Rubber B was the first company in the world to develop custom rubber watch straps exclusively for Rolex timepieces, and since then, the company has added several other prominent watchmakers to its product portfolio. This article is going to be a deep dive on one of the most storied watches in both Rolex’s portfolio and, overall, in horological history – the Rolex Submariner. The goal of this article is very simple – we want to answer the question “Which vintage Rolex Submariner Rubber strap is the best?”, which is a question that we get somewhat regularly.
In order to truly answer this question, however, we are going to have to take a look at the history of the watch in a broad context, going through an overview of the history of early vintage Rolex Submariners and eventually concluding with some of the more recent “vintage” Rolex Submariners – we will define how exactly we are going to define “vintage” in more detail in just a few moments.
As to why we get this question so often, this is in no way surprising, as the Rolex Submariner is one of the most popular luxury sports watches in the world, especially when the topic of dive watches is under consideration. Over the last several years, however, vintage Rolex Submariners, in particular, have really come back in style, so we thought it would be prudent to specifically focus on vintage Rolex Submariners – and what kind of rubber straps are best for these beloved watches, especially if you need to replace the strap on your watch with something that is more reliable and consistent.
The Rolex Submariner occupies a unique space in our cultural subconscious – it is probably one of the only watches that most people, even those who don’t collect watches, can claim some kind of familiarity with. That is not an accident – since its release to the general public in 1954, the Rolex Submariner has been worn by movie stars, both on and off the screen, athletes from various sports leagues, and political figures from around the globe. When placed in this context, it stands to reason that vintage Rolex Submariner watches are making a significant comeback.
There is a strong argument to be made that if you asked a person to picture a Rolex in their head, they would conjure up something in their mind’s eye that looks close to a vintage Rolex Submariner. And because of the long-standing ubiquity of this watch, we felt that it was necessary to a full deep dive into the history of the many vintage Rolex Submariner lines.
To begin with, let’s take a moment to define how we’re going to use the term “vintage Rolex Submariner” for the purposes of this article. In this instance, we are going to primarily focus on every Submariner from the first one, reference number 6204, through reference number 1680, which ended production in 1981. We will include some additional information on later models, however, if we deem them to be historically significant in some way.
Now that we have fully clarified the timeline and parameters we will be using, it is worth providing some context here in the form of some background information on both the Submariner itself, as well as the Rolex company, during the time of its creation.
An Overview of the Rolex Submariner
It is not an overstatement to say that the Rolex Submariner was one of the first dive watches ever crafted for general consumer use. It also marked a noted period of flux for Rolex, who was attempting to craft a different kind of watch at the time, and change its image in the process.
Prior to the release of the Rolex, Rolex was primarily known as a company that made “dress watches,” meaning they could really only be worn during certain occasions, and they certainly could not be integrated into an active lifestyle of any kind. The company was primarily known for introducing a handful of what were, at the time, novel features to what was then a burgeoning wristwatch market. These would include such features as bubble back cases, two-register chronographs, the Oyster bracelet, and perpetual automatic movements. During this period, their most popular watch was arguably the Datejust.
The Beginnings of the Vintage Rolex Submariner Watch
As the 1950’s began, Rolex decided they wanted to expand into making new types of watches and move away from the limitations of the public persona they had at the time. As undersea exploration and mountain climbing became more popular among the general populace, there was something of an “exploration” craze that would begin to take place during this time, as people finally felt safe to travel again after the conclusion of World War II.
This would result in the creation of the Rolex Explorer, which was a radical departure from anything Rolex had done previously at the time. Dials that had previously been white or silver were replaced with an imposing, deep black coloring instead. The dials would also become significantly more luminescent, case sizes would get both bigger and bulkier in terms of thickness, and rotating bezels would soon become standard fare.
As a result of this experimentation, Rolex began crafting other “exploration” themed watches outside of the Explorer, including the GMT-Master and the Milgauss. In 1953, Rolex would release three of these watches to the general public – the 6202 Turn-o-Graph, the Explorer, and the 6204 Submariner.
These watches would closely resemble the modern Rolex watches that we have come to know today, and also represent Rolex’s formal entry into what we would now call the “tool watch” market. They combined the durability and reliability of sports watches with the formal design elements of dress watches, creating an almost entirely new style of watch – luxury activewear – in the process. Thus, w
hat we would now call vintage Rolex Submariner watches began to be produced, and consumers enthusiastically responded to them within a short period of time.
