Rolex Submariner Buying Guide
The short answer: choose the 124060 for the cleanest, no-date expression; the 126610LN for the most versatile current Submariner Date; the 126610LV for a green-bezel steel configuration; and a 126613 or 126618 reference when precious-metal presence matters more than understatement. The stocked white-gold 126619LB adds a quieter precious-metal alternative outside Rolex's current catalog.
The right Submariner is determined by four decisions: date or no date, steel or precious metal, black or colored bezel, and current-generation refinement or an older reference's character. This guide connects those decisions to exact, currently offered watches.
126610LN Date
Black dial, black bezel and a practical date display. The most straightforward current Submariner for one-watch daily use.
View the 126610LN124060 No-Date
A symmetrical black dial without the date aperture or Cyclops lens. The simplest current expression of the Submariner idea.
View the 124060126610LV
The current steel Submariner Date with black dial and green ceramic bezel. It adds identity without changing the core tool-watch layout.
View the 126610LVRolesor or gold
Choose 126613 for steel-and-gold balance, 126618 for current-production yellow gold, or the stocked 126619LB for white-gold weight with a more discreet appearance.
Compare materialsStart with the reference, not the nickname
The Submariner's design changes slowly, but its references are not interchangeable. The current family uses a nominal 41 mm case, a unidirectional 60-minute Cerachrom bezel, a Triplock crown, 300 metres of stated water resistance and an Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock and Glidelock. The 124060 uses calibre 3230; current Submariner Date models use calibre 3235. Both movements have an approximately 70-hour power reserve under Rolex's published specifications.
Collector nicknames are convenient shorthand, not official configuration records. “Starbucks,” “Bluesy,” “Kermit,” “Hulk,” “Cookie Monster” and “Blueberry” can vary by seller or community. A serious purchase should always be anchored to the full reference, dial, bezel, metal, bracelet, condition and included set.
The current Submariner line, plus one stocked white-gold reference
The table separates the model family by exact reference. Every first-column link opens a corresponding individual product page currently represented in Superlative Watch Co. inventory. Rolex's current all-models catalog shows the first seven configurations; the 126619LB remains available from Superlative inventory but is not shown in that current manufacturer catalog as of this review.
| Reference | Configuration | Movement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 124060View watch | Oystersteel; black dial; black bezel; no date | Calibre 3230 | Symmetry and the simplest current layout |
| 126610LNView watch | Oystersteel; black dial; black bezel; date | Calibre 3235 | Daily versatility and date utility |
| 126610LVView watch | Oystersteel; black dial; green bezel; date | Calibre 3235 | A distinctive steel Submariner |
| 126613LNView watch | Yellow Rolesor; black dial; black bezel; date | Calibre 3235 | Two-tone warmth with a restrained palette |
| 126613LBView watch | Yellow Rolesor; royal-blue dial and bezel; date | Calibre 3235 | The signature blue-and-gold “Bluesy” look |
| 126618LNView watch | 18 kt yellow gold; black dial and bezel; date | Calibre 3235 | Full-gold presence in the classic black format |
| 126618LBView watch | 18 kt yellow gold; royal-blue dial and bezel; date | Calibre 3235 | The most overtly luxurious current Submariner |
| 126619LBView watch | 18 kt white gold; black dial; blue bezel; date | Calibre 3235 | Stocked white gold; not shown in Rolex's current catalog |
Shared specifications for the listed 41 mm references: nominal 41 mm Oyster case, sapphire crystal, 300 m / 1,000 ft stated water resistance, Oyster bracelet, Oysterlock safety clasp, Glidelock extension and Superlative Chronometer rating. Date models add a Cyclops lens; the 124060 does not.
Shop the references discussed in this guide
Compare the exact Submariner watches below, then open each listing for its current photographs, price, condition and availability.
Rolex Submariner 124060 No Date Oystersteel UNWORN 2026
Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN Black Dial UNWORN 2026
Rolex Submariner Date "Starbucks" MKII 126610LV UNWORN 2025
Rolex Submariner Date 126613LN Yellow Rolesor Black Dial UNWORN 2026
Rolex Submariner Date "Bluesy" 126613LB BLUE DIAL UNWORN 2025
Rolex Submariner Date 126618LN Yellow Gold Black Dial UNWORN 2026
Rolex Submariner Date "Bluesy" 126618LB Yellow Gold UNWORN 2025
Rolex Submariner Date "Blueberry" 126619LB White Gold UNWORN 2026
Submariner Date or No-Date?
