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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Submariner}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Submariner}}
{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Rolex Submariner — Reference Guide to Every Model & Year | Rolexopedia
|title=Rolex Submariner reference guide | Rolexopedia
|description=Every Rolex Submariner reference from the 1953 original through the current 41mm generation. Production histories, dial variants, movement specs, and collector context.
|description=Rolex Submariner references, production periods, dial variants and movements, from early watches without crown guards to ceramic-bezel models.
|keywords=Rolex Submariner, vintage Submariner, 5512, 5513, 1680, 16610, 116610, 126610, dive watch, collector guide
|keywords=Rolex Submariner, vintage Submariner, 5512, 5513, 1680, 16610, 116610, 126610, dive watch, collector guide
|image=Submariner vintage poster.webp
|image=Submariner vintage poster.webp
|image_alt=Vintage Rolex Submariner advertising — the watch that defined the dive watch category
|image_alt=Vintage Rolex Submariner advertisement
|type=Article
|type=Article
|og_type=article
|og_type=article
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The Submariner is Rolex's dive-watch family, with an elapsed-time bezel and versions with and without a date. Rolex introduced the first Submariner, the 6204, in 1953, and the line has run continuously since. Four broad eras follow: pre-crown-guard watches through the late 1950s, the long acrylic crown-guard run led by the 5512 and 5513, sapphire-crystal five-digit references from 1979, and ceramic six-digit references from 2010.
The Submariner is Rolex's dive-watch family, with an elapsed-time bezel and versions with and without a date. Introduced in 1953, the line includes early watches without crown guards, acrylic-crystal models such as the 5512 and 5513, and later sapphire-crystal references. The ceramic-bezel generation began with gold models in 2008.


[[File:Submariner vintage poster.webp|thumb|center|400px|alt=Vintage Rolex Submariner advertising — the watch that defined the dive watch category|Vintage Rolex Submariner advertising — the watch that defined the dive watch category]]
[[File:Submariner vintage poster.webp|thumb|center|400px|alt=Vintage Rolex Submariner advertisement|Vintage Rolex Submariner advertisement]]


== Common entry points ==
== Common entry points ==
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</div>
</div>


== Early Submariner (1953–1959) ==
<span id="Early_Submariner_(1953–1959)"></span>
== Early models without crown guards ==


Crown sizes changed, depth ratings jumped from 100m to 200m, hands shifted from pencil to Mercedes, and the dial alternated between a clean three-line layout and an Explorer-style 3-6-9. The grouped sub-family page ([[Reference:submariner-early-family|early family]]) carries the cross-reference map across the 6204, 6205, 6200, 6536, 6536/1, and 6538.
Early references differ in crown size, depth rating, hands and dial layout. The [[Reference:submariner-early-family|early family]] page compares the 6204, 6205, 6200, 6536, 6536/1 and 6538.


{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
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|}
|}


== Crown-guard era (1958–1990) ==
<span id="Crown-guard_era_(1958–1990)"></span>
== Acrylic models (1958–1990) ==


Crown guards arrived on the 5512 in 1959, the chronometer / non-chronometer split hardened into the 5512 / 5513 pairing, and the 1680 added the date complication in 1969. The 5512, 5513, 5514, and 5517 are tracked together on the [[Reference:submariner-5xxx-family|5xxx-family]] page.
The 5512 introduced crown guards in 1959. Later 5512 production used chronometer movements, while the 5513 remained the non-chronometer model. Rolex dates the introduction of the Submariner Date to 1969. The 5512, 5513, 5514, and 5517 are tracked together on the [[Reference:submariner-5xxx-family|5xxx-family]] page.


