Right Time to Buy a Sub? Old Movement?

[youinthehat]

Okay, so I was thinking.

When exactly is the right time to buy a sub?

I ask because while I was watch shopping, I seen a lot of mentions of the omega caliber 8500.

That got me think, okay, so rolex has been using the same (or at least same but tweaked) movement for 20+ years. Aren't they going to be updating it soon?

The reason this crossed my mind is because I would honestly have pretty bad buyers remorse if I buy the watch and they come out with this new fantastic, state of the art movement, 2 years later.

It being 20 years already, it makes me assume that we're more likely to see a new movement than another 20 years of the same movement.

I know as long as the watch works, its fine but I would still hate to have an outdated model so soon. Kind of like buying a car one year before they go with a visual and engine refresh.

Thoughts?

[Tools]

Omega has the new 8500 movement not because it's better or more cutting edge in any way; the Co-axial design is decades old. They are doing it to be different and get hold of their own niche market.. Patek Phillipe uses a silicon escapement and hairspring with Spiromax balance wheel.

As for the Rolex 3135 mechanical movement, it's as good as mechanical movements get now days. Tolerances are computer controlled and machining operations are hi-tech. All of the latest movements have incorporated Rolex own Parachrom hairsprings, Bregeut overcoils, full balance bridges, micro-stella fadjustment, large Glucydur balance wheels and jeweled shock protection... Not a lot that you can change yet.

But to get to your question, "What is the right time to buy a Sub..", I would say that that is when you want one. Why would you wait around to see what may be a new jot or tittle that wouldn't make any functional difference. That thinking would mean that you could never buy a watch because something else may be around the corner.

[bayerische]

People are shilling out 20K, 50K, 100K for "outdated" Rolex models. I wouldn't mind having a few "outdated" ones myself.

Much of it is marketing.

The 3135 is a workhorse.

[youinthehat]

Very valid point but buying a watch after a new movement has been introduced guarantees that the movement would be at least current a long longer than buying one right now (again 20 years I believe its been used).

I don't know what to do. Its comparable to buying a Planet Ocean 2500d and then the 8500 coming out a year or so later.

I know what you mean by the "the next best thing might be around the corner" but that corner would be another 10+ years at minimum to reach.

I really really want a sub. But i do want to maximize my money as well.

[Dr. Robert]

People, please only buy new watches, don't buy the older models!
They have crappy bracelets & lug holes, yuck


(Good that'll leave more old watches & their prices will go down )

[Invictus Maneo]

How much better does the movement need to be? It's a great mechanical/automatic movement that does it's job flawlessly.

[Tridor]

It's unlikely that the 3135 will be replaced any time within the next several years. So, don't worry about it and get the Sub.

[coralfarmer84]

I don't think it changes anytime soon if at all. Go get a sub and enjoy it

[busytimmy]

Who cares. The current movement is brilliant. I'd be more concerned about buying a newer movement that isn't as tried and true. Not that this is an issue (since Rolex are SOLID when it comes to this stuff), but just saying.

[Old Expat Beast]

My Sub 5513 with a 1530 movement is the most accurate of my nine Rolex watches, except for a newish Air King. If you lay it down to adjust for overnight time gain/loss (one second or so) it never needs manually setting. The 1530 is a workhorse and as reliable as anything Rolex has made, IMHO.