Choose the 124060 if…
- You want a symmetrical dial with no Cyclops lens.
- You rarely use a date display or prefer the original tool-watch logic.
- You want the least complicated current Submariner decision.
- You value design purity more than configuration variety.
Choose a Submariner Date if…
- You use the date and like Rolex's magnified Cyclops presentation.
- You want green, blue, two-tone or precious-metal choices.
- You prefer the most recognizable modern Rolex dial architecture.
- You want a broader range of exact references to compare.
Steel, Rolesor, yellow gold or white gold?
| Material | Character | Practical consideration | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oystersteel | Most traditional and visually versatile | Best match for frequent wear and buyers prioritizing broad demand | 124060, 126610LN, 126610LV |
| Yellow Rolesor | Steel structure with yellow-gold warmth | More jewelry presence; polished gold surfaces show wear differently than steel | 126613LN, 126613LB |
| 18 kt yellow gold | Heavy, unmistakable and deliberately luxurious | Higher replacement and refinishing stakes; more visible on the wrist | 126618LN, 126618LB |
| 18 kt white gold | Precious-metal weight with a cooler, quieter appearance | Can look steel-like at a glance but wears with the mass and value of gold | 126619LB (stocked; not in Rolex's current catalog) |
Black, green or blue?
Black is the most neutral and easiest to wear. Green on the 126610LV creates a distinct steel reference without changing the black dial. In Rolex's current catalog, blue appears on Yellow Rolesor and yellow-gold configurations. The stocked white-gold 126619LB instead combines a blue bezel with a black dial.
Do not pay for a nickname alone. Within the same reference, actual condition, completeness, production/card date, bezel execution, polish history and the credibility of the seller can matter more than the shorthand collectors use online.
Current 41 mm or a discontinued generation?
Current production is the cleanest choice when you want the latest movement architecture, approximately 70 hours of power reserve and the newest case-and-bracelet execution. Discontinued references become more compelling when proportion, dial/bezel character or a specific historical configuration matters more than buying the current model.
| Generation | Key references | Why buyers choose it | What to inspect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current 41 mm | 124060, 126610, 126613, 126618 | Latest movements, long power reserve, modern bracelet and broad configuration range | Exact reference, warranty card, case/bracelet condition, included links and delivery scope |
| Recent 41 mm white gold | 126619LB | Current-generation architecture and discreet white-gold mass; stocked by Superlative | Confirm exact delivery scope and price against the individual listing; it is not shown in Rolex's current catalog |
| Ceramic 40 mm | 114060, 116610, 116613, 116618, 116619 | Compact nominal size with the broader “maxi-case” visual language | Polish history, bracelet/clasp wear, ceramic insert, service history and original configuration |
| Five-digit aluminum | 14060/14060M, 16610/16610LV, 16613, 16618 | Thinner-feeling proportions, aluminum bezel character and neo-vintage appeal | Case geometry, bracelet condition/stretch, tritium or luminova consistency, bezel/dial originality and service parts |
| Vintage | Four-digit references and early examples | History, rarity, dial variants and provenance | Specialist-level originality review; dial, hands, bezel, case, movement and provenance must be assessed together |
Older watches require reference-specific scholarship. A replacement service dial, hands, bezel insert, bracelet or heavily refinished case may be appropriate for a wearable watch but can materially change collector value. “Original” should never be inferred from age alone.
How the current Submariner wears
Rolex lists the current case at 41 mm, but diameter is only part of fit. The bracelet taper, clasp length, case profile, wrist shape and link distribution all affect balance. Glidelock is especially valuable because it allows fine bracelet adjustment without tools; it is useful for ordinary temperature-driven wrist changes, not only for wearing the watch over a dive suit.
Smaller or flatter wrists
Try the watch rather than rejecting it from the 41 mm number alone. Proper link distribution and clasp centering can change the experience materially.
Frequent daily wear
Steel black references are easiest to combine with casual, professional and travel use. Colored or precious-metal references trade neutrality for personality.
