Submariner 14060 or BB58?

[wxflyer]

The Sub is an icon, no question. But an older Sub like the 14060 is arguably inferior to the Tudor Black Bay 58. Or is it?

The newest 14060 is a decade or more old, so I’m guessing the movement isn’t as good as the BB58. Accuracy? Anti-magnetism? And the 14060 bracelet is objectively inferior to the BB58’s.

So what are your thoughts, Rolex enthusiast community? I’m ready to buy, but I’m having a hard time justifying a Sub 14060 at 3-times the price of a new BB58. Thanks for your input!

[racerx]

Sub. The BB will become uninspiring.

[effovex]

BB58 is a fine watch and might make you happy for months or years. However, I’d bet eventually you’ll look down on your wrist and think, “what if I had a sub?”

For that reason, I’d always vote 14060/m.

[Dr. Robert]

Get the 14060 sub. You will not be disappointed.


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[WristWatchWonders]

The BB 58 is a nice watch but it doesn't get as much wrist time as my 14060m. The five-digit sub is a great watch.

[Old Expat Beast]

I kept my BB (ETA, not 58) and sold my 14060m. Never regretted it. Either can make you happy. In your case I'd get the BB as you seem set on it anyway.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I have both a 14060m and an ETA Black Bay and I highly recommend it.

[rmagoo57]

After owning both and wearing both regularly, I would pay the 3x for the sub again! The BB is a great watch and has better lume but nothing beats the buttery feel winding and setting the sub. Find a store that has both and compare for yourself.

[kieselguhr]

I’ll take the BB58 over the 5 digit sub

[Nads786]

Owner of a BB58 and while I love the watch it doesn’t compare to a five digit sub. I had the opportunity to try one on at DavidSW and was blown away.

The sun bezel is much nicer than the BB58.


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[mlg6613]

Originally Posted by wxflyer

The Sub is an icon, no question. But an older Sub like the 14060 is arguably inferior to the Tudor Black Bay 58. Or is it?

The newest 14060 is a decade or more old, so I’m guessing the movement isn’t as good as the BB58. Accuracy? Anti-magnetism? And the 14060 bracelet is objectively inferior to the BB58’s.

So what are your thoughts, Rolex enthusiast community? I’m ready to buy, but I’m having a hard time justifying a Sub 14060 at 3-times the price of a new BB58. Thanks for your input!

I’m a sub lover, I think it’s a must in anyone’s collection.


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[csaltphoto]

I went through this exact same quandary 5 years ago. The BB58 had just come out (or was about to) and the 14060M had been discontinued a few years before. On paper sure, the 58 might be a "better" watch. Maybe. Both are very good watches. But I've wanted a sub for most of my life and knew the Tudor just wouldn't scratch the itch. 5 years later and I'm still happy I went with the Rolex.

There are some very particular aesthetic things about the sub I prefer. And it's also a seriously comfortable watch to wear every day.

[996marty]

For me it has to be the 14060. The submariner is a classic in any reference

[wxflyer]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I’ll try the 14060 on-wrist and go with my gut. I truly appreciate the encouragement, cheers to you!

[Joearch]

A Tudor is not a Rolex. Get the Tudor now and you will be looking for a Sun within 3 months.

[Atr365]

BB58 for sure.

[CKLinLA]

The 14060 and the BB58 (and some other BB and Pelagos) have a number of similarities in both being more basic and tooly divers in their looks and intent.

What it will likely come down to is what really matters in making you feel good when you have it on your wrist. Maybe it’s the Rolex vs Tudor vibes, Snowflake vs Mercedes, etc. It is very likely that you will find the 14060 bracelet less comfortable, that’s my own experience.

If you can find a store with them, spend some time actually handling them, that could help you know which is right for you.

[daveo5]

I bought 14060M new in 2008. Without any service until 2023, it maintained approximately +1 1/2 sec per 24 hours. That’s over a 15 year period of time, pretty darn good. The bracelet is fine after 15 years. Compare any Tudor to Rolex, even if the Rolex is 15 years old, Tudor isn’t even in the running.


