much more, then buy it, and wear it, but don't pay a large premium for something that will effectively no longer be NOS after the first days wear.

I use my 1680 Red, my 5513, my 30T2 and my SD as daily wearers, even when building bikes in the workshop. Never had anything more serious than a slight case scuff and crystal scratch. I can live with that - rather they were on my wrist than in a safe.

[1680red]

Things are made to be used. You wear it... and ENJOY it!

[goog53]

As the others have stated Watches were made to be worn. I can't see how someone can get enjoyment out of a safe queen but that is just my opinion.

[Twsns]

Just don't wear it when you shower or go swimming. Otherwise enjoy it!

[Sherwooddavid]

Originally Posted by azguy

My thoughts exactly

I also agree 100% !!

[Racer X]

If it really is NOS, I wouldn't make it a daily wearer. It'd be a shame to beat up something that has maintained its pristine state for 40 years or so. If it were me, I'd buy it but only wear it on special occasions, and buy another watch for my daily wearer. If you can only afford one and want a daily wearer, I would go with another watch that isn't as perfect and that is much cheaper. Why pay up for a NOS watch that, through your use, soon will no longer be NOS?

[bgriz]

If I had a red sub, I'd wear it daily!

[vintagewaferthin]

You should wear it, just be extra careful with it.

[imono]

If you have the extra cash then just buy it and throw it in a safe.
There are many watches out there in the world.
If there is something you can count in the world with your fingers then it is something ultra rare.
It may not be in the million dollar range yet but still a wise investment knowing well you can get back your money's worth anytime and any day.

Look, before you even own the watch someone already wanted to buy it!