In September 2020, Rolex discontinued all existing Submariner models and unveiled a new generation of its iconic dive watches. At a glance, the new Submariner models appear very similar to their predecessors; however, in addition to housing the new 32xx series movement, the new line of Submariner models also features a slightly larger 41mm case.
Just like before, the blue dial and bezel are only available in solid gold and two-tone versions, and the new models are called ref. 126618LB and 126613LB (respectively). A small difference between the previous blue submarine dial and the updated dial of the 41 mm generation is the colour of the text. Whereas in the previous 40mm series, the blue dial was dominated by gold writing, the new 41mm Submariner has a blue dial with white writing. With this in mind, while minor updates have been made to the blue dials of the two-tone and yellow gold Submariner exact replica watches, perhaps the most important aesthetic update is found on the white gold version of the updated 41 mm generation.
While the first white gold Submariner, the Ref. 116619LB “Smurf”, came with a glossy blue dial to match its bright blue Cerachrom bezel insert; the updated 41 mm white gold model comes with the 126619LB. The 126619LB comes with a standard black dial, albeit still with a blue ceramic bezel. Since it does not have a blue dial like its white gold predecessor, the newer white gold Blue Submariner is not known as the “Smurf”. The nickname “Cookie Monster” seems to be most popular nowadays when talking about the Submariner 126619LB.
It is true that all of the earliest Rolex Submariner watches were made of stainless steel with black dials and corresponding black bezels. However, blue Submariner watches have been part of the Rolex catalogue since the early 1970s. Even the first generation of Submariner date watches offered the option of a blue dial and bezel; however, blue has been a premium option in the Rolex Submariner line for the past half-century though.
A blue dial or bezel was never fitted to a standard stainless steel Submariner. For the first fifteen years that the Submariner line offered blue, it was only offered in solid 18k yellow gold versions of Rolex’s iconic divers’ watches. To this day, blue dials and bezels can only be found on two-tone and solid gold Submariner watches, and the colour immediately distinguishes watches with this colour as premium versions of Rolex’s iconic professional dive swiss replica watches.
For less expensive blue Submariners, look for earlier discontinued models such as the Cerachrom 11661x series from the 2010s or the aluminum 1661x series from the late 1980s and 1990s. While Rolex’s LB and LN versions retail for the same price, the blue version of the Submariner usually costs more on the secondary market than the black version.
The blue Rolex Submariner is a standout, playful version of the type-defining timepiece. Probably the most iconic watch ever made, the Submariner feels like it has always been with us, and with its bold and versatile colour profile, gives it a welcome modern freshness that has been a favourite of collectors and enthusiasts for the past 50 years.