The Submariner is neither the most expensive, nor the most robust, most complicated, or most beautiful diver – why then is it so desired, valued, and successful? Surely, one of the reasons is its famous in-house movement, Caliber 3130, which has a reputation for being robust, accurate, durable, and easy to service. The Parachrom hairspring used improves accuracy, allows the power reserve to be increased to over 48 hours, and enhances the robustness and operational life of the movement. The model presented here is from the previous Submariner series, introduced by the brand in 2010 and produced until 2021. The new generation is now different – a 41 mm size, different lugs, a wider bracelet, etc.
We also do not want to raise the topic again of which of the two Submariner variants is more attractive, "more sub," etc. – we will only mention that the original is without a date, and this particular model, in our opinion, is much more balanced precisely because of the absence of the cyclops and date on the dial.
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 means it is water-resistant. And 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. 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 that significant. But, as you might guess, this is only at first glance.
The watch's dial is very clean and easily legible, and the luminescence of the hands and indices facilitates its use at night. This particular model is one of the first in which Rolex replaced the green color of the luminescence with blue (which is more pleasant and less harmful to the human eye). The Chromalight used allows the indices to appear milky white during the day. Here, Rolex also uses the so-called "Maxi dial" style, introduced about 15 years ago, with which they increased the size of the hands and markers – one of the reasons we like this model more than the previous ones.
Despite the fact that the Submariner is a professional tool, as was the manufacturer's original intention, it is clear to everyone that it has long since become a luxury attribute – and this function of it increasingly prevails over the original reason for its creation. Perhaps this is precisely why Rolex does many things in such a way that the appearance and overall impression prevail over functionality.
For the case back, Rolex uses a simple solid case back (as with all its models) – in the case of the Submariner, it is devoid of any markings, inscriptions, or decorations. As we all know, Rolex uses 904L steel – the difference compared to the more common 316L is its higher resistance, especially to salt water. It is widely known that Rolex can be called fanatics regarding the steel used – a large part of the processes are carried out in-house to ensure consistent quality. Many timepieces have passed through our hands, but we can state categorically that few brands pay so much attention to the finish of the cases – the result is a unique quality and presence.
The overall impression is complemented by the diver's bezel – its purpose is clear: to time dives underwater. In previous models, the insert was made of aluminum with printed minute indices, but here it is now ceramic. The material is a special development by Rolex and is called Cerachrom. The traditional "pip" at 12 o'clock is present, and the end result is impressive – the ceramic is glossier, stronger, and more scratch-resistant.
For years, the Submariner has been offered with a three-piece steel bracelet with a profile that tapers towards the clasp – and here the tradition is preserved, which makes it extremely comfortable. The main difference compared to previous generations is in the clasp – the model is equipped with the Glidelock micro-adjustment system. It allows for size adjustment within a few millimeters on the fly – an extremely practical solution, considering that the wrist changes its size depending on temperature and conditions.
Indeed, in the 50s, Rolex created a great product and invested the following decades in perfecting it. If in the beginning it was a relatively accessible everyday watch, today it is more of a fashion accessory – but one that has all the qualities to become a long-term partner. Besides not letting you down, it will also not lose significant value. It is no secret that Rolex is among the brands with the best value retention, and this model is among the most popular and sought-after.
Surely, one of the reasons for this is that this watch looks equally good with a formal suit as it does with jeans and a t-shirt – and in both cases, the Submariner will attract admiring glances.
