There is going to be some discourse around the topic but we can’t deny how influential the Submariner has been in the landscape of Sports Watches and how the modern watch is seen today. Would there be another watch you’d substitute into this category? (I’m thinking Datejust and Speedmaster will be up there) ;)

I bought a Submariner, 16800 in 1984 as a dive tool watch when serving in the military (tax-free overseas). I wore it as my only watch for two decades through thick and thin before selling it in 2005 for four times what I'd originally paid for it (after my wife discovered what it was worth). I regret selling it every day of my life since. I've never been able to replace it. Today, for the past four years I've worn a Tudor Pelagos every day and it has been brilliant... but not quite a Sub. I will attain another Submariner 16800 once the mortgage is done and the kids are all self-sufficient. I will take it to my grave, I will be buried with it.

My wife bought my Submariner in 2009 shortly before my first combat deployment to Afghanistan. My Sub accompanied me on five more deployments to Asia and the Middle East and at on least 30 static line parachute jumps. Today, years after my 30 year military career ended, it is still my daily wear.

My dad bought a 5513 on layaway in 1968. He paid $20 a month for a year. He gave that watch to me in 1988 for my birthday. I still wear it regularly and it still keeps great time. I plan to give it to my son one day. After all these years, I still find myself staring at it, admiring the matte black dial, creamy geometric tritium lume plots and patina matching Mercedes hands. It’s an amazing watch that gets better looking with age.

This is why I chose this as my “one and done” watch, years ago. Every time I get an itch for another watch, I just look down at my wrist. It’s a family member.

As a musician, to me, the Submariner is eerily analogous to the Fender Stratocaster. Introduced bizarrely at the same time ('53 & '54), they are both so technologically groundbreaking, globally recognizable, and influential, that their shadow still looms just as large as it did when they were first introduced. The fact that these 70 year old designs are STILL being copied in one form another today speaks for itself. I love the Fifty Fathoms, but it's aesthetic design footprint is nowhere nearl as monumental as the Submariners. Great video! IDGuy will own a Sub one day...Facts LOL

Few things in life are perfect and built to be used for a lifetime . I lusted after a Submariner from the first time I saw one. I tried on many, but real life priorities went first. I looked at other brands but none had the combination of heritage, engineering, toughness and elegance. Then 35 years after first seeing one, on my anniversary, one appeared out of the vault at my local AD. My wife looked at me and said “ there you are, you’ve waited long enough”. We are retired but still love the ocean. We both surf, and I do a little sport diving so the watch definitely gets wet. Our son is a U.S. Navy Rescue Swimmer, and someday my Rolex Submariner will be his. ( He has already earned it). Was it worth the wait? Absolutely! Excellent video!

The Rolex Submariner and the Omega Speedmaster are the two greatest watches ever made.

My 7928 followed me for 2 tours in Nam... Today I still wear it!

I first saw the sub in the Rolex shop in Zurich 1962 and never forgot it. I didn't need James Bond or Steve McQueen to convince me this was a truly iconic timepiece. In 1972 I was looking for a new watch and my first stop was the local Rolex store in Palo Alto, Ca. They just happen to have a 1966 Submariner ,5512, 4 line, chronograph that a guy was unable to make the final payments on. I wound up paying $150. for the watch and it has been my daily wear watch ever since. To me the design is right up there with the Mercedes Gullwing and P-51 Mustang, no other watch has ever come close.

This post is very well written, i admire your channel.

Too me it is the most versatile watch ever made. There is a reason why it was the original bond watch. It goes from being tough and rugged to classy and elegant with ease. It is one of the only true tool watches that can be worn with a suit or even a black tie. Between it's accuracy, durability, finishing and slim 12m case it is a watch that looks great and fits any occasion. If I could only have one watch in my collection, while it may not be the best expression of my unique style, it would be hard to not pick the black bezel sub.

The Sub is the watch I've always wanted since I started owning watches. I finally bought a Sub at 52 years old. It is even better than I expected. I had a chance to buy a GMT, but I am sticking with the Sub.

