Month: November 2023

Rolex Replica revised its Submariner collection in 2020 and unleashed an extraordinary demand for its Oyster model with a green bezel. Our test from the WatchTime Archives looks at this newest edition, with its modified case and new movement, to see if it lives up to the hype.

Spend any time at all at a Rolex dealer and someone will come in and ask for the new Rolex Submariner with a green bezel — to no avail. Demand exceeds the supply many times over, intensifying the hype around this model. And this in turn is reflected in the prices set by traders. The green Submariner has overtaken the Daytona and the GMT-Master II “Pepsi” as the most sought-after Rolex model. This is no artificial shortage. Rolex simply cannot build enough watches to satisfy all the potential customers — true not only for steel versions but also for the steel-and-gold and all-gold variants as well.

But why is the hype around the green version by far the greatest, even though every Submariner model has been updated? For one, it is the only steel version that is visibly different from its predecessors. The “Hulk,” which it replaces, has a green sunburst dial in addition to the green bezel. The dial of the new model is black. Rolex has revived a color combination that preceded the Hulk, which existed from 2003 to 2010 and was known by the nickname “Kermit,” which had a black dial and green aluminum bezel inlay. A second reason is that these two green models were already much more popular than their black counterparts in the Submariner collection. Interestingly, Rolex has also returned to the earlier, more elegant case shape seen with the Kermit. The “Maxi” case with its broad lugs and large crown guard was introduced with the launch of the ceramic bezel.

Larger Oyster
Initially, the dimensions have been a source of some confusion. The new Rolex model specs show a larger case, at 41 mm rather than 40. But when the two models are placed side by side, the new watch almost looks smaller. In fact, the Oyster case has grown only minimally, from 40.3 mm to 40.8 mm. Much smaller lugs, however, make it more streamlined than its predecessor. The Oyster bracelet now measures 21 mm between the lugs, rather than 20 mm, and the clasp is also 1 mm wider.

All in all, and without direct comparison, the differences are hardly noticeable except for the more delicate lugs. Except for slightly broader hands, the dial has undergone very few changes, unless it’s the Submariner LV, like our test watch a nod to the reference number 126610LV, which stands for lunette verte (green bezel). The shiny black dial on the standard model stands in contrast to the green sunburst finish on the dial of its predecessor. Which is a better fit? That remains a matter of taste. The Hulk was clearly an extrovert, while the new version has a more modest character and looks more like a tool watch. The color of the ceramic bezel remains the same while the older Kermit watch is markedly different due to its darker aluminum track.

Different Caliber
Also new is the small crown on the dial between the words “Swiss made,” which stands, as we’ve seen with other Rolex models, for the newer Caliber 3235. Rolex altered more than 90 percent of the components of its 3135 caliber and was awarded 14 patents related to its development. In particular, shock absorption and reliability have been improved. Winding is more efficient and builds up a power reserve more quickly, thanks in part to the new ball bearing rotor. Now some people may be able to hear the rotor, which used to be silent.

The most important factor for the wearer is the increased power reserve, from 48 hours to 70 hours. Rolex achieved this increase with a thinner barrel wall, which permits the use of a longer mainspring, as well as through the innovative Chronergy escapement, which increases the efficiency of the Swiss lever escapement by 15 percent. This is made possible by the modified geometry and skeletonized form, which reduces its weight. The nickel-phosphorous alloy escape wheel, made using the LIGA process (UV lithography, electroforming, molding), is unaffected by magnetic fields and the new balance staff also improves antimagnetic properties. The blue Parachrom hairspring made of niobium-zirconium alloy has already been used in other models, as has the Paraflex shock absorber. End shake in the balance can be adjusted with a screw, and the Breguet overcoil on the hairspring ensures the constant action of the hairspring, as well as the free-sprung fine regulation using the Microstella nuts on the inside of the balance wheel.

Although the new caliber, as always with the Oyster models, operates beneath a steel caseback, it is decorated with a sunburst finish on the cutout rotor and on the automatic bridge, a line finish on steel components, some beveled edges and polished screw heads.

Super Chronometer?
Rolex set strict regulating specifications in 2015 with the goal of giving new life to the words “Superlative Chronometer.” This designation first appeared on the dial in the late 1950s when Rolex Replica watches models ran even more accurately than was necessary to earn a chronometer certificate. (Chronometer agencies later discontinued this highest category.) In addition to the chronometer certificate from the independent Swiss testing agency COSC, which tests the movement, Rolex watchmakers adjust the cased movement to even more strict values of between -2 and +2 seconds per day.
Our test watch did not quite achieve these values on our Witschi timing machine. It was measured in every position and showed an average rate of -2.3 seconds per day. The rate at individual positions remained close, however, between -1 and -4 seconds per day.

68 Years Old, but Still Modern
There was really no need to improve the general design. Although the watch was first designed in 1953, and has undergone only minimal changes over the years, the Submariner design continues to look both robust and modern. It certainly doesn’t look its age. This is due primarily to the smooth, reflective ceramic bezel, the shiny black dial and the flat reflective sapphire crystal. They give the Submariner the elegance that makes it possible to wear this watch as easily with a suit as with a T-shirt and jeans.
Unfortunately, these features — especially the flat, reflective crystal — affect legibility, which is otherwise excellent, also due to the antiglare coating on the crystal’s inner side. Because of the magnifying Cyclops lens, the date can only be read from the front. But the high magnification of the lens allows many far-sighted people to see the date without wearing their glasses.

The Oyster case is still closed like an oyster.