Custom blue bezel/dial Sub: A good idea?

[Canuckler]

Greetings, I’m new. Have a vintage Explorer but not a Rolex guy per se, and have a few other watches, Panerai/Omega/Chopard.

So I wanted a Sub. I like blue. I like the sturdy 2010+ version. Then I realized OEM blue is white gold only, and $25k+.

So...Should I spend $9k+ for a modified black dial Sub with box and papers, but dial and bezel removed and replaced with blue?

Part B: At this point do the papers matter besides an appraisal, and should I make sure to have the original parts?

Part C: Is it a true statement that all the blue dials and bezels are aftermarket, and if so does that make them crap and this whole custom blue steel Sub idea a bad one in terms of holding its value?

Assume I like blue more than I care about one or two grand resale. And if it’s an ok ideaso far, does anyone have one to sell that isn’t a crook using crappy aftermarket parts?

Please advise.

[1665fan]

Bad idea....customs are no good

[ppalasthira]

It’s your watch. You do what you like.

If the customization is reversible, I would. But if it’s permanent. No way.


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[1William]

I would not, as a fake anything is not me. I would rather have a real Submariner with no modifications.

[epicurus]

Do as you like!

[ferrissteve11]

If it's a reversible procedure and you want to tinker, I don't see any harm. I tinker on other watches, bikes, toys etc....but I leave my Rolex's alone 'as is' because I like how they look without any mods. YMMV

[Hodog16]

Any modified aftermarket blue SS sub will be selling for more or end up costing more than MSRP but ironically be worth less than MSRP with the aftermarket parts on. In other words, the seller will charge you extra for the trouble of finding the parts and putting it on (or it will cost you extra to source the pieces and pay somebody to do the swap), but if you tried to sell the same watch, you would have to sell it at a discount to find somebody who wanted to take it. To places like an AD, the watch would be "worthless" meaning they wouldn't touch it in its current state.

If you decide to go through with it, then definitely make sure the original parts are included and are reversible should you ever decide to sell.

Papers need to be included to make sure the original watch is real, but if you need warranty work the RSC won't touch the watch as is or will swap the parts out on your dime and confiscate the blue parts. If you have an independent watchmaker you can get around this potentially by having them swap the parts out before sending to the RSC.

The blue dials and bezels will almost certainly be aftermarket and lower quality. Real blue dials and bezels are out there but are very rare and priced accordingly.

If you decide to go through with it then just be careful--somebody willing to put aftermarket parts on a watch and then sell it may start with a watch that is aftermarket or has something wrong with it.

My advice - get a real black sub and enjoy it and allow it to bridge the gap until that time when you can afford the real blue sub. I did the same thing with the green sub years ago. Wanted the blue sub but could not afford it. Wore the green sub for ~6 years and then traded up when I could.

[ILuvSubs]

Not worth it. This franken Sub will be worth much less than what you paid for it and that's only if you're even able to find someone who is willing to take it off your hands.

Hodog16 speaks the truth. Another option to consider is the Tudor 79190 or 79090 blue submariner...

Originally Posted by Hodog16

Any modified aftermarket blue SS sub will be selling for more or end up costing more than MSRP but ironically be worth less than MSRP with the aftermarket parts on.

...

My advice - get a real black sub and enjoy it and allow it to bridge the gap until that time when you can afford the real blue sub. I did the same thing with the green sub years ago. Wanted the blue sub but could not afford it. Wore the green sub for ~6 years and then traded up when I could.

[rod442]

The WG sub, aka smurf is my Grail. I would sell most of my collection if rolex ever came out with a blue SS sub. But also, I do realize that if they did in todays market I would never be able to buy one. Soooo.... my suggestion is to move up the range and get a Bluesy.

BUT... If you don't want the TT sub.... IF you get all the original parts at that price and like it, go for it. I have looked at those, but to me it started to get to be too close to a 116613 LB to justify 10K on a frankenwatch.

So 116613LB made much more sense, plus will def hold more value over time and have no negative connotations of being a "fake".

[Rocket launcher]

Franken ...watch don't do it