{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
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| [[Reference:5508|5508]] || 1958–1962 || 1530 || No-date || 38mm SS || Last pre-crown-guard no-date
| [[Reference:5508|5508]] || 1958–1962 || 1530 || No-date || 38mm SS || Last pre-crown-guard no-date
|-
|-
| [[Reference:5510|5510]] || 1958–1960 || 1530 || No-date || 38mm SS || Rare transitional; crown guard + no crown guard variants
| [[Reference:5510|5510]] || 1958–1960 || 1530 || No-date || 38mm SS || 8mm crown; no crown guards ([https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/NY080121/27 Phillips])
|-
|-
| [[Reference:5512|5512]] || 1959–1980 || 1530/1560/1570 || No-date || 40mm SS || Chronometer; crown guards; gilt and matte eras; 17,338 units
| [[Reference:5512|5512]] || 1959–1980 || 1530/1560/1570 || No-date || 40mm SS || Crown guards; gilt and matte dials; early and later movement variants
|-
|-
| [[Reference:5513|5513]] || ~1962–1989 || 1520/1530 || No-date || 40mm SS || 27-year run; non-chronometer; gilt, matte, Bart Simpson variants
| [[Reference:5513|5513]] || ~1962–1989 || 1520/1530 || No-date || 40mm SS || Non-chronometer; gilt, matte and later glossy dials
|-
|-
| [[Reference:5514|5514]] || 1960–1978 || 1520 || No-date || 40mm SS || COMEX; helium escape valve
| [[Reference:5514|5514]] || 1960–1978 || 1520 || No-date || 40mm SS || COMEX; helium escape valve
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|}
|}


== Five-digit era (1979–2010) ==
<span id="Five-digit_era_(1979–2010)"></span>
== Five-digit era (1979–2012) ==


Sapphire crystal replaced acrylic, the movement line advanced from caliber 3035 to 3135, and Rolex broadened the catalog with two-tone and full-gold variants running alongside the steel benchmark.
Five-digit references use sapphire crystals. Date models moved from caliber 3035 to 3135; the no-date 14060 and 14060M use calibers 3000 and 3130. Steel, two-tone and yellow-gold versions appear in the table below. Gold Submariners predate this generation: Rolex introduced one in 1969.


{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
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| [[Reference:14060|14060]] || 1990–2000 || 3000 || No-date || 40mm SS || Sapphire crystal, caliber 3000
| [[Reference:14060|14060]] || 1990–2000 || 3000 || No-date || 40mm SS || Sapphire crystal, caliber 3000
|-
|-
| [[Reference:14060M|14060M]] || 2000–2012 || 3130 || No-date || 40mm SS || Superlative Chronometer certification
| [[Reference:14060M|14060M]] || 2000–2012 || 3130 || No-date || 40mm SS || Caliber 3130 replaces the 14060's caliber 3000
|-
|-
| colspan="6" style="background:#f5f5f5; font-weight:bold;" | Date (steel)
| colspan="6" style="background:#f5f5f5; font-weight:bold;" | Date (steel)
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| [[Reference:16800|16800]] || 1979–1986 || 3035 || Date || 40mm SS || Transitional; first sapphire crystal Sub Date
| [[Reference:16800|16800]] || 1979–1986 || 3035 || Date || 40mm SS || Transitional; first sapphire crystal Sub Date
|-
|-
| [[Reference:16610|16610]] || 1987–2010 || 3135 || Date || 40mm SS || 23-year benchmark; solid end links, Parachrom late
| [[Reference:16610|16610]] || 1987–2010 || 3135 || Date || 40mm SS || Black dial and aluminium bezel insert; caliber 3135
|-
|-
| [[Reference:16610LV|16610LV]] || 2003–2010 || 3135 || Date || 40mm SS || "Kermit" — first green bezel, 50th anniversary
| [[Reference:16610LV|16610LV]] || 2003–2010 || 3135 || Date || 40mm SS || "Kermit" — first green bezel, 50th anniversary
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|}
|}


== Six-digit era (2010–2020) ==
<span id="Six-digit_era_(2010–2020)"></span>
== Ceramic era (2008–2020) ==


Cerachrom ceramic bezels, Glidelock micro-adjust bracelets, and, for the 126 series that replaced these in 2020, the move from 40mm to 41mm. The individual articles distinguish the steel, two-tone and gold references.
The 40mm ceramic generation began with the yellow-gold 116618 and white-gold 116619LB in 2008. Antiquorum offered a 116619 at its December 2008 sale. The two-tone 116613 followed in 2009, the steel 116610LN and 116610LV in 2010, and the no-date 114060 in 2012. These watches have Cerachrom ceramic bezel inserts and Glidelock bracelet adjustment. See [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-part-4-modern-references/ Monochrome's chronology] and [https://www.fratellowatches.com/rolex-submariner-116613-versus-16613/ Fratello's January 2010 report].


