The Rolex Submariner: The Watch That Goes from Outdoor Sports to Dinner with Ease
If you are considering buying a Rolex Submariner, you have found one of the few luxury watches that can be worn while swimming in oceans, playing outdoor sports, or going out to dinner . It's one of Rolex’s most sought-after timepieces exactly for that reason. It’s the watch that you can wear every day and go from a day of playing or working outside to going out to an event where you need to change from casual to formal attire. Rolex watches exude a feeling of confidence, prestige, and success. This is why their watches are aptly synonymous with superior quality and opulence.
The Submariner's legendary design and innovative functionality helped it earn global recognition, propelling its status as a truly unique timepiece. In addition, the popularity of the Rolex Submariner further skyrocketed thanks to its appearance in various blockbuster movies – such as two James Bond films where in one movie it was donned by the iconic Sean Connery and in the other, Roger Moore wore it. The watch was also worn by Steve McQueen in one of his films. There's no question the company has never failed to transcend expectations, continually refining and improving the design, features, and functionalities of the Submariner since the day of its inception.
The elegant and much-desired timepiece effortlessly eclipsed its initial purpose (a dive watch) and quickly became a symbol of prestige, elegance, and luxurious lifestyle followed by athleticism and adventure. This is also why the watch was and is worn by several celebrity athletes and fitness enthusiasts all over the world. The lasting legacy of this timeless beauty has solidified its place as the epitome of precise timekeeping, complex mechanics, and sublime reliability.
Looking at the History of the Submariner in a Nutshell
Launched in 1953, the Submariner was initially introduced as a tool watch for deep sea divers. At this point in the era, recreational diving was still in its infancy. But there was one personality responsible for taking things up a notch in this world, and that was Jacques Cousteau, an innovative underwater film producer who is also said to have collaborated with Rolex to design the Submariner, further propelling the scuba diving hype.
Gradually, as professional diving to venture the vastness and beauty of our oceans and seas became more mainstream, both in the perspective of recreation and scientific exploration, Rolex saw the need to design a durable yet elegant watch for divers that wasn't just superbly waterproof, but would also be exquisite and refined enough to be donned on the wrists every day.
While the Rolex Submariner wasn't the deep sea dive timepiece, it was the first one to be 100m waterproof. Not only that, but it was also the first dive watch to have an impeccably designed rotatable bezel, which made it easier for divers to get an accurate reading of the amount of time they were submerged. What's even more interesting is the company's sheer dedication to quality assurance, which is why the Submariner first underwent a rigorous (5-month) testing phase conducted by the Institute for Deep-Sea Research in Cannes before being introduced to the market.
Some Exquisite Features of the Watch You Should Know
One of the many main reasons why Rolex watches are so popular and desired throughout the world is that the company doesn't significantly change the designs of its watches. This is why the Submariner has, over the decades, retained its classic and timeless design in the history of the company. In addition, it's also the quintessential watch that set a powerful design and engineering benchmark for the multiple dive watches that flooded the industry. In light of this, let's take a look at some incredible features the Rolex Submariner is known for.
Luminous Markers
One of the most essential things for divers is the ability to read the time with streamlined precision when underwater. To help them do this, dive watches are typically designed with luminous markers and indicators that help make it easier for them to read the time no matter how murky the waters are. The first luminescent time markers that Rolex used in the Submariner were made from radium. In the 1960s, however, the company replaced radium with tritium, and then in 1998, the company used Luminova. In the early 2000s, Rolex again made a change and decided to install Super-Luminova markers. Finally, in 2008, the company was able to create its proprietary luminous markers known as Chromalight, which is more resilient, lasts longer, and glows a brilliant blue underwater.
The Epic Oyster Case That's Exceptionally Waterproof
The resilient and beautiful oyster case was introduced by Rolex in 1926. It was also the first watch case that was completely waterproof. The company patented the innovation and how it's manufactured. It's quite brilliant, the engineers intricately screw the winding crown, case back, and the bezel altogether right in the center of the case, making it completely airtight and waterproof.
The oyster case also comprises a screw-down Triplock winding mechanism and a case back that helps keep the watch moisture and dust-free. It's practically impenetrable. Modern versions of the classic and visionary oyster case in Rolex watches come in a slew of high-quality materials such as stainless steel, yellow gold, and platinum.
One-Hour Bezel Design
The bezel on the Rolex Submariner has perpetually been designed with 60-minute markings and a unique indicator at the 12 o'clock position. These visual points are specifically made to divers calculate and read the amount of time they have been underwater. The first Submariner, however, was designed with a two-directional rotating bezel. But it was soon replaced with multidirectional bezels that were engineered to move forward. This came in very handy for divers, preventing them from overestimating the duration of their immersion
. The Oyster Bracelet
The Rolex Submariner has always come with the legendary and immaculate 3-link oyster bracelet ever since it was first launched. The bracelet is hailed and cherished as the best-looking and high-quality among the company's sporty watches. In addition, the oyster bracelet is also equipped with all the company's Submariner line. However, in the early to late 2010s, the company further improved the Submariner's oyster bracelet by enhancing it with the Glidelock extension mechanism. This allows divers to comfortably wear the watch over their wetsuits as the bracelet is designed to extend up to 20mm.
