Encyclopedia / Rolex / Submariner
No real new deal right now · checked Oct 19, 2026, 8:27 PM ET
$12,450 – $15,000 pre-owned street range
124060 (no-date) (median ~$13,200)
126610LN (date): $13,800 – $16,500 (median ~$15,150)
No credible new discount: Rolex states only official Rolex jewelers may sell new Rolex watches. Range = middle 80% of Chrono24 asking prices on the first results page, used and unworn mixed.
Price comparison: fixed-price listings
| Store | Condition | Box & papers | Asking price | Link | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrono24 marketplace seller | unworn | Yes | $11,956 | View | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Watchfinder | pre-owned | Yes | $13,450 | View | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Jomashop | new | Yes* | $13,950 | View | Oct 19, 2026 |
| WatchMaxx | new | Yes* | $15,500 | View | Oct 19, 2026 |
Fixed-price (buy-now) asking prices in USD for ref. 124060, cheapest new and cheapest pre-owned with box and papers per store, sorted low to high and checked Oct 19, 2026 (ET). Buy-now listings only. Pre-owned listings are shown only when the listing states box and papers. * New from a grey-market dealer: comes boxed, but the warranty card may be the dealer's rather than the brand's. Chrono24 rows are individual third-party marketplace sellers. Prices change fast; confirm with the store.
What it really costs
| Market | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rolex US retail | $10,050 (124060) · $11,350 (126610LN) | rolex.com |
| Grey-market new | No credible discount found | — |
| Pre-owned 124060 | about $12,450 – $15,000 (median ~$13,200) | Chrono24 |
| Pre-owned 126610LN | about $13,800 – $16,500 (median ~$15,150) | Chrono24 |
All prices in USD, checked Oct 19, 2026 (ET). Pre-owned ranges are the middle 80% of asking prices on the first Chrono24 results page for that ref (about 60 listings, used and some unworn), fixed-price listings only. Grey-market = brand-new from a non-authorized dealer.
Buying guide
Key references
| Ref. | What it is | US retail |
|---|---|---|
| 124060 | No-date Submariner, 41 mm, Calibre 3230 | $10,050 |
| 126610LN | Submariner Date, 41 mm, Calibre 3235, black | $11,350 |
Which one I'd pick
124060 vs 126610LN: the no-date 124060 is the purist's pick: clean dial with no date, $1,300 cheaper at retail and cheaper pre-owned. The 126610LN adds a date, if you want one.
New vs pre-owned: new Rolex watches are available only through Official Rolex Jewelers, so you buy at retail when one is available to you. Pre-owned is available right now but, on today's numbers, costs more than retail.
What to check before you buy
- Box and papers: a Rolex warranty card that matches the serial on the watch is the single biggest resale factor.
- Service history: ask when and where it was serviced. A Rolex service record helps resale.
- Fakes and red flags: the Submariner is the most counterfeited watch there is. A Sub listed well below retail is the biggest red flag. Buy from established dealers and have it checked by a watchmaker.
Alternatives worth a look
- Tudor Black Bay 58: Rolex's sister brand: vintage-style 39 mm diver, often below retail. (39 mm stainless steel, Calibre MT5400-U, retail From $4,975 (rubber); $5,225–$5,350 on bracelet)
- Omega Seamaster Diver 300M: Ceramic diver with a Master Chronometer movement, under retail grey-market. (42 mm stainless steel, Calibre 8800, retail $6,700 (steel bracelet; blue .03.001 or black .01.001))
- Tudor Pelagos 39: Titanium tool diver from Rolex's sister brand. (39 mm titanium, Calibre MT5400, retail $5,625 (25407N))
History
Rolex introduced the Submariner in 1953 as its first divers' wristwatch, waterproof to 100 m at launch. It set the template for the modern dive watch: rotating timing bezel, big luminous markers, screw-down crown.
Pop culture helped. Sean Connery wore a Submariner ref. 6538 as James Bond in Dr. No (1962), long before Omega took over the role.
In 2020 Rolex updated the line to a 41 mm case and the new-generation Calibres 3230 (no-date, ref. 124060) and 3235 (date, ref. 126610LN), both with a 70-hour power reserve.
Sean Connery wore a Submariner (ref. 6538) as James Bond in Dr. No (1962).
Specifications
| Brand | Rolex |
|---|---|
| Model | Submariner |
| Key references | 124060, 126610LN |
| Launch year | 1953 |
| Case | 41 mm Oystersteel |
| Crystal | Scratch-resistant sapphire |
| Lume | Chromalight display (hour markers, hands, bezel zero) |
| Bezel | Unidirectional, black Cerachrom ceramic insert |
| Bracelet | Oyster, Oysterlock safety clasp with Glidelock extension |
| Movement | Calibre 3230 (no-date) / 3235 (date), automatic |
| Power reserve | 70 hours |
| Water resistance | 300 m |
| Approx. US retail (Oct 2026) | $10,050 (124060); $11,350 (126610LN) |
Specs from the brand's official product page for the main reference. Retail prices are list prices, not market value, and change often.
Highlights
- Unidirectional rotatable Cerachrom bezel
- Glidelock bracelet extension
- Superlative Chronometer certification
FAQ
How much is a Rolex Submariner in 2026?
Rolex US retail is $10,050 for the no-date 124060 and $11,350 for the 126610LN Submariner Date (checked Oct 19, 2026). On Chrono24, the middle of the market was asking about $12,450 to $15,000 for a 124060 and $13,800 to $16,500 for a 126610LN.
Why is the Submariner more expensive pre-owned than new?
New Submariners are available only through Official Rolex Jewelers, so supply at retail is limited. On Oct 19, 2026, the middle of Chrono24's asking prices was above retail for both the 124060 and 126610LN.
What's the difference between the 124060 and 126610LN?
The 124060 has no date and uses Calibre 3230. The 126610LN has a date and uses Calibre 3235. Both are 41 mm, 300 m Oystersteel divers with a 70-hour power reserve.
Is the Rolex Submariner waterproof?
Yes. The current Submariner is rated to 300 m. The original 1953 model was rated to 100 m.
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