Due to their enduring success, the Rolex Submariner line still continues on today, with its most recent iteration being produced in 2020. However, for the purposes of this endeavor, we are only going to focus on older watches, and in this case, it makes the most sense to start at the beginning – with the reference 6204 from 1953.
Reference 6204 – 1953
This is the first watch to ever be officially labeled a Submariner, and as such, it should be considered a significant part of horological history. It should also be noted that there is some confusion around when this watch was actually crafted – some literature mistakenly says 1954, but that was when Rolex began truly marketing the watch in earnest, not the date of its production.
Reference 6205 – Clean Dial & Pencil Hands – 1954
This is one of the most interesting of the early models of the Submariner for a number of different reasons. The first is that this may very well be the only Rolex Submariner that does not have the word “Submariner” anywhere on the dial. There also doesn’t seem to be any discernible reasons that we find as to why Rolex made this choice, but regardless of their motivation, choosing to do so makes this a very interesting watch indeed.
It is also notable for being the last of the Submariner watches to not feature the Mercedes hands on the dial.
Reference 6205 – Signature & Mercedes Hands – 1954
The noted Rolex Submariner signature would return to the bottom of the dial of this watch, but more importantly, this would be the first introduction of the famous Mercedes hands that have now become so well associated with the Rolex Submariner line. It should be noted that because this was the first generation of this modification, the hands are a little bit longer here than they would be on later watches.
Reference 5513 – Various
The reference 5513 was released in 1962, which was only three years after its immediate predecessor, the 5512, was released by Rolex. And even by Rolex’s own stringent standards, that is a remarkably short amount of time for a watch to be in production.
This iteration is notable amongst the Submariner line for a couple of important reasons, but it did not contain any historical firsts among the product line. If you were to closely examine these watches, you would notice that they have pointed crown guards, which is not a feature that is unique to all Submariner models.
And though you would not be able to know this by just looking at the watch, the reference 5513 does not contain a movement that has been certified as a chronometer by the COSC, while the 5512 does contain one. The early generations of this watch use the caliber 1530, which was also used in the non-chronometer versions of its predecessor. Rolex wanted to distinguish between the 5512 and the 5513, so it decided to use the same movement from the non-chronometer version of the 5512 and roll it into the next-generation iteration of the watch.
As far as its general appearance goes, the 5513 looks a great deal like the 5512 as well. In fact, sans the missing “Superlative Chronometer / Officially Certified” text at the bottom of the dial, it would take an expert to be able to tell the two apart if you put them together side-by-side. Their casing, the bezels, and even the print on the gilded dials are all identical, which meant that Rolex was much more concerned about making technical changes than cosmetic ones where this watch was concerned.
Reference 5513 – Explorer Dial – 1962 – 1965
This is one of the more popular vintage Submariners to collect, which is in no small part due to how accessible it is, as well as the fact that it looks much different from the other timepieces that have the same reference number. This distinguished look is immediately apparent when you take a look at the dial, which is often referred to as the “Explorer Dial.”
The dial has several design elements that are immediately apparent when you look at it, making it fairly easy to identify. The numerals 3, 6, and 9 replace the lume plots on the dial for their respective positions, and there are slim, baton-like shapes in place of the other numerals instead of the normally used dots. The dial text is reduced in size as well, which all help to create the impression of a larger dial. The face of the watch feels elegant and uncluttered as a result.
Earlier on, we mentioned that the 5513 did not contain any notable firsts among Submariner history, but it does have a notable endpoint with regards to the Explorer dial. The 5513 was the last of the Explorer dial Submariners that Rolex would end up producing. When you take into account that the first Explorer dial Submariner was only produced ten years before this, it becomes clear how rapidly the Submariner was changing during this time.
There were a handful of 5512 Explorers that were produced around the same time, but the majority of them seem to have been crafted for the UK market. There doesn’t seem to be an explanation as to why this was the case, adding something of a mysterious aura to these beautiful vintage timepieces.
Reference 5513 – Underline – 1963 – 1964
If you look carefully at this version of reference 5513, you will notice that it looks almost identical to its predecessor, except for one key detail. Underneath the word “Submariner,” there is a small dash that partially underlines the word under the “mar” part of the dial. But why, exactly, is this there in the first place?
The answer to that question actually has a very interesting backstory behind it – one that quite literally involves radioactive material, in fact. And while Rolex has never outright confirmed this, and likely never well, a careful examination of the facts leads to this being the most credible interpretation of the available information on the topic.