In 1982, my sisters boyfriend was a U.S. Marine Security Guard working at an American Embassy overseas. He dropped by the house and I noticed a gorgeous new watch on his wrist. I asked hime what it was. "Rolex Submariner! State of the art," he enthusiastically exclaimed. I wanted one for decades and finally in 2019, purchased the Submariner model 114060. Iconic and the perfect "one watch" collection watch. There can only be one.

A pure, classy review of an iconic watch.

Another fantastic video. I love your approach to covering watches by discussing the history and design elements and the importance of the decisions made. Keep up the amazing work man.

Thanks for the video! Perfect timing I think contributed to the legendary status of the Rolex Sub: - The Fifties and Sixties saw the rise in popularity for adventures and discoveries: Everest, Space, and Oceans fascinated the greater public - Rolex was not yet perceived as a “luxury” brand, but as a watch brand for life, because of its robustness and quality. - The Sub was the ultimate combination of the above. It became the best symbol for an entire generation keen to be part of this world of adventure and discoveries. - The fact it was built for professionals and used by the very best of them gave the Sub a credibility second to none. The rest is history…..

The Rolex Sub is iconic thanks to Bond 007 Connery in Dr. No BUT the Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms is more significant!

A great video IDGuy, sometimes when a design is right evolution and not revolution is they key. New materials, better bracelets, a tweak or two to the shape and movement improvements. For sure my 124060 no date is very well made (the bezel action is sublime), accurate, modern but also retro at the same time if that makes any sense. Oh, and I do wear it as part of the rotation so it does have some wear marks. And I'm more than OK with that. For now it just might be the greatest watch of all time.

Got my Sub Date new in 2008. Now that I’m retired it gets worn daily. It’s never been serviced and keeps to about +1 sec a day. It’s magic! It shows very minor wear and is still gorgeous. Best purchase I ever made. Wish I would have bought the GMT Master or two tone steel and Everose Yachtmaster 4yrs ago when they were available and more affordable.

I don’t think you’d lose a debate. Wearing my week old BB Pro (finally got The Call!) and the lineage is obvious. Submariner is the standard bearer in the dive category. Great video. Saw you’re over 14M views. 👍

I think it can definitely be said that it's the most iconic watch, but I don't know about greatest. As far as technical specifications, price, and to a lesser extent it's history, it's incredibly subjective to say it's the greatest watch ever.

I had many watches over the years, however I've sold all of them due to financial reasons but kept My Submariner. The Rolex Submariner is the only watch that gives me confidence and motivation and a reminder of the things I've accomplished and more to come. Definitely for me the best watch I've ever owned .

I think it is the greatest too. Icon, utility, the mix of tool and dress design elements and particularly the dimensions. The only issue is just that, it’s so popular that it can be perceived as common and it has spawned countless imitators which dilutes its uniqueness even further. Top shelf as always mr guy. 🥃

I bought my Submariner in 1969 in Vietnam. And I still wear it today. Enough said about this fantastic timepiece. An heirloom without price.

The Sub is so iconic for all the reasons you so eloquently mentioned, such a great video, thank you! I have a Seamster 300 diver that I love and although the Sub would be redundant, I definitely want a 126610LV to add to the collection. The green bezel will provide the pop of color I need to justify a spot for it. Lol. Even after getting a GMT which I absolutely love, I still want a sub someday.

I think I'd reduce it further. Simply the Oyster Perpetual. Pure core Rolex. Oyster case, screw down crown, chronometer tested accuracy. A pure perfect design that hasn't really changed since its' conception.

Some 20th Century designs just 'Work', like Converse Chuck Taylor's. They defy time and endure...

I received a 16610 when I turned 18. It was expensive but not crazily so. Still wearing it now. It was my only watch for decades as I didn't become interested in watches until my 40s. It did everything that I wanted from a watch, which is to say it stood up to everything my life threw at it, and when I was younger I had a pretty active life.

I am supposed to be “retired” from the acquisition of new collection pieces. But for some odd reason, I really want a Sub date. If given the chance… I would jump at a Submariner. Why? It is simply sublime. Materials, design, build quality, legendary reputation, and sheer beauty. Nice video. You are killing me!

