Rolex Submariner - 16610 vs 116610

[roystock]

Hi all,

I am/was considering getting a Rolex submariner (black).
I don't plan to buy it in the immediate future but I will eventually get one. 

Between the 2 latest submariners (16610 and 116610), what's your take?
1. Do you own 16610, 116610 or both?
2. Which one do you prefer? (welcome comments from everyone including owners, prospective buyer and Rolex haters)
3. Do you think the RM10k price different (new 116610 vs pre-owned 16610) is reasonable?
4. A specific question on the lume. Based on your understanding, how does the lume of 16610 vs 116610? Is the new one any better? And any idea how many hours will the lume last?

Thanks in advance for all the comments
 

[CKL1213]

I prefer Sub C for the case, bracelet and the ceramic bezel

[kukujiao]

Better buy now if you want it new because the price ain't going down.

[kukujiao]

To be honest, I initially disliked the new maxi case and dial because it was very squarish like those shoulder pads of the late 1980's...

However, it looks better when you wear it and if you have a sizable wrist, it looks ok.

I like the blue lume (like the Pelagos) and the new clasp. The ceramic bezel also very shiny and blinky... me likey too...

Having said that, I also love the older sub, and TBH, it is a bit difficult to choose between the 2... haha

[swleong]

116610 does offers many advancetages over the old brother, such as the what CKL1213 has mentioned. Also not to forget the new Parachrom Bleu hairspring in the 116610 as well.

But for me, 10k difference, I'll top it up with another 1k-2k to get the used Explorer II 16570 "Polar".

Then you have 2 Rolexes, 1 black dial and 1 white dial + GMT for all occasions. 

[jason_recliner]

The current gen are better quality, aesthetically, but they are too blingy for my tastes - more jewellery than dive instrument, IMO.    And I don't like the blocky 'maxi' case.  The clasp is super-sweet, though.

So I would go for a 16610 and pocket the change.  Except I wouldn't, because for about the same price you can get a 16600.  That's what I would (and did) do.

[hanz079]

I am known to my friends as being a modernist.
I would take the newer version of a watch most of the time.
Some will prefer the older iteration... it's a personal thing.
As for the 16610 vs 116610, I own the closest to these 2 models.
The 14060 and 114060



This is the 14060... sharper lugs.
Streamlined case.
Anodized aluminium bezel (cheap to replace)
Hollow bracelet midlinks.
Stamped sheetmetal clasp.
Some see this as a disadvantage as it feels flimsy.
The advantage is it will work problem free.



This is the 114060.
Chunkier case.
Maxi dial and hands.
Updated caliber with parachrom blue hairspring.
Cerechrom bezel (expensive to replace)
Solid links all round for the bracelet.
Updated clasp with quite complex construction.
Gridelock extension is really good and practical.

If you asked me if the new is worth the extra dough?
I would say yes.
The old one? Value for money.
A good buy for and entry level sports Rolex.

[kukujiao]

A used sea dweller is more VFM esp for those who do not like the bubble but yet you still get the date

[Spider boy]

Is really down to personal preference when it comes to this. You can have endless debate over the 2 . It has always been mentioned in this forum that, "which watch sings to you?" ,  the older casing, 16610 always does to me . If you would compare spec to spec, then i have to say the new one does seem to look better in that term . However for me , is all about the "feel" .. lol , and its these people who keeps the vintage watches alive    . Then again , maybe i am biased i love all the submariners(especially those with tritium)  from 5513 up to the last batch of 16610 .And I will never stop collecting them if my bank permits! 

[kukujiao]

I think you can get a 2007/8 fairly good condition one for ard RM15-16k. New sub you can get around RM24-26k. Most ADs don't give any discounts for the new sub but overseas you may be able to get some discounts because they have more stock than here... but the RM not very "cantik" lately so it may be the same buying here...

[dpkong]

I've not got any real interest to get a Submariner but if I did, I would prefer the 116610 over the 16610 anytime for the updated bracelet and clasp. Only reason otherwise is to save some money.

BTW, I prefer the green over the black.

[dennis.T]

i would say go for 116610 for its maxi dial, blue lume, ceramic bezel and glidelock.. but take note that the glidelock is scratches magnet…

Now days preown 16610 also not cheap and the different between the two is +- RM 5,000 (in this case if both is preown).
The only 16610 I want is 16610LV because I love the maxi dial and green bezel…

[RaymondT]

For me I'll go with 116610 , bigger case wears better on my wrist , but that's just me ... , and .... To further add to the dilemma (which I had Previously )Between the new sub & the GMTIIc , I ll go with the GMT, simply for the timezone feature 

[farhanbh100]

steadily falling in love with sub for few weeks now.. been doing some research s n when free... but after reading this thread realized still a lot i dono bout sub..
seeing the only thread reply with pic, i kinda like the look of the one above but the one below apparently got better bracelet, an important point for me..

so few things i wish to clarify whats maxi dial since i cant c the diffs between the two dials..
is 116610 a replacement for 16610 in a way the latter is no longer available in stores?..
oso just wondering whats the price difff between the two n date with no date..

in advance appreciate..