In the early years of the manufacturing of luminescent plots, the lume effect was achieved by applying specially made radioactive paint to the dials of the watches. During this time, it was not yet fully understood just how dangerous this material was, and today, this practice is no longer continued.
During the 1960’s, Rolex underwent a transitional period in order to begin phasing out the use of the material. Thus, because they had dials that had already been printed but not yet lumed, they began underlining their dials to indicate that a lower level of radiation would be found on this watch than had been previously seen on other Rolex watches. The underline dials were only produced from 1962 through 1964, at which point the transition appears to have been successfully completed.
Reference 5513 – Double Swiss Underline – 1963 – 1964
To further add an interesting wrinkle to the mix, there is yet another version of this watch that revolves around an underline on the dial – though it is in a completely different location than the watch we previously discussed. In this case, the partial underline is under the “Oyster Perpetual” signature located at the top of the dial. Additionally, it is worth noting that although this watch has pointed crown guards, it’s among the last of this particular reference number to do so.
The most immediately distinguishing feature about this dial is the double Swiss underline that appears at the bottom of the dial, with one “Swiss” stacked directly on top of the other one. There doesn’t seem to be much information as to why Rolex chose to do this, but it certainly adds a unique distinction to this timepiece.
Reference 5513 – Gilt Dial with Open Chapter Ring – 1964 – 1966
When people are asked to think of a vintage-era gilt dial Submariner, they would likely picture something similar to this watch. It does not contain any distinct markings or signatures, and it is referred to as “open chapter ring” because the hash marks on the gilt are not, as they normally would be, connected by a solid ring on the outer edge.
Because this watch was only produced for two years, it is one of the more challenging variants of this reference number to locate. People during this era were also more likely to use their watches as “tools” as opposed to treating them as collector’s items to be saved for the future, so if you do manage to locate one in good condition, you have truly found something special.
Around the time that Rolex stopped producing this watch, they decided to transition the 5513 to a new caliber. Instead of using the 1530, they decided to take a step backward and use the older caliber 1520 for this particular reference number. While the 1530 was the superior caliber from a technical standpoint, the 1520 was easier to mass-produce, and so Rolex ultimately made the choice to use the more cost-effective movement going forward, especially as it was never intended to be a chronometer for the first place.
Reference 5513 – Bart Simpson – 1966
Watch collectors are, by their nature, a group that is very motivated by a love of minutiae and small details, which explains how this watch retroactively received its unofficial name, which corresponds to a cartoon character whom the world wouldn’t meet for another 23 years.
The reason this watch is referred to as the “Bart Simpson” has to do with the coronet, or small crown, at the top of the dial above the word “Rolex.” Every Rolex watch has one, and over the years, it has changed a number of times – some of these changes were likely intentional at the behest of the company, and others were likely simply a result of the manufacturing process and the tools used to make the coronet.
If you look closely at the dial on this watch, the coronet does bear a strong resemblance to Springfield’s favorite son – a fact many collectors likely take some delight in as well.
Reference 5513 – Matte Dial with Meters First – 1967 – 1969
This watch represents an important moment for both its own reference number and the 5512, as it marks the moment when Rolex decided to move away from gilded dials and instead start using the matte dials, which are what we now most often think of when asked to picture a Rolex dial.
Many of these watches would later print the feet first instead of the meters on the dial, as Rolex was very well aware of how popular their watches were (and still are) in the North American market. However, this particular model has the meters printed first, which makes it something of a rarity if you are able to locate one.
Reference 5513 – MilSub – 1972 – 1976
Along with the Explorer version of the 5513, the MilSub is often considered to be one of the most collectible vintage Rolex Submariner watches on the market, especially where the reference 5513 is concerned. This watch would prove to be so popular, in fact, that there are no less than three variants of this timepiece – this version, a 5513/5517 double reference, and a 5517 reference. It is important to note that the last two references listed here are only available as MilSub watches, not as regular vintage Rolex Submariners.
The MilSub has several special features that immediately set it apart from other vintage Rolex Submariners – for starters, it has a very special bezel. This bezel is graduated in one-minute increments around the entire dial, which is not something that you will ever see on a “civilian” Submariner. Even the hands on this watch are unique, as they are shaped in the form of swords.
