First launched in 1953, the Rolex Submariner remains one of the luxury brand’s most famous timepieces. Boasting the prestige of a watch that has been worn by the world’s number-one spy (007) and has been pictured on the arms and in the collections of countless celebrities from all walks of life, the Submariner is more than just an active watch.
It’s a luxury accessory that oozes wealth and exclusivity, and is, like so many high-end and premium products, incredibly difficult to get hold of.
One of the reasons why the Rolex Submariner is so sought after is its versatile design and the features that make it one of the best diving watches, as well as one of the most coveted red-carpet accessories. Here’s how the Submariner became the best of the boardroom and the beach, all in one.
History of the Rolex Submariner
When it comes to hallmarks of innovation, the Rolex Submariner sits at the forefront of several major categories.
Created in 1953, it was the first dedicated diving watch that combined earlier waterproofing technology in the form of the Oyster case with a rotating dive bezel, which enables the user to track their depth and time spent underwater. All this contained within a watch that also tells the time, boasting luminous hands and hour markers for ease.
One of the most notable things about the Rolex Submariner isn’t just the industry barriers it broke through as an active watch, but also the fact that, in its 70+ year history, the design of the watch hasn’t really changed. In homage to the earliest iterations, the Submariner models of today use the same mechanisms and the same underlying design traits, ensuring that creators from the 50s would still recognise their watch today.
And it’s this, alongside the quality and innovation, that makes the Submariner such a coveted timepiece amongst collectors and buyers.
Key Features of the Rolex Submariner
The Rolex Submariner was released as a dedicated diving watch, and so the core characteristics are the watch’s waterproof casing, its readable and illuminated watch face, and the secure bracelet with fastening around the wrist.
The earliest iterations of the Submariner boasted an industry-leading waterproof depth of 100m – a number that has now increased to an incredible 300m through continued innovation and development. However, as we mentioned above, these small improvements and enhancements have by no means come at the detriment of design flair.
The graduated bezel is something that enables the user to determine how long they have been submerged, with the textured edge ideal for good grip underwater.
Finally, the Triplock crown forms the seal for the waterproof case, with different components and materials used based on the mechanical and aesthetic characteristics of each model.
It’s worth noting here the incredible precision with which each and every Rolex Submariner is manufactured and brought to life. Quality craftsmanship is one of the contributing factors that plays a part in the high price tag and value of each Rolex, alongside high demand and the very limited supply.
The Importance of Versatile Design
All things considered, the Rolex Submariner is undoubtedly a high-quality active timepiece that can be used as part of a professional diving experience – owing both to its waterproofing and the additional features that make it a suitable outdoor watch.
But we’d be doing the Submariner, and Rolex as a brand, a disservice if we only mentioned and focussed on these features and benefits. The fact that all these functional and practical benefits are manufactured into such a sleek and elegant timepiece is testament to Rolex’s incredible eye for design. Very little has changed regarding the design and build of the Submariner over the past few decades, and that’s because this watch has become synonymous with prestigious style, both in and out of the water.
You need only look at the decision to place a Rolex Submariner on the wrist of James Bond to acknowledge the versatility and envied style of this timepiece.
Celebrity Fans of the Submariner
One thing that Rolex is particularly heralded for is its approach to premium marketing techniques and valuable PR angles. Celebrity and A-list ambassadors have long played a role in Rolex’s strategy, with top sports and activity stars used to pinpoint the extreme benefits of its active range.
The Submariner was released at a time when deep-sea diving was becoming increasingly prolific. Its original design and leading features were used as part of the basis for the standardisation of diving watches, formulated in the 1980s.
Beyond the beaches and shorelines, however, the Submariner is all business – preferred and worn by some of the world’s most famous faces. David Beckham is a famous fan of the Submariner, as are Tom Hardy, Jack Black, Nick Jonas, and Mark Wahlberg.
Should You Buy a Rolex Submariner?
The quality of the Rolex Submariner is unmatched, whether you want to take it underwater and test its depths and waterproofing or enjoy the elegance of its sleek build and premium materials when socialising.
The thing that Rolex has got so right with its Submariner collection is the bridge between a watch that has an underlying practical function and a watch that is designed to look good on the wrist. The Submariner is effortlessly stylish and boasts the kind of timeless prestige that means it will always remain sought after.
Of course, this means that buying a Submariner can be difficult. These watches are hard to come by, even on the secondary market, owing to the exclusivity of the range. If you’re keen to have a Submariner in your ownership, the best thing to do is to visit your local boutique reseller and browse their ever-changing stock.
You might find your dream watch instantly, or find yourself browsing the cabinets for weeks – but believe us when we say, the Submariner is worth the effort.