{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
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| colspan="6" style="background:#f5f5f5; font-weight:bold;" | No-date
| colspan="6" style="background:#f5f5f5; font-weight:bold;" | No-date
|-
|-
| [[Reference:114060|114060]] || 2012–2020 || 3130 || No-date || 40mm SS || "Last small Sub" — ceramic bezel, maxi dial
| [[Reference:114060|114060]] || 2012–2020 || 3130 || No-date || 40mm SS || Ceramic bezel; enlarged luminous hour markers
|-
|-
| colspan="6" style="background:#f5f5f5; font-weight:bold;" | Date (steel)
| colspan="6" style="background:#f5f5f5; font-weight:bold;" | Date (steel)
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| colspan="6" style="background:#f5f5f5; font-weight:bold;" | Date (precious metal)
| colspan="6" style="background:#f5f5f5; font-weight:bold;" | Date (precious metal)
|-
|-
| [[Reference:116613|116613]] || 2010–2020 || 3135 || Date || 40mm SS/YG || Two-tone, Cerachrom
| [[Reference:116613|116613]] || c.2009–2020 || 3135 || Date || 40mm SS/YG || Two-tone, Cerachrom
|-
|-
| [[Reference:116618|116618]] || 2010–2020 || 3135 || Date || 40mm YG || Full gold, Cerachrom
| [[Reference:116618|116618]] || 2008–2020 || 3135 || Date || 40mm YG || Full gold, Cerachrom
|-
|-
| [[Reference:116619LB|116619LB]] || 2010–2020 || 3135 || Date || 40mm WG || "Smurf" — white gold, blue bezel
| [[Reference:116619LB|116619LB]] || 2008–2020 || 3135 || Date || 40mm WG || "Smurf" — white gold, blue bezel
|}
|}
== 41mm generation (from 2020) ==
Rolex introduced a 41mm case in 2020, with caliber 3230 in the no-date Submariner and caliber 3235 in the Submariner Date. Both changes appear in [https://www.rolex.com/watches/submariner/from-tool-watch-to-icon Rolex's 2020 chronology entry].


== Special branches ==
== Special branches ==
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| A260/A296 || — || — || 6204, 6205, 6200, 6536 || Pre-1530 era
| A260/A296 || — || — || 6204, 6205, 6200, 6536 || Pre-1530 era
|-
|-
| 1030 || — || — || 6536 (late), 6538 || Crown-guard transition
| 1030 || — || — || 6536 (late), 6538 || Used in references without crown guards
|-
|-
| 1520 || 19,800 vph || — || 5513, 5514, 5517 || Non-chronometer path
| 1520 || 19,800 vph || — || 5513, 5514, 5517 || Non-chronometer path
|-
|-
| 1530 || 18,000 vph || — || 5508, 5510, 5512 (early) || First crown-guard movements
| 1530 || 18,000 vph || — || 5508, 5510, 5512 (early) || Used before and after crown guards appeared
|-
|-
| 1560/1570 || 18,000/19,800 vph || — || 5512 || Chronometer path; hacking 1972
| 1560/1570 || 18,000/19,800 vph || — || 5512 || Chronometer path; hacking 1972
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| 3035 || 28,800 vph || 48 hr || 16800, 16803, 16808 || First sapphire-crystal era date
| 3035 || 28,800 vph || 48 hr || 16800, 16803, 16808 || First sapphire-crystal era date
|-
|-
| 3130 || 28,800 vph || 48 hr || 14060M, 114060 || Parachrom; Superlative Chronometer
| 3130 || 28,800 vph || 48 hr || 14060M, 114060 || No-date
|-
|-
| 3135 || 28,800 vph || 48 hr || 16610–116619LB || The 3135 era; 23+ years
| 3135 || 28,800 vph || 48 hr || 16610, 16610LV, 16613, 16618, 116610LN/LV, 116613, 116618, 116619LB || Date
|}
|}


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== Sources ==
== Sources ==
* [https://www.rolex.com/watches/submariner/from-tool-watch-to-icon Submariner: From tool watch to icon] — Rolex; dated historical milestones
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-210-187 Reference 116619, lot 187] — Antiquorum, New York, 11 December 2008
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/rolex-submariner-116613-versus-16613/ Rolex Submariner 116613 versus 16613] — Robert-Jan Broer, Fratello, 4 January 2010
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/NY080121/27 Reference 5510, lot 27] — Phillips, New York, 2021
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-part-1-the-early-references/ History of the Rolex Submariner - Part 1] — Tom Mulraney, Monochrome
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-part-1-the-early-references/ History of the Rolex Submariner - Part 1] — Tom Mulraney, Monochrome
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-part-2-the-55xx-1680references/ History of the Rolex Submariner - Part 2] — Tom Mulraney, Monochrome
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-part-2-the-55xx-1680references/ History of the Rolex Submariner - Part 2] — Tom Mulraney, Monochrome

Revision as of 16:25, 14 September 2026


The Submariner is Rolex's dive-watch family, with an elapsed-time bezel and versions with and without a date. Introduced in 1953, the line includes early watches without crown guards, acrylic-crystal models such as the 5512 and 5513, and later sapphire-crystal references. The ceramic-bezel generation began with gold models in 2008.

Vintage Rolex Submariner advertisement
Vintage Rolex Submariner advertisement

Common entry points

Identifying a long-run vintage Sub with crown guards?
5513
A no-date Submariner with gilt, matte and later glossy dials with white-gold hour-marker surrounds. The article explains the dial variants.
Researching a Red Sub or the first date Submariner?
1680
The first Submariner with a date, with early red SUBMARINER text and later white-text dials.
Cross-checking a five-digit modern Sub?
16610
A five-digit Submariner Date with caliber 3135, a sapphire crystal and an aluminium bezel insert.

Early models without crown guards

Early references differ in crown size, depth rating, hands and dial layout. The early family page compares the 6204, 6205, 6200, 6536, 6536/1 and 6538.

Reference Production Movement Depth Case Key distinction
6204 1953–1954 A260 100m 36mm SS First Submariner
6205 1953–1954 A296 100m 36mm SS Parallel early production; minor case/dial variations
6200 1953–1954 A296 200m 36mm SS "King Sub" — oversized 8mm crown, Explorer dial option
6536 1954–1958 A296/1030 100m 36mm SS Transitional; smaller crown, Mercedes hands
6538 1957–1960 1030 200m 38mm SS James Bond Sub (Connery); large crown, no crown guards

Acrylic models (1958–1990)

The 5512 introduced crown guards in 1959. Later 5512 production used chronometer movements, while the 5513 remained the non-chronometer model. Rolex dates the introduction of the Submariner Date to 1969. The 5512, 5513, 5514, and 5517 are tracked together on the 5xxx-family page.

Reference Production Movement Type Case Key distinction
No-date
5508 1958–1962 1530 No-date 38mm SS Last pre-crown-guard no-date
5510 1958–1960 1530 No-date 38mm SS 8mm crown; no crown guards (Phillips)
5512 1959–1980 1530/1560/1570 No-date 40mm SS Crown guards; gilt and matte dials; early and later movement variants
5513 ~1962–1989 1520/1530 No-date 40mm SS Non-chronometer; gilt, matte and later glossy dials
5514 1960–1978 1520 No-date 40mm SS COMEX; helium escape valve
5517 1972–1979 1520 No-date 40mm SS British Military; MOD markings, fixed spring bars
Date
1680 1969–1979 1575 Date 40mm SS First date Sub; Red Sub (6 marks) and White Sub eras

Five-digit era (1979–2012)

Five-digit references use sapphire crystals. Date models moved from caliber 3035 to 3135; the no-date 14060 and 14060M use calibers 3000 and 3130. Steel, two-tone and yellow-gold versions appear in the table below. Gold Submariners predate this generation: Rolex introduced one in 1969.