The circle-T logo at six o’clock is indicative of the fact that this watch uses tritium lume instead of radium, which is considerably safer for the wearer. There are also fixed bars between the lugs instead of removable spring bars.
If any of those things are missing from the watch, it is very possible that you may be looking at a fraudulent piece. A MilSub is worth significantly more than a traditional reference 5513 among vintage Rolex Submariner collectors, so it is a popular choice to try and doctor up with fraudulent paperwork. Be wary and always make certain you are purchasing your watch from a dealer that you trust and have worked with before.
Reference 5513 – Matte Dial with Feet First – 1969 – 1982
This watch ends up being historically significant among both its reference number, and the Submariner line as a whole, for several different reasons. Chief among them is the fact that although the 5513 and the 5512 have a lot of overlap in terms of both how they look and their actual technical specifications, this is the last time that any crossover between the two reference numbers would be seen.
This watch is nearly identical to its 5512 counterpart, though the lume plots have now graduated to the larger “maxi” size, and the color has changed to a pale yellow instead of the more commonly seen dark orange and beige that became so well-known.
Additionally, this would be the last generation of the true, no-date vintage Rolex Submariner, making it something of a trophy among collectors who specialize in seeking out these kinds of watches.
Reference 5513 – Last Generation – 1982 – 1989
It is worth noting here that among the watches we have already covered or will cover through the remainder of this article, this will be one of the youngest series, as it began production in 1982 and would conclude in 1989. This watch is also significant because it is one of the last of its reference number that would be produced before the reference number was retired entirely by Rolex, after 27 years of being in continuous production. This is further indicated by the fact that all of these watches have a serial number that begins with “L.”
In terms of its aesthetic, this watch looks fairly different than a traditional vintage Rolex Submariner. This is by no means a coincidence – rather, it is a direct result of the fact that, chronologically, this watch is the exact midpoint between a vintage Rolex Submariner and the more modern models that we have become familiar with today.
Among many collectors, this piece is considered to be something of a “missing link” between the old and the new, and as such, it is a prized find for anyone fortunate enough to be able to procure one.
One of the most immediately recognizable traits of this watch is its glossy black dial, along with the white gold that completely surrounds each of the tritium hour markers. Additionally, a careful inspection of the dial will also reveal a change to the font used on the dial, as well as some of the detailing on the bezel.
Reference 1680 – Various
The reference 1680 is one of the more historically significant iterations of the Rolex Submariner – so much so, in fact, that there are no less than five different versions of this watch. Below we will further explore each of these watches in more detail and explain why some of them are technically noteworthy with regards to the history of the Submariner line.
Reference 1680 – Red Submariner – 1969 – 1975
The “Red Submariner,” as it has come to be known today among collectors and experts, is certainly an important watch if you are discussing the overall history of the Submariner watch lineage. The primary reason for this is because it is the first of the Submariner watches to have a date complication, which is clearly visible through a small magnifying window at three o’clock.
This is particularly unusual, however, because other watch lines that were not necessarily as well-known had this innovation implemented beforehand. For example, the Sea-Dweller line, which is arguably less prestigious, has had a date window complication since its inception, and those watches were released an entire two years earlier than the Red Submariner. Notably, the Red Submariner used the same caliber movement as the early Sea-Dwellers, which was the caliber 1575.
A version of the caliber 1575 was already being used to operate GMT-Masters and Datejust watches, so Rolex simply needed to modify the movement in order to add the complication for the date window on the Red Submariner. Initially, the movement ran at 19,800 VPH and also contained a jumping calendar wheel, but by 1972, they had upgraded the movement. The primary improvement would be the implementation of hacking seconds, which would allow the user to set their watch more precisely.
As a result of adding in the new date window complication, Rolex decided that it would be appropriate to bestow an entirely new reference number upon this iteration – in this case, 1680. The very earliest versions of this watch feature the word “Submariner” written in red text at the bottom of the dial with the Submariner’s trademark text, which is how the 1680 received its unofficial nickname among collectors.
During the early to mid-2000’s, many watch aficionados viewed procuring a Red Submariner as a starting point with regards to collecting notable vintage Rolex watches. This was because, comparatively speaking, it was reasonably affordable and yet still had some historical significance within the company, and that was not an easy combination to come by.
It also stood out because it was one of the only Submariners models with a date window that was capable of generating as much excitement as the models without a date window. In the present day, the Red Submariner is no longer seen as a “niche watch” that generates as much interest as it did twenty years ago, largely due to the production of gilt dial watches and other factors, but it is still considered a classic Submariner model and an important part of Rolex’s history.
