Should you buy a modern Submariner or a vintage Submariner? HK Snob weighs in

 

 

Many of you may have a Rolex Submariner in your collection. Being one of the most iconic watches in the world, the Rolex Submariner is often seen on the wrists of stars and celebrities. From divers to everyday users, the Rolex Submariner has always served us well as a tool watch or simply a three hander.



The current lineup of Submariners include the 116610 (Sub date), 116610lv (the Hulk) and the 114060 (no date Sub). Among them, the 116610lv is most sought-after with its green ceramic bezel and green sunburst dial. It is a watch that retains its value best among the three. Much like its predecessor 16610lv, the green Submariner released for the 50^th anniversary of the Submariner, the Rolex Green has made it very popular among collectors. However, if you already own the Hulk or even all three of the current Submariner references, what else can you buy?

 

 

 

One of the most attractive things about a Rolex is that every watch is very iconic and a Rolex seems to retain its value in time better than anything else. Therefore, if you are looking to buy a Submariner, other than the watches in the current collection which are around 50k to 68k HKD, you may look for a second-hand or NOS 14060, 16610, or even the more vintage 5513 and 1680.

 

 

 

 

 

A basic good-condition 5513 or 1680 can be found at around HKD 48-50k. The prices are rising slowly as these watches are getting rarer and rarer. It is a good investment for you.

 

 

 

However, if you do not like their Maxi dials, you can choose the more recent 14060 which is a perfect tool watch for any occasion. One of the features of the 14060 is that all of them have lug holes which are an important feature of a tool watch. The Submariner of that generation has different case shapes than the current collection which features “super cases” with more angular shapes. The 5513, 1680 and the more recent 16610, 14060 has better curves than the current 116610 and 114060 in terms of their shapes.

 

 

 

 

 

The 16610 and the 14060 are sold at around 35-45k and these watches are already out of production. Their prices will only go up as time goes by. We will go into more details of these watches in later episodes.

If you do not have a Submariner yet, do go for the 116610lv. The classic Rolex green color makes it a very sharp watch that retains its value best among the current lineup of Submariners. If you already have the “Hulk”, think of the last generation of Submariners. There is always one for you to get.

 

HK Snob

 

 

 

 

 

 



Rolex Day Date Ref.228238 BNIB Full Set

Only one HK$198,000 cash

HK Snob

AP Carbon Dive Watch Mint Full Set

 

 

AP Ref.15703AU Discontinued Item

Listing at HK$218,000

 

Mint Condition Full Set 2012 Watch

Cash HK$160,000

 

HK Snob

PaneraI PAM605 Firenze Special Edition

PAM605 BNIB Full Set HK$97,000 cash

Also PAM629 BNIB Full Set HK$110,400 cash

HK Snob

Rolex Daytona Ceramic Ref.116500LN supply status

 

Rolex is very good in marketing, as the basic rule to determine price is the relation of demand and supply.

We had experienced that with the GMT master II Blue black Ref.116710BLNR. In the first few months of launch, I even could buy at Rolex AD with 5% discount… The first one I bought for a Vietnam visitor back into 2014 July.

After two months, there we could not find any stock at Rolex AD, only from Gray Dealers!

I describe this phenomenon as “U” shapes supply cycle…

Initially Rolex will ship more in the first three months, such that more people can see this watch, there created more talks at Blog, fb, IG… provided that watch is beautiful and having a few nice feature. More and more people will try to buy… well, then we will fall into the flat or bottom minimum supply cycle, price will shoot up from gray dealer, of course we cannot get any watch at Rolex AD unless you are SVIP.

After two three years then there will be more supply as both the gray dealer price even may be  higher than you could buy in AD. As by that time, there will be new Rolex model launching in the market.

After two years the Batman was launched, Still we can hardly find any stock at AD… and with gray dealer, the price is still high between HK$63,000 to HK$65,000. (MSRP is HK$67,300)

How about this iconic Daytona, a Panda like Cosmograph with ceramic bezel, if you think Rolex will give each Rolex AD one watch a month!? That could be a dream, may be one watch in one Quarter!

As I expected that market price would be high as HKD$140,000 in my Blog post in April. it comes true today...

Now we can see the price is running between HK$138,000 to HKD$147,000!

This is the start of the “U” Cycle”, most of the Rolex AD can get one or two in a month… after a few months, we should expect less in supply or even zero… or they can ship all HK supply to other country likewise send say Singapore supply to HK one day…and keeps the Rolex Fans of HK and Singapore in Hunger!

Then the price could shoot go up more than HK$140,000!

Of course this is my guess, but if I were Rolex, I will do the same!