Water use
The factory specification is 300 m, but the actual water resistance of a pre-owned watch depends on its present seals, assembly and condition. Pressure-test before relying on it.
Power reserve
Rolex states approximately 70 hours for current calibres 3230 and 3235, enough to remove the watch for a weekend in many ordinary use patterns.
Condition, completeness and verification
No single engraving, serial lookup, photograph, timing result or “tell” authenticates a Submariner. Verification is cumulative: identity, configuration, construction, movement, function, condition, provenance and seller accountability must agree.
- Confirm the exact reference and configuration. Match metal, dial, bezel, bracelet and clasp to the intended reference—not merely the nickname in a listing.
- Inspect case geometry and finishing. Look for coherent surface transitions, symmetry, damage, excessive refinishing and evidence of previous repair.
- Assess the bracelet and clasp. Confirm correct components, included links, operation, wear, link condition and Glidelock function where applicable.
- Test every function. Crown threads, winding, time setting, bezel action, date change, clasp and timing behavior should be evaluated.
- Review dial, hands, bezel and crystal together. Age, luminous material, print, color and component condition should form a coherent whole, especially on discontinued watches.
- Verify the delivery scope. Warranty card, box, booklets, tags, service paperwork and accessories should be described precisely; “full set” is not a universal standard.
- Pressure-test before water exposure. A historical model rating or seller description is not a current pressure-test result.
- Buy the seller as carefully as the watch. Written terms, inspection process, insured delivery, return conditions and after-sale accountability matter.
Value retention is reference-specific
The Submariner has deep recognition and broad secondary-market demand, but that does not make every purchase an investment or every reference equally liquid. Price paid, condition, originality, completeness, current production status, market cycle and seller costs all affect the outcome.
Steel black models generally have the widest buyer pool. Green-bezel references add collector interest, while two-tone and gold models can offer substantial watch for the money but serve a different audience. Buy the configuration you will wear, then evaluate price against the exact reference and condition—not a generic “Submariner market.”
Rolex Submariner FAQ
What is the best current Rolex Submariner for a first-time buyer?
The 126610LN is the strongest all-around recommendation for buyers who want a date, while the 124060 is better for buyers who specifically prefer symmetry and no Cyclops lens. Neither is universally better; the date decision should come first.
What is the difference between the 124060 and 126610LN?
The 124060 has no date display and uses calibre 3230. The 126610LN adds an instantaneous date, rapid setting and Cyclops lens and uses calibre 3235. Both are current 41 mm Oystersteel Submariners with black ceramic bezels, approximately 70-hour power reserves and 300 m stated water resistance.
Which current Submariner has the green bezel?
Reference 126610LV is the current Oystersteel Submariner Date with a green Cerachrom bezel insert and black dial. “Starbucks” is a collector nickname, not the official Rolex model name.
Are the Submariner nicknames official?
No. Names such as Starbucks, Hulk, Kermit, Bluesy, Cookie Monster and Blueberry are market or collector shorthand. Use the complete reference number and configuration to identify the watch accurately.
How water resistant is a current Rolex Submariner?
Rolex states 300 metres / 1,000 feet for current Submariner and Submariner Date models. A pre-owned watch should still be pressure-tested before water use because its present condition—not only the original specification—determines whether it can be relied on.
What movements are in the current Submariner?
The no-date 124060 uses Rolex calibre 3230. Current Submariner Date references use calibre 3235. Rolex states approximately 70 hours of power reserve and a precision rating of minus 2 to plus 2 seconds per day after casing for both.
Does every current Submariner have Glidelock?
Yes. The current Submariner family uses an Oyster bracelet with a folding Oysterlock safety clasp and Rolex Glidelock extension system, allowing fine bracelet adjustment without tools.
Is a Rolex Submariner a guaranteed investment?
No. Submariners have broad recognition and established secondary-market demand, but future values are not guaranteed. Reference, condition, originality, completeness, price paid and the market cycle all affect the financial outcome.
Official specifications checked for this guide
Current-production facts were checked against Rolex's official model pages and newsroom. Market nicknames, buying recommendations and condition commentary are Superlative Watch Co. editorial analysis and should not be attributed to Rolex.