Sell Your Rolex Submariner Watches in Chesapeake

What is the History of the Rolex Submariner?

The first Rolex Submariner ref number was 6204. This watch was released in 1953 and was designed to be the best dive watch on the market. People who liked spending time in the underwater world fled to Rolex dealers and Rolex boutiques to buy their first diving watch. After all, the release of this watch was a historic turning point for the brand. After all, since the release of Rolex's famous Oyster cases in 1926, those who liked to spend a lot of time in the water knew they could count on Rolex for water resistance. However, the Rolex Submariner was the first watch that Rolex produced specifically with divers in mind.

 

Of course, the Rolex Submariner has seen a lot of changes since it was first released. As the years have gone on, Rolex has taken steps to make this iconic watch even more perfect for both diving and everyday wear. For example, Rolex switched to a 40 mm case size in 1959, which was the same year that crown guards were added to all Submariner watches. Crown guards were added for practical purposes, since they're quite effective at protecting the watch from being damaged if you hit it on something during the day. In 1967, a minor change was made, when gilt gloss dials were replaced with matte dials.

 

1969 was a notable year for the Rolex Submariner. Prior to then, all Rolex Submariners were stainless steel watches. After all, divers didn't typically see a need to wear gold watches, since they saw their watches as more of a tool watch than an accessory. Stainless steel was a good option because it doesn't rust when used for swimming and diving, it holds up well, and it's a practical metal overall. However, Rolex started implementing more precious metals into this lineup in 1969, when the first Submariner Date was released in gold. Now, you can purchase a Rolex Submariner in your choice of yellow, white, or rose gold. These watches are also durable when used underwater, but for those who are more interested in wearing a Rolex Submariner as a statement piece, gold is often the metal of choice. After all, despite its practical use, a Rolex is a status symbol and a very attractive timepiece to wear on your wrist for just about any occasion.

 

Scratch-resistant sapphire crystals replaced acrylic stones in the latest generation Submariner watches in 1979. Although the acrylic stones held up well enough, the synthetic sapphire crystals that Rolex uses are even more durable. They're also very clear, vibrant, and attractive. 1984 brought two-tone models that featured both stainless steel and gold, and you can still purchase two-tone Rolex Submariner watches today. This may be a good option if you're having a hard time deciding between a stainless steel or gold Submariner, since it allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds.

 

For those who prefer a stainless steel model, 1988 was an important year. This is the year when 316L steel was replaced with stronger and better 904L stainless steel. This was a change that was much appreciated among those who wore their Rolex Submariners for diving or work.

 

The coveted green Rolex Submariner was released for the first time in 2003 and is still a favorite among luxury watch collectors today. In 2010, new movements were taken to improve the Submariner even more. Rolex's well-known Super Case design was implemented this year. Additionally, the Cerachrom bezel was added at this time. This ceramic bezel is well-known among Rolex enthusiasts all over, since it makes the watch even more durable than before. It is virtually scratchproof and corrosion resistant. It is also unaffected by UV rays, so you don't have to worry about your watch being discolored due to exposure to the sun.

 

The most recent change to the Rolex Submariner was a minor one, and it happened as recently as 2020. The case size of the Rolex Submariner was changed from 40mm to 41mm.

 

Even though various changes have been made to the Rolex Submariner over the years, all models and versions are valuable on the secondary market because of the classic design and durability of this collection. Whether your Rolex Submariner has one of the vintage references, a matte dial, blue dial, black bezel, or other features and styling, