How To Tell The Difference Between Modern Rolex Submariners

This Short article is part of a sequence created by editors of Hodinkee.com. This Report was penned by: Tony Traina.

The modern Rolex Submariner references 16610, 116610, and 126610 share a common lineage, with refined dissimilarities that illustrate the model’s evolution. Here’s how to explain to them aside.

An Introduction To The Rolex Submariner

The Rolex Submariner is a common dive enjoy that has been in output since Rolex released the product in 1953. It’s identified for its ruggedness and trustworthiness, balanced by an stylish, sporty design. Considering the fact that its introduction, Rolex has steadily rolled out updates to the Submariner, evolving the product to meet up with the wants (and would like) of the up to date shopper. The signature aspect of the Submariner is its rotating bezel, built to permit divers keep track of their dive time and avert them from jogging out of air. The Submariner was built to be a waterproof watch that could face up to depths of up to 100 meters (330 toes).

In current decades, the Rolex Submariner has advanced from a device watch to a real luxury merchandise. When evaluating a Submariner, there are a handful of factors that can be analyzed to help identify it: the scenario, bezel, dial (and luminous content), motion, and crystal. For case in point, the most recent versions of the Rolex Submariner element an really tricky ceramic bezel, a technological enhancement in excess of the prior generation’s aluminum bezel.

A few modern Submariner references – reference 16610, 116610, and 126610 – illustrate the updates and improvements that Rolex carries on to make to its iconic dive look at. Let’s consider a search at every single reference and establish the information that make just about every era of the Submariner stand out.

Rolex Submariner Reference 16610

The Rolex Submariner reference 16610 was initial launched in 1988 and remained in generation until finally 2010. This product featured a 40mm stainless steel situation, a black dial, and a black bezel with moment markings. It also had a date window at the 3 o’clock situation and was driven by the in-property Rolex caliber 3135 movement. When it was initial launched, Rolex equipped the reference 16610 with a black glossy dial and employed tritium for the lume (lume is what will make your enjoy glow in the darkish). These early examples will read through “Swiss-T < 25” under 6 o’clock on the dial, indicative of the tritium used. Around 2000, Rolex phased out the use of tritium in favor of Super-LumiNova – these dials are denoted “Swiss Made” at 6 o’clock. The Submariner 16610 also has 300 meters of water resistance (up from previous generations’ 200m) and a black aluminum bezel.

Rolex Submariner Reference 116610

The Rolex Submariner reference 116610, which Rolex introduced in 2010, is an updated version of the Submariner 16610. It features a stainless steel case and a black dial, but it has a ceramic bezel with minute markings instead of the aluminum bezel of the 16610. In addition to having a glossier look, this makes it less prone to scratching or aging over time. It also has a date window at the 3 o’clock position and is powered by the caliber 3135 movement.

The Submariner 116610 also featured Rolex’s updated “maxi case.” As compared to previous Submariners, the maxi case has broader and fatter lugs, a wider bezel, and a thicker case profile, meaning that the watch wears significantly larger than its predecessors, even though it still measures 40mm in diameter.

Rolex Submariner Reference 126610

In 2020, Rolex updated the Submariner by introducing the Submariner reference 126610. This is the current-production Rolex Submariner that is still sold new by Rolex. The biggest update to the new reference 126610 was that Rolex bumped the case size from 40mm to 41mm, though the lugs are more slim as compared to the previous reference.

Like the previous Submariners, the modern Submariner features a stainless steel case and a black dial, as well as a ceramic bezel with minute markings. It has a date window at the 3 o’clock position and is powered by the caliber 3235 movement, which offers improved accuracy and power reserve. The dial still reads “Swiss Made” under 6 o’clock, but with the signature Rolex crown between the two words.