Wow this is FREAKY! I picked up a New Submariner Date on Wednesday.

Man your story telling, presentation and research in incredible 👏! The sub is one of my grails, maybe one day I’ll own one 👍🏼

Two streams of commentary for you: Those legible dial markings of dot, dash, triangle (while unlikely meant as it) form as abstraction from the lume of the most traditional field watches: pips at the hours, double pips at 9, 3, & 6 if no small seconds, stacked pips flanked by additional pips at 12. Back to basics transcending to icon. I think reference 1680 provides a double revolutionary moment in an otherwise iterative design. Of the tool watch aspects, object as a utility, adding the date complication. A full hybridization of watertight case, automatic movement from an OP, chronometer accuracy and elapsed timing bezel of a Turnograph, and date with magnifier ala Datejust. & they also released a full yellow gold model. Chapter switch into full luxury goods.

I’ve been watching more and more of your videos - they are fantastic. Keep up the great work. Cheers 👍

I have a Hulk. I’ve had other watches too of course. But I cannot imagine a greater all around watch. Whether it is its iconic status, its wearing comfort, its durability, its simple beauty, or investment value…what an amazing watch.

Great video, I happen to be wearing mine today. Classic tool watch plus timeless elegance for the office. Quite simply, the Rolex Submariner is one of the best designed watch of all times.

Great video as always. I have nothing against Rolex or their designs. But I just can't digest those Mercedes hands. I like the Tudor better, or homages from other brands using different handsets.

My two watches are my Omega Speedmaster Professional, and my Rolex Submariner 14060m two line version. Both are beautiful to my eyes, and whilst dull choices, I think they are icons for a reason. Other watches come and go, but these remain at the heart of my collection. For the doubters, I'd urge you to spend wristtime with either.

It would be my pick. It is the style and look I never get sick of. There are other flavors of the month or even year, but I always come back to this watch

I do think it is a contender for the greatest of all time. I have always loved the circular indices and the rotating bezel. Plus its bracelet is one of the best at any price point. Hope to own one someday but I am in no rush.

Do i only wear Levi's 501? Yes. Are there better jeans out there? Maybe, but i don't care. Though i don't own a sub and don't have the inkling either, i know the Platonic ideal of watch when I see it. If you wear a Sub and for whatever reason, you won't hear a word of criticism from me. Ask a 7yo kid to draw a watch and it won't look like a Tank or a Calatrava. Nice edition IDG (and suitably clickbaity too...your channel deserves more eyeballs😁👍)

Great video and very well put. One thing that does bother me about the whole discussion is that people seem to keep ignoring the significance of the datejust, and i suspect it's because, unlike the sub, it's not an investment piece. In my opinion, it has had a bigger influence on watch design than the sub. And if one wants a true daily watch with no dive bezel but of similar quality, then I propose the DJ41 oyster bracelet smooth bezel.

My Tudor BB58 Blue is totally a Rolex Submariner but without the brand name and cache that comes with being a "Rolex" It is truly a beautiful, useful, rugged tool. Yes the Submariner is probably the best watch of all time

Was blessed by my beloved AD with a Submariner with a few months back; it gets almost all of my wrist time. Absolutely perfect watch.

Awesome video! Enjoyed your take on this topic and personally do believe it is THE best watch of all time.

Always a pleasure watching your videos. I appreciate your work.

Design and shape wise is it one of the best. I personally prefer the GMT Master, i think this is the best watch ever made. For dive watches i think the Fifty Fathoms and Planet Ocean watches are cooler for summer. Nice one again!

When you look at the field, dive and pilots watch they all share the same DNA. Simple dial with minimal text and a complimentary handset that just looks great and Rolex hit this on the first try and all they’ve done is gradually added features over the years and the design is timeless. This is why so many companies copy or take design hints to add to their respective models. But to say it’s the greatest? That’s subjective to the beholder.