Reference Production Movement Type Case Key distinction
No-date (steel)
14060 1990–2000 3000 No-date 40mm SS Sapphire crystal, caliber 3000
14060M 2000–2012 3130 No-date 40mm SS Caliber 3130 replaces the 14060's caliber 3000
Date (steel)
16800 1979–1986 3035 Date 40mm SS Transitional; first sapphire crystal Sub Date
16610 1987–2010 3135 Date 40mm SS Black dial and aluminium bezel insert; caliber 3135
16610LV 2003–2010 3135 Date 40mm SS "Kermit" — first green bezel, 50th anniversary
Date (precious metal)
16803 1984–1988 3035 Date 40mm SS/YG Two-tone; blue or black dial
16808 1984–1988 3035 Date 40mm YG Full 18k yellow gold
16613 1988–2010 3135 Date 40mm SS/YG Two-tone successor to 16803
16618 1988–2010 3135 Date 40mm YG Full gold successor to 16808

Ceramic era (2008–2020)

The 40mm ceramic generation began with the yellow-gold 116618 and white-gold 116619LB in 2008. Antiquorum offered a 116619 at its December 2008 sale. The two-tone 116613 followed in 2009, the steel 116610LN and 116610LV in 2010, and the no-date 114060 in 2012. These watches have Cerachrom ceramic bezel inserts and Glidelock bracelet adjustment. See Monochrome's chronology and Fratello's January 2010 report.

Reference Production Movement Type Case Key distinction
No-date
114060 2012–2020 3130 No-date 40mm SS Ceramic bezel; enlarged luminous hour markers
Date (steel)
116610LN 2010–2020 3135 Date 40mm SS Cerachrom bezel, Glidelock bracelet
116610LV 2010–2020 3135 Date 40mm SS "Hulk" — green dial + green ceramic bezel
Date (precious metal)
116613 c.2009–2020 3135 Date 40mm SS/YG Two-tone, Cerachrom
116618 2008–2020 3135 Date 40mm YG Full gold, Cerachrom
116619LB 2008–2020 3135 Date 40mm WG "Smurf" — white gold, blue bezel

41mm generation (from 2020)

Rolex introduced a 41mm case in 2020, with caliber 3230 in the no-date Submariner and caliber 3235 in the Submariner Date. Both changes appear in Rolex's 2020 chronology entry.

Special branches

Two institutional branches sit alongside the retail line. The COMEX program issued nine references (5513, 5514, 1680, 16800, 168000, 16610, 1665, 16660, 16600) to Compagnie Maritime d'Expertises in Marseille between 1971 and 1997 for saturation diving; the 5514 was built as a dedicated COMEX product, the rest are retail references modified or marked at supply. The MilSub is the British military configuration of the 5513 and 5517 issued to Royal Navy and Army units between roughly 1971 and 1979, with fixed bars, a fully graduated 60-minute bezel, sword hands, T SWISS T tritium dial, and broad-arrow caseback engraving.

Movement progression

Caliber Frequency Power reserve Used in Notes
A260/A296 — — 6204, 6205, 6200, 6536 Pre-1530 era
1030 — — 6536 (late), 6538 Used in references without crown guards
1520 19,800 vph — 5513, 5514, 5517 Non-chronometer path
1530 18,000 vph — 5508, 5510, 5512 (early) Used before and after crown guards appeared
1560/1570 18,000/19,800 vph — 5512 Chronometer path; hacking 1972
1575 19,800 vph — 1680 Date complication
3000 28,800 vph 48 hr 14060 First modern no-date movement
3035 28,800 vph 48 hr 16800, 16803, 16808 First sapphire-crystal era date
3130 28,800 vph 48 hr 14060M, 114060 No-date
3135 28,800 vph 48 hr 16610, 16610LV, 16613, 16618, 116610LN/LV, 116613, 116618, 116619LB Date

Related families

  • Sea-Dweller — the deeper-rated sibling, helium escape valve, depth rating to 1,220m. Covers 1665, 16660, 16600, 116600.
  • GMT-Master — the parallel sports line. Same case-era splits (acrylic, sapphire, ceramic), GMT hand instead of the Submariner's elapsed-time bezel.
  • Explorer — same 1953 launch year as the 6204, a time-only dial and no elapsed-time bezel.


Shared references

Sources

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