THE AWESOME ROLEX SUBMARINER AND ITS NICK NAMES

The

ROLEX SUBMARINER

Is considered one of the most iconic watches of Rolex.  Introduced in 1954 and making a huge impact to the watch lover society as it was the first waterproof watch up to 100 meters. This iconic watch was meant to be a symbol of elegance and status in the following decades loved by celebrities and watch lovers around the globe.  But lets see and learn more about the most iconic Submariner Watches.

ROLEX SUBMARINER Special T Edition 5513

In the late 1960s a special Edition under 5513 was released for the British Royal Navy with engraved caseback and a 1520 movement. On the dial the 600ft aca 200m you can spot inside a circle the letter T. This special edition could only wear a non reflective cloth strap therefore the bars were manufactured in that way.  In 2021 Christies sold an amazing 5513 sold for HKD 1,750,000

ROLEX SUBMARINER James Bond

Named after the most famous movie of all time as James Bond (Sean Connery) in the first four films  was wearing a Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538, 5513 and 6538 in ‘Dr. No’. For many it is considered as a crucial moment in the history of submariner as it turned the public opinion from a watch that was highly connected only with divers to an elegant watch that can even match a black tie event. 

1960-1973, ROLEX Red SUBMARINER Ref 1680

The Rolex Red Submariner with Ref. 1680,  considered as the first submariner with date was produced between 1960-1973. For over 13 years this submariner has been popular and loved from the sea lovers, as it is considered one of the first Submariners its highly collective although its production is not limited.   

Technical Characteristics

Reference: 1680

Dial: Black

Caliber: cal. 1570 automatic, 26 jewels

Case: stainless steel, screw down case back

Size: 40 mm diameter

1966, ROLEX SUBMARINER COMEX

In 1966 Rolex started working on an amazing new project with the diving company COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d’ Expertise). COMEX was created out of  Henri Germain Delauze passion in order to explore the sea in extreme depth. He and his team managed to push again and again the boundaries in order to uncover the unknown. This was the start of one of the most amazing projects of Rolex with the special Submariner COMEX.

 Comex divers needed an advanced watch as they used to spend long hours in pressuring champers breathing helium and oxygen gasses. During this time the helium molecules were able to penetrate the watch. At the end of this procedure the divers were brought back to the atmospheric pressure creating a built up pressure inside the watch that had as a result the crystal to be pushed out of the watch creating damage to the watch. In order to solve this problem Rolex fitted an ingenious gas escape valve in the Submariner Sea- Dweller 2000. 

ROLEX SUBMARINER Starbucks Ref 116610LV

The Rolex Submariner 116610LV with a 3135 movement has been known as ‘Starbucks’ due to its similarity with Starbucks logo adding one more nickname under the Submariner collection.  You can spot it easily due to its distinguish black dial combined with the green bezel.

ROLEX SUBMARINER Kermit Ref 166610LV

The Rolex Submariner 166610LV with a 3135 movement known as Kermit first launched in 2003 immediately recognisable due to its green aluminum bezel insert making it one of the most collectable Rolex Submariners. The Rolex Submariner  anniversary marking the 50th anniversary.

The extension LV comes from “Lunette Verte” (aka. Green Bezel).  It is really important when its comes to authentication to have in mind that as it known that we have differences between the American and the European Editions that  LV mention does not appear on the first generations of European certificate but the only appear in the America Edition. 

ROLEX SUBMARINER Smurf  Ref 116619LB

The Rolex Smurf Submariner 116619LB with a 3135 movement first launched in 2008 marking the 55th anniversary of the Submariner with a special edition blue ceracrhom bezel and matching blue dial that reminded the most well known Belzin comics “The Smurfs”. The watch was produced until 2020 with a 40mm diameter in white gold.