2020 What’s New in The Rolex Submariner

How Does the Rolex Submariner 126610 Compare to the Rolex Submariner 116610?

Rolex is always certain to generate at least a few headlines with each of their yearly product releases, and this year was certainly no different. One of the more notable pieces of information that got both casual collectors and watch connoisseurs alike particularly excited was the fact that Rolex was releasing a new Submariner model this year.

The reason that this is notable is that the last Rolex Submariner model, the Rolex Submariner 116610, was released in 2010, so it’s been a full decade since Rolex last updated this particular watch. And as you well know, Rolex doesn’t do things casually or by chance – they only release a watch in order to further “the next evolutionary link in building the perfect watch.”

But are there really a lot of significant differences between these two models? Actually, there are, and they appear in two key areas – the design of the case and the actual mechanics of the watch. Let’s take a few moments to dive a little deeper into the new Rolex Submariner 126610 and see how it stacks up when it is compared to its predecessor.

How Does the Rolex Submariner 126610 Case Differ From the Rolex Submariner 116610 Case?

Visually speaking, the first place you are likely to notice a difference between these two watches is within their cases. The Rolex Submariner 126610 is 41 mm, as compared to the 40 mm Rolex Submariner 116610. Classic proportions seem to be more in vogue lately, so a lot of people were confused as to why Rolex would make the watch bigger. However, it turns out this is really just a “paper statistic” or technicality – despite the size increase, the watch somehow looks and feels more elegant and svelte when you wear it.

The dial and bezel on the Rolex Submariner 126610 are both larger, which helps significantly increase visibility, especially in low light conditions or underwater. As its name implies, the Rolex Submariner began its life as a diving watch, so it makes sense that they would be constantly looking for new ways to improve the visibility of the dial.

The plots and the hour and minute hands are also larger as well. The new dials are glossy, instead of matte, for an extra touch of elegance, and the indexes are finished in a luminous white gold.

The case has also undergone a significant redesign as well, and upon closer inspection, there are some things that immediately begin to stand out pretty quickly. To begin with, the crown guards on the Rolex Submariner 126610 are significantly smaller than their predecessor, which helps to make the crown feel less bulky.

In short, Rolex seems to have perfected the trick of making a watch that is both technically bigger and more elegant at the same time – but if anyone could pull that kind of thing off, it would certainly be Rolex.

How Do the Mechanics of the Rolex Submariner 126610 Differ From the Rolex Submariner 116610?

Another place where the Rolex Submariner 126610 has some major differences from its predecessor has to do with the internal mechanics of the watch as well. The Rolex Submariner 126610 uses a 3235 caliber, unlike the Rolex Submariner 116610, which uses the older 3135 caliber.

The 3235 caliber is a significant upgrade in terms of accuracy, reliability, and shock resistance – it increased efficiency in the watch by 15% and required the filing of no less than 14 patents on the part of Rolex.  The most notable thing about this caliber is the massive upgrade in power reserve – where the Rolex Submariner 116610 only had a power reserve of 48 hours, the Rolex Submariner 126610 has one of 70 hours.

How did Rolex manage to accomplish this? They cleverly managed to reduce the thickness of the barrel walls by half – by accomplishing this, they were able to insert a larger mainspring into the watch. Because this is a diving watch and is likely to be used by those with an active lifestyle, this is a particularly useful upgrade, especially in a potential emergency situation where there is little to no visibility.

In short, the Rolex Submariner 126610 has made quite a few improvements to the previous model, both in terms of the overall aesthetic and the machinery within. In the years to come, we are sure that Rolex will surely find a way to continually improve upon this model and outdo themselves once again.

Differences Between Rolex Submariner 16610 and Submariner 116610

It’s hard to dispute Rolex’s position, several decades after its founding, as one of the leading luxury timepiece manufacturers in the world. And of the many makes and models that Rolex currently offers to its very distinguished clientele, few have managed to achieve the longevity or popularity that the Rolex Submariner currently has.

Within that collection of watches, two of the most well-known models are the Rolex Submariner 16610, which is the original version of this watch, and the Rolex Submariner 116610, which is the direct successor of the original timepiece. But what are the similarities and differences between the two watches? Let’s take a couple of moments to look at both of these watches more closely so that we can fully understand what they have in common – and where it is that they may differ.

What is Important to Know About the Rolex Submariner 16610?  

Being that the Rolex Submariner 16610 was originally introduced in 1988, it is one of Rolex’s best known and most reliable entries in the Submariner collection. It is encased in 40 mm of stainless steel, and it is a time and date watch with a Cyclops date window, which makes the date easier to read. The dial has a light green glow to it when placed in low light conditions.

One of the more notable features of this watch is its aluminum bezel, which has a nice finished matte look to it. While the aluminum bezel has a polished and professional appearance to it, there are some drawbacks to this particular style of bezel. For one thing, because of the material it is made out of, it is not as durable. This means that the watch is more likely to be scratched or dented over time.

The Rolex Submariner 16610 has an oyster bracelet with a standard-issue foldout clasp. It is worth noting that while there is a diver’s extension on this watch, it is not adjustable or customizable and, as such, doesn’t leave you a lot of room to work with if you need additional space.

What is Important to Know About the Rolex Submariner 116610?

As we stated previously, the Rolex Submariner 116610 is the direct successor to the other model, and it originally appeared on the market in 2010. The watch is also 40 mm in size, but you would be forgiven for not knowing that, because it looks much bigger than the earlier model.

This is due to the fact that it is encased in a stainless steel “super case,” which contributes to a larger appearance and the feeling that the watch is heartier. It does have more metal than the older model, which is observable when you see the larger lugs and crown guards, and the deeper case, that the Rolex Submariner 116610 comes with.

An important thing to note about this watch is its ceramic bezel – this watch was the first to combine that feature with a stainless steel case. This newer ceramic bezel insert is more durable than the aluminum version, which is a plus for those who may be considering purchasing this watch.

The larger dial is one of the more impressive features of the Rolex Submariner 116610. The maxi dial has a blue glow to it and larger dial markers, which makes it easier to read in the dark or underwater. The oyster lock clasp is much easier to use than the older model, and the diver extension has a glide lock clasp that is much more adjustable than the previous model.

What Do Both of These Watches Have in Common?

While these watches clearly have a lot of differences between them, they also have more than just one or two features in common. These include such items as:

Both of these watches have a 3135 caliber, which has a 48-hour power reserve, 31 jewels in it, and 28,800 VPH. Also, both of the watches have a triple lock crown and are water-resistant for up to 300 meters.

Purchase Customizable Rubber Watch Bands For Your Rolex Watch From Rubber B

If you’ve made the decision to purchase a Rolex, it’s very clear that you have great style sense – but why stop there?

One of the best parts of owning a Rolex is that you can purchase customizable rubber watch straps that show off your personal sense of style, and when it comes to rubber watch straps, Rubber B is truly a leader in the market.

Rolex Submariner 126610 Rubber Watch Straps:

Rolex Submariner 116610 Rubber Watch Straps:

Rolex Submariner 16610 Rubber Watch Straps:

Rubber B products are made in Switzerland and are assembled from only 100% vulcanized rubber. We are also proud to announce that they are highly durable, waterproof, and allergy-proof, which makes them a great choice for those with an active lifestyle. They also meet all FDA and BGVV standards for safety.

You can look over our complete catalog of custom rubber watch straps for your Rolex right here. Rubber B is proud to ship both domestically and internationally for only a flat fee of $30. Rubber B also will cover the remaining shipping costs for our international customers as a courtesy.

For more Rolex info: www.rolex.com