A watch that could survive 100 meters underwater? The concept was unthinkable in 1953, when Rolex introduced what would become the benchmark for a diver’s watch, the Submariner, at the international watch and jewelry fair in Basel, Switzerland. By this point, Rolex was well-versed in durable timepieces; it had released the Oyster, the world’s first waterproof watch, in 1926. The Submariner — full name: Oyster Perpetual Submariner — would go on to become not only a technical feat but also a decade-spanning status symbol.
Technically, the Submariner watch is defined by its scratch-resistant, ceramic, rotatable bezel, which allows for optimal accuracy even deep underwater and bears a knurled rim for ease of adjustment with diving gloves. Later versions of the timepiece are waterproof to 300 meters — although most fans of the watch, content to sport the timepiece on solid ground, will likely never test that capability.
The Submariner’s most famous star turn, perhaps, is its association with one famous fictional spy. In playing the role of James Bond, Sean Connery sported a reference 6538 in several of the series’ films. George Lazenby, Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton would go on to wear subsequent models of the Submariner in their respective portrayals of the secret agent.
Connery’s Submariner loyalty in the early Bond films correlated with the watch’s move from diving accoutrement to widely coveted accessory. Other well-known Submariner admirers have included rock legend and watch aficionado Eric Clapton as well as Steve McQueen, Al Pacino and even Che Guevara. In 2016, GQ magazine dubbed the Rolex wristwatch “the male engagement ring” and recognized the Submariner as “the most primally loved” of the brand’s models.
Given the numerous versions of Submariner that Rolex has produced since 1953, variations are plentiful.
The first Submariners were manufactured in stainless steel. Since then, Rolex has added versions in yellow gold as well as a mix of its “Oystersteel” — a high-quality stainless steel produced in-house at the watchmaker — and yellow gold.
Other modifications relate to the dial’s characteristics or the style of the hands: Modern Submariners bear the name “Submariner” on their dials, although not all early models do. (Some attribute this to an unforeseen trademark issue.) Pre-1965 models have dials printed in gold, while those produced since then are white. The hands of later models are shaped in the decorative cathedral style as opposed to the slender pencil-style hands of the early models.
Details aside, Submariners of all eras bear an undeniable allure. Who, after all, wouldn’t want to wear the same timepiece as James Bond?
Rolex Submariner Non-Date Vintage Stainless Steel Matte Black Dial 5513
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Submariner Non-Date Vintage Men's Wristwatch, matte black dial with hour markers, a stainless steel bi-directional rotating bezel with a black beze...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Kermit NOS 16610LV
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An unworn NOS Submariner Date by Rolex in stainless steel, known as a Kermit. Features a black dial and a green unidirectional rotatable bezel with 60-minute graduations. The Oyster ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Kermit NOS 16610LV
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A mens unworn NOS Submariner Date by Rolex in stainless steel, known as a Kermit. Features a black dial and a green unidirectional rotatable bezel with 60-minute graduations. The Oys...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Hulk 116610LV
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An unworn Submariner Date Hulk in Oystersteel by Rolex. Featuring a green dial and green unidirectional rotatable ceramic bezel with 60 minute g...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Date Steel Ceramic Black Dial Automatic Mens Watch 116610LN
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in excellent condition. Original box and papers are included. * Free Shipping within the USA * Three-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buy...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner 116613LN 40mm Steel 18K Yellow Gold Black Dial Watch Box Papers
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in excellent condition. Comes with original box and papers. 1-year seller warranty.
Steel
Rolex Submariner Non-Date 41mm 124060
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An unworn 41mm Submariner Non-Date in Oystersteel by Rolex. Featuring a black dial and a black ceramic unidirectional rotatable bezel with 60-minute graduations coated in platinum. ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner 41mm 18K Yellow Gold Ceramic Black Dial Watch 126618LN
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in excellent condition. Box and papers. 3 year chronostore warranty.
Yellow Gold
Rolex Submariner Date Ceramic Bezel Yellow Gold Black 116618LN Men's Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Never Worn Rolex Submariner Date Ceramic Bezel Yellow Gold Watch with Black Dial 116618LN. Watch comes with original Rolex Box, Rolex Warranty Car...