There is a common misconception that the Red Submariner was only produced for one year, but as we stated above, this is factually inaccurate, as it was produced from 1669 until 1973. Furthermore, it also went through several different iterations during that time, so while the watch is notable, it is not necessarily a “rare timepiece” by any applicable measure. There is some debate among the watch collecting community on exactly how many iterations there are officially – seven or eight – as some people believe it appropriate to condense the Mark II and Mark III into one iteration.
Reference 1680 – 18K Yellow Gold – 1969 – 1979
In 1969, Rolex decided to release a solid gold version of the Submariner, which was a divisive choice among longtime fans of the lauded watchmaker. For some people, this led to them no longer considering the Submariner to be a true “sports watch”; for members of the opposition, they believed that the Submariner was finally beginning to fulfill its true destiny – as a luxury watch. As is so often the case with these kinds of matters, there isn’t truly a right or wrong answer here – only a matter of perspective.
In terms of its technical specifications and aesthetic, the 18K yellow gold version of the 1680 has the exact same dimensions as its steel sister watch – just plated in yellow gold. The bezel is similar but not exactly the same – the numerals and markings have been changed from silver to gold, as silver text would look unusual when next to a gold case. The color of the date disc has been changed to a champagne hue as well, for the same reason as the silver markings.
The most notable difference in terms of how the watch looks is its dial, which has been deemed a “nipple dial” due to the implementation of raised hour markers. It is worth taking a moment here to point out that the meters-first dial version of this watch is extremely rare, as it was only in production for a total of two years.
Reference 1680 – 18K Yellow Gold with Blue Dial – 1971 – 1979
The solid gold version of the watch proved popular enough that Rolex decided to produce further variants of it, with this version being the first of several that would come to fruition. The bright blue dial and bezel would very much evoke a nautical feeling, which is fitting for a watch that inherently has so many nautical associations.
Though it was not the default bracelet that came with the watch, many people who purchased this particular timepiece decided to order a special version of this watch that was mounted on a President bracelet instead of the traditional factory setting bracelet.
Reference 1680 – COMEX – The Mid-1970’s
Rolex, like several other watchmakers throughout history, has been happy to offer their services for a commission when a company reaches out to them with a request to make a specific kind of watch, if they believe the project actually has some merit. The COMEX 1680 is just such an example of one of these collaborations.
The largest of any of the Submariner models ever produced, the COMEX 1680 was specifically produced for the French Compagnie maritime d’expertises, or COMEX, in its English abbreviation.
COMEX is a company that specializes in underwater engineering, especially where deep-sea projects are concerned. Because of the uniquely challenging conditions that their employees were working under, COMEX needed to be able to issue them watches that could be utilized underwater, or in deeply submerged conditions, for long periods of time.
The dial on this watch has the COMEX logo just above the depth rating, and the word “COMEX” and a reference number are engraved on the back of the timepiece as well.
The 1680 version of the COMEX Submariner is known as the “big numbers COMEX,” and is a fairly rare watch, making it somewhat difficult to find.
A very important note should be addressed here – not all COMEX Submariners have this reference number. There are two other vintage COMEX Submariners that fall under the provision of the 5513 and 5514 references. The two watches are technically identical, and many of them have similar-looking dials as well. The primary difference is the addition of a helium escape valve, which is located on the left side of the case. This is a feature that is more commonly seen on another well-known Rolex timepiece – the Sea-Dweller.
Reference 1680 – Matte Dial with White Submariner – 1976 – 1979
Though Rolex would never publically admit this if it were the case, there is a possibility that, at least in part, the 1680 with the matte white dial was produced in response to the backlash that was generated from those who felt the gold version of this watch was simply too ostentatious.
And while the technical specifications are the exact same as the other 1680 watches, when it comes to the look of this watch, it could not be more different from its sibling timepieces. There is no corporate branding to be found, no gold plating or blue dials, not even the trademark “Submariner” written in red font at the bottom of the dial.
This version of the 1680 is one of the simplest iterations of the watch that there is in terms of its appearance. This does not mean, however, that the watch is still not a beautiful piece of machinery – it certainly is, and the use of elegant markers and a light white text for the signature at the bottom are certainly aesthetically pleasing.
