Have 5 digit models lost some popularity?

[mailman]

Originally Posted by jrs146

You could consider the 16610LV. It's great because it has the Maxi dial!

IMO it’s the best SS watch Rolex made

[BillA]

OP
Are you kidding?

[Johny]

Originally Posted by mailman

IMO it’s the best SS watch Rolex made

I agree.

[MagPI]

No

[Jmbarrack]

They've gained popularity with me. So much so that I'd never even consider buying a new super/maxi 6 digit reference.

[Onikage]

Quite the opposite. Short of Rolex dumping the maxicase nothing will curb 5 digit interest. Maxicase = Major aesthetic downside. Scratch prone cheap aluminium and tuna can clasps doesn't even put buyers off.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Quite the opposite. Short of Rolex dumping the maxicase nothing will curb 5 digit interest.

Even then I don’t think that’ll do it. A lot of people aren’t in this hobby just for the latest and greatest. They just enjoy collecting watches. There will always be people who prefer one generation over the other, or want to collect both.

Why is a 6263 ~70k? Old non-Rolex hand wound movement, plastic crystal, inferior bracelet, plastic bezel insert and there’s plenty of them out there. A brand new Daytona is way cheaper.

[nicon]

Originally Posted by sillo38

Even then I don’t think that’ll do it. A lot of people aren’t in this hobby just for the latest and greatest. They just enjoy collecting watches. There will always be people who prefer one generation over the other, or want to collect both.

Why is a 6263 ~70k? Old, non Rolex, hand wound movement, plastic crystal, inferior bracelet, plastic bezel insert and there’s plenty of them out there. A brand new Daytona is way cheaper.

Exactly, I don't get this technical justification for 6-digit models. Ceramic bezel insert or milled clasp doesn't make this watch "modern". Comparing to any solar powered, radio controlled $200 Casio G-shock it's age of steam technology.

I wear my Sub as kind of a romantic obsolete piece of engineering and accessory. I like its story and what it meant long time ago, and that's why 5-digit Rolexes are better looking more like an original design from the past. Saying that current 6-digit design flaws are just details is silly, watches are all about details, if lugs width or shiny bezel doesn't matter then we can say Invicta diver is almost the same as the Sub.

[rolexinfl]

Hardly.

16610 could be had for $5500 used all day long in 2017, now in 2019 they are $6500

16570 was $4000 in 2017, now a minimum of $5000-5500

16622 was $5000 in 2017, and now command at least $6200-6500

Not to mention the 16710 and 16610LV which is obvious.

The 5-digital models have appreciated, and are stronger than ever. Besides, theyre much better models than the 6-digit jewelry being put out today!

[sillo]

Originally Posted by rolexinfl

Besides, theyre much better models than the 6-digit jewelry being put out today!

I wouldn’t go that far... and I’m heavily biased.

[pigman08]

Not for me, they haven't. The only 6 digit professional model that I prefer over the previous generation is the Explorer.

Like many (if not most), I appreciate the "improvements" in the six digit bracelets, but are the 5 digit bracelets really THAT bad? I understand that the newer bracelets are heavier and the clasps are rock-solid, but does anyone really believe that the older ones are a poor design? I won't go so far as to say that the newer watches are over-engineered, but is it possible that Rolex created a solution to a problem that never really existed?

[Benjamin Choi]

I recently bought a NOS random 5 digit Sub at a markedly higher price than a new SubC current market value.

I definitely prefer the proportions over new.

Never really bonded with the steel ceramic bezel because it's not black, it's a reflective gray-ish chrome.

Don't like the bigger lugs.

What held me back in the past from even looking at a 5 digit was buying something used and the bracelet. I soon realized the bracelet is totally cool to wear all day as I never use the glidelock feature while having to deal with the really long clasp which I find bulky.

YMMV