What made the Submariner the most iconic watch in the world?

[SubMarine]

Was it the early James Bond movies? Where there a single event that elevated the status of the submariner?

[GB-man]

It's a culmination of things over decades. Bond would certainly be near the top if not at the top.

I don't personally give the sub the throne as most iconic. Being a watch lover I would put it in the rarified air with the santos, tank, reverso, speedy and a select few others.

That said, it's my favorite of the lot

[JUSTIFIED]

Some would argue that the Daytona is the most iconic Rolex, but I vote for the Submariner. It's what I always thought of when I thought of Rolex. I guess it's because I've seen them on wrists far more than other models. It also happens to be great looking and reasonably priced and has a ruggedness to it while also being classy.

[Joearch]

Pure design excellence

[Le Chef]

Would love to know the data to support this claim - can you share the data with us please?

[rollerballer]

Has it been over taken by the Apple Watch?

[DCheeta]

Perfection. Restraint of design, utility, durability. Its beauty comes from its "form follows function" aesthetic.

[sea-dweller]

It's just one of the most classic, sporty, timeless watches around!

[WJGESQ]

Originally Posted by rollerballer

Has it been over taken by the Apple Watch?

I don't need any more devices to have to charge.

[S.C]

It's the basic design of most diver watches a lot of other companies copy. I think that made it a classic.

[brettpaul]

James Bond and National Geographic IMHO

[Anthon]

It is not the most iconic watch in the world. Not even close. Most people I know wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a Sub and any other dive watch. Nor would they care. They don't notice that Bond wears a watch either.

[Rock]

I agree that a lot of the world doesn't drill down any deeper than just "watch".
But those that do would know the Submariner and possibly regard it as "iconic".
It's easy to see why - it is certainly a very attractive, robust and well made model.

[Anthon]

For sure, it is a popular watch in a certain part of the demographic. I like it as well although like quite a few others, I am not fond of the cyclops at all. So yes, it is an iconic watch in that respect. But just not the most iconic as the title seems to imply. That's just self congratulating fanatical blah blah. Pardon my french!

[Old Expat Beast]

www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=470833

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

Was it the early James Bond movies? Where there a single event that elevated the status of the submariner?

The question is based on a false premise.

The Submariner isn't even the most iconic Rolex, let alone most iconic (or popular, or recognised) watch in the world. It has no "elevated status".

Sorry to break it to you. James Bond is pretend and just not that big of a deal.

[eonflux]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

Was it the early James Bond movies? Where there a single event that elevated the status of the submariner?

Hmmm, my guess is that to most of the world, the Datejust is more "iconic" of a Rolex.

Maybe even Rolex thinks so, given that every clock they place at events (golf, tennis, etc) being a Datejust (hands, fluted bezel). Never seen a Sub Rolex clock.

[henry333]

Lol

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

Perfection. Restraint of design, utility, durability. Its beauty comes from its "form follows function" aesthetic.

Well said Dave.

This logic follows through in many iconic things from furniture to architecture and clothing, etc.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

Was it the early James Bond movies? Where there a single event that elevated the status of the submariner?

Originally Posted by S.C

It's the basic design of most diver watches a lot of other companies copy. I think that made it a classic.

Well it would be mainly how you would define iconic as the DJ line up has the most sales world wide.Around 1924, the company named RWC now Rolex,launched the first trademarked "Submarine",a water resistant wristwatch.As we all should know the biggest enemy of any watch is water.And without proper seals etc,even on a warm day the crystal could mist up on wrist when worn.

Now old Hans Wilsdorf was a clever man,and wanted to increase sales worldwide and especially in tropical climates.So he tried to make a watch that was waterproof,now the evolution of the oyster case was started.His idea was very simple,he would fit a case inside a case,and he called it the Submarine.Now this worked,but had certain drawbacks you had to open the case to wind it,and the outer case had a threaded screw on bezel to protect the watch.This was not very user owner friendly and caused wear on the hinges and bezel threads.So he started to look for a new idea for a waterproof wrist watch.

