ROLEX SUBMARINER

Introduced in 1953, the Submariner established the template for the modern Rolex dive watch. This page covers both no-date Submariner and Submariner Date references, from five-digit aluminum-bezel watches to current 41 mm Cerachrom models rated to 300 metres.

2 products

Model History & Buyer Guide

Submariner and Submariner Date: Generations of a Dive-Watch Benchmark

A Tool Watch Since 1953

The Submariner began as a purpose-built diving watch and was Rolex’s first divers’ wristwatch rated to 100 metres. Modern Submariner and Submariner Date models are rated to 300 metres and use a unidirectional 60-minute bezel, luminous Chromalight display, Triplock crown, and Glidelock bracelet adjustment.

The no-date and Date are separate references, not trim levels. Date models add a calendar and Cyclops magnifier; no-date models preserve the simplest dial and are currently produced only in Oystersteel.

Five, Six, and Current Six Digits

Five-digit references such as 16610 use aluminum bezel inserts and slimmer cases. The 116610 generation added a ceramic Cerachrom bezel and broader ‘Super Case’; the current 126610/124060 generation moved to 41 mm, refined the proportions, and uses calibres 3235 or 3230 with about 70 hours of reserve.

Color variants carry separate market identities: 116610LV is the green-dial Hulk, while 126610LV has a black dial and green bezel. These should never be priced as interchangeable green Submariners.

Rolex Submariner Price Guide

Indicative secondary-market ranges in US dollars, researched from current market estimates and live dealer listings and updated August 2026. These are not fixed valuations: condition, originality, production year, service history, and completeness can move an individual watch outside the range.

ReferenceConfigurationTypical Pre-Owned PriceMarket Note
124060Current 41 mm no-date, Oystersteel$11,500 — $12,700Clean full sets cluster near the top
126610LNCurrent 41 mm Date, black bezel$12,900 — $14,500Condition and warranty date drive the spread
126610LVCurrent Date, green bezel$13,700 — $15,500Known as Starbucks or Cermit in market shorthand
116610LVDiscontinued Hulk, green dial and bezel$17,300 — $20,000Dial condition and complete sets matter
1661040 mm aluminum-bezel Submariner Date$8,400 — $10,000Insert, lume, case shape, and service parts require inspection

Understanding Submariner

The generation determines the movement, bezel material, case geometry, bracelet, and service profile.

FeatureFunctionWhy It Matters
Unidirectional bezelTracks elapsed dive timeCan only shorten, not accidentally lengthen, the indicated dive interval
Triplock crownUses multiple sealed zonesSupports the 300 m rating when properly maintained
Glidelock claspAdjusts bracelet length without toolsUseful over a wetsuit and for daily comfort
3230 / 3235Current no-date / date automatic calibresProvide about 70 hours of reserve and define the 41 mm generation

Reference-Level Buying Checklist

Use the exact reference—not the family name alone—to verify the following points before purchase.

CheckWhat to VerifyWhy It Matters
Bezel and dialCorrect color, generation, lume, and service statusHulk, Starbucks, and black references price differently
Water resistanceRecent pressure test and crown/tube conditionA historic rating is not proof that a used watch remains sealed
Case geometryCrown guards, lug symmetry, and polishingOver-polishing visibly changes the Submariner’s proportions

Frequently Asked Questions

About Submariner

Does this page include no-date Submariners?

Yes. The public page covers both Submariner and Submariner Date even though the existing Woo category retains the backend slug rolex-submariner-date.

What changed when the Submariner became 41 mm?

The 2020 generation introduced calibres 3230/3235, approximately 70 hours of reserve, a wider bracelet, and revised case proportions in addition to the nominal diameter change.

Can a vintage Submariner still be used for diving?

Only after specialist inspection and pressure testing. Collectible vintage watches may be better kept away from water even if they were originally dive instruments.

NYC Diamond District

Looking for a Specific Submariner Reference?

Our specialists can compare references, movements, condition, service history, and set completeness. Contact Atlas Luxury for current Submariner availability or help sourcing a particular configuration.