Your Familiar Rolex Submariner Date

As you'd expect, we're getting a new version of the Submariner Date to go with the new 41mm No Date Submariner, but while the No Date Sub only comes with an Oystersteel black dial and black bezel, the 41mm Submariner Date is available in seven configurations, two of which are new to the modern classic! Here's a brief overview of the entire collection.

For all these reference Submariner Dates, you get a new 41mm case, slimmer lugs, and a slightly wider bracelet. You also get the Caliber 3235, which has a longer 70-hour power reserve and a proprietary Chronergy escapement, making it a serious improvement over the previous movement. If this movement sounds familiar, it's because it's the same one used in the Sea-Dweller ref. 126600 with date display.126600.

The new 41mm Submariner Date completely replaces the previous Submariner Date model, and they should be available at authorized dealers on Wednesday. Let's be honest, if you want a cool Submariner, you're really spoiled right now. In particular, I've always liked the idea of a blue bezel Sub but thought the blue dial was a bit much. It also screams "look at me, I'm wearing a white and gold Submariner", and I don't think this new, more subtle version will. Despite the weight of the watch, that would be my choice. That said, the Kermit may well be the enthusiast's piece of the series, but I'll wait to see what people say in the comments and draw a hard line there.

What I find very interesting is that the new Submariner line is quite partial to the Rolex Submariner Date model. Only the all-black version is available without the date, while the other eight models come with that extra bit of complication. This has been the case for a while, but it underscores the fact that the dateless Sub is very much a pure watch, a tribute to the early days of fake Rolex Submariner, and its no-nonsense tool watch tradition. The Submariner Date, on the other hand, is a more practical, desktop-diving option, and precious metal Submariners have always had a date window and a Cyclops. It seems that while some things have changed with the Submariner, other things have stayed the same.