The 2020 Rolex Submariner and Submariner Date are now available in a slightly larger 41 mm diameter case — each with an all-new movement.
Adding a millimeter to the diameter of a watch case is not that significant unless of course, Rolex does it. After years of selling 40 mm diameter Rolex Professional Watches — this is quite a change, however incremental.
As usual, Rolex steel cases are made from premium 904L stainless steel, which is not exclusive to Rolex but few other brands use the material. Almost every watch company other than Rolex uses 316L stainless steel. Rolex’s decision to use 904L steel is primarily to increase resistance to corrosion. This is, after all, the ultimate professional watch, with a history dating back to 1953, and was the first divers’ wristwatch waterproof (resistant) to a depth of 100 meters.
Not long after, in 1954, the Submariner got upgraded to 200 meters of water-resistance. And by 1979 the Submariner Date was rated to 300 meters, with the Submariner getting the enhanced water-resistance by 1989. Both have been rated to 300 meters ever since.
The case appears to be slightly thinner than the outgoing generation of Submariner (although Rolex SA has not confirmed the thickness). As far as the dial, the 18K gold hands and hour markers appear to be almost identical to the previous generation. The bezel too is made with a steel or gold base, and the same ceramic insert with PVD platinum or gold graduations, depending on the model. Chromalight lume is used for the hands, with a blue glow as before.
Primarily, the new slightly wider case size and subtly restyled Oyster bracelet combined with noticeably thinner lugs — creates an overall flatter, better proportioned, and less boxy appearance. This is perhaps the best feature of the new generation of Submariners.
Driving the time only Submariner is Rolex’s all-new in-house caliber 3230, and caliber 3235 for the Submariner Date models, which represents a significant improvement over the last generation. Most notably, the power reserve has been increased to 70-hours, as it had been previously on other watches in the Rolex lineup over the years.
In order to increase the power reserve, Rolex engineered caliber 3230 and 3235 to utilize the Chronergy escapement, patented by Rolex, which combines high energy efficiency and dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, it’s also insensitive to magnetic fields. The movements are fitted with an optimized blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in an exclusive paramagnetic alloy that makes it up to 10 times more shock resistant than traditional hairsprings which helps to maintain precision. The movements are Superlative chronometers rated to -2/+2 per day which is over two times more precise than a standard COSC chronometer.
2020 Submariner Pricing
In total, Rolex rolled out eight new Submariner references for 2020. One without a date (Submariner) and seven with a date (Submariner Date). Prices have climbed for the latest generation by approximately 4-5% across the Submariner line.
The entry-level Rolex Submariner, without a date in stainless steel is $8,100 (Ref. 124060).
The Submariner Date with a black dial in steel (Ref. 126610LN) retails for $9,150. The Submariner Date in steel with a black dial and green ceramic bezel (Ref. 126610LV) retails for $9,550.
The Submariner Date with a blue dial, blue bezel, and a steel and yellow gold case (Ref. 126613LB) retails for $14,300. The two-tone steel and gold also come in a black dial and black bezel version (Ref. 126613LN).
There are three 18K gold Submariner Date versions, one with a yellow gold case and blue dial with a blue bezel (Ref. 126618LB) that retails for $36,950 (not shown), another with an 18K yellow gold case with a black dial and black bezel (Ref. 126618LN) that also retails for $36,950 (not shown), and third with an 18K white gold case with a black dial and blue ceramic bezel (Ref. 126619LB) which retails for $39,650.
All 2020 Submariner references will be available at authorized Rolex dealers starting on September 2nd.
Learn more at Rolex.
