The innovative technology needed to produce the special Rolex Deep Sea from Piccard were then applied to the Submariner models. By adding a rotating bezel to a regular Rolex enabled divers to keep accurate track of the time elapsed underwater. By changing the regular dial from white to black and add luminous numerals and hands a new model was born, the utility Rolex, the Sports Rolex or as Rolex describes it: "In the early 1950s, Rolex developed professional watches that served as tools and whose functions went far beyond simply telling the time. These watches were intended for professional activities, such as deep-sea diving, aviation, mountain climbing and scientific exploration. The watches generated lasting enthusiasm and became known as the watches of achievers.”

The 6204 was officially available for the public in 1954, but from a collector's point of view the 6200 is definitely more desirable. With a thicker case and a larger 8mm crown so divers that wore thick gloves could easier handle it. This particular brevet crown crown gave birth to the watch nickname Big Crown. Only the Submariner models what were fitted with a Big Crown, are 6200, 6538, A/6538 and 5510, all very sought-after by collectors.

Many years I'm studying the subtle differences of the replica rolex submariner and still once a while I learn something totally new. There are a lot of exceptions and important details. For example sometimes the depth ratings where in red, it had a depth rate printed the meters first, then followed by feet first, some models had 369 explorer type dials which where used for Military orders. Then there were glossy dials with gilt, silver and white print and minute track, open track. We see the underline, the exclamation mark, matt dials, open track, double name, military, comex to name a view differences and mix it all with radium and tritium and you come up with hundreds different possibilities.

The history of the Rolex Submariner from 1954 to the present day has always been exciting to me. Not only the early 1950-ies when the director at Rolex, Rene P Jeanneret, (Why have we never got more information about this important director by Rolex?!) a gentleman and enthusiastic diver, was a major force in encouraging Rolex to manufacture a "sports” watch with a diving theme that also could be used as an elegant dress watch. Also in the 60-70-ies and early 80-ies the Submariner has always been the dive watch to have. After the huge succes of the conquest of Mt Everest May 1953 by Hillary & Tenzing & the deepest dives by the Piccard's, Rolex learned that a regular off the shelves Oyster could make it to the top of the world so why not use this important achievement to sell even more Rolex. Their motto has always been durability, from the "Top of the World to the Bottom of the Sea”, Rolex proves dependable!

The Rolex Submariner is without doubt one of the most successful Rolex models in history. Not only because it more than aptly served its purpose as diver's watch, although I am pretty sure only a small number of Submariners has ever seen a spat of water. Its appearance in several James Bond movies certainly helped as well. If you omit functionality and marketing, the Submariner success is mainly due to its elegance as timeless dress watch replicausrolex.com. It's just one of those watches you keep looking at, regardless of wanting to know the time of day. The Submariner was launched in 1953 and officially presented at the Basel Fair in 1954.

Being the first watch ever to be 100 meters (330 feet) waterproof and equipped with a rotatable bezel for divers to read their time under water, it became an instant success. There is ongoing discussion on which Submariner reference came first, the 6200 or 6204. With a different 369 Explorer dial and different movement, the 6200 surely is the odd one compared to the 6204/6205. But, as you will find out more when dealing with Rolex history, conclusive evidence from Rolex HQ in Geneva is hard to find. It certainly adds to the myth of this legendary timepiece, which model came first is not of the utmost importance.