The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner is a line of sports watches designed for
diving manufactured by Rolex, known for their resistance to water and corrosion.
The first Submariner was introduced to the public in 1954 at the Basel Watch
Fair. The Rolex Submariner is considered "a classic among wristwatches",
manufactured by one of the most widely recognized luxury brands in the world,
and due to its popularity has become the subject of massive counterfeiting. The
Rolex Submariner is part of Rolex's Oyster Perpetual line.
Early models The Submariner model went into
production in 1953 and was showcased at the Basel Watch Fair in 1954. The
assigned case reference number of this first Submariner was either 6204 or
6205. It is unclear which model came first; in any event, the two watches are
nearly identical. Neither has the distinctive "cathedral" or "Mercedes"
hands now so strongly associated with the Submariner line. Rather, both of
these early submariners have straight "pencil" style hands. Few, if any, of
the 6205 watches bear the name "Submariner" on the dial, a major
distinction of modern Submariners. Some 6204 models have the Submariner logo
printed below the center pinion, while others have the logo blacked out. It is
believed that there were unexpected trademark issues connected with the name
"Submariner" at the time the 6204 and 6205 were released, accounting for the
inconsistent use of the Submariner mark on these early Submariners. Trademark
irregularities notwithstanding, both the 6204 and 6205 are designated Submariner
models in Rolex product literature. In 1954, Rolex also produced a small
number of ref. 6200 Submariners. This was the first Submariner to make use of
the Mercedes hand set, a feature of all subsequent Submariners. The 6200 also
featured an oversized winding crown compared to the 6204 and 6205 models.
Within a few years, Rolex revised its Submariner line, producing the 6536 and
6538 models. These watches had "improved" movements, including a
chronometer version in some 6536 models, the now-familiar Mercedes hands, and the
Submariner logo and depth rating printed on the dial.
By the early 1960s, these models had given way to the 5508 and 5510 models.
All of these early Submariners used either gilt or gilt/silver gilt printing
on glossy black dials. Radium paint was used for the luminous indices.
The next wave of Submariners, the 5512 and 5513, marked a significant change in
the appearance of the popular Rolex design. "Shoulders" were added to the
crown side of the case to provide protection for the winding/setting
mechanism. In early watches—until 1964 or so—these shoulders were
pyramid-shaped and ended in points. Later watches were manufactured with
rounded shoulders. The 5512 and 5513 were both fitted with the oversized
crown, which thereafter became a standard feature of the Submariner line.
In the early 1960s, Rolex discontinued the use of radium paint for the luminous
indices, switching to safer tritium-infused paint.
In 1965–1966, Rolex discontinued use of gilt/silver gilt dials on the Submariner
watches, switching to white printing. A final important change came with the
introduction of the 1680 model in the late 1960s: the 1680 was the first
Submariner to be equipped with a date function, marking the completion of the
transition of the Submariner line from specialist tool watch to mass market
fashion accessory. While many professional and military divers
used—and continue to use—Submariners in the most demanding underwater
environments, by the late 1960s, the watch had undeniably become a mass
market product as well. Later models
Throughout the next 40 years, the Submariner was updated with improved
water resistance, new movements, and numerous small cosmetic changes. In
2003, Rolex celebrated the Submariner's 50th anniversary by launching the Rolex
Submariner-Date anniversary edition, with distinguishing features such as the
green bezel and Maxi dial; its production ended in 2010 with the final
watches being issued with the new "random" serial number. In 2008, a new
case from the GMT II was introduced for the Submariner-Date, featuring heavier
lugs and crownguard; a cerachrome bezel and updated clasp featuring a quick
adjust function were also added. The 14060M did not have these modifications.
A new Submariner-Date, model 116613, based on the "supercase" used in the GMT
II, was presented at the 2008 Basel show. The first Submariner-Date models
offered were a yellow gold with blue face and bezel and a new white gold with
blue face and bezel. The stainless steel case model was presented at the 2010
Basel show. Its reference is 116610. At the 2012 BaselWorld watch show, an
updated Submariner ref 114060 was introduced. It replaced the 14060M, with
newer "Maxi Case" with "Chromalight" hour markers, ceramic bezel, blue
Parachrom hairspring and bracelet with "Glidelock" extension system.
Usage The French diving company COMEX adopted
the Rolex Submariner and Sea Dweller as standard issue for their saturation
divers in the late 1960s; this continued until the company was sold in 1997.
Current models All models feature 300-meter water
resistance. Discontinued models
Submariner spinoff The Rolex Sea-Dweller, introduced in
1971, is a heavier-duty steel version of the Submariner, with a thicker case and
crystal, as well as a date feature, sans cyclops magnifier. The Sea-Dweller
incorporates a helium escape valve for use with helium-based breathing gas
mixtures in saturation diving; this model has a guaranteed waterproof depth
of 1,220 metres. The Sea-Dweller was superseded by the
DeepSea Sea-Dweller in late 2008, with the last 16600 Sea-Dwellers produced
running into the V-series. The DeepSea features a 44 mm case that guarantees a
depth of 3,900 metres. Model information and characteristics
Waterproof to a maximum depth of 300 m. Earlier models were thinner and
resistant to 200 metres. Triplock system waterproof crown,
featuring a triple gasket system, identified by three dots on the crown.
Screws down tightly onto the case tube and against the Oyster case to provide
an extra layer of protection. Case made from solid block of 904L
stainless steel, a corrosion-resistant alloy, or gold. The golds are made in
Rolex's own foundry. Unidirectional bezel that enables a
diver to memorize and follow immersion time. As the bezel only rotates
counterclockwise, the dive time can only become "shorter" in case of accidental
bezel movement, averting the danger of spending too much time underwater.
Perpetual rotor in the self-winding wristwatch mechanism, allowing the watch
to run continuously, as every slight movement of the wrist winds the
movement. The energy generated is stored in the mainspring, allowing the watch to
continue to function with no movement for several days. Each movement is a
Swiss chronometer officially certified by the COSC.
Rolex calendar mechanism that advances to the next date at midnight in a single
short rotation. Removable hologram on the caseback,
featured until 2007. A laser-etched crown on the sapphire
crystal at the 6 o'clock position as an additional security feature.
Recent models of the Submariner and Submariner-Date feature a distinctive
"ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX" and serial number engraved on the "inner bezel", also
known as the "Rehaut" or "Flange". In popular culture
The Rolex Submariner has appeared in a number of James Bond movies, including
Dr. No. In the early films Connery wore a reference 6538 Submariner, while Moore
wore a reference 5513 Submariner in Live and Let Die. In order to more fully
embody the character of Bond, actor George Lazenby wore a Submariner to his
audition with Albert R. Broccoli for On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
References External links
Rolex:Submariner Rolex Submariner Ref. 114060 Review