Note that the White one is even more difficult to get as  compare with older generation Ref.116520LN though price is same now for White or Black, in long terms I am sure White is more expensive that black!

So I think, if you can afford, but now, or you will not get it as easy as it is now!

 

For this model, I think the bottom line of the "U" cycle could last a long period of time! 

HK Snob

HK Watch Fever

The evolution of the Rolex Daytona

Many of us are more than ready to get the new Rolex Daytona 116500LN. The Daytona is an interesting watch that has been Rolex’s ace for years. It is almost a cult success. So, how has the Daytona reached its current status?

 

In 1963 Rolex debuted the first Cosmograph model ref 6239. The features of it included a tachometer scale engraved on the metal bezel and the dials were either in black with silver counters or in silver with black counters.

 

 

The name "Daytona" did not appear on the dial until 1965. A new dial version called "exotic" was introduced in 1965. It featured an outer track which matches the sub-dials running around the edge of the dial. The seconds sub-dial is at 9 o'clock and it is marked at 15, 30, 45 and 60.

 

 

 

 

 

The ref 6240, which was produced till 1969 only, introduced screw-down push pieces and it became the first ref of the Daytona which was fully waterproof. Interestingly, the word “Daytona” is not always printed on the dial of the 6240. I do think that the “exotic” dial looks way better than usual dials for the 6240.

 

 

References 6262 and 6264 were produced between 1970 and 1972. These references adopted push-down buttons with metal bezel or black plastic bezel.. Dials were either white with black sub-dials or vice versa.

 

 

From 1971 to 1987, Rolex produced the Daytona 6263 and 6265. These references adopted black plastic bezels and metal bezels and they were waterproof to 100 meters.

 

 

 

The Daytona 6263 is also now known as the “Paul Newman” Daytona because movie star Paul Newman wore the ref 6263 and a ref 6241 on a bund strap. Any Rolex Daytona with exotic dial is known as "The Paul Newman Daytona". Particularly, a Paul Newman dial must be in ref 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 or 6265.

 

 



 



 

The most sought-after models of the Daytona today include these “Paul Newman” Daytonas. These watches are often seen fetching very high prices during auctions.

 

 

 

 

Rolex started in 1988 manufacturing the 16520 Daytona. The watch had a 40mm case instead of a 37mm one and it had sapphire crystals instead of Plexiglas. Before the 16520, the Daytona had always featured a manual-wound movement. The breakthrough came when Rolex adopted a new automatic movement based on the Zenith El Primero 400. The heavily modified movement was then the Calibre 4030. Because of limited supply and super strong demand, the 16520 was a great success.

 

 

 

Some notable models included 16520 with porcelain finish dials and 10-watch-only 16528 blue dial for Rolex collectors.

 

 

In 2000, the Rolex Daytona 116520 was out. It featured a totally in-house caliber 4130 and the black dial version had been a very sought-after model from 2000-2015.

So, what has made the Daytona such a success? Maybe it is because of the limited supply. Maybe it is because of the design of the watch. Or, maybe because it is a Rolex chronograph, which has always represented precision from the day it was born. In today’s world in which big watches are in vogue, the Rolex Daytona retains its classic shape in 40mm. The dial style of the new 116500LN white resembles the “panda” style of the “Paul Newman” Daytona, which is one of the most important legacy of the Daytona. Its bezel is now ceramic and it does not attract scratches anymore. These small improvements and dedication to the original details are what it takes for a watch to become legendary.

 

HK Snob

HKWF Group

Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Parmigiani is available at special price (Brand new in box)

AP RB2 NOS Rose Gold dated June 2015 HK$608,000 Nett



 

AP Ref.26299SN Limited 1,000 pieces RP HK$319,000 now HK$229,896



  

AP Ref.2629OR limited 1000 pieces HK$32,8000 

Parmigiani Men's White Gold Large dress watch RP HK$145,000 now $101,500.

Parmigiani Ladies in steel, Original Price $104,000 now $72,800



Special office, valued offer for HKWF readers, while stock lasts

HK Snob

Rolex 2016 watches have arrived Hong Kong

 

 

Probably some of you have seen this watches in Balls, gathering, parties and in MTRs
Yes, the long waiting 2016 new Rolex has arrived, though not all new models, but at least some of the best have...
However, they are distributed to the first tier customers, SVIP of the Rolex authorized dealer...etc

The Daytona Ceramic, for example are here in Hong Kong, with a list price of HK$95,000.

However, we understand that they cannot be sold at the list price.