Greatest can be subjective; from the standpoint of being an almost universally recognized icon, probably yes. For what you get for the money from a finishing, materials and movement point of view, there are objectively better watches on paper for similar money. This is exacerbated by the hype of the past 5 years and the astronomically obscene secondary market prices. So it depends. Also worth recognizing that Rolex is just as much an advertising company as they are a watch company. They are an icon, no doubt.

Great topic and like the content of this video. My humble thoughts. I think the Rolex sub is the greatest watch that succeeded all others in all ways, marketing, simple yet functional design, quality and durability. I think the main delimiter was the Rolex marketing and quality. Having both of those components compliment each other created an upward cycle to luxury and must-have status, which put them where they are now.

Totally agree, i see alot of Rolex haters in the past 2-3 years mainly because they cant obtain one. But we all know the Rolex brand will always be om top and the Sub will always be the benchmark!

A Bold statement indeed and I can't think anyone else has actually said it which seems hard to believe. You're so right of course. Sitting there like the holy grail of dive watches to which every manufacturer's best efforts are judged. Whatever anyone thinks of it , sometimes when a design is just so right I think the job is done and it can only evolve. Push the basic core too far and the design is lost. An obvious example to me would be the 911 whose performance has got better and better over the years. However, in terms of aesthetics I have opened a whole new can of worms! Not had a chance to check out your new channel yet , for your thoughts on all things design. I'm sure it will do well.

I do like your historical perspective. And yes, the Submariner is the genesis of Rolex I would buy, the Yacht-Master 40 in blue.

While I will never own a Submariner (it is way out of my price range), it certainly is an icon. One thing you didn’t mention was the Submariner’s military heritage which in part explains the link to the early James Bond films. The fact that the Submariner today is a luxury item is a reality that makes it no longer a watch that a could be worn by a combat swimmer, but it carries that history with it and offers some promise of adventure even to the deal divers. Great video!

I was hoping for bloopers at the end.😉 Thank you for the entertaining content; thoughtful, interesting, and sometimes humorous.

Most important, iconic, and influential? Of course! Even haters dont deny this self-evident fact. Best watch ever overall? Not even close! So many other watches out there outclass it from a performance and aesthetic standpoint. That said... I still want one, though if I had to be nitpicky about it, I'd want a 2-Line Ref. 6538 with an original no-hatch bezel. I'm sure they are impossible to find in the wild, and would go for OBSCENE amounts of money if one still existed intact and in reasonable condition, but that's my ultimate grail watch; It was the one that started the "gotta have that cool watch" trend and is the one that inspired so many of us to pursue this hobby in the first place, and for that reason alone, I shall lust after and covet it until my dying breath.

As both a Strat owner and a Submariner owner I completely agree. Well said.

We'll, it's one of the best. I'd say the GMT Master II is a close second. And all of your reasons listed for why it is the best is all true. Great video by the way .

Excellent video!! Your beautiful combination of video production and effective use of language yield a wonderful, alternate perspective to the world of watches. I can't believe I get to watch these videos for free!! Thanks!!

I’m buying either the Sub or the Sea-Dweller. The oyster bracelet sub to me is what the 911 is to the car world. It’s stayed true to the original design for the most part and it’s still easily recognizable all these years later.

The greatest watch ever, maybe. The most iconic watch ever, quite possibly. Another great video 🙏👏🥃

Got my 124060 a year ago from AD after waiting 18 months, it can be done! It’s perfect and for me there’s no going back from the adjustable-on -the-go bracelet

Great points to raise , i have just received my 126610 LV mark 2, love the new green 💚

Well obviously man! Its fun to go back to some of the fundamental questions and revisit. Also, your on Patreon correct? Making sure I’m donating to the correct channel.

If not the best, it’s the most iconic watch ever made. The only Rolex I would spend my money on or tolerate the wait time for. I cannot begin to explain how annoying it is that Tudor subs are getting comparable in price to some “lesser” Rolex subs.

What I think is interesting is that when trying to answer the question " what is the greatest watch ever " I came up with 2 watches instantly.The Rolex Submariner,and the Casio F91w. Both for completely different reasons,and opposite ends of the spectrum, but equally great.

