Shortest Submariner production runs

[WatchNutcase]

I was diving into the history of my Sub 114060 and realized it actually has a short production run compared to most Submariner references, I think a couple references have 20 years of production while the 114060 has only 8.

I also noticed that the Sub 168000 has the shortest run of them all at 9 months from 1988-1989.

Would be interesting to hear other Submariner (and Sub Date) production runs so that we can kind of gauge the shortest to the longest runs. Can anyone chime in on this?

We would have to exclude the new 12 series since we don't have an end date yet.

Edit: The longest run seems to be the Ref 5513, from 1962-1990, 28 years.

[Knappo 1307]

168000 9 months 1987-88

[scooba]

1680 Red Sub Meters first according to the records with DRSD the MK 1 version accounted for under 4% off production.

116600 Seadweller was only made for three years and never sold very well .

People think a 6263 Daytona is a rare beast but was Sold for 17 years

[rmagoo57]

How many random serial 16610's were made?? A subset of the 16610T's but I see some for sale labeled "rare".

[mailman]

16610LV random serial.

[GB-man]

Ask a room full of Rolex geeks about production runs and everyone has an opinion on what makes a specific example unique from other versions.

I choose to focus on aesthetic and condition. I like my 5513 mk3

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

168000 9 months 1987-88

Exactly my thought. I didn’t think it was that short, i thought it was closer to 13 months. Something learned!

[amphr1]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Ask a room full of Rolex geeks about production runs and everyone has an opinion on what makes a specific example unique from other versions.

I choose to focus on aesthetic and condition. I like my 5513 mk3

What a beautiful watch!

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by amphora001

What a beautiful watch!

Thank you!

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by WatchNutcase

I was diving into the history of my Sub 114060 and realized it actually has a short production run compared to most Submariner references, I think a couple references have 20 years of production while the 114060 has only 8.

I also noticed that the Sub 168000 has the shortest run of them all at 9 months from 1988-1989.

Would be interesting to hear other Submariner (and Sub Date) production runs so that we can kind of gauge the shortest to the longest runs. Can anyone chime in on this?

We would have to exclude the new 12 series since we don't have an end date yet.

Edit: The longest run seems to be the Ref 5513, from 1962-1990, 28 years.

I think that attributing 28 years to the 5513 is somewhat of a misnomer. Within that production run Rolex decided to evolve the watch under a single reference number, but the evolution was huge over the term. I guess compared to the modern day “discontinuation” marketing strategy, the 5513 stands out as a bizarre reference due to its protracted hypothetically long production run. Notwithstanding, it metamorphosized from the painted markers (mk I) to applied indices, allied to many other significant changes. It was clearly more a case of Rolex not having adopted the current trend of discontinued = desirable. Simpler times maybe?

[WatchNutcase]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I think that attributing 28 years to the 5513 is somewhat of a misnomer. Within that production run Rolex decided to evolve the watch under a single reference number, but the evolution was huge over the term. I guess compared to the modern day “discontinuation” marketing strategy, the 5513 stands out as a bizarre reference due to its protracted hypothetically long production run. Notwithstanding, it metamorphosized from the painted markers (mk I) to applied indices, allied to many other significant changes. It was clearly more a case of Rolex not having adopted the current trend of discontinued = desirable. Simpler times maybe?

Yes exactly, they kept the reference number but did a series of updates within the same era. So you're right you cant just group it into a 28 year span.

[WatchNutcase]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Ask a room full of Rolex geeks about production runs and everyone has an opinion on what makes a specific example unique from other versions.

I choose to focus on aesthetic and condition. I like my 5513 mk3

28 years of perfection right here

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by WatchNutcase

28 years of perfection right here

Cheers

There really is a great deal of variance in the 5513 reference but nothing wrong with seeking a low production reference #. I could build a collection of only submariners.

My list would be

5513 maxi

16610lv Y serial

124060

14060 tritium or random serial

Then there’s the budget out the window

5517 mil sub

I’ve never warmed up to the idea of a radium watch otherwise man those are gorgeous.

[1665fan]

Military subs……duh

[Chute]

5517

G serial 114060

SD4k

168000

[Jpccarguy]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Ask a room full of Rolex geeks about production runs and everyone has an opinion on what makes a specific example unique from other versions.

I choose to focus on aesthetic and condition. I like my 5513 mk3

Stunning reference- congratulations!

[Deepsea Florida]

My Dad bought my 168000 for my 21st birthday in 1986. In June of 1986………serial number 9.3 million. Price was around $1200 or so, new from AD. I still have it.

[Mendota]

The 5510 big crown sub was only produced between 1958 and 1959 and it's estimated that only 400 to 600 were made. It was the transition piece in between the 6538 and the 5513.

This is my grail for sure.

https://rolexpassionreport.com/2932/...nd-submariner/

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[Sandpit]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I think that attributing 28 years to the 5513 is somewhat of a misnomer. Within that production run Rolex decided to evolve the watch under a single reference number, but the evolution was huge over the term. I guess compared to the modern day “discontinuation” marketing strategy, the 5513 stands out as a bizarre reference due to its protracted hypothetically long production run. Notwithstanding, it metamorphosized from the painted markers (mk I) to applied indices, allied to many other significant changes. It was clearly more a case of Rolex not having adopted the current trend of discontinued = desirable. Simpler times maybe?

Similar (ish) to the 14060 and 16610 models also. Both of which saw changes throughout their incredibly long production runs. The 16610 I think had more changes (SEL then no holes case).

I would think that the shortest in "recent" times would be the 4 line 14060 and the rehaut 16610. Both around the 3 to 4 year production mark. I know they're not necessarily completely different watches, but they were the last of the variants before Rolex went on to the 6 digits which (IIRC) did not change at all during their production runs.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Jpccarguy

Stunning reference- congratulations!

You’re too kind thank you

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by WatchNutcase

Yes exactly, they kept the reference number but did a series of updates within the same era. So you're right you cant just group it into a 28 year span.

The maxi dial on these early variants truly shows how the simplicity of Rolex back then was so endearing.

[ndrs63]

114300 black and white. 2 years


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[Sandpit]

Originally Posted by ndrs63

114300 black and white. 2 years


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Submariner?

[mquarter]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I choose to focus on aesthetic and condition. I like my 5513 mk3

There's very little that comes anywhere close to the 5513 on sheer aesthetics. The only one that comes to mind is the 1680 red.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by mquarter

There's very little that comes anywhere close to the 5513 on sheer aesthetics. The only one that comes to mind is the 1680 red.

I’m inclined to agree. Not sure you can do better sub 20k for a steel Rolex than a killer maxi 5513. Ditto 1675 but you’ll need a few more k for a comparable example. Vintage prices are more rooted in reality than modern right now. Imho of course.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Ask a room full of Rolex geeks about production runs and everyone has an opinion on what makes a specific example unique from other versions.

I choose to focus on aesthetic and condition. I like my 5513 mk3

I have to say Tom, this makes me miss mine

Fantastic looking example

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I have to say Tom, this makes me miss mine

Fantastic looking example

Thanks Brian! You have plenty of good stuff

[Linuxpenguins]

Originally Posted by scooba

1680 Red Sub Meters first according to the records with DRSD the MK 1 version accounted for under 4% off production.

116600 Seadweller was only made for three years and never sold very well .

People think a 6263 Daytona is a rare beast but was Sold for 17 years

The 116600 is becoming increasingly rare, locked away in dealers safes. There are but 5 available for sale within the UK alone.

Insane.

[FrenchBigCrown]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Stunning!

[FrenchBigCrown]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Military subs……duh