Everything You Need to Know About the Rolex Submariner nts over the years has become an icon inthe watch world and a ‘A watch that has stood the test of time with minor improv highly sought-after model. What makes this watch desirable? You'll eam mare about the history ofthe Rolex Submariner, technical featres, and pricing in our guide to give you a better understanding ofthe icon. A Brief History of the Submariner The Submariner was introduced in 1953 and was designed for divers, Diving recreational was still developing inthe 1950s Jacques Cousteau pro ed underwater films tht would help push Scuba diving tothe mainstream and even had an influence in he design ofthe Submariner. While not the off fist dive Watch the Rolex Submariner was the fst watch toe 100m waterproof and had a rotatable bevel for divers to Is featured bidirectional rotating bezels duc to a patent from Blanepain, Before the model ‘was forsale, ithad undergone $ months of testing bythe Institute for Deep-Sea Research in Cannes. The reference (204 isthe fist Rolex to feature the "Submarines" branding on the dal The 37mm wate featured pencil style hour and minutes hands paired with a Tolipop style seconds hand and was thinner than later models, The references 6205 and 620. leased atthe same time asthe 6204, The 6200 featured a higher water resistance of 200m compared to otherEvolution of the Model: Improvements Over the Years There have heen small updates to the wetch over the years. The Watch hasbeen in production for over 67 years so it continues to improve and change withthe developments in watchmaking, Inthe fist 10 years afer the model was released, numerous references were intodced. Dilferent movements were used and the design was tweaked, The frst 15-minute hash marks onthe bezel were introduced onthe reference 6538 but weren't regulasly found on references until the SSO was released in 1958. ‘With the introduction ofthe reference 5512 in 1959, we star seeing the Submariner Took more lke the moder watch we know ‘oday. The case size expanded fom 36mm to 40mm, crown guards were introduced, the Mercedes style handset was in use, and the "Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified” phasing on the dal fst appeared, The 5S12 was in production unl ors, ‘Another No-Date version ofthe Submariner was the reference 5513, which was in production from 1962 nti 1989, This model ‘was noCOSC certified The Submariner Date was introduced in 1967 as reference 1680. n 1969 the reference 1680 was released in solid yellow golA Modern Tool Watch ‘The addition ofthe date function onthe watch, in 1969, was notably the most significant change inthe early history ofthe model, While sling a date may seem minor, it helped transition the watch fom «pure too watch for dives toa status symbol and collectors watch, The dete feature provided daily prectcality or collectors, Inthe early 1980s, the five-digit references were introduced. With his change, updated movements were inoduced, sapphire crystals were now being used and the water resistance increased from 200m to 300m. Aluminum was also replaced for Cerachrom on the bezel in 2009 and was fst seen in the two-tone reference 1166138. This provided a fadeproof and seratch-prof material on an are ofthe Watch that offen sees bumps Another major update tothe collection was in 2010 when the new sx-igit eres was introduced, The most notable update came when the collection grew tothe “Super Case’ design. The lugs and crown guards expanded in size, and while the watch stil measured 40mm, she watch appeared bulkier Dial color had been used since the early 1970s, onthe gold 16R0 and ona Rolesor 16803, but it wasn't until 2003 when Rolex ‘was celebrating the SOth anniversary ofthe mode that preen was introduced. Skip dowa to notable references to learn more shout this green addition.2020 Updates to the Submariner Most recently the Submariner family has undergone another update in 2020. Te six-digit references were updated tothe 12661X and the 124060 andthe watch inersased to 41mm. The movement was also updated to the caliber 3235 forthe date ‘version andthe caliber 3230 for the no-date model 2020 saw the retiement of th beloved Rolex luk and re-introduced a blak dit/geen beze! model, and also saw the re-introduction ofa black dia/bue bezel model, The watch is stil offered in COysterstcl, Yellow Gold, Rolesor, and White Gold, Why Buy a Rolex Submariner ‘A Submariner is a versatile watch, and it has been that way since it was first released. The design i simple, fencional, and sophisticated atthe same time, It has been worn by James Bond and celebrities alike and is one of the most recognizable watchs, Notable References The almost 7 year history ofthe Rolex Submariner has led to quite fow references being released aver the yours, some with Tonger productions than others. 