The Submariner is neither the most expensive, the most robust, the most complicated, nor the most beautiful diver – why then is it so desired, valued, and successful? Surely one of the reasons is its famous in-house movement, Caliber 3135, which has a reputation for being robust, accurate, durable, and easy to service. The Parachrom used in this model improves accuracy, increases the power reserve to over 48 hours, and enhances the robustness and service life of the movement. The model presented here is from the last current Submariner series, introduced by the brand in 2010.
We are sure that most readers are aware that Rolex calls its water-resistant cases Oyster. That is, if this name is present in the watch's designation, it is water-resistant. Of course, the Submariner meets this qualification 100% – developed as a diver's watch in the 50s, today it offers a water resistance of 300 m. Despite the fact that more than 60 years have passed since the model's launch, the differences in appearance between the modern and the original are not significant. But, as you might guess, this is only at first glance...
The watch's dial is clean and easily legible, and the luminescence of the hands and indices facilitates its use at night. This particular model is among the first in which Rolex replaced the green color with blue (proven to be more pleasant and easier on the eye), and the Chromalight used allows the indices to appear milky white during the day. Here, Rolex also uses the so-called "Maxi dial" style, with which they increase the size of the hands and markers – one of the reasons we like this model more than previous generations.
Despite the fact that the Submariner is a professional tool, for which it was created, it has long since become a luxury attribute as well. Over time, this function of it began to dominate its original purpose. Perhaps this is precisely why Rolex does many things in such a way that the appearance and overall impression prevail over functionality. The first thing that makes an impression is the classic look with the protruding "cyclops" over the date – it is this detail that plays a significant role in the model's recognizability.
For the case back, Rolex uses a solid case (as with all its models) – in the case of the Submariner, it is devoid of any markings or decorations. As is well known, the brand uses 904L steel, which surpasses the standard 316L in resistance, especially in contact with salt water. Rolex is known for its dedication to materials – a large part of the production processes are carried out in-house to ensure consistency in quality. Many timepieces have passed through our hands, but we can state categorically that few brands pay so much attention to the detail and finish of the cases.
The overall impression is complemented by the diver's bezel – its purpose is clear: to measure time underwater. On older models, the insert was aluminum, but here it has been replaced with a ceramic one. The material is specially crafted, and Rolex calls it "Cerachrom". The ceramic bezel is glossier, more robust, and significantly more scratch-resistant.
For years, the Submariner has been offered with a three-piece steel bracelet with a profile that tapers towards the clasp, which remains extremely comfortable. The main difference in the new generation is the clasp – the model features the Glidelock micro-adjustment system. It allows for precise on-the-fly size adjustment, which is particularly useful as our wrists change circumference depending on temperature and conditions. It is important to note that this system is only available on the Submariner and the Deepsea.
Indeed, in the 50s, Rolex created an exceptional product and has been continuously perfecting it in the following decades. If in the beginning it was perceived as a relatively affordable tool watch, today the Submariner is to a much greater extent a luxury accessory. At the same time, it possesses all the qualities to be a long-term partner to its owner – a timepiece that will not only never let you down but will also retain its value over time. And last but not least – it looks equally good with a formal suit as it does with casual clothes, attracting admiring glances in every situation.
