Submariner Sunburst Dial vs Smurf

[supacarrot]

Originally Posted by skallir

Does anyone know when they started making the Sunburst dial on the 116613 model? would it be possible to get the old blue model from an AD, or only second hand?

For a 116613 or 116618 I believe they converted to the sunburst model due to poor sales of the flat blue dial around 2014. DO NOT let anyone convince you it is a rare or special variant. Simple fact was most of us thought it was ugly and purchases dropped so they quickly went back to sunburst. I personally bought a 116613 in black at the time instead of the hideous flat blue.

If you are set on a flat blue 116613, DEMAND A DISCOUNT on the used model. It should be valued at less than the sunburst. DavidSW will occasionally get them in at around 10-15% less than the value of a used sunburst.

Strongly recommend getting a sunburst or going with a 116619 white gold smurf which pulls of the matte dial well unlike the 116613/116618. A sunburst 116613/116618 or a flat blue 116619 (the real smurf) will both have better resale ability.

I can't stress this enough: DO NOT let anyone talk you into thinking the flat 116613/116618 watch is rare or worth more than a sunburst. It just FLAT out isn't true.

[jets]

I'd prefer the flat blue so there's a plus. I'd never buy it anyway, the yellow bezel markings look like mustard vomit to me.

[hpadilla937]

Just purchased a new smurf Dial from 2012. Diamond markers as well, it is beautiful!