5514 COMEX are just e few ofthe popular referencesImage: Philips Autions ‘The French diving specialists, COMEX, were experiencing issues of heim bubbles inside their cases. They tured to Rolex ‘who developed a Helium Escape Valve with Doxa, COMEX commissioned a number ofthese models andi thought that tore ae only about 150 ofthe models availabe today. 6538 James Bond SubmarinerFaded bezel onthe Rolex 6538 James Bond ‘The frst Rolex wom by James Bond was the reference 6538, a Submariner with no crown guards and an oversized winding crown, The Bond watch was acualy owned by Scan Connery and led to secing other Rolex models on 007 i 1680 Yellow Gold (1971-1979)‘Image: Philips Auctions ‘With the success ofthe fits yellow gold Submariner in 1969, Rolex released the blue dabbiue bezel variant in 1971, Overtime ‘he aluminum bezels, and even the dials, have faded o various shades of blue an purple, 1680 Red Submariner (1969-1973) For brief period of time, the Rolex Submariner was released with red ‘Submariner’ letring on the da. This model has become increasingly sought after by collectors due tothe shor production time and the fact thatthe dials were often replaced ring servicing 16610 (1989-2010)version features the classic 40mm dl us collectors. This date production and versatility have seen this wi ub and everything in between, 16610LV ‘Kermit’ (2003-2010)‘To celebrate the SOth anniversary of the model, Rolex released the 16610L.V For the Fist $0 years ofthe watch, stainless stel models were only prodaced witha black bezel. The LV inthe reference is Lunette Verte, French for ‘Green Berl’ Collectors have nicknamed the watch the Kermit, The Maxi dial with larger dot indices was also inttoduced inthis model 116610LV ‘Hulk’ (2010-2020)Replacing the Kermit, Rolex introduced the LA610LV “uli? in 2010, This model featured green dsl and a green ceramic bezel. This model was nicknamed after the Marvel superhero the “Hulk As withthe updates in 2010, the model is slighty larger than the Kermit also leading tthe ‘Hulk’ nickname, This was discontinued in 2020 and was replaced by the 126610LV 116619 White Gold “Smurf” (2008-2020) The frst white gold submariner made its debut in 2008 inthe reference 116619. This model hada bright blu dal and @ snatching blue e snie bezel, The watch celebrated 2 diffrent anniversaries forthe brand the 6Sth anniversary of the ‘Submariner andthe 100tb anniversary of Roles. While Rolex had sisted in 1905, it wasn't ntl 1908 when “Rolex? was frst used. This watch was nicknamed the ‘Smurf" wih is bright blue and waite coloring being reminiscent ofthe characters. This reference was also discontinued in 2020 end was replaced by a new white gold model with a lack dal and biue bezel.Pricing ‘The rie oa Rolex Submarine wl vy between the san pone mkt Anew model asa el pc sttingat $8,100 fr steel, no-ate variant and increases to almost $40,000 forthe white gold black diaVblue bezel version, ‘Onthe secondary matket, a Submariner starts at sround $10,000. There area numberof factors contributing to the price. The reference number, materials, box, end papers can ll influence the price of a model. Most Submariners onthe pre-owned market tal between $12,000 ~ $20,000 with precious metals and gemstone versions biel ‘The most expensive Submariner was sold in 2018 for SI,068,500 and was a reference 6538 ftom 1956, This reference Features an Explorer Dial’ with Arabic numerals a 36.9 instcad of indies, ‘Thote are many diferent versions ofthe Submariner, whether you ate looking for a vintage “Ghost ded here, maxi dial, ‘Super Case, or even a colored Sub, there is something forever collector. Continue discovering by browsing the current \WatchBox Rolex Submariner inventory. Continue Reading: > Rolex Daytona vs, Submariner Comparison A Complete Guide to Rolex Stunles Stel Watches Rolex Deepsca: The Most Extreme Roles Dive Watch Offered to the Publi ROLEXEMILY SMITH