FREE DELIVERY (Excl. Sale Items)

DIAMOND SPECIALISTS

0% APR FINANCE* (T&Cs apply)

Reflecting on the Rolex Submariner

Rolex Submariner

The word “iconic” may be bandied around a lot, but the word is never more relevant than when describing the Rolex Submariner. The Submariner is a watch that anyone with even a passing interest in watches has on their “bucket list” of treasured possessions to own throughout their lifetime.

A “divers watch” may be quite an ordinary thing for many people to own these days, but when you purchase a Rolex Submariner you are also buying into a little bit of watch-making history.

The Submariner was the result of Rolex’s second great breakthrough in the technical mastering of waterproofness for a wristwatch, following on from their invention of the Oyster, the world’s first waterproof wristwatch in 1926. The Submariner represented a historic turning point in watch-making history and set the standard for divers watch.

When the Submariner first came out of the Rolex workshops in 1953, the watch was an immediate success with many pioneering deep-sea professionals such as Rebikoff  being asked to test the watch specifically for the brand. Rebikoff reported the watch as “performing outstandingly well” in trials and that it had given “entire satisfaction in tough and particularly murderous diving conditions for the material used”.

Since the Submariner was created, the watch has constantly evolved meaning the waterproofness, robustness, and functionality has been enhanced, along with the case enlarging from 38mm to 40 mm. The Submariner is equipped with a “Triplock” winding crown which means that the watch is fitted with a triple waterproofness system – it screws down securely against the case, ensuring watertight security to keep out the most minute particles and to ensure the watch is watertight for those diving experiences.

The Rolex Submariner

When it was originally created in 1953 for diving and underwater expeditions it was the first divers’ wristwatch with a guaranteed waterproof depth of 100m. This was increased to 300m in 2008. Since then the Rolex Submariner has in many ways defined not only the dive watch category, but the sport watch category also.

The Rolex Submariner is available in Oystersteel – which belongs to the 904L steel family and is more commonly used by the high-technology, aerospace and chemical industries than by watchmakers.It has anti-corrosion properties, and is more robust and comfortable than other grades of steel. Rolex also choose to only use 904L steel as they need this quality of raw material to ensure they can achieve the high levels of finish they apply to each and every watch. The Submariner is also available in yellow gold, white gold and Rolesor - a trademarked combination of yellow gold and Oystersteel together.

When it comes to divers’ watches the Submariner is definitely the most recognised and coveted, often spotted on the wrists of the most stylish of famous men, including Sean Connery who was one of the first to introduce it to a high profile role in a film when he wore the watch in the 1962 James Bond movie Dr.No.

The look of the watch is tirelessly copied by other brands, large and small. The famous unidirectional bezel  is fitted with simple shapes such as circles and triangles to enable divers to be able to easily read the watch, ensuring there is no confusion whilst underwater. The bezel is also created with graduations to mark each minute for the first quarter hour and with more pronounced knurling to ensure a better grip on the bezel with diving gloves, notch by notch, accompanied by distinctive clicks. To ensure extra safety whilst diving, the Submariner is equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp to prevent accidental opening.

The watch’s bezel is made from a material called Cerachrom, which features graduations in gold or platinum that are virtually scratchproof. This is a corrosion-resistant ceramic and its colour is unaffected by ultraviolet rays, seawater or water that is chlorinated. A true divers’ watch, the Submariner paved the way for Rolex deep-sea diving watches, namely, the Sea-Dweller and the Rolex Deepsea.

The Submariner’s distinctive dial is equipped with large luminescent hour markers so the watch face can be easily read in dark underwater environments and the Rolex Glidelock extension system on the clasp allows divers to adjust the watch, without tools, to fit over wetsuits when diving and to revert back when on dry land.

Both models are equipped with calibre 3130 and calibre 3135 self-winding mechanical movements entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex and both models – the Submariner and Submariner Date have remained faithful to the original model launched in 1953.

Even in the days when divers rarely use a wristwatch for diving purposes, the business of recording time and oxygen used under water having largely been taken over by computers, the popularity of the Rolex Submariner has never been higher. As I said, it is truly iconic, and the beauty of an icon is that it doesn’t date.

