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The Geneva luxury brand had professional use in mind when it unveiled its first dive watches in 1953. Today, few of the people interested in them are planning daring underwater missions. The legendary watch family is simply popular – with collectors, investors, and style-conscious men. That broad circle of interested buyers leads to shortages and raises the question: How long are the waiting list and the wait time for the Rolex Submariner right now?
A Bearable Wait for No-Frills Diver Icons
Rolex is famously tight-lipped about internal information. That applies to detailed production figures just as much as to the wait you need to plan for when buying sought-after models. If you want a rough idea, you have to rely on the experiences of other watch enthusiasts and insider tips that leak out of the official boutiques. According to these, the Rolex Submariner wait time in 2023 for the most basic model is at least three months, but it can also stretch to half a year. Compared with other Rolex families, that is a moderate test of patience.
Stainless steel bracelet and case, black diving bezel and dial, and bold indices that glow intensely in the dark: this purist, which does full justice to the debut model, has its devoted fans. In general, however, this charming focus on the essentials is in less demand at the moment. So even though each authorized dealer receives no more than 20 pieces a year, the wait time for the Rolex Submariner No Date is fairly bearable.
Even if you are not a regular customer, you can get the classic at list price within six months. The same applies to the black-and-white stainless steel divers with a date display, which first appeared in the lineup in 1966. For the soberly designed Rolex Submariner Date, a wait of three to six months is tolerable when you consider that these legendary dive watches offer timeless enjoyment – provided you buy them to wear or to collect.
A Simple Equation: Refined Taste = Long Wait
Absolutely reliable, robust, and water-resistant: the practical demands of diving dictated the watch's design. A welcome side effect is the clean, laid-back look that always suits sports watches worn every day. For all the affection for the original 1953 design, a touch of individuality is tempting – and in 2023, it also lengthens the Rolex Submariner wait time.
The bezel and dial are black. The case and bracelet are made of yellow gold that comes across as stylish rather than flashy. The high-contrast design of reference 126618LN clearly appeals to many watch lovers, because a two-year holding pattern is not unusual for this model in the Submariner family. Even more composure is required if you dream of the "cool Smurf." This aesthetic variant in cool white gold with a black-and-blue color pairing was conceived as a tribute to the brand's 65th anniversary and has enriched the dive watch portfolio ever since.
The "luxury Smurf," reference 126619LB, is produced in smaller batches, so many dealers can secure only one piece per year for their clientele. As a result, you can count yourself lucky if the wait time for this Rolex Submariner Date is "only" three years.
Moderate at First, Then Endless – Unpredictable Wait Times for Rolex Watches
Anyone interested in luxury watches knows there is no binding waiting list, and the wait for a Rolex can be long. The Submariner is no exception. Official retailers add customers to their interest lists if their stated enthusiasm for the desired watch seems genuine to them. When a piece with the matching reference arrives at the store, the list is not worked through in order. Many factors influence the decision as to which person on the waiting list gets the chance, and when, to pay only list price for their dream watch.
Besides the usual hurdles, trends and events sometimes affect the wait time. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Rolex Submariner. The wait time in 2023 may be longer for that reason alone, because the media are covering the dive watch more. This brings long-cherished watch dreams back to mind. A rerun of a cult film, a watch auction with a breathtaking hammer price, or the general color trend in accessories: many factors can suddenly stretch the wait for luxury wristwatches to absurd lengths.
Sometimes the unfortunate upshot of such hype is that production of the coveted model is discontinued while you are still languishing on the interest list. Some watch collectors had this experience with the vivid green Submariner "Hulk," which debuted in 2010 and disappeared from the official catalog a decade later.
A Strategy for Flexible Watch Fans: Predecessor Models Instead of Waiting Lists
Rolex is known for introducing only a few design variants within a watch family and sticking with them for a long time. A comparable vintage piece would be welcome if you want an accessory for casual wear and aesthetics are the priority. The idea falls short on two counts, however: older references often impress with their appreciation in value and are considerably more expensive. And although the luxury brand stays true to its classics, it still refines them discreetly.
For the dive watch's 50th birthday, for example, a popular model with a black dial and grass-green bezel debuted. The color accent evoked Kermit the Frog and earned this Submariner variant that nickname. For its counterpart in the 2023 collection, the nickname "Starbucks" is more common – for good reason: the green resembles the coffee chain's logo rather than the host of The Muppet Show. In addition to the aesthetic differences, there are functional ones, since the manufacture has further developed the movement.
Practical Alternatives or Other Sources
If you simply need a wristwatch suitable for diving, you can turn to other manufacturers with an excellent reputation. Breitling, Omega, and Tag Heuer are valued for more than their sophisticated dive watches. These brands offer several models you can order right away with no wait. That pragmatic approach is out of the question, though, if you are dreaming of a specific timepiece – a Rolex Submariner No Date, for example. You can still skip the wait for it, however. All it takes is a look around a specialist retailer for certified pre-owned luxury watches. The Uhrinstinkt Shop offers both ways of buying a watch and will be happy to advise you.
Admittedly, you won't find a Submariner reference 124060 in like-new condition anywhere at the current catalog list price of €8,950. But even the prestigious brand indirectly concedes on its website that the catalog price applies only at official boutiques, and that when demand is high, you may have to turn to the open market and expect higher purchase costs.
The reality can be summed up briefly: if you are a new customer and want to buy the "diver with the crown," you need to be flexible and dig a little deeper into your pocket. Otherwise, chances are high that your watch dream won't come true.
Image source: Featured image | By Si Griffiths - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24380109