In the 1950s, Rolex introduced the Submariner into the collection. With a thicker case, rounded crystal, and over-sized crown, the first Submariners were fitted for the A296 movement and have a bi-directional bezel without minute hash marks. Sporting stick and luminous-tipped second sweep hands, the originals are rated to dive to 330 feet.

After being upgraded to the 1030 movement, Mercedes hands were added to the Submariner and the model number was renumbered to a 6536/6538. The round luminous hour markers and rectangular luminous markers at the 3, 6, and 9 positions were also new to the model. The shoulder feature, where the sides of the case come up on both sides of the crown to create a protective shield, was introduced as well.

By the early 1960s, all of the models of the Submariner’s movements were upgraded to the Chronometer version. Later on in the same decade, Rolex again upgraded the model and movement and added the date feature with the Cyclops bubble. During this time, Rolex also provided the Submariner to the Royal Navy but unlike the consumer models, the Royal Navy watches had wider watch hands with a bolder and simpler crown.

As customary with Rolex and their strive for excellence, fine-tuning of the Submariner continued with the addition of the triple-lock crown in the 1970s and the scratch-resistant synthetic sapphire crystal in the 1980s. The 1980s also included a renumbering of the model numbers from the 1680 to the 16800, which was done primarily to help in easy identification of Rolex model variations, and the operating depth of the watch was also increased to 1,000 feet. In the 1990s, Rolex once again updated the model to the 16610 with the 3135-caliber movement. The final major change was the introduction of the ladies Submariner in the 1990s. 

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Men's Rolex Submariner Model 14060 in Stainless Steel

 Men's Rolex Submariner in 18k Yellow Gold with Flip Lock Clasp

 Men's Rolex Submariner Model 16618 in 18k Yellow Gold with Blue Dial

Men's Rolex Submariner Model 16610V in Stainless Steel with Green Bezel

6200 - Original Submariner

• Launched in 1953
• Depth rated to 660 feet
• 8mm crown 
• No crown guard
• No depth-rating on dial
• Dial similar to Explorer
• Non-Chronometer A296 movement with 18 Jewels
• Larger case than the 6204 or 6205
• Model updated in 1955

6204 - Two versions

• Launched in 1954
• Depth rated to 330 feet
• 6mm crown
• No crown guard
• No depth-rating on dial 
• “Submariner” printed on dial
• Dial revised
• Upgraded non-chronometer A260 movement with 18 Jewels
• Smaller than the 6200
• Model updated in 1954

6205

• Launched in 1954
• Depth rated to 330 feet 
• 6mm crown  
• No crown guard 
• No depth rating on dial 
• Model name not on dial
• Dial revised from 6200
• A260 movement  
• Same size as the 6204
• Model updated in 1955

6536

• Launched in 1955
• Depth rated to 330 feet 
• 8mm crown
• No crown guard 
• No depth rating on dial
• “Submariner” printed on dial
• Mercedes hands used for first time
• Movement upgraded to the non-chronometer 1030 with 25 Jewels
• Model updated in 1956

6536/1

• Launched in 1956
• Depth rated to 330 feet
• 8mm crown
• No crown guard 
• Depth rating printed on dial
• Model name present on dial
• Chronometer 1030 movement with 25 Jewels
• Bezel with markers for first 15 minutes
• Red triangle on bezel

6538 - James Bond Submariner - Dr. No

• Launched in 1955
• Upgrade of the 6204 model
• Depth rated to 330 feet
• 6mm crown
• No crown guard
• No depth rating on dial
• Model name present on dial
• A260 movement
• Two model upgrades in 1956

5508

• Launched in 1958
• Upgrade to the 6536/1 model
• Depth rated to 100m 330 feet 
• 6mm crown
• No crown guard 
• Depth rating printed on dial
• Model name printed on dial
• Upgraded to Chronometer 1530 movement
• Luminous markers not enclosed by circular border
• Model updated in 1964 

5510

• Launched in 1958
• Upgrade to the 6200 model
• Depth rated to 660 feet 
• 8mm crown
• No crown guard 
• Depth rating printed on dial
• Submariner printed on dial
• Chronometer 1530 movement
• Model updated in 1964

• Launched in 1959
• Depth rated to 660 feet 
• 8mm crown
• Crown guard
• Depth rating printed on dial
• Chronometer
• "Officially Certified Chronometer” printed on dial
• “Submariner” printed on dial
• 1560 Chronometer movement
• Updated in 1965

5513 - James Bond Submariner - Live and Let Die

• Launched in 1962
• Depth rated to 660 feet 
• 8mm crown
• Crown guard
• Depth rating printed on dial
• Non-Chronometer 1530 movement 
• Dial marked “Swiss-Made”
• Updated in 1963
• Navy model launched in 1968  

5517

• Launched in 1971 for the British Marines
• Depth rated to 660 feet 
• 8mm crown
• Crown guard
• Triple-lock crown
• Bezel with 60 minute markers
• Large hour and minute hands
• Large “T” printed above depth rating to indicate luminous material as tritium

1680

• Launched in 1966
• Depth rated to 660 feet 
• 8mm crown
• Crown guard
• Depth rating printed on dial
• 1575 Chronometer movement 
• Date
• Raised and flat crystal
• “Submariner” printed in red
• Updated in 1972
  

16800

• Launched in 1982
• Depth rated to 1000 feet
• 8mm crown
• Crown guard
• Triple-lock crown
• Depth rating printed on dial
• 3085 Chronometer movement 
• Date
• Low-profile sapphire crystal
• Dial lettering printed in white