Rolex Submariner

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner is a line of watches manufactured by Rolex, designed for diving and known for their resistance to water. The first Submariner was introduced to the public in 1954 at the Swiss Watch Fair. Copied by other watch makers, the Rolex Submariner is recognised as a classic, [http://men.style.com/gq/features/slideshow/v/042407WATCH?loop=0&slideshowId=slideshow41027&iphoto=2&nphoto=35&play= GQ magazine] GQ: How to Buy a Watch The Classics Buy any one of these signature watches and you can’t go wrong 1. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner "Unveiled in 1953, the Submariner was the first watch water-resistant to 330 feet. Its combination of unparalleled elegance and spy-friendly versatility appealed to Sean Connery’s James Bond and none other than Che Guevara."] and one of the most widely recognized luxury products in the world. [http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/1997/05/01/225689/index.htm CNN Money] Quote: "That explains why big recognizable brands like Cartier, Patek Philippe and Rolex rule. They can be thought of, in fact, as portable status symbols, owing to their tradition of quality workmanship."] [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1664358,00.html Time Magazine: China] "Most often mentioned luxury brands: In this society of sudden economic freedom, newly rich capitalists are eager to clarify their social standing, so they turn to the obvious luxury must-haves: traditional French labels and expensive watches. That explains why Chanel, Lacoste and Dior rank in the top five brands with the highest level of recognition. Chanel 42% Rolex 36%"... and "In a fast-growing economy, status symbols are the easiest way to demonstrate wealth and power."] [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DEFDD1531F935A35751C1A961948260 New York Times Magazine] quote: "...became as much a status symbol as a silver Porsche or a gold-faced Rolex watch."] [http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1654848,00.html Guardian UK: What is it with men and their watches?] quote: "It used to be so simple - rich men adorned themselves with that ultimate macho status symbol the Rolex, while the less well-to-do strapped on Timex or Casio."] The Rolex Submariner is part of Rolex's Oyster Perpetual Professional line. The watch has been part of expeditions both at sea (such as the Moana expedition) and overland in the Antarctic (where it withstood temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius below zero). [http://rolex.com/en/index.html Rolex official website. "Follow menu path": Collections/50 Years of Submariner/Skip intro/Submariner model details/Choose a Submariner historical benchmark from the dial on the right hand side] Dubious|date=March 2008 ] Fact|date=December 2007 In the Moana sea expedition it withstood in excess of a thousand dives. Thor Heyerdal, the Norwegian anthropologist, wore a Rolex Submariner in his 1970 Ra II sea expedition. The Rolex Submariner has appeared in eleven James Bond movies. [http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/rolex_articles/jb_submariner.html Submariner in Bond movies] ] [http://www.ajb007.co.uk/articles/007/rolex-submariner/ Bonding with time] ]

Early Submariners (1953-1967)

The Submariner model went into production in 1953, and was showcased at the Basel watch fair in 1954. The assigned case reference number of this first Submariner was either 6204 or 6205. It is unclear which model came first and, in any event, the two watches are nearly identical. Neither has the distinctive "cathedral" or "Mercedes" hands now so strongly associated with the Submariner line. Rather, both of these early submariners have straight "pencil" style hands.

Few if any of the 6205 watches bear the name "Submariner" on the dial, a major distinction with modern Submariners. Some 6204 models have the Submariner logo printed below the center pinion, while others have the logo blacked out. It is believed that there were unexpected trademark issues connected with the name "Submariner" at the time the 6204 and 6205 were released which account for the inconsistent use of the Submariner mark on these early Submariners. Trademark irregularities notwithstanding, both the 6204 and 6205 are designated Submariner models in the Rolex product literature of the time.In 1954, Rolex also produced a small number of ref. 6200 Submariners. This was the first Submariner (although not the first Rolex) to make use of the Mercedes hand set ( a feature of all subsequent Submariners). The 6200 also featured an oversized winding crown (compared with the 6204 and 6205 models). Within a few years, Rolex revised its Submariner line, producing the 6536 (small crown) and 6538 (oversized crown) models. These watches had "improved" movements (the cal. 1030), including a chronometer version in some 6536 models (designated 6536/1), the now-familiar Mercedes hands, along with the Submariner logo and depth rating printed on the dial. By the early 1960s, these models gave way to the 5508 (small crown) and 5510 (large crown) models. All of these early Submariners used either gilt (6200, 6204, 6205) or gilt/silver gilt (6536, 6538) printing on glossy black dials. Radium paint was used for the luminous indices.