[dpkong]

steadily falling in love with sub for few weeks now.. been doing some research s n when free... but after reading this thread realized still a lot i dono bout sub..
seeing the only thread reply with pic, i kinda like the look of the one above but the one below apparently got better bracelet, an important point for me..

so few things i wish to clarify whats maxi dial since i cant c the diffs between the two dials..
is 116610 a replacement for 16610 in a way the latter is no longer available in stores?..
oso just wondering whats the price difff between the two n date with no date..

in advance appreciate..

Maxi dial is where the hour markers are larger.

The 116610 is the replacement for the 16610 which is no longer made but can still be found new in some places.

[wshiong]

There are a few on sale on net.

[terrenceterrence]

Although mine is not a sub date and just a sub 2 liner, the fundamentals are still similar.

I am a traditionalist and still prefers the old case to the new one. The new case and attributes are just too bling for my taste. That is just me. It's just an unexplainable feeling or lack of it when I strap the new model on my wrist.


But honestly the new case, bracelet, dial, bezel and lume is hard to beat. Get the newer model cause the prices are not that far off.

Strap both on your wrist and the answer would come to you.

Meanwhile for an old man like me, the tin can bracelet and smaller case  still holds dear and suits an old man like me.

[el118]

Go for the new model especially with improve ceramic bezel and glidelock, if the price difference is only RM5k. the improved technology and newer mechanical movement (means less need for service) worth every penny.

[terrenceterrence]

I might be wrong, but I thought that only applies to the co-axial movements.

The 3135 still have the same service interval recommendation as the older 3130 calibre. The parachrome bleu spring is just antimagnetic.

Go for the new model especially with improve ceramic bezel and glidelock, if the price difference is only RM5k. the improved technology and newer mechanical movement (means less need for service) worth every penny.

[el118]

I might be wrong, but I thought that only applies to the co-axial movements.

The 3135 still have the same service interval recommendation as the older 3130 calibre. The parachrome bleu spring is just antimagnetic.

Go for the new model especially with improve ceramic bezel and glidelock, if the price difference is only RM5k. the improved technology and newer mechanical movement (means less need for service) worth every penny.

i mean "newer" i.e production date is later than previous one.  i.e a 3 year old 116610 may not need to service in next 3-5 years but older 10 year old 16610 may need for service immediately if no records of servicing.

[pexus]

To me, the modern ceramic subs represent improved quality and have that loud `look at me, I am a Rolex' factor.   
 
On the other hand, the 5 digits sub or sd or GMT or explorers, reminds me of what Rolex was marketed as back then - tool watches for the hardworking man who wants reliability..

It all depends on what you want...you wont go wrong....My choice is obvious...




However, I do love the loudness and bling factor of the green LV sub very much...

[timenut]

I prefer the older Sub.. I haven't quite warmed up to the maxi case and I do find the dial on the new one a bit too wordy. That said, while I have seriously considered getting the older Sub, the one issue that kept me from getting it is the tinny bracelet.

[hanz079]

To me, the modern ceramic subs represent improved quality and have that loud `look at me, I am a Rolex' factor.   
 
On the other hand, the 5 digits sub or sd or GMT or explorers, reminds me of what Rolex was marketed as back then - tool watches for the hardworking man who wants reliability..

It all depends on what you want...you wont go wrong....My choice is obvious...




However, I do love the loudness and bling factor of the green LV sub very much...

Your choice is obvious because you are the patina man mah... hehehe
That is some killer patina on your sub... or should we say oxidised? 

[dpkong]

I prefer the older Sub.. I haven't quite warmed up to the maxi case and I do find the dial on the new one a bit too wordy. That said, while I have seriously considered getting the older Sub, the one issue that kept me from getting it is the tinny bracelet.

For one thing, that "tin" bracelet is reliable. But the rattling noise when you have your hands on the car steering while idling at the traffic lights may get on your nerves one day. The new bracelet has not been around long enough to prove it's worth but so far, the feel is solid although there were some issues with the welded joints for the GMT2c model.

This is from experience with an older Zenith Daytona, 40mm Exp2 and the newer 4130 movement Daytona.

[farhanbh100]

thanks, i c the diff now..
brings me few more questions before i take the plunge...

is it true the new sub's bracelet comes with polished centre link... if it is, how polished is it.. i mean like the milgaus/dj2 or somewhere in between..
assuming i go for the old sub, can i retrofit new sub's bracelet to the old sub.. i mean will it fit really ngam ngam ho... n if i do this, how much im looking at to order new sub's bracelet... n the waitinng list...?