Why Rolex Submariner Is The Ultimate Diver’s Watch

The Rolex Submariner is one of the most coveted wristwatches today in that it has the unfortunate distinction of being the most counterfeited watch. This fact raises the question whether the Submariners could be the greatest luxury watches ever made. Apart from being luxury watches, the Submariners have a reputation of being the ultimate divers’ watch. This watch is waterproof to a depth of 300m and adorns unidirectional diving bezel; something every diver needs.

The Submariner is not exclusively worn by professional divers only. In real life, this watch can be seen in the wrists of many salesmen, bank employees and doctors. This means that not all Subs sold in the last decade have taken a real plunge; perhaps an occasional shower or sudden rain showers. The Sub is revered not only as an elegant personal accessory for the discerning gentlemen but also as a sport watch.

Every watch collector or watch enthusiast agrees that the Rolex Submariner black is a true classic among luxury wristwatches. A timepiece collection would not be complete without a Submariner in the list. Since its inception, the Sub rose to fame for its functionality after the great War. To really understand why the Sub is outstanding, let us take a look at its Origins.

The Origin Of The Rolex Submariner

The Rolex Submariner was first developed in 1953. Under the guidance of Rene-Paul Jeanerret, the director of Rolex by then, the Submariner was designed to be a tool-watch. Tool-watches were meant to withstand difficult conditions and specifically engineered to perform individual tasks. Before it was released to the public, the company decided to test it first.

Rolex decided to test the Submariner prototypes by having the divers Auguste Piccard and Jacques (Father and son) wear them on a world diving record. The watches were able to survive the adventure that took place 10,335’ below the ocean’s surface. It was shortly after that, the Sub rose to become one of the most popular watches from Rolex.

As time passed by, there were very few changes made to the Submariner’s classic style. Some of the innovations that have been added to this watch which is over 5 decades old include a greater depth rating of 300m, superluminova hour markers, a 31-jewel movement and a helium escape valve. The latest version of Submariner was launched in 2012.

The Design Behind The Rolex Submariner

When the Submariner was being designed, the developer had the idea to come up with a wristwatch that would venture through the greatest seas; thus its name. In order to create a watch that would withstand salt water corrosion, Rolex decided to use the 904L stainless steel. Rolex was the only watch company that employed the use of the 904L steel since it was very expensive. This type of steel had little applications and was only found in the chemical and aerospace industry.

The 904L steel possesses many other great attributes such as highly polishable finish. This means that the watch is still able to maintain its original aesthetic appeal even in harsh environs. Another quality that makes the Submariner the ultimate Diver’s watch is the steel bracelet. The bracelet is designed with an Oysterlock clasp that is meant to prevent accidental opening during diving or other activities. Additionally, the watch’s bracelet also has Glidelock system which allows the user to adjust the bracelet while on the go for fine fitting without using tools.

One other outstanding feature that makes the Submariner the iconic timepiece from other diving watches is its bezel. The Bezel has a detailed 60-minute graduation engraved into it to allow a diver to accurately monitor decompression stops and time. In order to efficiently work under sea water, the bezel is made of ceramic that is corrosion-resistant, making it scratch proof.

Timeless Movement

One aspect of the Rolex Company that remains to be impressive is the fact that everything that goes into creating their watches is developed entirely in-house. This includes the self-winding caliber 3135 to offer timeless movement. In addition to this movement, the Submariner is also fitted with a Parachrom hairspring which offers greater resistance to temperature and shock variations. These amazing features ensure that the Submariner is able to accommodate the hours, minutes and second function, as well as a date window.