Considering its illustrious history, classic design and excellent value retention, the Rolex Submariner is undoubtedly one of the best watches to invest to date. Watch enthusiasts are well-conversant with the extreme popularity and desirability that this luxury sports dive watch has worldwide. Arguably, the Submariner is the most famous Rolex watch.
Since its inception, the watch has broken records with its unique design, functionality and aesthetics, thereby making its way to conventional pop culture. Rolex designed the Submariner initially, keeping divers' needs in mind. However, it has become more than a mere purpose-built timepiece gradually over the years.
Today, the Rolex Submariner is perceived as a significant milestone that any serious watch collectors can own. This iconic watch bears an undeniable legacy, lure and value, be it is a vintage Sub with patina or a sleek new model.
Find out how much is my Rolex worth?
Evolution of the Submariner's Design that Increases Its Collectibility
The Rolex Submariner is a quintessential sports dive watch – simple, sophisticated and genuinely functional. Indeed, Rolex has upgraded this line but has made minimal changes in styling over the last 50years or more. So what are features that remain the same?
The features include the waterproof Oyster case, a 60-minute rotatable bezel, screw-down crown, luminescent hour markers and hands and a robust case-back.
The changes made to the Submariner's structure over the years are indeed slight. However, Rolex has boosted this iconic dive watch's allure, upgrading its aesthetic and making significant alterations.
For example –
- Bi-tone Rolesor models joined the Submariner collection in the 1980s.
- Furthermore, the green bezel Submariner captured all the limelight in the early 2000s.
- And the ceramic Cerachrom bezels received much acclamation in the 2010s.
Moreover, Rolex has also changed and updated the luminous component on the dial as technical functionalities developed. Well, a few vintage Rolex Submariner models like the 'Red Sub' Reference 1680 are specifically more valuable. Why? This is because of their slight difference in the dial design.
It is significant to note that sometimes the slightest variations on the dial can escalate a Submariner's price, eventually increasing excitement among collectors. Interestingly, some details can secure you thousands of pounds in value. These variations, coupled with the iconic design, make the Submariner one of the world's most coveted watches.
The Submariner's Illustrious History Adds Value
The Submariner was a milestone release from Rolex that has achieved an iconic status today. The watchmaker has made various alterations and some significant upgrades to the watch that eventually influenced its value. The Submariner is today a highly collectable watch and an excellent Rolex to invest.
Rolex introduced the Submariner in 1953 as the ever first diver watch to reach 330ft (100m) depth underwater. However, what cemented the Submariner position more in the luxury watch industry is its appearance in James Bond movies.
Author of James Bond, Ian Fleming even clearly stated in the books that Agent 007's watch of choice was Rolex. In Casino Royale, he wrote -
"He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex…..a gentleman's choice of timepiece says as much about him as does his Savile Row suit."
Interestingly, Ian Fleming is known to wear a Rolex Explorer himself. But his watch of choice for the Bond in the movie was the Submariner. Watch enthusiasts still recall Sean Connery wearing a Submariner in the first Bond movie in 1962. From that point, the watch set its foot into a more glorious future, and since then, it appeared in many other James Bond films over the years.
Now, let's look forward to another breakthrough for the Submariner – the 50th-anniversary version of Submariner with an iconic green bezel.
- By 2003, collectors' eye got familiar with the dual-tone Rolesor and yellow gold references with blue bezel.
- So the green Submariner 16610LV was something unique in the watch world, and it quickly became a complete adoration.
In 2010, Rolex made the most significant upgrades to the Submariner by offering a ceramic Cerachrom bezel. The Cerachrom is fade and scratch-resistant. Bezels on the earlier models faded over the years. However, you can consider fading as a 'flaw', but many collectors lookout for this flaw in watches.
Finally, the year 2020 saw an upgrade in the size of the Submariner series from 40mm to 41mm. Rolex made a change in case size for the first time since 1959, moving into a new era. Keeping such a rich history and ingenious creations in mind, the Submariner is indeed a fantastic Rolex that money can buy, pre-owned or brand new.
So, Is Rolex Submariner a Good Investment?
The answer is yes! The Rolex Submariner is a classic watch with a fascinating history, timeless design and exceptional ability to hold its value with time. Rolex has introduced Submariner models in different colours and materials over the years. But the iconic diver timepiece has remained faithful to its original design and aesthetics.
Prices of the Submariner have been increasing steadily over the last century. The Submariner is today one of the most famous and sought-after watches in the world. And its desirability is not likely to diminish any time soon.
Do you want to sell your Rolex watch for the best price? Get a free competitive valuation today.
