Stopgap Measure Towards the Rolex Submariner : Seiko SKX007 and Steinhart Ocean 1

One of the most queries that I received vide e-mails come from new hobbyists and always to the tune of the following statement :

"I don't want to spend RM22k on a Rolex Submariner 116610LN. But the itch is there. What watch can I get to scratch that itch as a stopgap measure for the interim period?"

Rolex Submariner 116610LN is the preferred choice of many.

You won't believe how many times I have read such e-mails. Having just read yet another similar e-mail for perhaps the 100th time, I decided to do a posting on this matter.

I like trying new watches and I have been flipping quite a no. of watches. But there are some watches that I don't flip despite getting offers from other collectors, such as my vintage Rolex Datejust and vintage Pagol.

Rolex Submariner 116610LV is MY preferred choice.

Typically, you won't really lose a lot of monies flipping your 40mm Rolex Submariner as there's always someone out there ready to net a pre-owned Sub for a price lesser than retail. You can typically get the basic 116610LN with the black ceramic bezel for some RM22k new (RRP : RM25k), and the price goes upwards to RM26k as you inch towards the 116610LV with the green ceramic bezel aka Hulk (RRP : RM29k).

However... there are some stopgap measures that you could have to scratch that itch pending your getting your real Sub. Let's face it- a Rolex Submariner is still just about the most prestigious diver watch that has been there since day one (although some would argue that the Sub's design was actually inspired by Blancpain Fifty Fathoms) and the most copied design whether vide counterfeit, replica or homage pieces.

I am not a fan of counterfeit or replica watches, but I can live with homage watches. And there are many homage watches for the Sub-design, so you can have your pick from many different brands.

Personally, there are 2 watches that I would personally recommend for fellow readers to get if they would like to get the Sub-design minus the Rolex premium pricing. I am of course referring to the Seiko SKX007, and Steinhart Ocean 1.

Supercompressor did some Smart Money articles about the Rolex Submariner vs Seiko SKX007 and Steinhart Ocean 1, which you could read in the attached links. I would summarise some of my observations as per the following :

Seiko SKX007
- robust and dependable Seiko 7s26 21-jewels, non-hacking, automatic movement;
- hardened crystal (and I really like the raised dome shape);
- diving depth of 200m;
- Oyster 41mm case;
- costs less than RM1,300 even at the highest-quality Japan-made J version. The K version costs considerably lesser.

Steinhart Ocean 1
- robust and dependable ETA 2824-2 25-jewels, hacking, automatic movement, elabore-grade (that's mid-range);
- sapphire crystal;
- diving depth of 300m;
- larger Oysters 42mm case ;
- with option to get the black ceramic bezel that would be more scratch-proof;
- costs less than RM2,000 for a genuine Swiss-made timepiece with typical German efficient engineering.

You really can't go wrong with these pristine homages with real diving capabilities. And both homages have enough differences from the Rolex Submariner so that they could hold themselves in their own rights without being blatant copies without any innovations whatsoever.\

So there you have it- you could have one, or both of them, in your collection without breaking your bank account. And both movements are easily-serviceable by most watchsmiths, so you could just sit back and enjoy the watches for years and years to come.