On the lookout for an approachable ticker to tide you over whilst you ogle the Subs beneath? Begin right here.
The Greatest Watches Underneath $100 | The Greatest Watches Underneath $200 | The Greatest Watches Underneath $1,000 | The Greatest Dive Watches Underneath $500
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 124060
The purist’s selection from the present catalog, with a 41mm Oystersteel case, a black time-only dial, and Rolex’s newest automated motion. If you happen to truly use your dive look ahead to diving, you possibly can’t do significantly better than this.
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 16610LV
In 2003, to have fun the Submariner’s fiftieth anniversary, Rolex launched a brand new mannequin with a inexperienced bezel (the “LV” stands for lunette verte) that was finally dubbed “Kermit” by followers, after The Muppets’ well-known singing frog.
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 116610LV
After the Kermit was discontinued in 2010, Rolex turned up the enjoyable by including a inexperienced to the combo, incomes this metal Sub the nickname “Hulk.”
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 116610
This 2010 mannequin introduced in some huge modifications for the Submariner Date, together with a ceramic bezel, Chromalight lume, a brand new motion, and—most notably—a beefier case with enlarged lugs and crown guards.
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 116619LB
Rolex marked its 2008 centenary with the primary Submariner to boast a case and bracelet created from 18k white gold. Fitted with a blue dial and matching bezel, this infamous (and since-discontinued) reference is now often known as (what else?) the “Smurf.”
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538
This early Sub was produced from 1959-1959 and is recognizable by its outsized winding crown and lack of crown guards. Extra importantly, although, it was the watch worn by Sean Connery onscreen in such field workplace bangers as Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger, making it endlessly often known as the “Bond Sub.”
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 168000
The so-called “Triple-Zero” was the primary Sub with a case created from upgraded 904L metal, and marks the shift between classic and fashionable Submariner designs. As a result of it was made for lower than a 12 months within the late Nineteen Eighties, this is among the extra collectible Subs of the trendy period.
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680
The appearance of the primary Submariner Date, the 1680, marked the Submariner’s shift from hardcore device watch to quintessential desk diver. Created from the late Nineteen Sixties till 1980, it was additionally the primary Sub to be accessible in full gold and two-tone variants. Inside this reference are additionally the so-called “Crimson Sub” variations, that are notably sought by collectors because of the Submariner identify printed in purple ink on the dial.
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513
For anybody seeking to get into classic Subs with out spending a fortune, this reference, which was in manufacturing from 1962 till 1989, is an effective place to start out. Later examples could be discovered within the excessive 4 figures (which sadly is about as inexpensive because it will get for classic Subs), and it additionally has the excellence of being worn by James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Stay and Let Die, and The Man with the Golden Gun.
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 5512
If you wish to know the precise second that the Sub got here of age, many collectors will level to this historic reference produced from 1959-1979. The ref. 5512 was made in an entire whack of various variants throughout its life, however they’re all distinguished by a modern-sized 40mm case (up from 38mm beforehand) and guards on both aspect of the crown (Submariner collectors love to speak about crown guards.) It was additionally Steve McQueen’s Sub of selection.
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680/16800/168000 “Comex”
The French underwater engineering agency Compagnie Maritime D’expertises isn’t a model most of us can be accustomed to if not for its distinguished place within the historical past of the Submariner. From the Seventies by way of the Nineties, Rolex produced a half-dozen completely different Submariner Date references for COMEX divers, a lot of them with the COMEX emblem prominently stamped on the dial. Did it enhance the look of the watch? Debatable. Does it make these among the most collectible (and priciest) Subs on the market? It certain does.
