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Comparison Luxury dive watches

Rolex Submariner 124060 vs Tudor Pelagos 39: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Rolex Submariner 124060 if you want the cleanest Submariner. Buy the Tudor Pelagos 39 instead if you want a light, modern tool diver.

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Rolex Submariner 124060
Buy

Rolex Submariner 124060

Best for Purist Sub

Typically $9,600–$13,000

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Tudor Pelagos 39
Buy

Tudor Pelagos 39

Best for Titanium tool

Typically $4,800–$5,200

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureRolex Submariner 124060Tudor Pelagos 39
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$9,600–$13,000$4,800–$5,200
Best forPurist SubTitanium tool
Key featureNo-date Submariner with symmetrical dialTitanium diver with ceramic bezel
Case41 mm Oystersteel39 mm titanium
MovementRolex 3230 automaticTudor MT5400
Water resistance300 m200 m
Power reserve70 hours70 hours
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Case

Rolex Submariner 124060: 41 mm Oystersteel; Tudor Pelagos 39: 39 mm titanium.

Movement

Rolex Submariner 124060: Rolex 3230 automatic; Tudor Pelagos 39: Tudor MT5400.

Water resistance

Rolex Submariner 124060: 300 m; Tudor Pelagos 39: 200 m.

Power reserve

Rolex Submariner 124060: 70 hours; Tudor Pelagos 39: 70 hours.

Why buy it

Rolex Submariner 124060: no-date Submariner with symmetrical dial; Tudor Pelagos 39: titanium diver with ceramic bezel.

Made for

Rolex Submariner 124060: purist Sub; Tudor Pelagos 39: titanium tool.

Usual price

Rolex Submariner 124060: $9,600–$13,000; Tudor Pelagos 39: $4,800–$5,200.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Rolex Submariner 124060 if you

  • you want the cleanest Submariner
  • value clean dial
Check Price Paid link

Choose the Tudor Pelagos 39 if you

  • you want a light, modern tool diver
  • value light titanium
Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every piece we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best luxury dive watches.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN

Buy it if you want the most recognized luxury watch and its strong resale.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
The dive icon
Typical price
$10,700–$15,000

Pros

  • Holds value
  • Superb build

Cons

  • Hard to buy at list
Tudor Black Bay 58

Tudor · Luxury dive watches

Tudor Black Bay 58

Buy it if you want the best-sized diver for most wrists.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Best size
Typical price
$4,200–$4,600

Pros

  • Ideal size
  • Chronometer

Cons

  • Riveted bracelet not for all

Frequently asked questions

Rolex Submariner 124060 or Tudor Pelagos 39: which should I buy?

Buy the Rolex Submariner 124060 if you want the cleanest Submariner. Buy the Tudor Pelagos 39 instead if you want a light, modern tool diver.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Rolex Submariner 124060 usually costs $9,600–$13,000 and the Tudor Pelagos 39 $4,800–$5,200. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

Rolex Submariner 124060 or Tudor Pelagos 39: the full reasoning

Rolex Submariner 124060 or Tudor Pelagos 39? Both are strong luxury dive watches, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the Rolex Submariner 124060 if you want the cleanest Submariner, and buy the Tudor Pelagos 39 if you want a light, modern tool diver. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Rolex Submariner 124060 wins on no-date Submariner with symmetrical dial. The Tudor Pelagos 39 answers with titanium diver with ceramic bezel. Case: 41 mm Oystersteel on the Rolex Submariner 124060, 39 mm titanium on the Tudor Pelagos 39. Movement: Rolex 3230 automatic on the Rolex Submariner 124060, Tudor MT5400 on the Tudor Pelagos 39. Water resistance: 300 m on the Rolex Submariner 124060, 200 m on the Tudor Pelagos 39. Power reserve: 70 hours on the Rolex Submariner 124060, 70 hours on the Tudor Pelagos 39.

Reasons to buy the Rolex Submariner 124060

Clean dial, Holds value, Robust. What to accept: hard to buy, pricey. Usual price: $9,600–$13,000. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Rolex Submariner 124060 review.

Reasons to buy the Tudor Pelagos 39

Light titanium, Chronometer, Modern. What to accept: sporty. Usual price: $4,800–$5,200. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Tudor Pelagos 39 review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best luxury dive watches has every other piece with its own call. Size: 39 to 42 mm wears well on most wrists; check lug-to-lug length, which matters more than diameter.

Also consider the Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN ($10,700–$15,000): 41 mm Oystersteel diver with Cerachrom bezel and calibre 3235. Buy it if you want the most recognized luxury watch and its strong resale.

Also consider the Tudor Black Bay 58 ($4,200–$4,600): vintage-inspired 39 mm diver with in-house movement. Buy it if you want the best-sized diver for most wrists.

Buyer tip

Buy luxury watches from authorized dealers or the brand for the full warranty; grey-market and pre-owned sellers can save 10–30% but check their warranty.

Buying in Europe: authorized-dealer prices for Swiss watches are set per country and include VAT; a watch bought in Switzerland or the EU carries the same international warranty as one bought in the US. Grey-market and pre-owned prices are often quoted in euros or Swiss francs.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.