The Rolex Submariner, introduced at the 1953 Basel Fair, was the world's first serially produced wristwatch waterproof to 100 metres. Scuba diving was still a fledgling discipline at the time, just nine years after Jacques Cousteau popularised the Aqua-Lung. Rolex combined its Oyster case and Perpetual rotor into a purpose-built tool watch for professional divers. The original reference 6204 was beautifully utilitarian: black dial, triangle indices, unidirectional rotating bezel, and a highly legible Mercedes hand.
The Submariner evolved quickly. In 1959 the reference 5512 added crown guards and pushed water resistance to 200m. Its no-date sibling, the 5513, ran from 1962 to 1989, the longest production of any Submariner, and became the James Bond watch of choice, worn by Sean Connery in Dr. No (a 6538) and Roger Moore in Live and Let Die. The reference 1680 introduced the date and cyclops in 1969.
In 1989 the 16610 arrived with the Cal. 3135 movement, a sapphire crystal, and 300m water resistance: the modern Submariner template. In 2010 the Submariner Date received Rolex's patented Cerachrom ceramic bezel: the 116610LN brought the "Maxi case" with broader lugs and a thicker case, and the same year saw the now-legendary 116610LV "Hulk" with its green dial and green ceramic bezel. In 2020 the line was redesigned: the no-date 124060 and date 126610LN/126610LV (a new "Kermit" continuing the 50th-anniversary green-bezel/black-dial tradition) moved to a 41mm case with Cal. 3230/3235 movements.
Today the most sought-after references are the 116610LN, the discontinued 116610LV "Hulk", the current 124060, and the 126610LN. On the vintage side, the 5513, 1680, and especially the "Red Sub" 1680 are collector favourites.
Bedesten Watches has sold authentic Rolex Submariners in Istanbul since 1999. Whether you are looking for a pre-owned daily wearer or a full-set collector reference, our inventory regularly includes the 5513, 16610, 116610LN, 116610LV "Hulk", 124060, and current 126610 models. Visit our Suadiye store or message us on WhatsApp +90 532 327 88 26 for current stock and pricing.