So later in 1925 he heard that two watchmakers one was Paul Perregaux other George Perrolet they had taken out a swiss patent for a twin lock screwed stem system crown.Now Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex grasped that a hermetically sealed case, together with careful fitting of the crystal and a special stem mechanism, would produce a better water proof wristwatch.He quickly negotiated to have the Perregaux patent assigned to him. Wilsdorf then obtained a British patent on October 18 1926.And then soon after the Rolex Oyster was born and became a commercial success.. In 1927, a stenographer, Mercedes Gleitze, swam the English Channel with the unheard of accompaniment of a wristwatch –the Rolex Oyster— on her person for the entire 15 hour, 15 minute,swim and the rest is Rolex history,and we had to wait 30 odd years for the rebirth,from Submarine, to Submariner.But Whether Blancpain or Rolex had the first dive watch well its swings and roundabouts.Blancpain 50 fathom was out in the public market around 9- 12 months before the first Rolex Sub, and they did look remarkably similar at time.



First Rolex Submarine.



Paul Perregaux patent screwed stem system 1925,which Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex acquired,to make the first oyster cased Rolex.

[Jakx]

Originally Posted by brettpaul

James Bond and National Geographic IMHO

yes

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well it would be mainly how you would define iconic as the DJ line up has the most sales world wide.Around 1924, the company named RWC now Rolex,launched the first trademarked "Submarine",a water resistant wristwatch.As we all should know the biggest enemy of any watch is water.And without proper seals etc,even on a warm day the crystal could mist up on wrist when worn.

Now old Hans Wilsdorf was a clever man,and wanted to increase sales worldwide and especially in tropical climates.So he tried to make a watch that was waterproof,now the evolution of the oyster case was started.His idea was very simple,he would fit a case inside a case,and he called it the Submarine.Now this worked,but had certain drawbacks you had to open the case to wind it,and the outer case had a threaded screw on bezel to protect the watch.This was not very user owner friendly and caused wear on the hinges and bezel threads.So he started to look for a new idea for a waterproof wrist watch.

So later in 1925 he heard that two watchmakers one was Paul Perregaux other George Perrolet they had taken out a swiss patent for a twin lock screwed stem system crown.Now Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex grasped that a hermetically sealed case, together with careful fitting of the crystal and a special stem mechanism, would produce a better water proof wristwatch.He quickly negotiated to have the Perregaux patent assigned to him. Wilsdorf then obtained a British patent on October 18 1926.And then soon after the Rolex Oyster was born and became a commercial success.. In 1927, a stenographer, Mercedes Gleitze, swam the English Channel with the unheard of accompaniment of a wristwatch –the Rolex Oyster— on her person for the entire 15 hour, 15 minute,swim and the rest is Rolex history,and we had to wait 30 odd years for the rebirth,from Submarine, to Submariner.But Whether Blancpain or Rolex had the first dive watch well its swings and roundabouts.Blancpain 50 fathom was out in the public market around 9- 12 months before the first Rolex Sub, and they did look remarkably similar at time.



First Rolex Submarine.



Paul Perregaux patent screwed stem system 1925,which Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex acquired,to make the first oyster cased Rolex.

Thanks for the nice write-up; I'd go with the DJ as the most iconic followed by the Sub and Daytona. But then again we're all inundated here with Rolex propaganda so it's hard to be objective and look from the world's point of view.

[toneafficianado]

Seeing Dr No in the early 60s was what made me aware of the Sub. And why I got ones finally decades later.
First black dialled watch I'd ever seen. First watch of more than 34mm. First Divers watch. First Rolex. Made a big impact. It's why I'm writing this right now really.

[peterskinner]

Originally Posted by Anthon

It is not the most iconic watch in the world. Not even close. Most people I know wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a Sub and any other dive watch. Nor would they care. They don't notice that Bond wears a watch either.

Quite. It's forum guys who worship the Sub (and Daytona) not the watch buying public.
In terms of sales the Datejust massively outsells the Sub...or to put it another way, more people like the Datejust than the Sub. Brutal but true. Me? I think the DayDate is possibly the most iconic Rolex.
I really like the early Sub; the current one, I can admire but not love.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by JUSTIFIED

Some would argue that the Daytona is the most iconic Rolex, but I vote for the Submariner. It's what I always thought of when I thought of Rolex. I guess it's because I've seen them on wrists far more than other models. It also happens to be great looking and reasonably priced and has a ruggedness to it while also being classy.

This!

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well it would be mainly how you would define iconic as the DJ line up has the most sales world wide.Around 1924, the company named RWC now Rolex,launched the first trademarked "Submarine",a water resistant wristwatch.As we all should know the biggest enemy of any watch is water.And without proper seals etc,even on a warm day the crystal could mist up on wrist when worn.

