Listen, the Rolex Submariner… man, it’s a LEGEND. Like, the kind of watch that your grandpa probably secretly dreamed of owning, and your dad probably pretended he didn’t care about (but secretly did). 1953, Rolex drops this bomb – a proper dive watch, water resistant to 100 meters, black dial, that iconic rotating bezel. It was *the* thing.
And honestly? It still kinda is.
But new ones… ouch. They ain’t cheap. That’s where the pre-owned, second-hand, “gently loved” (yeah, right, probably beat to heck and back) Submariners come in.
Now, here’s the thing. Buying a used Rolex is kinda like buying a used car. You gotta do your homework. Seriously. Don’t just walk into some dodgy pawn shop and throw down your life savings on something that might be Frankensteined together from spare parts.
Chrono24, like the text mentions, is a decent place to start looking. You’ll see a TON of them. But even there, you gotta be careful. Look for reputable dealers, check the reviews, ASK QUESTIONS. Don’t be shy about getting pictures, especially of the movement. If they won’t show you the movement, red flag city, my friend.
And the price? Well, that’s a rabbit hole in itself. Condition, age, rarity, whether it comes with the box and papers… it all affects the price. You might find a beat-up vintage Sub for a “steal” (quotes intentional), or a nearly-new modern one that’s still gonna cost you an arm and a leg.
My personal opinion? I think the older ones have more character. They’ve seen some stuff, you know? Scratches and dings tell a story. But, like, that’s just me. Some people want that pristine, “just came out of the factory” look. To each their own, I guess.
