The Oyster Perpetual Submariner is the quintessential divers’ watch, the benchmark in its genre. Introduced in 1953 during the pioneering era for scuba diving, it was the first watch to be water-resistant to 100 meters (330 feet). This iconic timepiece has since evolved with a series of patented Rolex technical innovations, guaranteeing its reliability and precision down to depths of 300 meters (1,000 feet). At home in the oceans, where it remains an indispensable instrument for every diver, the Submariner has also conquered terra firma as the watch of action with a rugged elegance of its own. The Submariner is available with and without date function.

The Oyster case is a central part of Rolex’s history. Clamped shut like an oyster shell, it could survive under water thanks to two major innovations: a screw-down back and bezel and a screw-down waterproof winding crown. Invented by Rolex in 1926, the Oyster case was put to a real-life test a year later when Mercedes Gleitze, a young sportswoman, swam the English Channel wearing a Rolex Oyster. After more than 10 hours in the cold water, her watch remained fully functional, firmly establishing Rolex’s legendary underwater expertise. When in 1953 Sir Edmund Hillary and his sherpa Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest, they were wearing a Rolex Oyster Perpetual.

The Oyster Perpetual Submariner’s robust and functional design swiftly became iconic. With their subtly redesigned Oyster case, distinctive dial with large luminescent hour markers, graduated rotatable Cerachrom bezel and solid link Oyster bracelet, the latest generation Submariner and Submariner Date are firmly in line with the original model launched in 1953. Equally at home underwater and at a gala dinner, the Submariner models set new standards of robustness, reliability, comfort and timeless sporting style.

I actually own a Rolex Submariner (the no date version, more original), but I’m not that crazy to spend €5.650 on it. The great part about buying a Rolex Sub is that there is so much choice. The secondhand and vintage markets are huge! Why buy a new one when you can buy a perfect secondhand one for €4.000? Why is it so expensive? Well, if you buy a watch from an indepentdent watch company, who still makes it's own movements en uses only the best materials and has done so for over 60 years.. it's normal that you pay extra.
That's why a Breitling or an Omega can never ask the same price as a Rolex.

That being said.. The Rolex Sub is one of those basics you need when having a serious watch collection. Because it has been around for over 60 years and it has hardly changed a bit, the resale value is enormous.  

The Rolex Submariner is not part of haute horlogerie, but it is a solid luxury watch. Some say it is the best watch in the world. Is it?.. No, of course not! But it’s price/attractiveness/quality ratio is unique!

In today’s blingbling-world lead by Hublot, Ulysse Nardin and those oversized IWC’s, the simple and yet elegant Submariner is a breath of fresh air.