Rolex

With the new submariner being available now, is it a good time perhaps to snap up one of the last old submariners (16610)?

I certainly like the look of the new submariner and should receive one hopefully next month, and must admit I already have the 16610, but it is just the idea of having one brand new 16610 in my collection. I might give it away to my son 15 years from now, or a nephew or whatever, but seems to me you can never go wrong with this purchase. And by that time there will not be many BNIB versions around, so that should make it a really cool gift to give at that time. And would you then rather go for the 'normal' SS/black dial version or the LV?

Appreciate your thoughts.

I think it is an excellent idea to get one BNIB and to offer him later...

If he develops a passion on watches, the green bezel may be the thing to go, because it was released in 2003 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this model, so it is a link with the past, which will match with the spirit of your gift...



Best,

Nicolas

... the new maxi cases just don't appeal to me. Far too boxy and square.

The older cases have some curves to them and are more appealling to me.

Cheers

Pete

In 15 to 20 years time, there will be a new generation of vintage Rolex hunters who will be coveting the older subs like the 16610 with the tinny bracelets & rounder cases etc. With a brand new one, your son or nephew will be the envy of all!

cheers

fernando

Give him the watch you wore for 15 or 20 years, then you can start wearing the NOS 16610 when he's wearing your old one...

Just a thought,

John

... but then, why would I as something that has been with me for 15 years probably has a lot of memories attached to it? Just to replace it for something that has no scratches? To me the fact that it has been worn (though carefully, as I try to avoid big scratches, dents etc) is part of the charm of such an old watch so I do not necessarily need a new one.

You get to give your son something that's been with you for 15-20 years and has a lot of memories attached to it.

For me, it wasn't about the new 16610, it was about giving something of sentimental value to your son. I feel that something you've worn for decades probably has more sentimental value than a NOS 16610 that's never graced your wrist.

Of course, YMMV...

John

.... but eventually all my watches will be theirs at some point. So for now (or and the foreseeable future) they just needs to start making their own history and memories

which I have currently...Too many watches, too little time.

Ironically, the initial thought was to acquire those watches in hope of keeping those time lost

Still think a watch needs to be worn on our wrist in order to have its sentimental value...just imagine you carry your new-born for the first time, guiding him to walk, feeding him, and all these moments with your watch on your wrist. Along the way there might be scratches, dents or knocks that captured these specially moments.

To me, that is priceless compared to a watch being kept in a safe.

Happy hunting!

... have bought a Sub 16610 and 16610LV, both still fully sealed and with no names on the cards. They go as the full package (invoices, all boxes, papers and still fully sealed) in the safe and will remain there for a while until the next generation is deemed worthy  of wearing them.

Will post pics soon, have another very nice watch coming (which I will post on the Panerai forum) so need to make some pictures anyways.

Today had a look at the new Sub btw, and despite me liking it when I saw it in pictures and on display, I was not too sure whether I like the look of it on my wrist. Might be the 'getting used to' factor, but it was not a slam dunk for me. 

Hope we'll all be there to share the pics when you'll give them to the next generation!

Best,

Nicolas

Hi everyone,

I'm an owner of a 16610.. but am I correct in saying that only the 2008-2010 models had the laser engraving on the rehaut? This being the case are these models technically slightly rarer than the non-engraved? Previous year 16610s?

Thoughts

... was some delay in shipping. But will post a pic of the two brothers in the next 24 hrs...

They are two nice pieces, evergreens and due to their simple and timeless design these will still be in fashion a long time from now (contrary to some other watches that I own) and will make very nice gifts.

Thanks all for your responses to this post!

... just the one minute of sunshine these beauties will get for the foreseeable future... Still fully sealed, with all items tags, labels, boxes, booklets, warranty cards included, so the full set.