Rolex Submariner Date

Buying Advice

About Rolex Submariner Date Watches

The Rolex Submariner Date is the date-equipped half of the Submariner family, identified by the date window at 3 o'clock under a Cyclops magnification lens. It is the most-traded Submariner configuration on the secondary market and the version most buyers picture when they think of the model. Pre-owned and unworn Rolex Submariner Date watches at WatchGuys span the current 41mm 126610 generation, the previous 40mm 116610 generation, the classic five-digit 16610 family, and rare vintage references stretching back to the original 1680. Every watch is authenticated in-house, backed by a 2-year warranty, and ships overnight.

The Submariner Date launched with the reference 1680 in the late 1960s, more than a decade after the original no-date Submariner. Adding the date complication required Rolex to redesign the dial, install a quick-set date mechanism, and introduce the now-iconic Cyclops lens. That formula has carried through every generation since, and today the Date model is offered in stainless steel, two-tone Rolesor, full yellow gold, and full white gold, with black, blue, or green dial and bezel options. For the broader Submariner overview including the no-date side of the lineup, see our Rolex Submariner collection or the complete Rolex Submariner Buyer's Guide.

Which Rolex Submariner Models Come With a Date?

The Submariner Date covers more references than any other Rolex sport watch family. Within the current generation, the Rolex Submariner 126610 is the 41mm Oystersteel model, available as the 126610LN with a black dial and black Cerachrom bezel and the 126610LV "Starbucks" with a black dial and green bezel. The two-tone Rolesor variant is the Rolex Submariner 126613, sold as the 126613LN in black and the 126613LB in blue, the latter known to collectors as the Rolex Bluesy. Solid 18k yellow gold is the 126618, and solid 18k white gold is the 126619.

The previous-generation 40mm Rolex Submariner 116610 ran from 2010 to 2020 and split into two variants: the 116610LN with a black dial and black bezel, and the discontinued Rolex Hulk (116610LV) with its all-green dial and bezel. The classic five-digit Rolex Submariner 16610 covers 1989 to 2010 and includes the original Kermit (16610LV), the first green-bezel Submariner. Earlier still, the 16800 introduced sapphire crystal and 300m water resistance, and the 1680 was the very first Submariner Date. Two-tone history runs through the 16613 and 116613, while the white gold "Smurf" is the 116619LB.

Rolex Submariner Date Price

Pre-owned Rolex Submariner Date prices typically range from $9,000 to $46,000+ depending on reference, material, year, and condition. Stainless steel models sit at the accessible end: the current 126610LN trades roughly $13,000 to $16,000, the previous-generation 116610LN runs $11,000 to $14,000, and the classic 16610 lands between $8,000 and $12,000. Discontinued green references command significant premiums, with the Hulk at $18,000 to $25,000+ and the Kermit at $15,000 to $20,000. Two-tone Bluesy references span $10,000 to $22,000+ across all four generations. Solid yellow gold 126618 and white gold 126619 references push into the $30,000 to $46,000+ range. For real-time pricing on a specific reference, contact our team directly.

Rolex Submariner Date vs. No-Date

The choice between the Submariner Date and the Rolex Submariner No-Date (124060) comes down to dial aesthetics and configuration availability. The Date model adds a date window at 3 o'clock with a Cyclops lens and runs the Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve. The No-Date offers a fully symmetrical dial, runs the Caliber 3230, and is only available in Oystersteel with a black dial. If you want a green bezel, blue bezel, two-tone, or gold Submariner, the Date model is the only option. Both share the same 41mm case, 300m water resistance, Cerachrom bezel, and Oyster bracelet with Glidelock clasp.

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Why Buy Rolex Submariner Date From WatchGuys

Pre-owned Rolex Submariner Date watches for sale at WatchGuys are authenticated in-house, accurately described, and protected by the policies below. Whether you are buying the current 126610LN, a discontinued Hulk, or a five-digit 16610, every Submariner Date ships with the same standards.

Common Questions

Rolex Submariner Date FAQ

• What is the Rolex Submariner Date?

  The Rolex Submariner Date is the date-equipped version of the Submariner dive watch, identified by a date window at 3 o'clock magnified by a Cyclops lens. It launched with the reference 1680 in the late 1960s and has remained in continuous production ever since, available across stainless steel, two-tone Rolesor, yellow gold, and white gold configurations. The current Submariner Date is the 41mm 126610LN, powered by the Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve and 300m water resistance.

• What references make up the Rolex Submariner Date family?

  The Submariner Date family covers six decades of references. Current production includes the 126610LN (steel, black), 126610LV (Starbucks, steel with green bezel), 126613LN and 126613LB (two-tone Rolesor in black or blue), 126618 (yellow gold), and 126619 (white gold). The previous 40mm generation covers the 116610LN, 116610LV (Hulk), 116613LN, 116613LB, 116618LN, 116618LB, and 116619LB (Smurf). Earlier still are the five-digit 16610, 16610LV (Kermit), 16613, 16618, and 16808, plus the four-digit vintage 1680, 16800, and 168000.

• How much does a Rolex Submariner Date cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Submariner Date prices range from roughly $9,000 to $46,000+ depending on reference and material. Steel models like the 126610LN and 116610LN typically fall between $11,000 and $16,000. The five-digit 16610 trades from $8,000 to $12,000. Discontinued references command premiums: the Hulk runs $18,000 to $25,000+ and the Kermit $15,000 to $20,000. Two-tone Bluesy references span $10,000 to $22,000+, and solid gold 126618 and 126619 references push into the $30,000 to $46,000+ range.

• Rolex Submariner Date vs. Submariner No-Date: which should I buy?

  The Date model adds a date window with a Cyclops lens and is the only option if you want a green bezel, blue bezel, two-tone, or gold Submariner. The No-Date 124060 offers a fully symmetrical dial without a date aperture or cyclops, but is only available in Oystersteel with a black dial. Both share the same 41mm case, 300m water resistance, Cerachrom bezel, and Oyster bracelet with Glidelock. The Date is more practical for daily wear; the No-Date is the cleaner aesthetic. Pricing is comparable on the secondary market, with the Date typically trading slightly higher.

• Is the Rolex Submariner Date a good investment?

  The Submariner Date is one of the strongest value holders in the pre-owned watch market. Steel references like the 126610LN and 116610LN have maintained or appreciated in value over the past decade, and discontinued references like the Hulk (116610LV) and Kermit (16610LV) have seen significant appreciation since leaving production. The combination of brand recognition, limited authorized dealer availability, and consistent collector demand makes it a reliable store of value, though no watch is a guaranteed investment.

• What is the difference between the 116610LN and the 126610LN?

  Both are stainless steel Submariner Date references with a black dial and black Cerachrom bezel, but they belong to different generations. The 116610LN was produced from 2010 to 2020 in a 40mm case and runs the Caliber 3135 with a 48-hour power reserve. The 126610LN, introduced in 2020, uses a 41mm case with slimmer lugs and runs the newer Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve. Both share the Cerachrom bezel, Oyster bracelet, Glidelock clasp, and 300m water resistance.

• Does every Rolex Submariner Date have a Cyclops lens?

  Yes. Every Submariner Date from the original 1680 through the current 126610LN features a Cyclops lens, the small magnifier mounted over the date window at 3 o'clock to enlarge the date 2.5x. The Cyclops is one of the defining visual elements of the Submariner Date and the easiest way to distinguish it from the No-Date model, which has a fully symmetrical dial with no aperture or magnifier.

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