BB58 vs 5 digit sub

[tna23]

Apart from the fact that a 5 digit sub will outperform a bb58 as an investment over time and is branded 'rolex', why would anyone pick up a 5 digit sub over a bb58?

The bb58 seems to be a better proposition with great design, a movement effectively developed by rolex, silicon hairspring, 70 hour power reserve and approximately half the cost of a 5 digit sub in decent condition.

Why then buy a 5 digit sub?

[Cru Jones]

Because one likes the Sub more?

[tna23]

They're pretty similar though in design so would liking the sub more justify playing almost double when objectively speaking the value proposition of the bb58 is higher?

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by tna23

Apart from the fact that a 5 digit sub will outperform a bb58 as an investment over time and is branded 'rolex', why would anyone pick up a 5 digit sub over a bb58?

The bb58 seems to be a better proposition with great design, a movement effectively developed by rolex, silicon hairspring, 70 hour power reserve and approximately half the cost of a 5 digit sub in decent condition.

Why then buy a 5 digit sub?

Because it’s a Rolex

[Zakalwe]

I’m not sure the PR is that important. If you wear your watch every days it’s completely irrelevant. If you wear the watch infrequently it’s completely irrelevant. The only situation it’s useful for is people who wear a different watch over the weekend.

[juktagt]

5 digit Submariner over BB58 for sure.

[hchj]

I don’t want glit dial. If Tudor makes other variants of 58 which tick my boxes, I’d buy it over a 5 digit sub in a heartbeat


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[GSBC]

I’ve asked myself that same question and I’m going with the BB58.
I prefer the look of the 5-digit sub over the 6-digit. I have both the hulk and BLNR, and their disproportionately wide lugs have really started to bug me in the past year.
However, I don’t like buying used and the BB’s movement and overall engineering/construction are clear steps forward, especially compared to a 5-digit sub.
The 58 has a vintage look with modern internals that I’m looking for.
I don’t care about the investment value in a watch.

[1William]

I prefer the Black Bay's to the Submariners across the line-up. I like the 41 mm cases, dials, bezels, bracelets and the overall look. Don't get me wrong, Rolex is where I started and where my heart will always be. The Submariner is great and I have owned them all, several multiple times. But when you take all of the above factors and bring in the costs for either new, pre-owned or vintage Rolex Divers, I am no longer with the program. I went through my Rolex phase where it was all I wanted and to me every other watch was substandard in my eyes. It meant a lot, to me, to have a Rolex on my wrist. But now, so many other factors figure in that allow me to other watches from other brands and appreciate them for what they are. I still have four Rolexes in my collection and am a proud owner. I also own Tudor, IWC, Omega, Seiko and Tag Heuer. Speaking directly to the BB58, I think it is a great watch and when supply and demand level, I will pick one up in the pre-owned market even though it is smaller than anything else I own.

[Jmbarrack]

I think the 58 is probably the closest thing you're going to get to a 5 digit sub if it were still in production today - mostly for the reasons you listed about the movement.

If that's what you're looking for, and those movement upgrades are important to you, then the 58 will scratch the itch. But if it's really a 5 digit no date sub you've had your eye on - then it may not. There are a lot of visual differences between the two and again, as people have pointed out, it's not a Rolex. It's up to you if you can get past that.

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[Zuger]

Well I am actively hunting for a 5 digit sub in decent condition but if the chance to acquire a BB58 comes up, that may be the end of my hunt...

...until the novelty wears off and then I wish I had bought a 5 digit instead...

...however I would have been so bothered by the lack of modern bracelet and clasp on the 5 digit that I wished I stayed with a modern piece and put up with the super case.

Oh well, that’s what makes this watch hobby fun isn’t it?

[BigBoy17]

Bb is nice, but def sub no question. Better pedigree

[MickCollins1916]

Since this thread needs more pics...then years ago, when I bought my sub new, the Tudor didn’t exist, obviously. Had it existed, I likely would have bought it instead.

I won’t get one now, since I have the 14060m still, but I love the look and tech of the BB58. Great watch.

[watchwatcher]

It all depends on what scratches your itch.

Of my divers in the collection, I have 2 Rolex and 2 Tudors, and I get a great deal of pleasure strapping each one on.

[bdex75]

The lack of anything but a gilt dial on the 58 is one answer. The second one is the in house movement. I, for one would rather own (and I do) the BBN with the ETA. To me a “Tudor” is a Rolex case with an eta movement. I really like the 58, I also own a gilt dial BBR so the gilt isn’t a dealbreaker for me. More the movement. I don’t care two turds about the PR increase. I want a watch that any watchmaker can service and repair pretty much for ever.

Best of all worlds.





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[collarcity]

If you want a Sub, be it for its history, aesthetics, or value proposition, then nothing else will do. With that said, I'd have a BB58 in my box right now if I didn't already have a 14060M. New sports watches below 40mm are unicorns.

[JR16]

Originally Posted by collarcity

If you want a Sub, be it for its history, aesthetics, or value proposition, then nothing else will do. With that said, I'd have a BB58 in my box right now if I didn't already have a 14060M. New sports watches below 40mm are unicorns.

what I was going to say


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[mosanman]

For me, I don't see the BB58 as a replacement for a Sub, but an alternative, much like one may consider an Omega Seamaster 300 versus a Sub.

I sold my SubC because I couldn't get on with the Supercase, but I still wanted a Submariner on my wrist because for me I have always liked the look of a Submariner. It's an icon and is what drew me into the brand initially.
So the only logical solution was to search for a 5-digit where the proportions of the case suited my wrist better.

I never considered the BB58 despite its popularity and similarity to the classic Rolex Subs, because, well it isn't a Submariner.
Plus, I'm not a fan of the gilt markings on the dial or bezel.

[sillo]

The movement argument is a little nonsensical to me. The 31 series movements in most 5-digit Subs are tried and true workhorses. They've proven themselves over long service intervals of being reliable and accurate. While the Tudor movement has all these buzzword upgrades, is it really going to perform any better? And since I wear my watches power reserve doesn't matter in the slightest. As long as it doesn't stop while I'm sleeping then I couldn't care less if it was 20 hours or 5000.

[Spoonage]

I don’t get the value proposition aspect. I understand everyone has a budget, but these are luxury items after all and one should look for the best within their budget and not try to convince oneself that something 1/2 the price is arguably better. Don’t get me wrong I really like Tudor and have 2 (BBN and Sub), but between the BB58 and a 5 digit Sub I would go Sub because I like the way the Sub looks more, and I am the one staring at it everyday.

[HogwldFLTR]

Frankly I prefer the heredity of the Sub!!! The BB58 is a great watch too. A bargain for certain. For me it would be the Sub no question.

[997.2]

Thought about getting a 58 but with my 14060m it would be redundant

Personal choice but I love having the classic sub

[Deityjazz]

5 digit sub for me