What can be said that is really original about the Submariner. A legendary model for many of us. New Rich Roro for others. What is certain is that this watch does not leave you indifferent. For my 40th birthday, I had a Reverso in mind but it was too much of a duplication with my IWC Portofino which I will talk about another day. I was not necessarily a big fan of Rolex but working in reliability/durability, I had a good opinion of the quality of their products. And the Submariner was a natural choice. But it would be a Vintage because I was not a big fan of the latest productions that I found too massive. And once on the wrist, this watch immediately won me over. At Rolex, there are no excessive complications. It is sober, timeless, robust and reliable. The 16610 that I have, from 1990, with tritium indices, is probably the right compromise between original design, quality of the 3135 mechanism and modernity with its sapphire crystal. It is the last of the best Submariners for many fans before the 6 digits, the engraved flanges and the thickened horns. Small downside on the bracelet that I always found a little "cheap" at the buckle level. A good alternative is to wear it on a Nato strap. In any case, if there were only one left in my "small collection", it would certainly be this one.

I have had this watch since 2006. It has never disappointed me. It is reliable, robust and timeless. Its precision is of the order of one to two seconds per day. In my opinion, finer and more elegant than recent models, this watch will accompany me for many more years. The only downside is that I find that it is a watch that we see a lot (too much). This takes away a little of its interest.

Too common, too "social success", too "Séguéla". All these clichés of the Submariner had reached me and decided that there was no point in buying one. There are still a few pretty, reliable and less expensive 300 m divers on the market. And then at the time, about 4 years ago, I was looking for a BLANCPAIN Léman in white gold with a blue dial.......We're starting from a long way back......Really nothing to do with it! How can you want a gold dress watch, very rare in blue, and buy a rather common sports diver? Simply by chance. I was walking around a big city with my wife when I saw a shop specializing in old ROLEX watches. "Just a quick look, my dear". Given my wife's face, the look had better be quick. I go in and I see several Submariners among others. And there, there was one that stood out from the crowd. At first glance, it looked like all the other 16610s present (which my wife did not fail to point out to me!), but its condition was exceptional. The watch dated from 1998 but had hardly been worn, never polished, no patina. In mint condition. And there, I saw myself going back in time 25/30 years, to the time when preconceived ideas about the Submariner had no hold on me. I remembered that I liked its adventurous side, the concept of an indestructible watch that makes this watch THE watch of a lifetime. But hey, when I saw the price, my wife quickly brought me back down to earth. So, I promised her to abandon the BLANCPAIN project, and she gave in. Otherwise, it is a 16610 from 1998 (last tritium) entirely original, with all the papers, boxes and goodies possible. For the specs, I will not come back to it; everything has already been said. The finish is really very neat. The precision of the movement is exceptional: 0 to + 1 s/day on 5 positions, and this for 4 years. It is the most precise watch in my collection. And no, it is not big. A diameter of 40 mm and a contained thickness make it a completely classic watch on the wrist. To conclude, I have not regretted this purchase at any time, and so you should never say Never!!

A lifelong favorite watch and owner for almost 10 years now (watch from 1996). The Submariner 16610 is known for its classic and timeless design. Its 40 mm stainless steel case, its unidirectional rotating bezel and its black dial with luminescent indexes make it a watch that is both elegant and functional. A record-breaking watch in its time with a water resistance of up to 300 meters. The 16610 is equipped with the Rolex Caliber 3135 automatic movement, renowned for its precision and reliability (an indestructible watch!). It also has the most beautiful date function with its magnifying cyclops. For me, it represents one of my watchmaking achievements, being a watch that I have always wanted to own. A true icon, recognized by all, the submariner has a fairly ideal diameter of 40 mm which makes it very versatile like its style, sometimes a tool watch, sometimes a dress watch. This watch has given its letters of nobility to the much sought-after divers of our days and will forever remain the reference in the field.

At the end of 2022, I signed up for a Sea-dweller 50th anniversary at my AD. Telling myself that it would take a while, I started looking for a Submariner no date with tritium, preferably, just to have a unique watch. After looking in several stores, at the beginning of 2023, I came across a tritium submariner date in great condition with the sticker still on the back of the case. The pro explained to me that it came from Canada, that it had been worn very little. It had spent most of its time in the safe without being serviced. For sale, it had just been serviced and after a complete disassembly, they changed a small pinion. It is a fine and elegant watch that I wear depending on my outfit or in summer in secure places. On bare arms, I prefer it to the Sea-dweller. I find it more proportional on my wrist. It is light on the wrist and can be forgotten compared to the Sea-dweller. Why a vintage tritium watch? I wanted to have a unique watch with its patina that I could evolve by wearing it. The negative side would be the bracelet which lacks micro adjustments because I like adjusted watches. The lack of adjustments causes a slight discomfort on the wrist but nothing prohibitive.

Here is my submariner 16610 from 1991, comfortable, discreet and robust. I wanted the model from those years to obtain a patina over the years and because they are less bling bling. My bezel is starting to turn blue or dark gray and despite these years it is precise and beautiful as the first day. Despite other watches that I have (gmt, Omega, Breitling) this one is my favorite!

About twenty years ago I sold a two-tone Rolex Submariner with blue bezel and dial as well as a GMT 2 (Coca) to finance an AP Royal Oak Chronograph. No longer having any Rolex in my collection, three or four years ago, I began to regret my gesture, not for the purchase of my AP, but for the sale of my Rolex and so I decided to replace these two watches. I also forbade myself from selling other watches from my collection in the future. I decided to opt, to start, to acquire a steel Sub which is less flashy than the two-tone and above all timeless. It is a model that dates from 2003 in 40 mm, bought on a second-hand site and unfortunately paid more than a new watch. It is therefore not equipped with a ceramic bezel, which does not displease me because I find ceramic a little too "flashy".