Sub vs Sub Date? - 1 watch "collection"

[Utomow]

Subc date definitely


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[Oyster Sauce]

Sub Date

[Lew Archer]

I have both the 14060M and the 16610M. Cases are the same size, to my eye. I think there is a slight variance between the dial size.

I bought the Sub Date first...because that’s what my AD had in stock when I was ready to buy, at long last, a Rolex Submariner. Fantastic. And, the date is handy, no question.

I later bought the 14060M, though...because every time I saw one, there was something about its clean look—unobstructed by date window and cyclops—that appealed to me.

By that time, Rolex had discontinued the 16610 in favor of the ceramic 116610. So, the 14060M was the last of the classic Rolex five digit, aluminum bezel, dive watches. And, it had those old school lug holes, which are a must for some, too. It appealed to the purist in me, aesthetically.

I figured it might get the ceramic/maxi dial/squarish lug treatment, too, so bought I bought a 1460M, and just in time...for it was soon discontinued.

I still have both Subs, luckily. I have a very slight aesthetic preference for the date-less 14060M. As it happens, I’m wearing the 16610 today and just checked the date a few minutes ago and thought, “that IS useful.”

So, to me, it’s a coin toss. If I were in the market for a new, current production Submariner, whether as part of a collection or as a “one and only” watch, I’d accept either versions, whichever the AD had available first.

If I were looking for an earlier version, such as a five digit, I would look to overall condition and get the best available that I could afford.


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[RB971]

bluesy



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[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by mgsooner

Perhaps I'll explain why I chose no date over date:

-I like the idea of owning the "original"

-I like the perfect symmetry of the dial (the lume looks especially good)

-I like the fact that it's not so immediately recognizable because of the lack of the date magnifier

-I've heard numerous people in the business of selling watches (Tim Mosso with Watchbox, for one) say that they encounter far fewer "no dates" than dates. Whether this means there are fewer no dates produced than dates, I don't know, but it does seem there are fewer of them out there in circulation.

-To my eyes the no date takes on more of a toolish, casual aesthetic than the date and that appeals to me personally.

Some or all of this may not matter to some. It really comes down to your personal preference and lifestyle. For example: my occupation does not require me to be constantly aware of the date - that's certainly not going to be the case for everyone.

Exactly. You just saved me the trouble of typing all that.

For some reason I like the date on the GMT, but find it unnecessary on the Sub. Like many of us, I stare at a computer screen all day long, if I need the date it’s right there in the upper right corner.

[Pw92676]

Date for me. Just prefer it.

[EEpro]

Date sub. But I wouldn't bother if I already had the SMP300. Sub is rather boring next to the blue dial. Here's mine side by side.

[RoscoPico]

have owned 16610 and sold thinking to go 14060, alas prices got stupid.
grass is always greener though isn't it ? i bet i would have done the exact opposite had i started with the 14060.

i think as of now i would go 114060 if i had to choose

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by ml91

Firstly yes, I know this has been asked many times as a general preference and there seems to be a lean towards to the Sub which I have noted.

I am a one watch person and right now have an and Omega SMP which doesn't quite do it for me. The date function is nice to have but I'm never in dire need for it.

In terms of size on the 2020 subs, is there a difference? I know on the 5 digits the Sub case was slightly smaller than the Date version.

If you could only have 1, what version would you go with?

Always the date. Its not a debate. If you are a 1 watch guy, there will be a time when you need a date, and the date actually adds to the functionality of the watch period. No, it does not ruin the overall look. Look at a sub date and sub at 3 feet out, the lines are identical. If one is tethered to their phones (i am not one of those) one can say well my phone has the date, but one may not always that on them all the time. If you always remember the date, that's usually less the case on vacation or in retirement and so will need the date. Rolex added the date to the sub, because they recognized that people were wearing these in other settings and so it improved the versatility of the watch. Glad to settle this.

