Rolex Submariner Date vs. No Date: Which One Should You Choose?

On the image above the Submariner reference 16610 with Date and 114060 No Date are shown.

What are the differences between the Rolex Submariner Date and No Date?

The main difference between the Rolex Submariner Date and No Date is the presence of a date window with a Cyclops lens on the Date model, while the No Date offers a cleaner, symmetrical dial. The Date model comes in multiple materials and colors, whereas the No Date is only in stainless steel. Additionally, the Date uses the Rolex Caliber 3235 with a date complication, while the No Date uses the Caliber 3230 without a date function.

The Submariner Date costs about €10.800, and the No Date about €9.600 as the recommended retail price. On the grey market, prices are higher due to demand; the Submariner Date starts around €13.000 new and unworn, while the No Date starts from €12.000 for the newest reference numbers. Actual prices may vary based on condition and year.

Let’s compare them!

Clean Dial or Cyclops Lens?

At a glance, the Submariner Date and No Date are almost identical. Both carry the signature Oystersteel case, the ceramic Cerachrom bezel, and the Chromalight lume that glows like a lighthouse. But when you look closer, the real difference punches through: the cyclops lens for showing the date. Not everyone’s a fan of that little bubble. For some, the Cyclops throws off the balance, breaking up what would otherwise be a perfectly clean dial.

That’s where the No Date comes in, no Cyclops, no calendar, just a pure, symmetrical face that stays closer to the original spirit of the Submariner. When Rolex launched the very first Submariner back in 1953, it was clean, simple, and built with one purpose in mind: function first, no distractions. That stayed true until the late 1960s, when Rolex introduced the Submariner Date, reference 1680, adding the now-iconic date window and magnifier. Today, Rolex still keeps the No Date alive because sometimes, less really is more, and because purists still crave that stripped-back simplicity you only get when nothing extra gets in the way.

Under the Hood: Calibre 3235 vs. 3230

Inside, things get quietly serious. Both watches are powered by Rolex’s latest-gen in-house movements, released alongside the updated Submariner line in 2020. The Date uses the Calibre 3235, a movement stacked with Rolex’s best tech, 70-hour power reserve, Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring, and of course, the quickset date function. The No Date runs on the Calibre 3230, which shares all the same modern upgrades but skips the date mechanism entirely. It’s a little leaner, a little simpler, a little closer to the Submariner’s original tool-watch DNA. On the wrist, you won’t notice a difference. But under the loupe, there’s a philosophical split. The Date has more functionality baked in. The No Date is about doing one thing, telling time, and doing it to perfection.

Water Resistance? Identical.

If you’re wondering whether the Cyclops lens affects toughness, it doesn’t. Both the Date and No Date Submariners are rated to 300 meters of water resistance, just like they should be. The case construction is identical. Whether you’re diving off the coast of Sicily or just diving into a weekend, you’re covered.

How do the Submariners feel on the Wrist

Functionally, both are built to last longer than you probably will. 300m dive rating, rock-solid Oyster bracelet, Glidelock clasp that lets you fine-tune the fit without tools, it’s all there. But wearing them? Different energy. The Submariner Date feels like modern Rolex royalty. It’s instantly recognizable. There's a little extra flash thanks to the Cyclops, a little extra pop on the wrist. The No Date wears quieter. Slimmer. More intentional. It feels like a watch you choose for yourself, not for anyone else to notice. If you find yourself checking the date often, the Cyclops is genuinely useful. If you like the idea of a Submariner as pure form and function, you might find yourself falling for the clean sweep of the No Date.

Submariner Price and Value: What’s the Real Difference?

The Submariner Date costs about €10.800, and the No Date about €9.600 as the recommended retail price. On the grey market, prices are higher due to demand; the Submariner Date starts around €13.000 new and unworn, while the No Date starts from €12.000 for the newest reference numbers. Actual prices may vary based on condition and year.

Rolex knows the Date version offers a little extra function, and they price it accordingly, if you can even get near one. These days, walking into a boutique and buying a Submariner off the shelf is pretty much a fantasy, with long waitlists being the norm no matter which version you’re after. Strong demand pushes the gap even further on the secondary market. At Wristler, you skip the waitlists and wishlist games, real watches, real sellers, ready when you are. The Date tends to move faster if you ever decide to sell, but among collectors, the ones who care about subtlety, balance, and heritage, the No Date often earns more nods of approval.

Investment and Collectibility: Which One’s Smarter?

Both models are built like vaults, and both have incredibly strong resale markets. But when it comes to vintage collectibility, the No Date has a little extra mystique. References like the 14060, the 5513, and even modern classics like the 114060 are prized for their purist connection to the original Sub ethos. That said, don't sleep on the Date models either. The “Red Sub” 1680, the first Submariner to ever feature a date, is a grail-level piece today, commanding eye-watering prices at auction. So which one’s the smarter move? Depends what you’re after. If you want pure tool-watch vibes with a clean dial that never ages, the No Date wins. If you want that full Rolex visual impact, along with the everyday practicality of a date window, the Date is your guy.

Ownership Experience: Is One Easier to Live With?

Servicing and maintenance are basically a non-issue either way, it’s Rolex. These watches are built to take decades of daily punishment. But if you really want to split hairs, the No Date is a tiny bit simpler inside. No date complication means one less moving part to service down the line. It’s a marginal difference, but if you’re someone who plans to wear a watch for life without babying it, it’s worth knowing.

Submariner Nicknames and Variants

The Submariner world goes way deeper than just Date or No Date. Different models and colors have picked up their own nicknames over the years, like the Hulk, Kermit, Starbucks, and the legendary Red Sub. Most of those nicknames belong to Date models, but the classic No Dates have their own cult following too. Curious about all nicknames? We've got you covered in a separate article about all the amazing Rolex nicknames – prepare for a deep dive into Rolex lore!

If You’re Still Thinking About It: Alternatives

Not ready to pull the trigger yet? There are a couple of other plays worth knowing. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M punches way above its weight, offering ceramic bezels, co-axial movements, and serious dive cred without feeling like a Submariner copy. The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight brings vintage Submariner proportions and feel, with modern build quality, all from Rolex’s own sister brand. Two strong lanes. No shame in checking them out.

The Verdict: It’s All You

This isn’t a right-or-wrong decision. It’s a question of who you are, and how you want your watch to show up for you. If you want the full Rolex look, the Cyclops, the date, the unmistakable aura, get the Date. If you want discretion, symmetry, and a watch that feels like a whisper instead of a shout, get the No Date. Either way, you’re buying a piece of the legend. The Submariner isn’t just a dive watch. It’s the dive watch. Built to survive oceans, wars, fads, and probably you. Pick the one that fits your life, and then live like you mean it.