Rolex Submariner Date Steel & Yellow Rolesor Black Dial

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, long-lasting, and easy to service. The movement's faithful "service" to the fame and honor of Rolex began back in 1989, and over these 30-plus years, it has earned the reputation of being one of the most reliable movements ever. The model presented today is the successor to ref. 16613, which began its commercial life in 1983 – the so-called "bi-metal Submariner," and it became one of the brand's most sought-after and desired models. This particular version was launched in 2009 and was in production until 2020, when it was replaced by the new generation with a 41 mm case. The so-called "bi-metal Sub" is offered in several color options for the dial and bezel, but it is the blue version that is considered the most emblematic and recognizable. We are sure that most watch enthusiasts are aware that Rolex calls its water-resistant cases Oyster. That is, if this name is present in the watch's designation, it can be safely used in a marine environment. And of course, the Submariner fully meets this qualification – developed as a diver's watch in the 1950s, today it offers water resistance up to 300 m. Despite the fact that more than 60 years have passed since the model's creation, the visual differences with modern versions are not significant – but this is only at first glance. The watch's dial is extremely clean and easily legible, and the luminescence of the hands and indices facilitates its use at night. This model is among the first in which Rolex replaced the green color of the luminescence with blue – proven to be more pleasing to the human eye. The Chromalight used gives the indices a milky white appearance during the day. Furthermore, the so-called "Maxi dial" style is applied here, in which the size of the hands and markers is increased – one of the reasons this model is so well-liked. Despite the fact that the Submariner is a professional instrument, today it has largely become a luxury attribute. This is why Rolex pays special attention to the appearance and overall presence. The first thing that makes an impression is the sapphire crystal, followed by the use of gold elements and the characteristic blue color, which lends a slight hint of aristocracy. The case back is solid and clean, as with all of the brand's models. Rolex uses 904L steel, which is significantly more resistant, especially in a saline environment. In this particular model, "everything yellow is gold" – the bezel, crown, center links of the bracelet, hands, and indices are made of 18-carat gold. In combination with the blue dial, the result is exceptionally striking. The overall impression is complemented by the diver's bezel – designed to measure time underwater. With this model, Rolex introduces the ceramic insert, made from a proprietary material called Cerachrom. Compared to aluminum bezels, it is more durable, glossier, and significantly more difficult to scratch. The bracelet remains the classic three-row Oyster, but with gold center links. The main difference compared to previous generations is in the clasp – here, the Glidelock system is implemented, which allows for precise micro-adjustment of the size on the fly. This is an extremely practical solution, as the wrist changes its circumference according to temperature and conditions. The truth is that in the 1950s, Rolex created an exceptional product and over the following decades, perfected it to perfection. If initially the Submariner was just a reliable tool, today it is a symbol of style and status. Furthermore, it retains its value extremely well, which makes it not only a pleasure to wear but also a sound investment. Surely one of the reasons for its popularity is the fact that it looks equally good with a formal suit as it does with casual clothes. And in this two-tone version with gold elements, the model adds an extra dose of elegance and aristocracy to its owner's look.