Why Does Rubber B Love the Rolex Submariner 16800 So Much?

16800 -One of the brands we love to talk about here at Rubber B is Rolex, and before you ask, no, we don’t have any kind of affiliation with them. Like millions of people around the world since the 1930s, we just happen to be fans of their work, because we know great craftsmanship when we see it – and by virtue of the very fact that you made it to our website and are reading this very blog, so do you.

Today, we’d like to take some time out of our day to show a little love to one of our favorite Rolex models – the Rolex Submariner 16800.  The Submariner 16800 is by no means a new watch, but it has several great qualities that are simply undeniable, and to be honest, we feel as if it’s a bit of an unsung hero in the hallowed halls of Rolex timepieces, so we’re going to take a couple of moments to right that wrong and explain just why we’re so enthusiastic about this watch.

A (Very) Brief History of the Rolex Submariner 16800 And Its Place in Today’s Watch Market

The Submariner 16800 was originally introduced in 1979, and because of that, it most certainly qualifies as a vintage piece. The great thing about this watch is that it is durable and not overly ostentatious, which means it is a vintage piece that you can actually wear every day, as opposed to a more ceremonial timepiece that you may only wear a couple of times a year.

The Submariner 16800 was a direct follow up to its predecessor, the 1680, and it was a considerable improvement over the previous model. While the 1680 was the first Rolex Submariner ever to display the date on the dial, the Submariner 16800 managed to keep this innovation while successfully implementing a redesigned case and bezel.

One of the often unsung but vitally essential secrets to Rolex’s enduring success over the years has been the ability to create timepieces that intersect at the crossroads of old and new, thereby creating a sense of familiarity and trust with the consumer while also displaying their new technological innovations.

How Does the Rolex Submariner 16800 Fare in Terms of Its Aesthetic?

One of the most interesting things about the Submariner 16800 is that it is what Rolex would politely call a “transitional model.” Essentially, what this means is that Rolex was able to use existing designs in terms of the look of previous iterations of the Submariner while implementing new technology into the watch. There are few places where this is more apparent than with the Rolex Submariner 16800.

The Rolex Submariner 16800 has a matte dial instead of a gloss dial, which is the most immediate indication that this is a vintage piece, as Rolex moved on to gloss dials around 1986.  The Submariner 16800 was an innovator in its own right, however, as it was the first timepiece in the Submariner line to have sapphire crystals or a unidirectional, ratcheting bezel.

The previous versions of the watch only had acrylic crystals on them, so the overall quality of the look on the Submariner line instantly increased with the simple addition of these stones to the dial.

What About the Technical Specifications of the Rolex Submariner 16800?

One of the most notable technical aspects of the Submariner 16800 is that it implemented a new caliber for the Submariner line. The previous iteration of the watch ran on the 1575 caliber, while this new version implemented the 3035 caliber, which significantly increased the beats per minute of the watch.

Additionally, a quick set date was also added to the watch as well.  The depth rating also increased substantially for this watch, as it went from 200 meters to 300 meters.  Taken as a whole, it becomes very obvious that Rolex was making significant strides towards what we now know as a modern dive watch with this piece.

So there we have it – hopefully, you understand our genuine appreciation for this watch a little bit more now, and if you’re in the market for a vintage Rolex to add to your collection, maybe we’ve even given you a great place to start!

In Need of Custom Rubber Watch Straps for Your Rolex? Contact Rubber B Today

At Rubber B, we strongly believe that owning a luxury timepiece, such as a Rolex, isn’t just a financial investment – it’s a form of self-expression as well. Why not give yourself more ways to express your own personal aesthetic by adding several custom rubber watch bands to your collection?

Rubber B is proud to manufacture rubber watch bands for several of the leading luxury timepiece retailers, including Rolex – in fact, you can see our complete lineup of our Rolex products right here.

We are proud to state that all of our custom watch straps are made from 100% vulcanized rubber and are manufactured exclusively in Switzerland. For more information on all of our products and prices, please consult our website today.

Rubber B has released a tremendous new color into its lineup. Many Rolex Submariner owners have been asking for a Green band to match their Submariner “HULK”, “Kermit” and even all black models. It will match any Rolex Submariner date or no date.

The Rubber B Carbon Fiber Series rubber strap engineered to fit Rolex Submariner Ceramic case and Glidelock clasp*. Our exclusive STRENGTH INFUSION TECHNOLOGY provides upgraded support against the friction, weight, and frequent micro-adjustments made daily to your Rolex Glidelock Clasp.

Rubber B has released a tremendous new color into its lineup. Many Rolex Submariner owners have been asking for a Green band to match their Submariner “HULK”, “Kermit” and even all black models. It will match any Rolex Submariner date or no date.

The Rubber B Carbon Fiber Series rubber strap engineered to fit Rolex Submariner Ceramic case and Glidelock clasp*. Our exclusive STRENGTH INFUSION TECHNOLOGY provides upgraded support against the friction, weight, and frequent micro-adjustments made daily to your Rolex Glidelock Clasp.