Hi trayduh,
Genuine Rolex products are sold through Official Rolex Jewelers.
Changes made to the Submariner watch.
In 2003 Rolex celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Submariner's
introduction. If you go to the following link you'll be able to view
the different faces of the Submariner. Click on each image for a
larger image. The last picture is the commemorative anniversary watch.
http://www.rolex.com/submariner/heure.html#0etphotogallery
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History of the Rolex Submariner
1953 - 2003 : The Submariner Passes the Test of Time
http://www.memoryunit.com/rolex.htm
Created in 1953 in consultation with professional divers, the
Submariner is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The first diver?s
watch equipped with a rotatable bezel, the original Submariner was
waterproof to a depth of 330 feet/100 meters. Later models were
waterproof to 660 feet/200 meters and, finally, 1000 feet/300 meters.
Since its invention by Rolex as one of the first timepieces for
professionals, the Submariner has undergone major technical
improvements, guaranteeing that it remains waterproof under more and
more extreme conditions.
Unmatched performance
The Submariner owes its success to its inherent durability and
reliability. In the 1950s, the watch had been tested in both
laboratories and in the world?s oceans to confirm its waterproof
properties. For almost a decade, the Submariner was worn on diving
expeditions in the Mediterranean and the Pacific by eminent Swiss
explorers Auguste and Jacques Piccard. Their tests removed any doubts
about the Submariner?s durability in the ocean depths. In addition to
its unparalleled underwater reliability, the Submariner has earned
great respect among professional and amateur sailors, becoming a
benchmark for all, including collectors. A masterpiece of technical
achievement, the Submariner?s design is both classic and stylish. It
is nothing less than the diver?s watch.
Timeless yet eternal. A major technical achievement
The Submariner is available in stainless steel, Rolesor (a combination
of stainless steel and 18kt yellow gold) and in 18kt gold. A
stainless-steel model is also available without the calendar function.
Waterproof to 1000 feet/300 meters, the Submariner is equipped with a
unidirectional rotatable bezel. The Fliplock clasp features hidden
extension links allowing the Submariner to be worn over a light
wetsuit. A commemorative Submariner, manufactured by Rolex for the
50th anniversary, features a special green bezel and a unique black
dial.
The pursuit of perfection
To purchase this timepiece is to choose excellence. Those who wear a
Submariner demand durability and reliability, standards epitomized by
Rolex.
Rolex creates the waterproof watch
In 1926, when it launched the world?s first waterproof wristwatch,
fittingly named the Oyster, Rolex was unaware that it was about to
change the face of watchmaking. The wristwatch was in fact the
timepiece of the future. History would vindicate the courageous choice
by Hans Wilsdorf, who founded Rolex at the start of the 20th century.
The subsequent successes of the Oyster and of Rolex itself are direct
results of Wilsdorf?s 1926 decision.
The development of the Oyster perfecting the waterproof watch
In 1926, Rolex patents the first truly waterproof and dust-proof
watchcase. Initially the Oyster was made waterproof by screwing
together different parts of the watchcase using metal seals.
In 1927, Mercedes Gleitze, wearing a Rolex Oyster, swims across the
English Channel, a fact proudly announced by Rolex on the front page
of the Daily Mail newspaper in London.
In 1931, Rolex develops and takes out a patent on the Perpetual Rotor,
the first rotor self-winding movement. By eliminating the need to
manually wind the watch, thus reducing wear on the winding crown,
Rolex makes the Oyster case even more resistant.
In the 1950s, Rolex decides to put the Oyster case to the test by
giving the timepiece to professional divers, as well as Swiss
explorers Auguste and Jacques Piccard. As part of these trials, Rolex
is involved in diving expeditions in many of the world?s oceans.
In 1953, Rolex launches the Submariner, waterproof to a depth of 330
feet/100 meters, the world?s first diver?s watch equipped with a
rotatable bezel.
In 1954, the Submariner is waterproof to 660 feet/200 meters.
In 1959, the Submariner?s case is fitted with shoulders to protect the
winding crown.
In 1960, the Deep Sea Special Oyster is created and used on the
Trieste bathyscaph in the Marianas Trench. Attached to the outside of
Jacques Piccard?s bathyscaph, the watch withstands pressure in excess
of six and one half tons per square inch at a depth of 36,000
feet/10,916 meters.
In 1967, Rolex creates the Sea Dweller 2000, equipped with a helium
gas escape valve and waterproof to 2,000 feet/610 meters. Divers from
COMEX, pioneers in commercial diving for the oil-related industry,
based in Marseilles, France, are equipped with this new model. Rolex
has continued to cooperate with COMEX ever since, part of the
watchmaker?s commitment to linking performance to high technology.
In 1978 the Sea-Dweller 4000, waterproof to 4,000 feet/1220 meters is introduced.
In 1979, the Submariner is waterproof to 1,000 feet/300 meters.
