Founded in London around the turn of the century, Rolex has been a staple of the luxury watch scene for about 120 years now. The brand has been behind some of the most incredible innovations in horological history – for instance, in 1931, Rolex unveiled the world’s first self-winding mechanism with a perpetual rotor. Today, the word “Rolex” stands as a synecdoche for a diverse and varied collection of incredible timepieces, ranging from upscale, formal dress watches to durable and adventurous professional pieces.
One of our favorite Rolex models? The Rolex Submariner, of course! Initially created for diving, this iconic timepiece was released to the general public at the Basel Watch Fair in 1955. In the 70 years since, it has become one of the most renowned Rolex models in the world, with over 4 million of these watches produced. The versatile aesthetic, durable construction, and timeless design are just a few of the reasons that the “Sub” has skyrocketed to fame… and stayed there.
Today, we’re going to take a deep dive (excuse the pun) into all things related to the Rolex Submariner. Why is the Rolex Submariner so popular? How can you find the exact Rolex Submariner model you are looking for? And what different styles and finishes are available in this iconic timepiece? It’s time to set off on an underwater adventure…
Why We Love the Rolex Submariner
At Avi & Co., we are luxury watch specialists focusing on globally renowned brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, Richard Mille, and Audemars Piguet. With all of the incredible timepieces that go in and out of our three showrooms, you might be surprised that the Rolex Submariner holds such a special place in our hearts. After all, isn’t it rather… boilerplate?
On that point, we’re going to have to disagree. The Rolex Submariner has become a widely recognizable piece of cultural iconography, but it is anything but basic. There’s a litany of reasons why we love these classic timepieces. To name a few…
Iconic Look: When you envision a Rolex watch, you’re probably picturing a Submariner. The versatile metal bracelet, substantial silhouette, and unidirectional timekeeping bezel are staples of the Submariner’s iconic look. With numerous different finishes, colors, and metals available in these watches today, you can tailor your Submariner to your individual style. It perfectly combines sporty and luxe aesthetics for a timepiece that will never get old.
Professional Features: Although you’ll more likely wear your Submariner to the board room, a dinner party, or a day out on your yacht, you can dive with this watch. The Submariner is rated to 300 meters of water resistance, or 1,000 feet. Other key features include the unidirectional bezel, which helps track elapsed time during a dive, the triple-lock waterproof screw-down crown, Oysterlock safety clasp, and 70-hour power reserve.
Rich History: The Rolex Submariner isn’t just pretty and functional. It also boasts a rich cultural history, including its appearance in several 1960s James Bond movies, in which Sean Connery rocked a classic Sub. It has also shown up in several other films within this franchise, including Live and Let Die (1973, worn by Roger Moore), License to Kill (1989, worn by Timothy Dalton), GoldenEye (1995, worn by Pierce Brosnan), and Casino Royale (2006, worn by Daniel Craig).
Celeb Obsession: While Sean Connery might have popularized the Rolex Submariner in his early James Bond films, Hollywood actors and actresses continue to show off this classic timepiece. We’ve spotted it on the wrists of A-listers like John Mayer, Slash of Guns n Roses, Mark Wahlberg, Orlando Bloom, Steve McQueen, Luke Wilson, Ellen DeGeners, Nick Jonas, Brad Pitt, Cara Delevigne, Rita Ora, Wizz Khalifa, Queen Latifah, and many others. There’s no doubt that the Rolex Sub is a red carpet-worthy watch.
Rolex Submariners Worth Diving For
The original Submariner watches looked largely like the one pictured above – but nowadays, these timepieces are available in a variety of different aesthetics. You can choose from a variety of different dial colors, bezel colors, metals (steel, yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold), and bracelets. In a sense, you can find a Rolex Submariner fit for your personal style. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite Rolex Subs available at Avi & Co. now.
For the Classics Enthusiasts: Yellow Gold Submariner
Often, 18K yellow gold watches like this one seem to evoke the horological days of yore. Warm metals are certainly coming back in style, but it’s harder to find Rolex Submariners these days that are fully decked out in yellow gold. This 41 mm model has a black dial and bezel and a classic Oyster bracelet. Like most Submariners, it’s complete with a date window at the 3 o’clock position and highly readable index hour markers.
For the Coffee Lover: “Starbucks” Edition Submariner
This “Starbucks” Rolex Submariner showcases a black index dial and deep green bezel, which evoke the colors of the ubiquitous Seattle coffee chain and earned the watch its nickname. A stainless steel case and Oyster bracelet complete the look of this classic Submariner model that is one of our all-time favorite color combinations. Celebrities who have been spotted wearing this model include actor Tom Holland, famed golfer Shane Lowry, Erling Haaland, and Jonah Hill. target textWatchCharts also identifies Reference #126610LV as one that holds its value, trending about 30% higher on the secondary market than its original retail price.
For the Summertime Seafarer: Blue Dial Submariner
There’s something distinctly nautical about this stainless steel and yellow gold Submariner. Maybe it’s the vibrant hues of the blue index dial and blue unidirectional bezel… or maybe it’s the hint of sunlight reflecting off the watch’s gold accents. Either way, it’s practically begging to join you on your next boat trip. Whether you’re sailing up the East Coast or boating in the Bay Area, this Submariner is an excellent choice for soaking up the summer heat. Plus, you won’t have to worry about water damage – this baby is rated for 1,000 feet of water resistance.
For the One Who Loves Some Sparkle: Diamond and Sapphire Submariner
There’s your average Rolex Submariner… and then there’s this Rolex Submariner, decked out with a sapphire bezel, a diamond pave dial, and sapphire index hour markers. You’ll find even more diamonds running along the 18K white gold bracelet, creating a luxurious and opulent effect that will catch the eyes of any passersby. The 27 blue sapphires on the bezel showcase a variety of different blue hues – plus, 11 diamond baguettes make the watch even easier to read. The dial itself exhibits masterful craftsmanship, and the watch as a whole has a striking appearance that will make it an instant treasure. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or gifting this unique piece to someone special, this is a watch worthy of passing down for generations.
For the Marvel Maniac: “Hulk” Submariner
This stainless steel Rolex shows off a vibrant green bezel and matching dial – so much green, in fact, that it gained the nickname of Marvel’s Incredible Hulk. Wearing this watch may not make you transform from Bruce Banner into a massive green giant, but you’ll certainly feel like a superhero as you wear your newest timepiece to a big meeting, a formal dinner, or a casual day enjoying the great outdoors. The unique coloration of this watch has also made it a favorite of celebrities, with major Rolex “Hulk” lovers including John Mayer, Jack Black, guitarist Slash of Guns n Roses, Robert Downey Jr., and Tom Hanks. Now that’s a list you want to be on!
Revel in Rolexes at Avi & Co.
After reading this article, you might just have fallen in love with the crowd-favorite Rolex Submariner. But no matter your personal tastes, there is a Rolex for you! From dressier watches like the Rolex Datejust and Rolex Day-Date to sportier silhouettes like the GMT-Master II, Rolex’s diverse lineup makes these timepieces a great place to start any watch collection.
Not sure if you need another Rolex in your watch box? Not to worry – we’ve got you covered! At Avi & Co., we offer a wide range of luxury timepieces that are fully vetted and inspected by our talented team. We only sell 100% real, factory-set watches from globally coveted brands like Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, and Audemars Piguet. Plus, we also have our very own fine diamond jewelry line and a collection of unique Avi & Co. watches that showcase precious gems and show-stopping sparkle.
We can’t wait to help you find the perfect addition to your watch collection. Make an appointment today to visit us at one of our three in-person locations, or shop our full inventory online.
