The Submariner is neither the most expensive, the most robust, the most complicated, nor the most beautiful diver – so why is it so desired, valued, and successful? Surely, one of the reasons is its renowned in-house movement, Caliber 3135, which has a reputation for being robust, accurate, durable, and easy to service. This movement's faithful "service" to the fame and honor of Rolex began back in 1989, and over the years, it has earned the reputation as one of the most reliable and durable movements ever.
The model presented today is perhaps the most recognizable Submariner and is certainly one of the iconic brand's models that has helped it continue to hold a leading position in the watchmaking industry. All of this makes it one of the most sought-after and desired Rolex models ever. It has been produced almost unchanged to this day (6–7 years ago, production of the version with a ceramic bezel began – in the spirit of modernizing the line), and throughout its long life, it has undergone various changes, seemingly minor but significant to enthusiasts. This particular model is from the last series before the appearance of the so-called "Maxi dial" and the ceramic bezel, produced in 2008, and was purchased from an authorized European dealer.
We are sure that most readers are aware that Rolex calls its water-resistant cases Oyster. i.e., if this name is present in the watch's designation, it means you can safely explore the depths of the sea. Of course, the Submariner fully meets this qualification – developed as a diver's watch in the 1950s, today it offers water resistance of 300 m. And despite the fact that more than 60 years have passed since the model's launch, the differences in appearance compared to the original are not significant. But, as you might guess, this is only at first glance.
The dial is extremely uncluttered and easy to read, and the luminescence of the hands and indices facilitates its use at night – it has a pleasant greenish color and glows brightly and for a long time.
Despite the fact that the Submariner was created as a professional tool, it has long since become a luxury attribute – and over time, this function has begun to dominate its original purpose. Perhaps this is precisely why Rolex pays so much attention to the design and overall presence. The first thing that makes an impression is the sapphire crystal – Rolex is known for not using an anti-reflective coating on its crystals, and one of the reasons, in our opinion, is the desire for the appearance to remain unchanged over time.
For the case back, Rolex uses a solid design, devoid of inscriptions and decorations. As we all know, the brand uses 904L steel, which is more resistant than the standard 316L, especially in contact with salt water. Rolex is known for being perfectionists when it comes to materials – a large part of the processes are carried out in-house to ensure consistency in quality. Many watches have passed through our hands, but we can state categorically that few brands pay so much attention to detail and finish.
The overall impression is complemented by the diver's bezel – its purpose is clear: to measure time underwater. On this model, the bezel is steel, and the insert is aluminum with printed minute markers – with the characteristic "pip" at 12 o'clock, which completes the classic look.
For many years, the Submariner has been offered with a three-piece steel bracelet with a profile that tapers towards the clasp – and on this model, the tradition is maintained, which makes the bracelet extremely comfortable. The clasp features a safety mechanism, micro-adjustment capability, and a diver's extension.
Indeed, in the 1950s, Rolex created an exceptional product and invested the following decades in perfecting it. If in the beginning it was perceived as a relatively affordable everyday watch, today it is more of a fashion accessory with all the qualities to become a long-term partner to its owner – a watch that will not let you down and will not lose significant value. It is no coincidence that this model ranks among the most popular and sought-after Rolexes. And last but not least – it looks equally good with a formal suit as it does with casual clothes, attracting admiring glances in any case.