Great work👍🏻 looking forward to your take on the Pelagos 39. 👏👏👏

great review just got my 1st ever rolex the 124060 and it's a truely amazing watch ..and icon I never thought I'd get to own. I've the lhd pelagos and it's an amazing watch but the subs history / quality just puts it on another level

Fantastic video as always. The Submariner is the perfect watch to me. I am blessed enough to have a 168000 and the modern version and both are perfect and have the magic Rolex dna

Terrific review. Thank you.

Matey. Not watched yet but I know it'll be brilliant. And I'm sure you'll have respect for MY greatest watch for ME... (or is this the honeymoon period they tell me about?) It arrived yesterday. IWC Mark XVI .. all thanks to you and your video on the XX... thank you so much my friend..

Great video…and I completely agree it has set the standard for many that have followed since it’s birth. Do you personally prefer the Submariner or the Submariner Date?

I think what is interesting about the watch is that when you hold it you know it will go on past you. After you pass away.

one reason that it's the greatest watch is that it's the same design essentially, which makes it timeless. They've made small incremental changes to perfect it.

jyst bought one last weekend and its so beautifull!! very happy with it

Great post! Rolex is the GOAT…so I do have a little animosity towards the availability situation today but you can’t deny the value it brings if you can get it for retail price. I’m a working man, middle class, I knew about Patek and VC back then but those watches for the rich guys, not me. Rolex was the bar of excellence for my budget and that was a stretch lol. I had to save for it, it was to mark a milestone in my life. I never looked at the brand as a status symbol. I was first exposed to the brand by my gramp’s two-tone DJ he purchased overseas while in the military. Also there was this neighbor that used to talk about the good old days, when he was a strapping young college football player and they were gifted a Rolex for winning the Cotton Bowl (back in the 60’s if my memory serves me correctly). In 2013, I bought a 10 year old 16610 for $4800. I got it serviced once and enjoyed it for 10 years. I sold it today for $7350 to Bob’s Watches. When I purchased it, resale was never something I thought about. But what I noticed, in those 10 years as I started the addicting hobby, I would compare how the new watch differed in finish and wearability to the sub. Rolex spoiled me to expect their level of finish. There’s a lot to be said bout that. That watch is now 20 years old and it still beats a lot of new watches’ finish. I never had an issue with the clasp rattle, I liked it but it was part of the character. I’ll roast a modern watch with a crappy clasp/bracelet lol. I appreciate craftsmanship so I have other watch brands in my box but they each scratch a different itch. I think it is silly how some people get so polarized about the hobby.

Love to see your face in the videos :)... i have a Submariner 126610LN and it ended up to be the watch i wear ALL THE TIME! Skiing hiking, sleeping or what ever... it's the piece i put off occasionally to maybe wear something different.

One thing I will comment on, the Rolex Submariner(s) do tend to appreciate in value over time. I have a 1982 Submariner given to me on graduating University. It was purchased in Hong Kong for I believe $1,200 Cdn $ in 1983. As some may consider it vintage now, and is a transitional model, from what I can tell, it would likely retail for $25,000 plus. Pretty good return on initial investment. It's in excellent condition as I don't wear it as much as I should, due to its worth. With luxury items, comes the high price of servicing them, which is crazy, something to keep in mind for the average Guy. All comes down to how much enjoyment you will receive in owning it. A Seiko quartz likely keeps better time, Lol. The Submariner is no doubt an iconic watch.

Yes it’s an icon, I have owned 3 Submariner’s (two used, one new) I sold them all! I loved them but in the end as great as they are, they have a dollar value and I want to enjoy other watches. The only watch I would never sell is my Bulova - Sea King, it was my dads and he got it at the Navy PX during the war. They also had a Rolex available but it was a few dollars more.

I feel that having been collecting for years and recently obtaining an explorer the sub is still arguably the icon.... if I ever had one it'd be interesting to see my view of the rest of my collection.

The Subby has earned it, it's put in its time, well done.

