Rolex Submariner: Prices, models & buying advice
The Rolex Submariner is the best-selling luxury watch in the world – and has been for over 70 years. It is not just a timepiece, but a status symbol, a collector’s item and an investment. What makes it so special, what does it really cost – and how can you recognize a fake? The article on the best luxury watches for men provides a complete overview of all brands.
History of the Rolex Submariner
Introduced in 1953 at the Basel trade fair – the first real diver’s chronograph for depths of up to 100 meters. James Bond wore it in “Dr. No” (1962), which finally made the Submariner an icon. Today, the current reference is water-resistant to 300 meters – three times the original depth.
Models and references
Submariner without date – Ref. 124060
- 41 mm Oyster case, Oystersteel
- Caliber 3230, power reserve 70 hours
- Black dial, black Cerachrom bezel
- RRP: approx. 9,100 euros | market price: 12,000-15,000 euros
Submariner Date – Ref. 126610LN (Black)
- 41 mm, date display at 3 o’clock, Cyclops magnifying glass
- Caliber 3235, 70-hour power reserve
- RRP: approx. 10,200 euros | market price: 13,000-17,000 euros
Submariner Date – Ref. 126610LV (Green)
- Green Cerachrom bezel, green dial
- Highest surcharge on the used market
- RRP: approx. 10,700 euros | market price: 16,000-22,000 euros
Submariner in gold or two-tone
- Rolesor (steel + yellow gold): Ref. 126613LN / 126613LB
- Full gold (yellow gold): Ref. 126618LN / 126618LB
- Market price: 25,000-50,000 euros depending on material and dial
Why is the Submariner so expensive?
Rolex produces an estimated 1 million watches a year – deliberately less than demand requires. The result: permanent waiting lists at authorized dealers, a robust pre-owned market and prices that generally do not fall.
Buying a Submariner: New or used?
If you want to buy new, you need patience: authorized dealers have waiting times of 2-5 years. Alternatively, it is worth taking a look at the pre-owned market – other high-quality brands are also present there, as the overview of luxury watches for men shows:
- Grey market: Chrono24, WatchBox, Watchfinder – immediate availability, 30-80% surcharge on RRP
- Second-hand: eBay classifieds, auction houses (Christie’s, Phillips) – lower prices, authenticity check necessary
- Certified Pre-Owned (CPO): Rolex CPO program since 2022 – pre-owned watches with a 2-year Rolex warranty
Fake or genuine? How to recognize a fake Submariner
- Bezel: Genuine Cerachrom ceramic bezel – does not scratch and never fades
- Second: The Rolex caliber makes 8 ticks per second – fakes often only make 6 or a continuous run
- Weight: Genuine Submariner weighs 155-160 grams – significantly heavier than fakes
- Crown: Triple index lock system with the characteristic click resistance
Is the Submariner an investment?
Over the last 20 years, the Submariner has increased in value by an average of 8-12% per year. However, the market is cyclical – if you want to diversify, you should also look at other manufacturers that are also stable in value. All the important alternatives can be found in the article Luxury watches for men – an overview of the best brands.
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