Service dials on a sub. Are they a terrible idea?

[watchmainspring]

I really, really want a sub without crown guards. For such a watch with an original dial, I'm dropping deep into the 30s if I'm lucky. Is it sacreligious to spend in the low 20s for something with an aged service dial? If I get tired will I be stuck with the service dial that is an albatross?

Ultimately I desire a 6538. But I'd rather have a house. I'm open to any and all suggestions that don't rhyme with BB58.


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[Dan S]

It's your money and IMO it's a personal choice. Religion has nothing to do with it but I can tell you how I would think about it. $20k+ is real money, and it would be short-sighted to spend that much on a watch that will always lag in value and would be difficult to sell to a collector. It is really no fun to sell a watch like that, any potential buyer will just pick it apart. The value of that watch with a service dial will just fall farther and farther behind an all-original example as time passes.

I would rather spend more and have a desirable watch that could always be sold or traded if necessary. If your budget is $25k, then buy a really nice example of a different reference, and someday you may be able to trade-up.

And honestly, if spending an extra $15k on a watch makes the difference in whether you can afford a house, then I suggest buying something more affordable. Collecting should be fun, and should not put stress on your finances.

[Dr.Smellody]

There is more and more push around here for only perfect watch specimens. I say buy what you like and make yourself happy.

In high-school I swept the parking lot of the town's supermarket and mowed lawns to earn enough money to purchase a Jaguar MK2 3.8 liter with 4speed and overdrive when I was 15. It was bright fire engine red with black leather, perfect walnut dashboard, and 72 spoke chrome wire wheels. It was NOT perfect, but I drove it and enjoyed the hell out of it and it looked amazing from 15 feet away.

I took it to the All British Field Meet and placed fourth after a summer of spit polishing. The purists from the Jaguar club made fun of the new radial tires and ridiculous pieces that had to be purchased aftermarket (as there were no spares at that time in the 80's for parts like the fender market lights or red jewels above those lights). My car recieved a showing score of 89. Their cars that were perfect received scores of 99 and 100 and received bigger plates; the snobbish owners kept their noses in the air.

I enjoyed my car just as much as they enjoyed their cars. Maybe more. I earned it from hard manual labor. They were just rich snobs.

My car still went 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. Smelled of leather, wool, and wood. And still turned heads.

If a driver makes you happy, buy it and wear it. Forget the purists. A no crown Submariner is something special. Service dial, polished or not. Especially if it makes YOU HAPPY!

I'm sure the opinionated purists will not understand this story post. I'm sure they were lucky and bought early and often. I hope you understand.



As for the no crown guard Submariner, you will get one!

I did.



If you get one with a perfect dial, burnt by the sun dial, or a service dial it shouldn't matter if it makes you happy! This also goes for polished cases, service bezels, and later bracelets too.

[reedzpainter]

Originally Posted by Dr.Smellody

There is more and more push around here for only perfect watch specimens. I say buy what you like and make yourself happy.

In high-school I swept the parking lot of the town's supermarket and mowed lawns to earn enough money to purchase a Jaguar MK2 3.8 liter with 4speed and overdrive when I was 15. It was bright fire engine red with black leather, perfect walnut dashboard, and 72 spoke chrome wire wheels. It was NOT perfect, but I drove it and enjoyed the hell out of it and it looked amazing from 15 feet away.

I took it to the All British Field Meet and placed fourth after a summer of spit polishing. The purists from the Jaguar club made fun of the new radial tires and ridiculous pieces that had to be purchased aftermarket (as there were no spares at that time in the 80's for parts like the fender market lights or red jewels above those lights). My car recieved a showing score of 89. Their cars that were perfect received scores of 99 and 100 and received bigger plates; the snobbish owners kept their noses in the air.

I enjoyed my car just as much as they enjoyed their cars. Maybe more. I earned it from hard manual labor. They were just rich snobs.

My car still went 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. Smelled of leather, wool, and wood. And still turned heads.

If a driver makes you happy, buy it and wear it. Forget the purists. A no crown Submariner is something special. Service dial, polished or not. Especially if it makes YOU HAPPY!

I'm sure the opinionated purists will not understand this story post. I'm sure they were lucky and bought early and often. I hope you understand.



As for the no crown guard Submariner, you will get one!

I did.



If you get one with a perfect dial, burnt by the sun dial, or a service dial it shouldn't matter if it makes you happy! This also goes for polished cases, service bezels, and later bracelets too.

Great story, and sentiment!
My 5508 would’ve come factory fresh with an exclamation dial, and the original owner who wore it in active service had a mid-60s replacement dial fitted by Geneva during routine service. All these watches have a story; if you’re good with the history and the aesthetics you’ll have a piece you’re happy to strap on.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Dr.Smellody

There is more and more push around here for only perfect watch specimens. I say buy what you like and make yourself happy...

Beautiful car and super story.

To be fair, though, the OP's specific query was, "If I get tired will I be stuck with the service dial that is an albatross?"

Without snobbery: the simple answer is yes.

[Old Expat Beast]

Generally speaking, the older the Sub, the more the service dial will kill the value. On a 5508, yes it'll be a hard sell if you ever want to offload it. On a 1980s 5513, not so much. In fact I've seen a couple in HK recently that were priced similar to the OG dials (both having wg surrounds of course, and almost identical other than the "SWISS").

[Juhuatai]

Will it be harder to sell? Depends on the price. Don’t think you’ll have any problem selling a service dial 5508 for 15k.

Questions like these vary too much on the watch in question. The gilt service dial in this thread would arguably be more sought after than many original dials in poor condition. Is it as valuable as an original in the same condition? No, but the price would reflect that.