This is all true, although my interaction with a Sub was limited to comparing it to a Pelagos once. The problem with its success is that it is perhaps the single most overexposed watch around. I recently saw three in a single morning. One was on the wrist of a bank employee, one on the wrist of the guy who gave me my towel at the gym and one was on a woman's wrist working out. That makes it almost as boring, or common, as it is awesome, despite it's status and all the waiting list stories. By the way, when I compared it to the Pelagos, I liked the sober simplicity of the Tudor and the stealthiness of the brushed titanium case much more.

Great video and very informative.

The Submariner is the world's greatest watch marketing exercise, one that continues to this very day and I'll doff my old uniform cap in Rolex's direction. But I've got other brands that are the world's greatest watches to me because of the memories associated with them. Great video though. 👍👍👍

Just a great show. Thanks

I bought my first submariner well over 40 years ago. Since that time I have been very lucky to have owned over 40 different Rolex watches as well as many other fine brands. But if I had to choose only one watch to live out the rest of my days with, it would be my submariner. It’s nice to see a young person appreciate such an icon!!!

It is the greatest watch of all time indeed - the design and astethics is breathtaking and timeless

I broadly agree. I like your point that they have 'earned' their place as a great. True for me also. 25 years, 24/7: marine survey, forestry, farming, motorcycles, shooting, cycling - never missed a beat and could still suit up for meetings and the opera. But the new versions are not so versatile: they struggle over a wetsuit and the 40mm Supercase or modern 41 look bulky 'off duty.' Sub's utility was always its luxury, but the Sub's versatility was its great sophistication and that is now lacking. I'm not convinced modern iterations are 'great,' just 'good.'

You argue your point well. I was particularly interested in the use of geometric shapes instead of numbers on the dial. I guess this really was an important innovation, because legibility, not just water tightness, underwater is fundamental. Was this the first dive watch with a unidirectional bezel?

Latest Tudor release of the new Pelagos 39 mm certainly confirms the ongoing influence of the Sub….as the ultimate reference in the sector. No dissimilar to the Porsche 911 legacy….

Versatile, iconic, value!

Exceptionally good presentation.

Purchased and own the Rolex Submariner Ref. 114060 NO DATE in March 2013(a retirement gift to myself) in 2022 I finally took it in for service and the watch is still going

One thing that I think was missed here, is what the Sub has become. Now being offered in precious metals, the sub has effectively become jewellery to many

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”. Let's say there has never been a more imitated watch. Need there be more said? ...Well, I will say a just little more.. no matter how much I try, I still come back to a submariner design in my watch purchases in one form or another. There's no debate for me.. I really like the design.

The sub just works like many have said. I haven't seen one in person. But maybe it's the lack of any quirks and the reinforcement of seeing iterations of this everywhere cemented it's design. I still don't understand the dive watch design. Not a fan yet. Maybe because I haven't held a good one. The only ones I really liked are the cushion/compression case ones

I love my 2003 ss date. Received it as a gift for graduation from University. Love this watch. Best feeling watch and always beautiful to stare at everyday.

Certainly one of the best designed and proportioned models. Its a visual icon for a reason.

Absolutely! Only the Speedmaster can come close. The Submariner has influenced the industry like any other watch. The watch by itself is a classic. I owned one, but unfortunately I had to let it go. I thought it was going to be me grail until I saw the Seadweller. Not even close in popularity.

Honestly, yes. I would say the original Submariner and the subsequent release of the Submariner Date (yes, that is actually it's name people - IYKYK, you don't say Submariner no-date) are the two greatest watches of the 20th and 21st Century. They certainly could be displaced in the future but today they are both sitting comfortably on the throne as King 1 and King 2 respectively. Speedmaster would be great third for it's incredible history but honestly I'm not sure that the world cares as much as American's do since it was an American astronaut wearing it to the moon. And the Daytona is gaining traction pretty quickly as a top contender for all-world recognition and fame. And FWIW I think that the 124060 Sub is the best version yet... I hope my son appreciates it as much as I do when it eventually becomes his!