reintitan
2622
Has the GMT-Master surpassed the Submariner in popularity?
When I first started collecting almost 20 years the Submariner was definitely the most popular Rolex sports model. This includes the milsubs, non-dates (5513, 5512), Big Crowns, Small Crowns, Comex watches (including the 5513 with He valve and 5514), Red Subs, and the variations of Sea-Dwellers, what-have-you. From vintage to modern, the Submariner was king.
Today, it seems that the GMT-Master line has surpassed the Submariner in the Rolex hierarchy. I don't see as much hype for the modern Submariners or the new 50th Red Sea-Dweller as with the new ceramic Pepsi GMT-Master II which is the "new Daytona" in terms of scarcity (real or manufactured) and grey-market price gouging.
And prices for vintage GMT-Masters are climbing and approaching vintage Sub levels. Gilt GMTs both Cornino and square crown guards are through the roof. Matte dial models are following suit. An original 6542 is now in the same price range milsubs were a few years ago! Even the transitional 16750s are in the 5-digit asking price range.
The discontinued 5-digit reference sapphire crystal GMTs and GMT-2s are currently the most attainable models, but for how long?
Being a bigger fan of the GMT-Master more than the Submariner, I find this new surge in popularity a double-edged sword. On the one hand, I knew the GMT-Master especially the Pepsi bezel insert variation was the more versatile and "better" watch (IMHO). But on the other, we now have to deal with these insane prices (almost "rip-off" levels, IMHO again).
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Has the GMT-Master surpassed the Submariner in popularity?
When I first started collecting almost 20 years the Submariner was definitely the most popular Rolex sports model. This includes the milsubs, non-dates (5513, 5512), Big Crowns, Small Crowns, Comex watches (including the 5513 with He valve and 5514), Red ...
I don't know if we can say that the GMT MASTER surpassed the Submariner, but at least it gained more consideration. Now, as for the double edged sword, I can only agree.
Building a collection of GMT MASTER becomes more and more challenging. Luckily I have to dig the 5 digit references, which are not too impacted... FOR THE MOMENT... Best, my friend. Nicolas
Pricing for 5 digit GMTs seems much stronger than for 5 digit subs
So if price is the measure of popularity, than yes... the GMT is more popular.