Diamond House 11-13, St. Peters Street, Bedford MK40 2PN

Tel: 01234 630 821

Monday - Saturday 9.15am - 5.15pm

Payment Options include V12 finance, PayPal, Mastercard, Maestro, Visa, Visa Debit and Klarna
Watches & Wonders
My Account
Rolex - Explore Our Range
Rolex - Our Team
Rolex - Our History
Rolex - Servicing Your Rolex
Rolex - Rolex Watchmaking
Rolex - New Watches 2023
Rolex - Rolex Collection - 1908
Rolex - Rolex Collection - AIR-KING
Rolex - Rolex Collection - COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA
Rolex - Rolex Collection - DATEJUST
Rolex - Rolex Collection - DAY-DATE
Rolex - Rolex Collection - ROLEX DEEPSEA
Rolex - Rolex Collection - EXPLORER
Rolex - Rolex Collection - GMT-MASTER II
Rolex - Rolex Collection - LADY-DATEJUST
Rolex - Rolex Collection - OYSTER PERPETUAL
Rolex - Rolex Collection - SEA-DWELLER
Rolex - Rolex Collection - SKY-DWELLER
Rolex - Rolex Collection - SUBMARINER
Rolex - Rolex Collection - YACHT-MASTER
Rolex - Gender - ROLEX MEN'S WATCHES
Rolex - Gender - ROLEX WOMEN'S WATCHES
Jewellery - Explore Our Range
Jewellery - Specialities
Jewellery - By Type - Accessories
Jewellery - By Type - Bracelets & Bangles
Jewellery - By Type - Earrings
Jewellery - By Type - Gents Jewellery
Jewellery - By Type - Necklaces
Jewellery - By Type - Rings
Jewellery - By Type - Couples' Rings
Jewellery - By Type - Birthstones
Jewellery - By Type - All Jewellery
Jewellery - Brand - Clogau
Jewellery - Brand - FOPE
Jewellery - Brand - Georg Jensen
Jewellery - Brand - Gucci Jewellery
Jewellery - Brand - Marco Bicego
Jewellery - Brand - Montblanc
Jewellery - Brand - Rachel Galley
Jewellery - Brand - Shaun Leane
Jewellery - Brand - YOKO London
Jewellery - Gemstone - Diamond
Jewellery - Gemstone - Lab Grown Diamond
Jewellery - Gemstone - Coloured Gems
Jewellery - Gemstone - Emerald
Jewellery - Gemstone - Pearl
Jewellery - Gemstone - Ruby
Jewellery - Gemstone - Sapphire
Jewellery - Metal - Platinum
Jewellery - Metal - White Gold
Jewellery - Metal - Yellow Gold
Jewellery - Metal - Rose Gold
Jewellery - Metal - Silver
Jewellery - Metal - Mixed
Jewellery - Shop By Price - Under £100
Jewellery - Shop By Price - £100 - £499
Jewellery - Shop By Price - £500 - £999
Jewellery - Shop By Price - £1000 - £2499
Jewellery - Shop By Price - £2500 - £5000
Jewellery - Specialities - Princess Margaret
Engagement - Explore Our Range
Engagement - Style - Solitaire
Engagement - Style - Halo
Engagement - Style - Trilogy
Engagement - Style - Cluster
Engagement - Style - Lab Grown
Engagement - Style - All Engagement Rings
Engagement - Material - Platinum
Engagement - Material - White Gold
Engagement - Material - Yellow Gold
Engagement - Material - Rose Gold
Engagement - Engagement Rings By Price - Under £1500
Engagement - Engagement Rings By Price - £1500 - £2999
Engagement - Engagement Rings By Price - £3000 - £4999
Engagement - Engagement Rings By Price - £5000 +
Engagement - Engagement Rings By Price - All Engagement Rings
Engagement - Our Diamond Guide - The 4Cs
Engagement - Our Diamond Guide - Diamond Shapes
Engagement - Our Diamond Guide - Diamond Ring Styles
Engagement - Our Diamond Guide - Natural Diamonds
Engagement - Our Diamond Guide - Ring Size Guide
Engagement - Our Diamond Guide - Lab Grown Diamond Guide
Wedding - Explore Our Range
Wedding - For The Groom
Wedding - Ring Material - White Gold
Wedding - Ring Material - Yellow Gold
Wedding - Ring Material - Rose Gold
Wedding - Ring Material - Platinum
Wedding - Ring Material - Palladium
Wedding - Ring Material - Mixed Metal
Wedding - Ring Material - All Wedding Rings
Wedding - Wedding Rings By Price - Under £1500
Wedding - Wedding Rings By Price - £1500 - £2999
Wedding - Wedding Rings By Price - Over £3000
Wedding - Wedding Rings By Price - All Wedding Rings
Wedding - Gender - Gents Wedding Rings
Wedding - Gender - Ladies Wedding Rings
Wedding - Gender - All Wedding Rings
