Sub or GMT more resell value?

[rxbuyer]

I like both but they are an investment so i would like to have the best one. Which one you think will hold more value over time?

[HL65]

Neither should be looked as investment. Get the one you like and wear and enjoy it!

[Dan Pierce]

Both, to be worn and enjoyed, that's the payoff.
dP

[KMdad44]

To by these things has an investment isn't a great idea. Look and the one that appeals to you most. They both are great watches, but pick the one that says "buy me" the loudest.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by rxbuyer

I like both but they are an investment so i would like to have the best one. Which one you think will hold more value over time?

Why today has everything lately to be with Rolex watches thought as a investment or just £££££$$$$$ signs.Just buy the watch you want and wear and enjoy it in good health.Now thats far more important than thinking about any watch as a investment.Then after many years of wearing if your watch gives you a good return on original price paid. Just think of it as a bonus to owning and wearing a Rolex over the years it really is that simple.

[karmatp]

If your looking to invest money, stay away from watches. If you are looking to buy a watch because of the enjoyment you will get out of it, well then you need to buy the one you like the most.

[Paulie 50]

There is no such thing as an investment in watches in this financial climate, just ask some of the buyers who at the Rolex Evolution Revolution sale in New York a couple or so years ago paid top doallar and more for Milsubs, Comex and some Daytona's amongst others, and now, they not only have egg on their faces, but cordon bleu omelette's which could have been served by michelin starred chef's. Just buy what you like and you wont go far wrong.

[pp763]

Sub

[impalass]

I agree with all the sentiments above. Buy whatever sings to you the loudest.

Imo for a quick resale the Submariner edges out the GMT slightly.

[mike]

Originally Posted by padi56

Why today has everything lately to be with Rolex watches thought as a investment or just £££££$$$$$ signs.Just buy the watch you want and wear and enjoy it in good health.Now thats far more important than thinking about any watch as a investment.Then after many years of wearing if your watch gives you a good return on original price paid. Just think of it as a bonus to owning and wearing a Rolex over the years it really is that simple.

[humvee]

old sub out does old gmt

new gmt 2c outdoes new sub c.

[COBill]

Any given Rolex would have depreciated less than my 401(k) did this year!

[Casey VP-26]

Originally Posted by karmatp

If your looking to invest money, stay away from watches.

I respectively disagree: Over the past 30 years I have purchased, worn and enjoyed many Rolex watches, I can say I never lost a penny (in fact I did quite well). I do admit it will depend on the model you choose and the price you pay at purchase. The OP is questioning two good choices. I wish him Good Luck on either choice. OMHO.

[MoBe]

Put your money in an interest bearing savings account if you want an investment.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by humvee

old sub out does old gmt

new gmt 2c outdoes new sub c.

Sounds about right.

[Mickey®]

Plus in addition to everything that's been posted...
How much did you pay for "it" & How long are you going to keep "it".

There is no real easy answer to your question...

[springer]

I think if you are buying a pre-owned Submariner 16610 or a GMT II 16710, both seem to appreciate in value by 10 to 15% a year. I don't think one will be worth more than the other long term, as they were made in substantial quantity. (The Submariner 16610 was made for a couple years longer than the GMT II.) While the Submariner seems to be more popular than the GMT II, the various colored bezel inserts on the GMT II, which are no longer available on the GMT ceramic model, make it quite popular in the pre-owned market. In the future, the GMT II could surpass the desirability of the Submariner to collectors or potential buyers.

A year ago, you could purchase a nice, pre-owned GMT II, complete with its accessories and warranty paper, for around $3600. Today, that same watch would be on average $4500. This same pattern of appreciation goes back many years for the GMT and the Submariner.

As far as purchasing a new Submariner or GMT at full retail with tax, you can expect it to depreciate over eight to ten years before it will again be worth what you paid for the watch. I would never recommend anyone go out and buy a safe full of new Rolex Submainers and GMT's as an investment.

One thing that has made the Rolex brand so popular is not only the reliability of their watches but the value of the watch. They hold their value quite well, and after several years, they are usually worth the original purchase price.

Unlike some of my friends here, I disagree with their comments about buying a Rolex as an investment. Many of the Rolex models are great investments and appreciate substantially thru the years, especially some of the pre-owned models. Investing in a Rolex, especially the popular models, is a very wise investment.

RXBUYER, good luck in your decision. Buy as an investment, but also enjoy your purchase too! Not only does the Rolex look great on the wrist, it is a wise investment.

[Passionata]

Sub

[Finewatch]

Rolex holds it's value better than any mutual fund in the last 10 years. Another plus is satisfaction wearing it for the last 10 yrs compaired to those semi annual loss statements

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Finewatch

Rolex holds it's value better than any mutual fund in the last 10 years. Another plus is satisfaction wearing it for the last 10 yrs compaired to those semi annual loss statements

Any? Are you sure about that? I am thinking First Eagle Gold Fund and other metal based funds might have done a little better as well as many Emerging Market Funds...