Celebrities Who Wear Rolex Watches
Jack Black
Celebrated Hollywood actor and comedian, Jack Black has been entertaining and charming audiences for more than two decades. Starring in blockbuster movies such as High Fidelity and The School Rock amongst many others, Black has also starred in hit TV shows such as The X-Files in the early 90s. In addition, he is also a big part of the comedic band known as Tenacious D.
However, Black is also known for his love for Rolex watches, and amidst his luxurious collection is also the elegant 18k white gold Submariner. The watch has a beautiful ceramic bezel with a blue dial. The watch is often called the Rolex Smurf due to its contrasting blue dial. While the name may sound a bit funny, the watch is a masterpiece of design excellence and commands prestige.
Keanu Reeves
Arguably one of the most loved actors in the world, Keanu Reeves has achieved worldwide fame due to countless roles in hit movies, notably The Matrix series, the John Wick franchise, Point Break, and many more. However, apart from his mesmerizing acting skills, Reeves is also known for his numerous charitable contributions, compassion, and humility. He is also known for being very generous and has been reported to offer expensive commemorative and appreciation gifts to the film crew including stuntmen, visual effects professionals, etc.
In addition, Keanu Reeves also has a very nice watch collection and has been spotted wearing the classy Rolex Submariner in one of his interviews when promoting John Wick.
Tom Hardy
Highly versatile actor starring in countless superhit films, such as Inception, the Dark Knight Rises, Mad Max Fury Road, Venom, and many others, Tom Hardy is known for his acting prowess and style. Off-screen, the celebrated actor is cherished for his luxurious lifestyle, having been appearing in several top-rated global men's magazines, such as Esquire and GQ. In addition, Hardy also has a pretty impressive watch collection, especially when you talk about Rolex watches. For instance, he has been spotted wearing the elegant stainless steel Submariners with an impeccable black ceramic dial and bezel.
Jon Rahm
In the short time he played professional golf, John Rahm became a legendary golfer who is renowned for his skill, talent, and occasional temper on-field. Securing the title of being the number one amateur golfer throughout the world for more than a year between 2015-2016, Rahm eventually became the number one golfer in the Official World Golf Ranking. In addition, Rahm is also a celebrated Rolex ambassador with a couple of iconic timepieces in his collection, one of them being the elegant Rolex Submariner.
Michael Bublé
Singer and songwriter Michael Bublé is a multi-platinum sensation known for selling more than 70 million records throughout the globe. Bublé is famous for his swing music and has many awards and accolades to his name. This also includes 15 Juno Awards and 5 Grammy Awards, including one for the best pop vocal album "Higher" where the artist beat several renowned pop stars and singers such as Diana Ross, Kelly Clarkson, and Nora Johnes.
In addition, Bublé is also known for his love of luxurious watches, and not many know this about him, but he is also a cherished Rolex brand ambassador and has an extensive collection of Rolex watches, including one Submariner.
Why Consider Buying a Rolex Submariner?
Superior and Meticulous Craftsmanship
While Rolex does manufacture hundreds of thousands of watches every year, each collection or new edition still comes with a considerable waiting time due to the high demand and desirability of Rolex watches. In addition, each Rolex watch is designed with high-grade and luxurious materials such as the legendary Oystersteel, which is top-quality 904L-grade stainless steel. Apart from that, the company also manufactures watches with gold and platinum.
In addition, the company also makes a lot of its materials in-house while innovating newer engineering techniques and using proprietary materials thanks to its extensive research and development department. The Oystersteel, for instance, is renowned for its corrosion-resistant qualities and is prized for its durability and robustness.
Masterfully Tested
Rolex Submariners are beautifully and meticulously hand-assembled and are tested for functionality and durability quite stringently. These watches also undergo the harshest of pressure and environment testing processes. Many Submariners from a decade or so ago are still stated to function with the same level of precision, durability, and water resistance as modern versions.
When Does It Make Sense to Buy a Submariner?
The Rolex Submariner can be an ideal selection for individuals who love to or frequently participate in watersports or any other water-related activities. It's also great for deep-sea diving enthusiasts and professionals. The watch boasts incredible water resistance technology and design along with a rotating bezel and luminous markers that can help you read time accurately whilst underwater. It's especially useful for underwater exploration.
Past its diving features and benefits, the Submariner is also very versatile in terms of its overall design and allure. You can wear it while playing sports as well as for formal or casual occasions – such as parties, formal dinners, weddings, etc. Its sturdy build and slightly bigger case size (41mm) give the wearer a feeling of sheer masculinity and prestige, appealing to those individuals who prefer going for watches that are bolder and more substantial – something that instantly makes a statement.
Bottom Line
Rolex watches are and will always be the epitome of style, status, and affluence. They are designed with expensive and high-quality materials, are durable, and are handcrafted pieces of art that demand respect and command prestige. The company manufactures phenomenal watches thanks to its focus on the overall design process, in-house materials manufacturing, and advanced mechanical techniques. If you think that it's time to buy a Rolex or are looking to build an impressive watch collection, be sure to visit Avi & Co. online or at one of our boutique watch stores in NYC, Miami, or Aspen.