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Two-tone dive watch half submerged at the ocean waterline

Rolex Submariner at auction

The dive watch that set the template for every dive watch since 1953, offered pre-owned at Crown’s online auctions.

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The short answer

The Rolex Submariner is a dive watch first released in 1953 and water resistant to 300 metres in its modern form. Collectors divide it into no-date and date models, aluminium and ceramic bezels, and five decades of references. At Crown Auctions every pre-owned Submariner is inspected before it is listed.

The Submariner was among the first wristwatches built for divers, with a rotating bezel to time a dive and a case sealed by a screw-down Twinlock, later Triplock, crown. Its shape has changed slowly, which is why small details such as bezel material, dial printing and case proportions decide what a given reference is worth.

Modern Submariners use a Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert, introduced in 2008 on gold models and in 2010 on steel. Earlier references use aluminium inserts that fade with age, and collectors pay attention to that fading on vintage pieces.

Submariner references to know

Related reading

Pages that help you judge a Submariner before you bid.

  1. I Rolex at auction Every Rolex family, with a buying checklist.
  2. II How to spot a fake Rolex Eight checks, from the Cyclops to the rehaut.
  3. III Vintage watches Judging originality on older references.
  4. IV Watch glossary Bezel, Cyclops, rehaut and other lot terms.

Questions

What is the difference between a Submariner and a Submariner Date?+

The Submariner Date has a date window at three o’clock with a Cyclops magnifier over it. The no-date Submariner has a clean, symmetrical dial and is the closer descendant of the original 1953 design.

How water resistant is a Rolex Submariner?+

Modern Submariners are rated to 300 metres. Older references are rated to 200 metres. A pre-owned watch should be pressure tested before swimming, because seals age.

Which Submariner holds its value best?+

Steel sports references with complete boxes and papers attract the strongest bidding. Compare recent results for the exact reference before setting your maximum bid.

How do I check a Submariner is genuine?+

Check the Cyclops magnification, the engraving on the inner bezel ring, the bezel action and the serial and model numbers. Our fake Rolex guide covers each check in detail.

Related

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