[Nowayman1]

Not that I would ever do this but I wonder about buying a Rolex Sub and literally keeping it box fresh in a safe for 25+ years.....

Just curious how a completely mint vintage model would be perceived in the future.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Nowayman1

Not that I would ever do this but I wonder about buying a Rolex Sub and literally keeping it box fresh in a safe for 25+ years.....

Just curious how a completely mint vintage model would be perceived in the future.

Today's modern Rolex will never equal yesterday's vintage as there are far too many mint modern watches in circulation compared to vintage pieces. I agree that a used Sub or GMT bought for a good price is probably a good investment versus buying a new watch at retail which is not a good way to invest money. There are many variables that go into the vintage market and that in itself is an entirely different conversation and long topic on its own!!

Ps. I believe the OP was referring to going out and buying a new GMT or Sub in which case again I think neither is a good investment and the best bet is to buy the one you like!

[Mickey®]

Originally Posted by Nowayman1

Not that I would ever do this but I wonder about buying a Rolex Sub and literally keeping it box fresh in a safe for 25+ years.....

Just curious how a completely mint vintage model would be perceived in the future.

There are hundreds and probably thousands of people who have already done this...should be interesting 25-30 years from now!

[bluemartinifan]

Going forward - I think it will be more difficult for the uninformed masses to invest in basic stock, bond, precious metals and other funds and earn consistently acceptable (8% +) returns (like we did pre 2000).
I also think it is more difficult for the uninformed masses to buy or invest (you choose the word) in a Rolex and sell it for more that they paid.

I think for the informed few who are willing to invest time to do homework on a target investment - there will be ways to earn acceptable returns.
It's harder to study a market, it's sellers, it's pricing history and all other variables that lead to a smart buying decision on stocks, bonds, watches etc. so most people don't do it - they just buy and hope it goes up.

I do not think buying Rolexes as an investment alternative to more core investment vehicles is wise (unless you are an experienced Rolex collector). I do know from my experience over the last 31 years (my 1st Rolex buy) - when I buy a preowned stainless sports model - it has provided a return. BUT the monetary returns have been a mere fraction of the emotional returns

[HL65]

Originally Posted by bluemartinifan

Going forward - I think it will be more difficult for the uninformed masses to invest in basic stock, bond, precious metals and other funds and earn consistently acceptable (8% +) returns (like we did pre 2000).
I also think it is more difficult for the uninformed masses to buy or invest (you choose the word) in a Rolex and sell it for more that they paid.

I think for the informed few who are willing to invest time to do homework on a target investment - there will be ways to earn acceptable returns.
It's harder to study a market, it's sellers, it's pricing history and all other variables that lead to a smart buying decision on stocks, bonds, watches etc. so most people don't do it - they just buy and hope it goes up.

I do not think buying Rolexes as an investment alternative to more core investment vehicles is wise (unless you are an experienced Rolex collector). I do know from my experience over the last 31 years (my 1st Rolex buy) - when I buy a preowned stainless sports model - it has provided a return. BUT the monetary returns have been a mere fraction of the emotional returns

Well said Russ and agree. As Mohamed El-Erian calls it "The New Normal"- a time where people must be more worried about return of capital vs. return on capital! Different times....In the midst of these times it is nice to at least have the joy and comfort of gazing down on your wrist at a nice Rolex. Now that is a return that is worthwhile!

[Perdu]

If your talking about Vintage the GMT is the poor relation to the Sub.

[GlobalGooch69]

i would disagree with statements above, every watch is a financial decision and you should be thinking about resale down the road, if you were in love with say both a gold daytona on leather strap retail 23700 wholesale 13000 Vs, a two tone yacht master two 116681 retail 25k wholesale 19500 your decision would be greatly influenced based on resale. having said that the gmt and sub are very close as far as how well they hold their value. the sub retail is 8000 wholesale is about 65-6700 and the gmt retail is 7900 wholesale being 6000. overall the better investment piece by far would be the sub. regardless of this both pieces are excellent watches. good luck!

[Spikedlee]

Originally Posted by humvee

old sub out does old gmt

new gmt 2c outdoes new sub c.

Agree on your first but disagree on your second statement. Used Sub C pricing has never been below used GMT IIC pricing from what I have seen. The sub has a better resell value IMO.

[theironchef106]

I agree!

[improviz]

Originally Posted by Spikedlee

Agree on your first but disagree on your second statement. Used Sub C pricing has never been below used GMT IIC pricing from what I have seen. The sub has a better resell value IMO.

It's still fairly new, though, so supply of used models is tight. Otoh, the GMT IIc has been out longer, so more are available, and the older ones sell for less as we would expect. But if you look at newer (random s/n) examples, the two are pretty close price-wise (for example, this and this, same seller, both random s/n, same price). Once supplies stabilize, I'd expect them to be pretty neck and neck.

At any rate, speaking to the OP and his original question: I certainly wouldn't worry about a resale "winner" or "loser" as far as these two models are concerned, just get whichever one you like the best and your wallet will be fine long-term.