Wedding - For The Bride - Bracelets & Bangles
Wedding - For The Bride - Earrings
Wedding - For The Bride - Necklaces
Wedding - For The Bride - Jewellery Storage
Wedding - For The Bride - Watches
Wedding - For The Groom - Gents Jewellery
Wedding - For The Groom - Cufflinks
Wedding - For The Groom - Watches
Wedding - Our Diamond Guide - The 4Cs
Wedding - Our Diamond Guide - Diamond Shapes
Wedding - Our Diamond Guide - Diamond Ring Styles
Wedding - Our Diamond Guide - Natural Diamonds
Wedding - Our Diamond Guide - Ring Size Guide
Wedding - Our Diamond Guide - Lab Grown Diamond Guide
Watches - Explore Our Range
Watches - Category
Watches - Brand - Rolex
Watches - Brand - TUDOR
Watches - Brand - Longines
Watches - Brand - TAG Heuer
Watches - Brand - Tissot
Watches - Brand - Gucci Watches
Watches - Category - Promotional
Watches - Category - Accessories
Watches - Gender - Gents Watches
Watches - Gender - Ladies Watches
Watches - Gender - All Watches
Watches - Watches By Price - Under £1000
Watches - Watches By Price - £1000 - £2999
Watches - Watches By Price - Over £3000
Watches - Watches By Price - All Watches
Gifts & Accessories - Explore Our Range
Gifts & Accessories - Type - Accessories
Gifts & Accessories - Type - Cleaning Products
Gifts & Accessories - Type - Cufflinks
Gifts & Accessories - Type - Homeware
Gifts & Accessories - Type - Jewellery Storage
Gifts & Accessories - Type - Watch Storage
Gifts & Accessories - Type - Writing Instruments
Gifts & Accessories - Brand - Deakin & Francis
Gifts & Accessories - Brand - Georg Jensen
Gifts & Accessories - Brand - Montblanc
Gifts & Accessories - Brand - Rapport
Gifts & Accessories - Brand - WOLF
Gifts & Accessories - Shop By Price - Gifts Under £100
Gifts & Accessories - Shop By Price - Gifts Under £250
Gifts & Accessories - Shop By Price - Gifts Under £500
Gifts & Accessories - Shop By Price - All Gifts & Accessories
Brands - Explore Our Range
Brands - Watch Brands
Brands - Jewellery Brands - Clogau
Brands - Jewellery Brands - FOPE
Brands - Jewellery Brands - Georg Jensen
Brands - Jewellery Brands - Gucci
Brands - Jewellery Brands - Marco Bicego
Brands - Jewellery Brands - Rachel Galley
Brands - Jewellery Brands - Shaun Leane
Brands - Jewellery Brands - YOKO London
Brands - Watch Brands - Rolex
Brands - Watch Brands - Gucci
Brands - Watch Brands - Longines
Brands - Watch Brands - TAG Heuer
Brands - Watch Brands - Tissot
Brands - Watch Brands - TUDOR
Brands - Gift Brands - Deakin & Francis
Brands - Gift Brands - Georg Jensen
Brands - Gift Brands - Montblanc
Brands - Gift Brands - Rapport London
Brands - Gift Brands - WOLF
Special Offers - Explore Our Range
Special Offers - Special Offer Watches
Special Offers - Special Offer Jewellery
Special Offers - Special Offer Watches - Ladies Watches
Special Offers - Special Offer Watches - Gents Watches
Special Offers - Special Offer Watches - All Watches
Special Offers - Special Offer Jewellery - Rings
Special Offers - Special Offer Jewellery - Necklaces
Special Offers - Special Offer Jewellery - Earrings
Special Offers - Special Offer Jewellery - Bracelets & Bangles
Special Offers - Special Offer Jewellery - All Jewellery
Services - Services - Bespoke Design
Services - Services - Watch & Jewellery Cleaning
Services - Services - Jewellery Repairs & Repurpose
Services - Services - Watch Servicing
Services - Services - Valuations
Services - Services - Insurance
Services - Services - Interest Free Finance
Services - Guides - Our Blog
Services - Guides - Baker Brothers 4Cs
Services - Guides - Natural Diamond Guide
Services - Guides - Lab Grown Diamond Guide
Services - Guides - UK Hallmarking Guide
Services - Guides - FAQ's
Services - About Us - The Baker Brothers Story
Services - About Us - Meet Our Team
Services - About Us - Contact Us
Services - About Us - Blog
Services - About Us - Community Fund
How Can We Help?
LiveChat