Red Sub vs. newer models

[Greg29]

Hi everyone. I have recently bought my first rolex and I'm now looking to buy my second. I have come across a red sub that I can purchase for around 18000usd. The condition is not fantastic but everything is original and the price seems to be well under the cheapest ones I can find on the market.

What are your thoughts about the model appreciating in value? If we look apart from personal preferences, would I be better off buying a newer model like a kermit or batman in terms of investment? I know it's very hard to compare but I'm new to the Rolex world so any thoughts would be appreciated :)

[Tools]

No, you would not.

An early Red Sub is an investment piece and should be cared for to ensure that it retains, and increases, in value.

The comic book character pieces you mention are not likely to ever be investment level, but you can wear them every day.

[Kingface66]

If you could go either way between a rare vintage red Sub, or a cookie-cutter, run of the mill new Rolex, maybe, and I mean this respectfully, but maybe vintage isn’t your thing. The two are in no way interchangeable from an investment or aesthetic point of view at all.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum

Whatever you do, make sure you are buying the red Sub from a trusted dealer, or if you know your stuff, you’ve determined it is authentic and all original.

I’ve learned that Vintage Rolex can be a mine field and the nuances are too many for my tiny brain to handle

[1675-David]

Before you do anything post some good pix of the sub you are looking at.

[swaini3]

Vintage all the way.... but do your homework and dont let the price tempt you.

[Dan S]

Yet another first-time poster asking about an investment. I guess we are investment advisors now.

Regarding the $18k red Sub, either the seller is being generous for no reason, or there is something wrong with the watch that you haven't identified. Selling a flawed watch is difficult, and not fun.

[Greg29]

Thanks for the answers so far. First of all I didn't mean it in that way when I wrote investment. I have plenty of investments and so I'm not looking to make money off watches. That being said I would still like to make some good purchases.

I understand your points about not comparing them, so maybe we can turn the conversation to a "is the specific red sub a good or bad purchase". I'll attach a picture of it to begin with. I know the condition is not great but the price is accordingly lower. There is authenticity certificate and service from last year and nothing on it is replaced I was told.

Looking forward to hear your thoughts. Thanks again for your time

[stewester]

Would recommend posting some pics of the red sub for the knowledgeable members here to provide an honest assessment. It's probably cheap for a reason.

Investment wise, modern Rolex have vastly outperformed vintage over the past couple of years but that trend may not last forever. Buy what you like most - you can't really lose that way.

[Greg29]

Here is the picture. Sorry for the delay. Had a little trouble uploading it.

https://imgur.com/a/THh5RL9

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Greg29

Thanks for the answers so far. First of all I didn't mean it in that way when I wrote investment. I have plenty of investments and so I'm not looking to make money off watches. That being said I would still like to make some good purchases.

I understand your points about not comparing them, so maybe we can turn the conversation to a "is the specific red sub a good or bad purchase". I'll attach a picture of it to begin with. I know the condition is not great but the price is accordingly lower. There is authenticity certificate and service from last year and nothing on it is replaced I was told.

Looking forward to hear your thoughts. Thanks again for your time

Well, you were pretty clear about asking whether it would appreciate in value, so that sounds like investment advice to me. But go ahead and post photos, and we will try to help you evaluate the condition. Then you can decide.

[Kingface66]

What’s going on with the bracelet? Where it connects to the end links looks very odd on both sides.

[Dan S]

So from the single wrist shot I am seeing major dial damage all around the perimeter, some scratches on the bezel, and I have the sense that the case is well polished. Perhaps some date-wheel damage also? The dial damage is concerning and really needs a closer look. It is likely to continue to spread from the edge. Blowing up the image, I think I may be seeing some paint loss and blistering starting in some other more central locations on the dial. If so, it may end up flaking off in the coming years. Already, this would be a difficult watch to sell, if you start losing paint at other locations on the dial, it basically becomes a parts watch. If I were the seller, I would definitely try to unload it now.

[HMHM]

Red subs are special compared to any other modern day Rolex. No one knows if Rolex will ever make another SS Red sub again. That being said the watch you showed in the picture has a lot of wear and tear which in the long run wouldn’t be a good investment.

https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/gadr

This is a good example of a Red Sub. And the dealer is pretty reputable and trustable on the forum.

[zapokee]

I wouldn't be buying a Red Sub priced as low as 18k USD, regardless. These are 30k+ now. Consider the one suggested by HMHM above.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by Greg29

Hi everyone. I have recently bought my first rolex and I'm now looking to buy my second. I have come across a red sub that I can purchase for around 18000usd. The condition is not fantastic but everything is original and the price seems to be well under the cheapest ones I can find on the market.

What are your thoughts about the model appreciating in value? If we look apart from personal preferences, would I be better off buying a newer model like a kermit or batman in terms of investment? I know it's very hard to compare but I'm new to the Rolex world so any thoughts would be appreciated :)

Nobody can give good advice without pics……at 18k I’m sure it has issues to say the least

[karleone]

Originally Posted by Greg29

Here is the picture. Sorry for the delay. Had a little trouble uploading it.

https://imgur.com/a/THh5RL9

This looks horrible. 18k for a red sub is cheap but I would never pay this amount for this particular watch in that condition. And it’s not a good investment because nobody would like to buy this.

[1675-David]

the dial on this watch is a train wreck hence the price.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

the dial on this watch is a train wreck hence the price.

https://imgur.com/a/THh5RL9

The insert also appears to have been artificially discolored. Its inner edge would be darker, not lighter, because that part is sheltered by the edge of the acrylic crystal.

This is not the drone you're looking for.

[Greg29]

Hi. So I ended up not buying the red sub. Instead I bought a GMT-master "fat lady" from 1987 (12.500usd) and a GMT-master II 116710LN with box and papers from 2008 (13.500usd). I know it's not a classic but it was discontinued though. Here are some pics :)

https://imgur.com/a/ez5zllM

https://imgur.com/a/THh5RL9

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by Greg29

Hi. So I ended up not buying the red sub. Instead I bought a GMT-master "fat lady" from 1987 (12.500usd) and a GMT-master II 116710LN with box and papers from 2008 (13.500usd). I know it's not a classic but it was discontinued though. Here are some pics :)

https://imgur.com/a/ez5zllM

https://imgur.com/a/THh5RL9

Smart….that red sub was terrible

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Greg29

Hi. So I ended up not buying the red sub. Instead I bought a GMT-master "fat lady" from 1987 (12.500usd) and a GMT-master II 116710LN with box and papers from 2008 (13.500usd). I know it's not a classic but it was discontinued though. Here are some pics :)

https://imgur.com/a/ez5zllM

https://imgur.com/a/THh5RL9

That's a better investment. Please update us with your profits when you sell them.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by Dan S

That's a better investment. Please update us with your profits when you sell them.

Lol right…..I always liked the 116710ln and have had a few up them but ended up adding cash and getting the BLNR……

[stewester]

I think you made a smart choice, not sure I'd go for two GMTs myself but definitely nice watches. You did well to turn down the red sub - could get a perfect, mint, unpolished white 1680 for that price. I'd certainly choose that over a line of red text on a trashed watch.