And despite the fact that it has a very simple appearance, actually procuring one of these watches is not nearly as simple. This iteration of the 1680 was only produced for three years, so there is a relatively limited number of them in existence, meaning it can take some time to actually locate one.
Reference Number 16610 – Various
The reference number 16610 represents an important moment for the Rolex Submariner – the moment where it begins to truly transition away from what we would traditionally define as “vintage Rolex Submariners” into the more modern wristwatch that we have come to know today. While it is certainly not the “missing link” that we mentioned in the previous section, it is the watch that immediately follows it in the evolutionary chain of the Rolex Submariner.
Reference Number 16610 – 1988 – 2010
Even if you knew next to nothing about this watch, you could learn a lot about how significant it was to Rolex just by looking at how many years the timepiece was in production for. This watch was manufactured by Rolex for over twenty years, making it one of the most enduring, and popular, iterations of the Submariner that ever came to market.
While the font on the dial changed, in terms of its look, there were not a lot of significant changes between this watch and its immediate predecessor. However, the same cannot be said in terms of its technical specifications.
This was the first Rolex Submariner to introduce the caliber 3135, which would become one of the most commonly used calibers in any Rolex watch for many years to come.
Reference Number 16610LV – 2003 – 2010 – 50th Anniversary Edition
This is certainly not a vintage watch, but we are covering it here because it marks an important milestone in Rolex history, of which there have certainly been several over the last century. This watch was specially commissioned by Rolex to celebrate the astounding 50th anniversary of the initial launch of the Submariner, and to acknowledge how much had changed with these watches, and within the world, since that time.
Because of its green bezel and white coloring, this watch was quickly given the nickname “Kermit,” although depending on who you ask, this may not have been a term of endearment – at least at the outset. The watch was not immediately popular with consumers, and for a significant period of time, it was only available on the secondary market, often at a discounted price.
As so often happens, though, time ended up being much kinder to the Kermit once it was no longer in production, and currently, this remains one of the harder Submariner models to get a hold of, not to mention that it can cost anywhere from $10,000 on upwards.
Reference Number 116610 – Various
While this is one of the more modern of the reference numbers on our list of vintage Rolex Submariners so far, we felt that it was important to include it because it contained a number of Rolex Submariner watches that became very popular and were ultimately significant to the modern history of the line.
Reference Number 116610 – 2010 – 2020
When the original reference number 116610 was released in 2010, it was a source of significant controversy among Rolex diehards, especially those who had been ardent fans of the vintage Rolex Submariner style that had been so prominently featured for so many years.
This was most apparent in the look of the watch, especially where the case was concerned. This was the first Submariner to introduce the “Super Case” to the Submariner line, and many people believed that this was Rolex’s attempt to placate fans who felt that the 40 mm Submariner was too small. The Super Case was responsible for introducing both lugs and crown guards that were twice the thickness of this watch’s immediate predecessor.
The elegance of the watch, with its flowing lines and smooth polish, has been replaced by something more square and bulky, but ultimately more modern. From a design standpoint, it was one of the most radical changes that Rolex had made to the Submariner line in years.
Reference Number 116610LV – 2010 – 2020
It is truly hard to overstate the effect that the reference number 116610LV had upon its original release in 2010. Affectionately known among Rolex aficionados as the “Hulk,” due to its coloring, which significantly resembles the legendary comic book character.
This watch was one of those rare moments that every company dreams of – a true, immediate success right out of the gate. It is hard to put into words what, exactly, makes a watch so desirable to collectors, especially a newer one, but consumers were immediately enthralled by this piece and began to seek it out.
The watch has a unique combination of panache, style, and versatility, even by Rolex’s notoriously demanding standards, resulting in a timepiece whose appeal has only significantly grown throughout the years. This is a particularly difficult watch to track down, so if you are looking to find one, do know that it will likely take some time and hard work on your part to locate one.
Reference Number 116610LN – 2010 – 2020
Though technically not a “vintage” Rolex Submariner, we wanted to include this particular watch on the list because it was one of the most popular Submariner models in recent memory. This watch also bears, in many ways, a striking resemblance to the Reference 1680, though the dial markers have been changed from a beige-like color to a very elegant white that adds a level of deep sophistication to the design of the dial.
Unlike the LV, while this watch was popular, it never quite reached the same heights as the Hulk, as witnessed by the fact that the watch has not had an unofficial nickname bestowed upon it. That does not mean that, however, it is not a quality timepiece by any stretch of the imagination.