Now old Hans Wilsdorf was a clever man,and wanted to increase sales worldwide and especially in tropical climates.So he tried to make a watch that was waterproof,now the evolution of the oyster case was started.His idea was very simple,he would fit a case inside a case,and he called it the Submarine.Now this worked,but had certain drawbacks you had to open the case to wind it,and the outer case had a threaded screw on bezel to protect the watch.This was not very user owner friendly and caused wear on the hinges and bezel threads.So he started to look for a new idea for a waterproof wrist watch.

So later in 1925 he heard that two watchmakers one was Paul Perregaux other George Perrolet they had taken out a swiss patent for a twin lock screwed stem system crown.Now Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex grasped that a hermetically sealed case, together with careful fitting of the crystal and a special stem mechanism, would produce a better water proof wristwatch.He quickly negotiated to have the Perregaux patent assigned to him. Wilsdorf then obtained a British patent on October 18 1926.And then soon after the Rolex Oyster was born and became a commercial success.. In 1927, a stenographer, Mercedes Gleitze, swam the English Channel with the unheard of accompaniment of a wristwatch –the Rolex Oyster— on her person for the entire 15 hour, 15 minute,swim and the rest is Rolex history,and we had to wait 30 odd years for the rebirth,from Submarine, to Submariner.But Whether Blancpain or Rolex had the first dive watch well its swings and roundabouts.Blancpain 50 fathom was out in the public market around 9- 12 months before the first Rolex Sub, and they did look remarkably similar at time.



First Rolex Submarine.



Paul Perregaux patent screwed stem system 1925,which Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex acquired,to make the first oyster cased Rolex.

Thanks Padi, this kind of post is why I joined this forum

[southcarolina1801]

Originally Posted by CRM114

The question is based on a false premise.

The Submariner isn't even the most iconic Rolex, let alone most iconic (or popular, or recognised) watch in the world. It has no "elevated status".

Sorry to break it to you. James Bond is pretend and just not that big of a deal.

Bingo! Totally agree

[hchj]

Originally Posted by eonflux

Hmmm, my guess is that to most of the world, the Datejust is more "iconic" of a Rolex.

Maybe even Rolex thinks so, given that every clock they place at events (golf, tennis, etc) being a Datejust (hands, fluted bezel). Never seen a Sub Rolex clock.

Agreed. I didn't know how submariner looked like before got into this hopeless hobby. Datejust on jubilee bracelet meant Rolex to me by then.

[slorollin]

Originally Posted by sea-dweller

It's just one of the most classic, sporty, timeless watches around!

While I completely agree with your sentiment I don't think many watch makers brag about their watches being "timeless".

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well it would be mainly how you would define iconic as the DJ line up has the most sales world wide.Around 1924, the company named RWC now Rolex,launched the first trademarked "Submarine",a water resistant wristwatch.As we all should know the biggest enemy of any watch is water.And without proper seals etc,even on a warm day the crystal could mist up on wrist when worn.

Now old Hans Wilsdorf was a clever man,and wanted to increase sales worldwide and especially in tropical climates.So he tried to make a watch that was waterproof,now the evolution of the oyster case was started.His idea was very simple,he would fit a case inside a case,and he called it the Submarine.Now this worked,but had certain drawbacks you had to open the case to wind it,and the outer case had a threaded screw on bezel to protect the watch.This was not very user owner friendly and caused wear on the hinges and bezel threads.So he started to look for a new idea for a waterproof wrist watch.

So later in 1925 he heard that two watchmakers one was Paul Perregaux other George Perrolet they had taken out a swiss patent for a twin lock screwed stem system crown.Now Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex grasped that a hermetically sealed case, together with careful fitting of the crystal and a special stem mechanism, would produce a better water proof wristwatch.He quickly negotiated to have the Perregaux patent assigned to him. Wilsdorf then obtained a British patent on October 18 1926.And then soon after the Rolex Oyster was born and became a commercial success.. In 1927, a stenographer, Mercedes Gleitze, swam the English Channel with the unheard of accompaniment of a wristwatch –the Rolex Oyster— on her person for the entire 15 hour, 15 minute,swim and the rest is Rolex history,and we had to wait 30 odd years for the rebirth,from Submarine, to Submariner.But Whether Blancpain or Rolex had the first dive watch well its swings and roundabouts.Blancpain 50 fathom was out in the public market around 9- 12 months before the first Rolex Sub, and they did look remarkably similar at time.



First Rolex Submarine.



Paul Perregaux patent screwed stem system 1925,which Hans Wilsdorf of Rolex acquired,to make the first oyster cased Rolex.

Great stuff padi