The year 2003 marks the 50th anniversary of a unique timepiece, the Submariner.
The illustrious history of the Submariner
A timepiece that has passed trial after trial since its creation
Launched in June 1953, the Submariner is the first-ever diver?s watch
waterproof to a depth of 330 feet/100 meters.
It is also the first diver?s watch fitted with a rotatable bezel.
In 1954, the Submariner is guaranteed waterproof to 660 feet/200 meters.
In 1959, Rolex makes major improvements to the design of the
Submariner, including the addition of shoulders to protect the winding
crown. The Submariner?s identity, with its black dial and graduated
bezel is set. It then becomes a timepiece synonymous with sport and a
benchmark in watchmaking. Its diameter is increased from 36 to 40
millimeters.
In 1969, Rolex launches the Submariner with a calendar function, and a
model in 18kt gold.
In 1979, the Submariner is equipped with a sapphire crystal, replacing
the plexiglas version. The Submariner is now waterproof to a depth of
1000 feet/300 meters.
In 1983, Rolex adds a Submariner in Rolesor, (a combination of
stainless steel and 18kt yellow gold), to the collection.
In 2003, the Submariner celebrates its 50th anniversary with a
commemorative model featuring a green bezel, marking another milestone
in the history of a timepiece that has become an all-time classic.
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The earliest known Military Submariner. (fourth from the bottom of the page)
Click on watch for larger blowup image and click on "View Case Back &
Movement" link. (awesome photo!)
http://www.ukwatches.com/collection.html
Stainless steel Rolex Oyster Submariner, model number 5510, case
number 362196, dating from the first quarter of 1958.
Made for the Australian Navy, this is the rarest Submariner I have
ever seen. In simple terms this watch scores four times in the rarity
stakes. Firstly, it is a model 5510, generally acknowledged to be the
rarest Submariner model of all, next it is a military Submariner and
all military Subs are rare watches. Then it is the first military
"James Bond" submariner ever to surface. The existence of the military
James Bond watches has been known for some time, see the ad on page
259 of our book and Click here to see a blow up of the watch in the
ad. Finally it has the most desirable of all dials with the gloss
black back ground and luminous 3/6/9 numerals.
The 5510 is a strange interim model, in that it uses the old style
"James Bond" shoulderless case with the large 8mm "Brevette" crown but
fitted with the newer 1520 movement. It is universally acknowledged
that the 15XX series of calibres is the best that Rolex ever made; so
the combination of the old style case & the 1520 make this one of the
most usable of the vintage Rolex watches.
The dial is a fabulous gloss black with silver gold printing whilst
the luminous tritium has faded to a slightly cream colour. The
original gold hands have also faded to a similar colour. The case is
in excellent condition but does show signs of its 40+ years of life;
the bezel & insert are original but the insert has several light
scratches; the rare 8mm "Brevet" crown is brand new (as is the tube),
the original bezel insert still has the red triangle at 12.
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Approximate wholesale value.
If you're asking what the watch sells for in quantity according to the
dictionary definition of wholesale which is:
***the sale of commodities in quantity usually for resale (as by a
retail merchant)***
only an authorized Rolex Jeweler would be able to answer that for you.
However, if you're referring to the value of the watch - preowned -
I've located sites that list the watch in excellent condition.
Rolex SUBMARINER DATE MODEL #16613 - Price: $4,600.00 USD
http://estate.goantiques.com/detail,rolex-submariner-date,456281.html
ROLEX 18K&SS SERTI SUBMARINER # 16613 NO RESERVE (see photos)
Current bid: US $2,627.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2696602978&category=31387
Rolex Submariner 16613 18kt/ss * BLACK DIAL * 4/02 Platinum
Powerseller with OUR 1 Year Warranty (see photos)
Starting bid: US $5,099.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2696955439&category=31387
ROLEX 18K&SS BLUE SUBMARINER # 16613 "NEW" Starting bid: US $5,500.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2696857014&category=31387
Men's Rolex Submariner Price: $11,200.00
http://www.nationalwatch.com/DisplayNow.asp?ToW=M&ID=47
Rolex - Submariner - Two Tone Ref#16613 - $7300.00
Rolex - Submariner - Two Tone Ref#16613 - $5800.00
http://artoftime.com/watchesq-z.htm
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Authenticity
Yes, there are many ways to tell if a Rolex is real or fake and all
are listed on the following site page:
How to Tell a Fake Replica Rolex and a list of real Rolex Serial
Numbers (along with Rolex Phone and Fax Numbers at the bottom of the
page).
http://www.cash-for-diamonds.com/fakerolex1.htm
Ideally, for proper aunthentic identification is to take the watch to
a Rolex Authorized dealer or Repair Facility.
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Google Search:
Rolex.com
Men's Rolex Submariner
Rolex Submariner history
Rolex Submariner value
Rolex Submariner styles
Rolex fake
Rolex replica
Rolex authentic identification process
Best regards,
tlspiegel |
