Rolex has been manufacturing Submariner watches since 1953. The Rolex Submariner (or the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner, as it is known more formally) is a watch or line of watches from Rolex. The Submariner, as the name implies, is meant for underwater use, particularly among divers.
The Early Days
The first models of the Submariner were produced in 1953, though the watch’s big coming out moment came in 1954 at the annual Basel Watch Fair. The original models of the Submariner—known as the 6204 and the 6205—were different from today’s watches in a few crucial ways. For one, the name “Submariner” did not appear on the watch face, probably due to trademark concerns. For another, early Submariner watches had straight and thin “pencil” style hands instead of the Mercedes-style hands that are common in today’s models.
Quickly, the Submariner began to evolve. In 1954, Rolex
unveiled the 6200 model, which featured the Mercedes-style hands that had
become commonplace on most other Rolex watches as well. Since then, Rolex has
never released a Submariner watch without the Mercedes
hands.
Water Resistance
From the beginning, Rolex intended the Submariner as a watch for divers, particularly military divers. However, thanks to the attractive design and the universal appeal of water resistance, the Submariner became a popular product on the general market.
To this day, the Rolex Submariner is a watch known for its ability to function in demanding deep sea and underwater environments. Today’s Submariner watches feature water resistance up to 300 meters or 1,000 feet. The earlier models had slightly different (and slightly thinner) designs that topped out the water resistance at 200 meters or 660 feet.
The water resistance comes from Rolex’s proprietary Triplock waterproof crown, a triple gasket system that seals the watch tightly and securely. This feature, combined with the corrosion-resistant watch case, makes for an incredibly durable and long-lasting timepiece. The cases themselves are made of yellow gold, white gold, stainless steel, or a special corrosion-resistant alloy, depending on the watch model.
Claim to Fame
As Rolex’s first dedicated water-resistant watch, the Submariner would have a place in timepiece history regardless of other factors. Perhaps the biggest reason for the watch’s mass market appeal and continued fame, though, is the name of its most well-known user: Mr. James Bond.
Different models of the Submariner appear in eight different Bond films and have been worn by four of the six actors who have played 007. Sean Connery wore a Submariner in his first four films as the British superspy (1962’s Dr. No, 1963’s From Russia with Love, 1964’s Goldfinger, and 1965’s Thunderball), while George Lazenby wore a Submariner in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, his lone Bond film. A Submariner also served as 007’s watch in two Roger Moore films (1973’s Live and Let Die and 1974’s The Man with the Golden Gun) and one Timothy Dalton film (1989’s Licence to Kill).
With the casting of Pierce Brosnan as Bond in 1995’s GoldenEye, film producers switched 007 from Rolex watches to Omega watches. The Submariner has not appeared in a James Bond film since but remains an iconic part of the character’s legacy.
Today’s Models
The flagship models of the Submariner today are all part of the Submariner-Date range, which was initially unveiled in 2003 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Submarine watch line. Though the initial Submariner-Date model ceased production in 2010, Rolex has continued to manufacture watches in that style. These timepieces typically include new stylistic flourishes, such as green or blue colored watch faces and bezels. Rolex continues to market the Submariner as “the Archetype of the Diver’s Watch.”