When it comes to quality timepieces, few are as well known as a Rolex. How much does it cost to own a Rolex Submariner?
The Rolex Submariner comes in many different variants, and the price varies wildly. They start at around seven thousand dollars but have been known to sell for as much as one million dollars. It’s a timepiece with a deep and storied legacy that is instantly recognizable worldwide.
Read on to learn more about the incredible series of watches known as Rolex Submariners.
Time To Spend
While the many types of Rolex watches don’t make up the world’s most expensive choices, they are massively famous. There are timepieces worth tens of millions of dollars, but how much is Rolex’s most well known, the Submariner?
Rolex is a company with an extensive and storied legacy, having been founded in 1905. By 2016, they’d boast an annual revenue of more than four billion dollars.
It was in 1926 when Rolex created the first-ever waterproof and dustproof timepiece. This was a never-seen-before concept, and it took some time before the dubious public fell in with it.
The Submariner continued on with this super-sealed construction. In 1953, Rolex released their first Submariner, boasting water resistance to a depth of 300 meters.
This particular line of wristwatch would go on to become a staple among the Rolex lineup. The company constructed a selection of Submariners, considering a fair few budgets in their creation.
At the lower end of the spectrum, a Submariner could be purchased brand new for about seven thousand dollars. At the opposite end of the scale, a brand new white gold, blue-bezel piece would cost over forty-five thousand dollars.
The craftsmanship of a Rolex Submariner is said to be impeccable. As with many watches, they’re built in Switzerland and are officially certified by the COSC.
The CSOC stands for ‘Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres’. They’re an official governing body that certifies the precision of all Swiss watches.
Buying a brand new wristwatch is often a lavish and frivolous venture. There are some who would consider them investments, as they often increase in value over time.
However, you don’t have to break the bank buying a Rolex Submariner. You can buy plenty of them second-hand from certified jewelers, all around the world.
Although, you’ll still be paying more than five thousand dollars at a minimum.
Best of the Best
The most expensive watch to ever sell at auction was valued an eye-watering $31 million. It was a Patek Philippe, and was a one-of-a-kind wristwatch.
This auction was held in Geneva, Switzerland, and benefitted a charity. It’s been suggested that this drove up the value of the watch somewhat, of course.
Patek Phillipe is often credited with inventing the very first wristwatch. Their products are some of the most sought-after on the planet.
This offers a clear perspective on the value of Rolex in the world of watches. The most expensive Rolex Submariner to ever sell at auction went for just over one million dollars.
It was a ‘James Bond’ Rolex, admittedly kept in pretty poor condition. The watch itself was the same model worn by the infamous British spy in the first-ever movie of the series, Dr. No.
In 2017, a Rolex Daytona owned by Paul Newman sold at auction for almost $18 million. It had an opening bid of $10 million, a staggering amount.
When 2020 rolled around, Rolex decided to launch a whole new version of the Submariner. It underwent an extensive ‘facelift’ and was heavily revised by the Swiss masters.
They amended the bezel, the coloring, and the materials used in the dial.
Among The Stars
There are plenty of celebrities and members of the super-rich elite who opt for a Submariner. It’s reported that Bruce Springsteen was a long-time supporter of the model.
Before him, the watch was allegedly coveted by the likes of Che Guevara and actor Steve McQueen.
Stars from all walks of life and all disciplines have chosen the Submariner over the years. For example, Jack Black, Mark Wahlberg, and Tom Hardy have all sported the timepiece.
Even old-school rockstars like Guns n’ Roses’ Slash have been seen rocking the Submariner.
It’s a timeless piece that seems likely to press on for generations to come. Rolex has spent millions in the production and refinement of the wristwatch since its invention over sixty years ago.