Rolex Submariner Date

With the Rolex Submariner being introduced in the 1950, the design almost stays the same in the following 60 years. In 1966, Rolex introduced the Cyclops lens to the Rolex Submariner, making the Submariner Date. The Cyclops lens can also be found on the Rolex Datejust, Day-Date and the Oyster Perpetual Date.

While the Rolex Submariner No Date is the original like the one released back in the 50s, the Submariner Date offers a lot of options regarding colors and materials. The Submariner No Date is only available in stainless-steel, while the Rolex Submariner Date is also available in yellow gold, white gold or the ‘Rolesor’ two-tone with yellow gold and stainless-steel. 

The Rolex Submariner Date is also available in different colors on the dial like green, blue or black. The same goes for the bezel: you might know the Rolex Submariner Date ‘Hulk’, ‘Kermit’ or even the ‘Starbucks’.

The Rolex Submariner Date started out with the reference 1680, a decade later after the original Rolex Submariner No Date was introduced. This Oyster case Submariner Date is water-resistant up to 30 bar (300 meters) thanks to the screw-down case back and the Triplock-crown. Rolex fitted the aluminum bezel on the Submariner until 2010. After that, they switched to the Cerachrom ceramic bezel.

Just like other models from Rolex, enthusiasts and collectors are always after the four-digit reference numbers from Rolex. The same goes for the Rolex Submariner Date, with reference 1680. This vintage Rolex Submariner Date will cost you around €25.000 on Wristler while the newer models like the 116610LN or 126610LN are priced around €15.000. 

Another rare vintage piece is the ‘Red Sub’ Rolex Submariner Date. This can also be found under reference 1680 and cost you close to €30.000. If you are lucky enough to find a Red Sub with the tropical dial and patina, you might even pay double that money. 

There are some reference numbers out there which are extremely popular and prices are rising: the 16610LV and 116610LV. Rolex introduced the fromer in 2003 in celebration of the Submariner’s 50th birthday. The most common name for this watch is the ‘Kermit’ thanks to the green bezel. In 2020, Rolex released the 126610LV which measures 41mm and has a green bezel as well. This was called the new ‘Kermit’. The reference 116610LV was launched back in 2010 and has a green ceramic bezel with a matching green dial. This watch was called the ‘Hulk’ because it’s an all-green Rolex Submariner Date. Because the watch is discontinued, prices have gone up to around €28.000 for a well-maintained piece on Wristler.

Since the Rolex Submariner No Date is only available in stainless-steel, the Rolex Submariner Date is available in multiple materials like white gold, yellow gold or two-tone with stainless-steel. 

The very first yellow gold Submariner Date was released in 1988 and has the reference number 16618. It featured a black or blue dial and bezel. You can also opt for the 126618 or 116618 with the LN (Lunette Noir) or the LB (Lunette Blue).

The Rolex Submariner Date 122619LB was released in 2020 with a white gold case, blue bezel and blue dial. The nickname for this watch is the ‘Smurf’. Prices of these watches have skyrocketed up to €50.000 on Wristler nowadays.

Back in the 1980s, Rolex used to call their two-tone watches the ‘Rolesor’. Of course, you can find yourself a nice Rolesor Rolex Submariner Date with the two-tone bracelet made of yellow gold and stainless-steel. These two-tone Submariners are the most affordable ones in the Rolex collection, priced around €13.000 for a well-maintained piece.