​Product Spotlight: Why We Love the Rolex Submariner 116613

The ultimate diver’s watch, the Rolex Submariner 116613 was introduced in 1953 as one of the very first deep-dive watches. One of the esteemed “subs,” as enthusiasts call these beautiful watches, this wristwatch can submerge up to 1,000 feet. This Rolex Sub’s sublime design and high-quality construction have withstood the test of time, spawning an entire line of dive watches by Rolex, each created with expert craftsmanship. Here are some more reasons why we love the Rolex Submariner 116613.

Rolex Submariner 116613 DLC-PVD

A Perfect Tool for Diving

This gorgeous dive watch started as a timekeeping tool but has since graduated into the annals of watch history. The Rolex Submariner 116613 has become one of the most iconic watches the world has ever seen. One feature that makes this watch so unique is its unidirectional rotatable bezel, which lets a diver measure how much dive time they have left, including decompression stops. With engraved minute gradations, divers always know precisely how much time they’ve spent under the ocean’s surface.

This bezel is encased in Cerachrom, a specially made ceramic that is virtually scratchproof, and the 0-marker glows in the dark so you can see it even in the murky depths of the ocean. The outer rim is designed to be easy to grip, even in diving gloves. In short, the Rolex Sub 116613 is a perfect combination of function and beauty for divers or for those of us who prefer to stay above the water’s surface. The movement of the Sub 116613 is exceptional, just like the rest of the watch. The Caliber 3135 movement has been in use in scores of Rolex Subs since 1988. Many fans have been waiting for Rolex to roll out the Sub 116613 with the new 3235 movement, but that hasn’t come about yet. The Rolex Submariner 116613 is also equipped with a Parachrom hairspring, a quickset date complication, and 48 hours of reserve power.

Along with these excellent diving tools, the Sub 116613 incorporates precious gold into the design. The center link of the bracelet, the surround, and the bezel’s rim are all gold, and the theme is carried throughout the watch’s appearance with the iconic golden Rolex crown and other branding on the face. The gold stands out against the classic black of the Rolex Sub 116613’s face, making this an incredible watch from a practical point of view as well as an aesthetic one.

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The Original Sub’s Big Brother

The original diver’s watch from Rolex debuted at Baselworld in 1954, with the reference code 6200 or 6204. This watch stood out, as it used the Rolex Oyster case, an iron-tight case modeled after a closed oyster’s strength. Alongside the Submariner series, Rolex was creating the Deep Sea Special, which was supposed to submerge to extraordinary depths. Experimental dives, which tend to go to extreme depths, were the Deep Sea Specials’ aim, and the survival of one of these watches, strapped to the outside of the Trieste in 1960, proved their mettle.

The Sub 116613 is a slightly larger and more detailed version of the original Rolex “no-date” masterpiece. This Sub has a date window and a cyclops eye above it to magnify it for more comfortable viewing. Inside the clockworks, the Sub 116613 has the in-house 3135 movement that makes all Rolex Subs stand out.

The 166513 Sub debuted in 2008 and has been turning heads ever since. It is similar to the other Subs with its 40mm case, but it differs in that it has a new Maxi Dial design introduced at Baselworld in 2012. Another design change was the Chromalight hour markers, which makes the face of this Sub look more prominent than other designs in the series.

Source: Denis Kushnarenko/ shutterstock.com

The Final Word

The Rolex Sub 116613 is one of the most popular types of Rolexes available and frequently seen on the wrists of people with refined style. The Sub 116613 was a conscious step toward the sporting world for Rolex, but it includes all the design details that make Rolex unsurpassable in its field. Make no mistake. This watch may look elegant on your wrist, but it is an incredibly capable creation as well.

The black-and-gold motíf carries aesthetic clout, and the watch has an elegant regal heft on your wrist. Whether you wear it 200m beneath the sea or to a black-tie event, the Rolex Submariner 116613 makes a splash no matter where you go. Visit Luxury of Watches and shop all our Rolex watches. No matter if you’re looking for an elegant timepiece or an exceptional diver’s watch, you won’t be disappointed.