Would You Trade Pepsi BLRO for 1971 Red Submariner?

[rolesor2022]

BLRO is better... Do the trade and get rid of that vintage

[PenDelicate]

I may be completely wrong, but I think if you had said, "I have a watch I've not worn in 20 years, I'm 69 and I genuinely think I'll never wear it again: should I trade it for a modern GMT?" - then the answers would have been overwhelmingly, "Trade it."

But those magical words, "Red Sub," change everything. Suddenly, even though the fundamental reasons for considering the trade are identical, just knowing it's a Red Sub would change a lot of minds. Mine included.

There's something really interesting in that but I can't quite tease it out.

[Jasb]

I think at 69 years old if you know what you want and don’t want, I’d do it. Get what you want and enjoy it. Just my 2 cents.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

You can't be serious with a question like that... unless your red sub isn't a "Red 1680 sub", I can't imagine anyone in their right mind entertaining the idea for even a second...

no disrespect, of course ;)

[johnk]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

You can't be serious with a question like that... unless your red sub isn't a "Red 1680 sub", I can't imagine anyone in their right mind entertaining the idea for even a second...

no disrespect, of course ;)

?? Because you believe the Pepsi GMT is valued higher? or the opposite?


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[dg8dg7]

OP, I hope you take my response into consideration as it's contrary to many here, but rooted in what I think your need is, not ours.

Many of the replies here are stating the obvious collective advantage a red submariner holds over a BLRO. It's true, there is no comparison in terms of rarity and collectability. I myself would say keep the red sub, if it were me. But I'm many years your jr (could be your son) and at a different point in my watch collecting journey. And this isn't advice for me.

At my age, time doesn't play the factor like it does for you - my limiting factor is still money, like many replying here. Not having enough available to buy a watch, but more generally as being a driver in what is to come in my life (experiences, assets, nest for my family). For you, it's time. There is an admission of that in your original post, and I think that should be what drives your final decision.

Would you like to experience the BLRO in your later years collecting watches? Would you wear it more than the red sub if you had both? If the answer is yes to those questions, sell the red sub and buy the BLRO. What will you regret? It's been in a safe for 20 years, isn't being held for your family, and doesn't bring you joy and interest in the way a BLRO appears it would. Why would you NOT make the change at your stage in life?

I struggle to put myself in your shoes and see how I could ever regret getting the BLRO. What, so if the red sub skyrockets when I'm 90 I can wish I had kept it in my safe another 20 years so that I could be incentivized to wear it even less now?

My dad bought a BSA at your age that he hadn't had since he was 22. I helped him find and buy it. He took it for a 5 min drive when it arrived and when he got off said if he never road it again it was worth buying for that 5 min.

Get the BLRO. You will love it.

Sent from my SM-S916W using Tapatalk

[karleone]

Your RedSub looks like in very good shape. I would never trade such a beautiful and unique classic vs a basic still in production BLRO. Keep your RedSub!!

[amh]

Originally Posted by karleone

Your RedSub looks like in very good shape. I would never trade such a beautiful and unique classic vs a basic still in production BLRO. Keep your RedSub!!

So... "Go ahead and keep in the safe for another 20 years." When I'm 69 I'm hoping to have a large set of grandchildren, watches in the safe won't matter much

As someone pointed out, all this projection is from others who would want such a Sub....

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by johnk

?? Because you believe the Pepsi GMT is valued higher? or the opposite?


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Neither. Rather, because RED 1680s in good nick are like hens teeth and modern BLROs are a dime a dozen - literally. I’m sorry, but they are. Not saying it’s not a nice watch, it most certainly is.

But If you want one, they can be had in a heartbeat. Not so for a RED sub. Not even remotely the case.

I may be unique in this regard, but when I have been unfortunate enough to have experienced “sellers remorse”, it’s been nice to know that I can replace what I foolishly sold with relative ease (and not having to compromise on considerations like condition etc.)

Sell your 1680 and you’ll be looking for years to find another (and that’s IF you can find one that ticks all your boxes).

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Neither. Rather, because RED 1680s in good nick are like hens teeth and modern BLROs are a dime a dozen - literally. I’m sorry, but they are. Not saying it’s not a nice watch, it most certainly is.

But If you want one, they can be had in a heartbeat. Not so for a RED sub. Not even remotely the case.

I may be unique in this regard, but when I have been unfortunate enough to have experienced “sellers remorse”, it’s been nice to know that I can replace what I foolishly sold with relative ease (and not having to compromise on considerations like condition etc.)

Sell your 1680 and you’ll be looking for years to find another (and that’s IF you can find one that ticks all your boxes).

Ahhhh, I think the OP is worried his time on this earth is nearing the sunset of his life. He's had the watch in a safe for nearly 20 years, took it out, and still doesn't give him much love. I think he needs to enjoy whatever gives him the most joy in his life, whatever that may be, while there is still time to enjoy it.

[Milkshake]

Sure would do that trade

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by Dave O

Ahhhh, I think the OP is worried his time on this earth is nearing the sunset of his life. He's had the watch in a safe for nearly 20 years, took it out, and still doesn't give him much love. I think he needs to enjoy whatever gives him the most joy in his life, whatever that may be, while there is still time to enjoy it.

If that’s the case (which I clearly must have missed), then it’s an entirely different scenario altogether.

I recently told my dad (now in his early 80s and healthy as ever), “just enjoy yourself… don’t worry about how much things cost, if it makes you happy, do it!”

Love my dad to death - his happiness is what matters most to me.

[Bladeshot]

John, I have owned examples of both. Love them both but have neither in my collection at this time.

I trade ones I don’t wear, or don’t plan to wear. It does no good in the bank, if no one else appreciates it. My son has input and I keep the ones he prefers… so it’s nice they will be enjoyed after me.

You mention wearing modern Rolex. If a BLRO brings a smile, do it.

I hate to overpay Gray for a modern Rolex, but I’ve done it. In this market, an Even trade seems fair, if you have a watch only. I sold a red sub in this current, down market, recently. Vintage is a tough sell, now, even for the top dealers. There are many red subs for sale. Light demand. Lots of fence sitting.

Ensure you get top dollar. Especially if your red sub is a full set. I can recommend some dealers if you DM me.


Just another WIS who loves to trade.
@bladeandwatch1 on IG

[jfmiii]

OP, can we get pictures of the 1680?!?

[adao]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

Just think about “you”. It’s been in a safe for years, and you don’t see yourself wearing it, now that you have it, at home. Find out its current value. If you want to experience a brand new Pepsi, go for it! Life is short. Just make sure you don’t get cheated.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I am with Kat. You do not wear the Redsub, so let it go and enjoy new Pepsi. We don't know what happens tomorrow

[Andad]

Originally Posted by amh

Here's a little calculator one can use to estimate time left to enjoy these watches

https://engaging-data.com/will-money-last-retire-early/

It's intended for retirement planning but has an interesting feature: Life expectancy, shown by the grey portion of the graph

Enter:
1) Retirement Age [Enter your _current_ age here instead, eg 70]
2) Retirement Years [Enter your life expectancy here, eg. +20 from today]

The finances don't matter, use the defaults if you wish. The life expectancy curve is pulled from the SS admin.

I died reading this……


OP…keep the Sub.