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[WILLIWALKER]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Get the 14060 sub. You will not be disappointed.


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+1

I have the BB58 and a 14060M serial.
I love the BB, but there is a world between the sub and the Tudor

[Gerardus]

I think the BB58 is a better quality watch then the iconic 14060. The problem with the BB58 is the R-word.

[Agamemnon]

14060m

[faimag]

Price aside, I would also go for a 14060

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by wxflyer

The Sub is an icon, no question. But an older Sub like the 14060 is arguably inferior to the Tudor Black Bay 58. Or is it?

The newest 14060 is a decade or more old, so I’m guessing the movement isn’t as good as the BB58. Accuracy? Anti-magnetism? And the 14060 bracelet is objectively inferior to the BB58’s.

So what are your thoughts, Rolex enthusiast community? I’m ready to buy, but I’m having a hard time justifying a Sub 14060 at 3-times the price of a new BB58. Thanks for your input!

Having had both a 5 digit sub and owning a BB58 (blue) the BB58 is objectively the better watch. There is no debating that, it just is.

I also own a (was NOS) 16600 so have a direct comparison to the best built of all the 5 series Rolex divers.

The 14060 is unquestionably an icon. But, and here's the thing, if it didn't say Rolex on the dial, you wouldn't take more than a few seconds to dismiss it if you held both it and a BB58 in each hand.

As part of a collection, yes. As your one and only? Unless you want the icon. the "Rolex", then in you may be disappointed in how "cheap" the 14060 will feel compared to the much more modern BB58. It's completely functional. And its a great watch, but its hollow link folded endlink bracelet, stamped and folded clasp and effectively bent piece of wire bezel click spring are no comparison to the modern offerings. And that's comparing new with new.

My 16600 is the watch that will never leave my collection, but a $400 seiko diver has a materially better bezel action (in terms of quality feel)

This may be an unpopular opinion on a Rolex forum but in terms of objectivity, it is 100% correct.

But this is not always an objective process.

Owning the 16600, I'd take the BB58 all day every day. In fact, you could have the black, the blue and the BB Pro for less than a mint full set 14060.

Having owned a 16610 I'd do the same.

If I'd not owned either (the sub is what got me interested in in the Sea Dweller) then I might have a different view because I'd not scratched that itch.

[Dr. T]

The 14060 is obviously amazing. But finding one in good condition at a sensible price is tough.

I recommend checking out the BB54 - much nicer than the 58 in my view and actually has the same size dial as the 14060 I believe. Doesn't wear too small IMHO. Lovely vintage vibes and a bargain by comparison

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Nads786

Owner of a BB58 and while I love the watch it doesn’t compare to a five digit sub. I had the opportunity to try one on at DavidSW and was blown away.

The sun bezel is much nicer than the BB58.


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If you tried a 5 digit sub that has a better/nicer bezel (other than in looks alone) than a BB58, your BB58 is broken, or it wasn't a 5 digit Sub

[reposado]

5 digit sub all day long. I have a BB58 & a 14060m, one is fine, the other is special.

[PenDelicate]

Sub.

[jimcameron]

Sub

A Tudor is an expensive 2nd rate watch. There are many watches in the same league as a Tudor at 1/2 the price.

[travisb]

The Sub is a tried and true icon. Zero worries about the movement, as it is one of the most well proven work-horses ever produced.

[1William]

It comes down to do you want the Rolex logo and image that goes with the watch. If you take the subjective out of this and just went with the facts about the watch, including price, then you have the answer. BB58 all day long. But watch ownership is subjective to the personal preference of the owner. If you can be satisfied with Tudor then that is the one. If it is going to be a thought that you still want the Rolex as you move through ownership then just get the Rolex. I have owned them all, Submariners, and prefer the six digit. Better everything to me. Bracelet, case, movement and the glide lock clasp and appearance. Good luck and let us know what you decide.