First revealed to the public in 1953, the Rolex Submariner was a diving watch for everyone. Appealing to both professional and hobby divers, the Submariner set the standard for the category, its affordability and practicality unmatched. Rolex also developed non-chronometer versions of the Submariner that were even more affordable, costing roughly two weeks' pay at the time.
As the Submariner gained credibility, it was adopted by professional organisations such as COMEX, the deep-sea diving contractor, and the British Ministry of Defence. The civilian model also evolved, growing a date complication, and then an updated dial with white gold markers. Then, in 2010, the Submariner had its biggest change yet to become the 116610 LN, a chunkier, sportier, more high tech watch that brought Rolex into the 21st century.
The Rolex Submariner is one of the most instantly recognisable watches ever made, and continues to be one of the most popular, too.