HKWF has a few Daytona Ceramic White dial and black Ref.116500LN on hand, price is HK$140,000,


I have noticed those who sent me deposit for reservation, if you want to take this or wait for second batches? Let me know.

HK Snob

The new Air-king, the Milgauss and the Explorer

 

 

Rolex has, after many years, updated its Air-King in 2016. The price of the watch is around 47k HKD. At this price point, it is definitely an entry-level Rolex. So, is it an able contender against the Explorer and the Milgauss, which have always been very iconic?

 

 

 

 

Let’s look at what the new Air-King has to offer. At first glance, I almost could not believe it is a watch produced by Rolex. Its design is unlike any other Rolex which are mostly conservatively designed. The new 116900 Air-King is a bold watch. At 40mm, the watch has a polished bezel and a dial full of fun. Some may argue that the dial is too busy. However, it is also the dial that sticks to the aviation theme. It mixes the hour markers 3,6 and 9 with the minute markers. It does look like an Explorer I 214270 with Arabic minute markers. But is this what Rolex has to offer? A modified Explorer I?
 



 



 

 

 

No. The new Air-King has a fun dial as I mentioned. Other than the mixture of hour and minute markers, the dial features a yellow Rolex crown, green “Rolex” letters and a green second hand. Green is the color of Rolex and this watch has a theme of green. The font of the letters Air-King is full of style as well. The watch has soft-iron case inside which makes the new Air-King anti-magnetic and truly adheres to the aviation theme.

 

 

 

 

 

This is quite a comprehensive package for an entry-level Rolex, isn’t it? But how does it compare with the Milgauss and the Explorer I?

 

 

 

First, let’s talk about the Explorer I. At a slightly higher price, you can an 39mm watch which has very rich history. The dial of the Explorer I is much cleaner and simpler. It is also more classic, if that is the word. However, it lacks the funky elements that exist on the Air-King dial. It has the shock absorber that the new Air-King does not have. However, it is not anti-magnetic like the new Air-King.

 

 

 

 

 

How about the 116400GV Milgauss? The Milgauss is famous for its green sapphire crystal and its anti-magnetic capability. It is a very accurate watch. The dial of the Milgauss is not as busy as the new Air-King but it is colorful enough. It has an all polished case and polished center links on the bracelet. On the wrist, the Milgauss looks very sharp and elegant. The shades of green on the sapphire crystal keep bringing you surprises under different lighting.

 

 

 

The price? It is slightly higher than the new Air-King. But I do think that the design elements of the Milgauss seem better than that of the Air-King and that makes the Milgauss my choice among the three contenders here.

What is your choice?

 

HK Snob

HKWF Group

 

 

 

 



Dragon Boat festival Special Offer for HKWF readers, Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock Pen LIMITED 3,000 pcs

 

 

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Ref.106509

An authentic Montblanc pen commemorating the life of legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. 

 

 This Montblanc fountain pen is finely crafted of black lacquer with an intricate laser-engraved pattern representing the vertigo effect from Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958). 

 

It features sterling silver accents, the Psycho film reel identification notes around the cap, 53 hatch marks around the cone representing each Hitchcock film, and Montblanc floating emblem in cap top. 

 

Comes beautifully packaged in genuine Montblanc Hitchcock presentation box. Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock Limited Edition Rollerball Pen 106509

 

MSRP HK$24,000

 

Now HK$16,800 for our reader, limited stock available.

 

HK Snob

 



 

Dragon Boat Festival Special Sales JLC Ultra Thin dress Watch Ref.134.24.20

Jaeger-LeCoultre   134.24.20
Code	40572
Movement	Manual winding
Case material	Pink gold
Bracelet material	Crocodile skin
Condition	1 (Brand new in box Full Set)
	With box
	With papers
Gender	Men's watch/Unisex
Movement	Manual winding
Case
Case material	Pink gold
Case diameter	38 mm
Dial	Beige
Dial numerals	No numerals
Bracelet material	Crocodile skin
Clasp	Fold clasp

 
List Price  HK$114,000

Now Cash HK$85,500

HK Snob

Submariner Ref.116610LV BNIB

Full Set Brand new in box Submariner Date Ref 116610LV X1
EU Rolex AD , but the sticker on the left is removed by the Rolex AD staff. or will be selling higher.

Let's make long story short, it is brand New, April 2016 Watch

HK$63,500 ( no additional charges for hand delivery to Philippines)

HK Snob

Rolex Day Date Ref 18038 birch dial on sale

Rolex Day Date Ref.18038 birch  dial "fossil", 95% new,
had been overhauled and have Rolex Service record.

HK$85,000 cash.

HK Snob

PS, watch sold on 1 June.