Yellow Gold
Vintage Rolex Submarine Spider Dial 5513
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stainless steel Submariner by Rolex. Featuring a distinctive black glossy spider dial with applied hour markers and a uni-directional rotatable bezel. Fitted with a plastic glass,...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Hulk Unworn 116610LV
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An unworn Submariner Hulk 116610LV by Rolex, available now at our Showroom in London. Crafted from Oyster steel, this discontinued timepiece features a green dial and a green unidir...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Date Steel Ceramic Black Dial Automatic Mens Watch 116610LN
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in excellent condition. Original box and papers are included. * Free Shipping within the USA * Three-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buy...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Date No Holes None Ceramic Steel Black Dial Mens Watch 16610
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. Wrist Fit: 7.5 inches. Recently Serviced. Brand: Rolex Department: Women Model Number: 16610 Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland Model: Rolex Submariner 16610 ...
Steel
Rolex Vintage Submariner Mark IV Dial1680
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage 40mm Rolex Submariner in stainless steel. Featuring a distinctive mark IV black dial with open sixes, and a stainless steel bi-directional rota...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner No Date Steel Ceramic Black Dial Automatic Mens Watch 114060
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. This watch comes with an original box, and papers. Covered by a 3-year warranty. * Free Shipping within the USA * Three-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers can verify the watch's authenticity at any boutique or dealership within this period * Kindly be aware that international buyers must cover any customs taxes or duties imposed by their country. We do not defraud Customs. * Warranties provided by us are exclusively handled by our own certified watchmakers. Brand: Rolex Type: Wristwatch Department: Men Model Number: 114060 Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland Style: Luxury Model: Rolex Submariner 114060 Vintage: No Band Details: Band Color: Steel Band Material: Stainless Steel Closure: Fold-Over Clasp with Flip Lock Safety Band Type: Bracelet/Link Band Band Width: 20 mm Lug Width: 15.5 mm Wrist Fit: 7.5 Inches Bezel & Movement Details: Bezel Type: Count-Up/Dive, Unidirectional Rotating Bezel Color: Black Movement: Mechanical (Automatic) Number of Jewels: 31 Jewels Movement Caliber: Rolex Caliber 3130...
Steel
Rolex Submariner Non-Date 114060
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 40mm Submariner Non-Date, by Rolex in stainless steel. Features a black dial and a black ceramic unidirectional rotatable bezel with 60-minute graduations coated in platinum. The ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Date 116610LN
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Submariner Date in stainless steel by Rolex. Featuring a black dial, a date aperture and a uni-directional rotatable bezel with 60-minute graduations. Fitted with an Oyster bracele...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Daytona NOS Black Dial 116520
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
The predecessor to the 116500LN, this stainless steel unworn NOS Cosmograph Daytona by Rolex features a black dial. Featuring an engraved tachymetric scale, three chronograph counter...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Date Holes Steel None Ceramic Black Dial Mens Watch 16610
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. No Original Box and Papers are Included. Comes with a Chronostore Presentation Box and a Chronostore Authenticity Card. Covered by 2-year Chronostore Warranty. Brand Rolex Type Wristwatch Department Men Model Number 16610 Country/Region of Manufacture Switzerland Style Luxury Model Rolex Submariner...
Steel
Rolex Rare Submariner Date Red Writing Vintage Stainless Steel Mark VI 1680
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date Red Writing men's wristwatch, in stainless steel. This rare vintage wristwatch is a Submariner 1680; a watch that is incredibly sought after and...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner 18k Yellow Gold Steel Blue Dial Automatic Mens Watch 16803
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. No original box and papers. Covered by 2-year chronostore warranty. Details: Brand Rolex Type Wristwatch Department Men Model Number 16803 Country/Region of Manufacture ...
Steel
Rolex Submariner 18k Yellow Gold Steel Black Dial Automatic Men Watch 116613
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned No Original Box and Papers are Included. Comes with a Chronostore Presentation Box and Authenticity Card. Covered by a 2-year Chronostore Warranty. Details: Brand Rolex De...
Rolex Submariner Date 18K Yellow Gold Steel Black Dial Watch 126613LN Unworn
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Box and paper included. * Free Shipping within the USA * Five-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers can verify the watch's authenticity at...
Yellow Gold, Steel
Rolex Submariner Holes 18 Karat Holes Steel Black Dial Automatic Men Watch 16613
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Tritium Dial. Good Condition. Tiny scratches on the bezel insert. Pre-owned Rolex Submariner 40mm Holes 18K Yellow Gold Steel Automatic Watch 16613. Original Box and Papers are Inclu...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