The next wave of Submariners, the 5512 (chronometer version) and 5513 (non-chronometer) marked a significant change in the appearance of the popular Rolex design. "Shoulders" were added to the crown side of the case to provide protection for the winding/setting mechanism. In early watches -- perhaps until 1964 or so -- these shoulders were pyramid-shaped, ending in points. Later watches were manufactured with rounded shoulders. In addition, the 5512 and 5513 were both fitted with the oversized crown, which became a standard feature of the Submariner line thereafter. Sometime in the early 1960s, Rolex discontinued the use of radium paint for the luminous indices, switching to the safer Tritium-infused paint. In 1965-1966, Rolex discontinued use of gilt/silver gilt dials on the Submariner watches, switching to white printing. A final important change came with the introduction of the 1680 model in the late 1960s. The 1680 was the first Submariner to be equipped with a date complication, marking the completion of the transition of the Submariner line from specialist tool watch to mass market fashion accessory. While many professional and military divers used -- and continue to use -- Submariners in the most demanding underwater environments, by the late '60s the watch had undeniably become a mass market product as well. Throughout the next 40 years, the Submariner was updated with improved water resistance, new movements, and numerous small cosmetic changes. Nonetheless, the modern Submariner of today bears a very strong resemblance to the 5512 or 5513 of the early 1960s, and is an unmistakable descendant of the very first Submariners introduced more than fifty years ago.

In 2003, Rolex celebrated the Submariner's 50th anniversary by launching the Rolex Submariner anniversary edition (16610 LV). Its distinguishing features were the green bezel and Maxi dial.

Models

The Rolex Submariner Professional is available in the following models:The Rolex Sea-Dweller, introduced in 1971, is a heavier-duty version of the Submariner in steel, with a thicker case and crystal. The Sea-Dweller incorporates a helium escape valve for use with helium-based breathing gas mixtures in saturation diving. The current model (ref 16600) is guaranteed waterproof to 1220 m/4000 ft.

Model information and characteristics

*Is waterproof to a maximum depth of 300 metres/1000 ft.

*Has the Triplock system, featuring a triple gasket system, is identified by three dots on the crown which screws down tightly onto the case tube and against the Oyster case providing another layer of protection.

*Has a case made from a solid block of 904L stainless steel or gold. 904L steel is a corrosion-resistant stainless steel alloy. Rolex makes its gold in its own foundry [ [http://www.galttech.com/research/fashion/rolex-watches.php Rolex Watches] ] where it can create new alloys and control the quality of the gold.

* As a true diving watch, the Submariner utilizes a unidirectional bezel that enables the diver to memorize and follow immersion time. Since the bezel only rotates counterclockwise, the dive time can only become "shorter" in case of accidental bezel movement, thus avoiding the danger of spending too much time underwater.

*Has the Perpetual rotor in the self-winding wristwatch mechanism which allows the watch to run continuously because every slight movement of the wrist winds the movement and the energy generated is stored in the mainspring which can allow the watch to continue to function with no movement for up to two or three days. Every movement is an officially certified Swiss chronometer by the COSC. At midnight the Rolex calendar mechanism advances to the next date in a single short rotation.

*As of summer of 2007 the 14060M non date version became a COSC certified Swiss chronometer.

*As of 2007, and more particularly, with the "Z" serial number series, there are no holograms on the casebacks.

*A new submariner based on the "supercase" used in the GMT II was presented at the 2008 Basel show. The first Submariner models offered are a yellow gold with blue face and bezel and a new white gold with blue face and bezel.

Submariner James Bond Connection

Ian Fleming's James Bond character wore a Rolex Oyster Perpetual in the series of spy novels, and in the early EON production Bond films. In "Dr. No" (1962), Sean Connery as James Bond wears a Submariner on his wrist. Connery also appears with a Submariner in "From Russia With Love" (1963), "Goldfinger" (1964), "Thunderball" (1965), "You Only Live Twice" (1967) and "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971). Roger Moore appears with it in "Live and Let Die" (1973) and in "The Man with the Golden Gun" (1974).Roger Moore in "Live and Let Die" appears with a Q Branch specially tricked Submariner with a powerful electromagnet that could divert the path of a bullet: how a magnet could divert a lead bullet is unclear. In "Live and Let Die", Bond's Rolex featured a spinning bezel that acted as a rotating saw, which enabled him to cut his rope restraints and thereby escape a pool full of man-eating sharks. The watch also appeared in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" starring George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton's two James Bond films. For the Bond films starring Pierce Brosnan and the film with Daniel Craig, James Bond's standard issue watch is an Omega Seamaster. This is due in part to Omega being open to jointly promote their association with the films' producers.

References

External links

* [http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/articles/7.html Review Of The Rolex Submariner 16613 (including images)]
* [http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/articles/ More articles and reviews about the Rolex Submariner at rolexreferencepage.com]