[steveclr]

Sub - I've never once had to check a watch for the date. Your situation may be different but I can't imagine an instance where I care about the date without being able to move the mouse to the lower right corner of the screen. I know that the cyclops is a defining Rolex characteristic, but its not for me. Aesthetics.

[Nairn1980]

1 watch go for sub date
Collection, get no date

[Ny325]

SubDate. For me, it’s the classic Submariner.

[danwang0520]

sub date gets my vote....

[ajas]

SubDate

[sutats]

I'd go with the Submariner for it is simplicity, function, and durability epitomised. The purity of the balanced dial design and flat sapphire glass. It's a wear and forget watch without the need to adjust the date monthly and there's no issue with the collection of dust on the cyclops magnifier since there isn't one.

[jankymutt]

I love the look of the 2 line sub (no date) and the 5 digit references fit me best. If I were to get one watch, this would be it!

[Roadglide 2016]

Go with the date

[travisb]

One and only would have to be a Sub Date.

[3wheeler7]

Originally Posted by jb335

For a modern Sub, I prefer a Sub Date.

I really only like a ND if it's a two liner and none of the moderns offer that.

There is no difference in size between ND and Date when staying within the same model.

X X X X X X X


14060M sub has a smaller and thinner case than the 16610 date sub.

Check your facts before you post!

[Shadow Play]

[QUOTE=Chester01;11227611]Always the date. Its not a debate. If you are a 1 watch guy, there will be a time when you need a date, and the date actually adds to the functionality of the watch period. No, it does not ruin the overall look. Look at a sub date and sub at 3 feet out, the lines are identical.

I never look at my watch at 3 feet out, always a bit closer. So for me, I prefer the look of the sub (no date)

[SeaDweller50]

Originally Posted by ml91

Firstly yes, I know this has been asked many times as a general preference and there seems to be a lean towards to the Sub which I have noted.

I am a one watch person and right now have an and Omega SMP which doesn't quite do it for me. The date function is nice to have but I'm never in dire need for it.

In terms of size on the 2020 subs, is there a difference? I know on the 5 digits the Sub case was slightly smaller than the Date version.

If you could only have 1, what version would you go with?

To answer your question. Unlike the 5 digit references there is no size difference between the 2020 Subs. I would go 124060 definitely. If 5 digit reference I’d go Sub Date as the dial is larger than the 14060(M)

[G.Montag]

I would go with the Date for 3 reasons:

1. Rolex invented the date complication.
2. It's a genuinely useful complication.
3. Cyclops is a classic Rolex detail.

Yes, the No Date is the original Submariner. Then again, the original also lacked crown guards, Mercedes hands, unidirectional bezel, 300 m of water resistance and other features that have since come to define the Submariner.

[Calatrava r]

You answered your own question by saying the date is not a dire need. In view of that the date-less model is far more balanced and the clear winner.

[illiguy]

Sub with Date if we’re only talking one (1).

[easterbunny]

Originally Posted by RaZCaL

Date if one watch.

[Gerry62]

no ceramic Submariner (5513 o 14060)

Ceramic Sub. Date (116610)

[Oxfordian]

Go for the Submariner, it is just perfect.

There is a rumour that Rolex makes some other varieties that have a date but its only a rumour.

[Chester01]

[QUOTE=Shadow Play;11229025]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Always the date. Its not a debate. If you are a 1 watch guy, there will be a time when you need a date, and the date actually adds to the functionality of the watch period. No, it does not ruin the overall look. Look at a sub date and sub at 3 feet out, the lines are identical.

I never look at my watch at 3 feet out, always a bit closer. So for me, I prefer the look of the sub (no date)

Your loss my friend. One day, you will be out there, doing something, look down and find, no date. Then, have to do all that work to dig out your phone, and look lol.


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[Gerry62]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

Go for the Submariner, it is just perfect.

There is a rumour that Rolex makes some other varieties that have a date but its only a rumour.

many others ..... but .. those three references are my favorites

[T01]

Sub date