Are There Any Vintage Submariner Watches That Were Not Made by Rolex?
The answer to this question is kind of tricky, but the short version is “yes,” although someone could argue the opposite if they were so inclined. The reason for this has to do with Hans Wilsdorf, who originally co-founded Rolex. He was also responsible for founding the Tudor watch company as well, and because the two are sister companies, Tudor is occasionally granted permission to use the name of one of Rolex’s watch lines, such as the Submariner.
Tudor Submariner 94010 – 1985
In many ways, the Tudor Submariner looks and feels a lot like the Reference 1680 with the matte dial and white hour indicators, particularly where the dial is concerned. The stainless steel case and the oyster lock are also very similar as well – in fact, the only way you would really know this watch was a Tudor instead of a late 70’s or early 80’s era vintage Rolex Submariner, at least from just looking at it, is the fact that it says “Tudor” on the dial and has the Tudor logo engraved on the clasp.
What Kind of Replacement Strap is Best For Your Vintage Rolex Submariner?
There are a plethora of reasons why you might be looking to replace the strap for your vintage Rolex Submariner, and there are almost as many options in terms of the types of straps you can purchase, their style, what color they come in, and several other customizable choices.
In our humble opinion, having a rubber watch strap as your primary replacement strap is clearly the best option. Below are a number of reasons that, if you do not already own a rubber watch strap for your vintage Rolex Submariner, you should seriously consider procuring one as soon as possible.
Rubber Watch Straps Help the Environment and Prevent Animal Cruelty
If you are a watch collector who is vegan, or even just a conscious consumer who is concerned about how the products you purchase have an effect on the environment, then rubber straps are really the only option you should be considering at all.
Rubber watch straps, unlike alligator watch straps or leather watch bands, are made from a plant product, which means they are 100% sustainable and renewable. More importantly, however, is that they reduce the number of animals who are needlessly killed each and every year to make these watch straps in the first place.
For those who like the look and feel of leather but do not want to actually harm animals, the SwimSkin® Alligator line is a fantastic place to consider beginning your search for your new strap. It has the look and feel of alligator hide but is made completely from 100% vulcanized rubber, allowing for a classy and distinguished look without actually contributing further to animal cruelty.
While we are fully aware of the history that animal hide watch straps, especially leather ones, have played in the watchmaking industry, we are elated to be able to offer our customers a cruelty-free choice that they can truly feel great about purchasing. Rubber watch straps are not only the environmentally friendly choice, but as far as animals are concerned, they are the life-saving one.
Rubber Watch Straps Are More Durable Than Animal Skin Straps
Another excellent reason to consider a rubber watch strap as your primary replacement strap for your vintage Rolex Submariner is that they are far more durable than straps that are made from leather or alligator. Rubber watch straps are waterproof and are a great alternative strap for those who lead an active lifestyle, which is especially important to consider when talking about the Submariner, as it is first and foremost a diving watch.
What Kind of Vintage Rolex Submariner Rubber Strap Does Rubber B Have For Rolex Submariners?
Rubber B offers four different styles of rubber watch straps for vintage Rolex Submariners: they are the Classic, the Tang Buckle, the Velcro® style, and the most recent addition to this lineup, the Rubber Cuff series.
All of these vary in terms of their style, clasps, and available color patterns, and between all four of these styles, there are literally dozens of options that you could come up with to find the exact rubber watch strap that perfectly complements your vintage Rolex Submariner.
If you would like to learn more about our complete catalog of straps for these watches, simply click here to see all of the rubber watch straps that we currently have in stock.
Our Final Thoughts About the Rolex Submariner
In an overview of dive watches, or even horological history as a whole, the Rolex Submariner is one of those watches that has so definitely made an impact that it will be duplicated (although never replicated) for many more years to come.
The innovations that were introduced via this watch, both in terms of its technical achievements and the way that it combined form and function into an irresistible timepiece, means that even if Rolex had only ever produced this one watch and no other timepiece, they would still have a place in the hallowed watchmaking hall of fame.
Are You in Need of a Custom Rubber Watch Band For Your Luxury Timepiece? Visit Rubber B Today
All of Rubber B’s watch straps are made from 100% vulcanized rubber and are crafted exclusively by experts in Switzerland. Orders are shipped out within 24 to 48 hours of receiving them, and Rubber B also offers shipping options to its international clientele as well. For more information on our pricing and product catalog, please visit our website.
Follow us on Instagram
