116610 vs 126610 vs 216570 (black dial)

[the dark knight]

I have a 214270 right now. I thought with how things have gotten that would be my only Rolex purchase for a long long time, but the bug has bit me.

As I'm only adding 1 more (hopefully), I'm looking at paying the premium and going grey. But I'm torn between the 3.

The reason why I like the 116610 and 216570 is besides that obvious that I like them as watches, in my mind it's a bit easier to justify paying a premium for a watch that has been "discontinued". It's a weird justification sure, but it is what it is.

But if I'm going to get a current model, the 126610 would be the one for me. Still a somewhat reasonable premium (nothing crazy like the GMTs), and I previously had a 16610 so Subs have always kind of been my thing.

But I feel both Subs have compromises on my 6.5 inch wrist. The newer case of the 12 makes it look smaller and I think will look better, but the even larger clasp sometimes looks weird to me in pics and I"m worried about it completely overwhelming the bottom of my wrist and taking away from comfort.

The 216570 is interesting because it's fairly rare/unique, and the premium is fairly "reasonable", esp for the black dial that I prefer anyway. I also feel like it can slot in my current collection without redundancies. Along with the Explorer I I have a Tudor BB58 and BB GMT, both of which I like a lot. Since it's obviously not a diver or a GMT with rotating bezel, I think it would not feel redundant. Whereas if I get a Sub, I'm probably going to unload the BB58.

Anyway, suggestions? Opinions?

[Nicholas D.]

I laughed when I read your post because we share very similar situations.

I also currently own a 214270 and a BB58 (navy). I had been shopping around for a new watch for the past several months, leaning heavy toward a few JLC and Omega options, but, at the eleventh hour, decided to just come to terms with shopping the premium-heavy grey market for the watch that I really wanted to add to my collection, a Sub. Date.

The next decision was to decide between either the 126610 or the 116610. One can speculate endlessly about the paper specs. and dimensions, of which I have, but, at the end of the day, you just have to personally see how each feels on the wrist. And I tested the patience of several dealers who had both in stock; trying it on back-to-back.

It is amazing how such negligible dimension variances can amount to a huge difference in feel. Obviously, personal preference will always be a factor, but, for me, the 116610 won out. I'm actually picking it up tomorrow. The 126610 is slightly slimmer and the lugs are reshaped, but that clasp! The thing is a beast on my small wrist (6.75). It occupied the entire length of my lower wrist. Yes, it may balance proportions out and make it less top-heavy, but it was actually distracting.

My point, go to a grey dealer that has both in the case and toggle back-and-forth until the right one just clicks for you.

Best of luck!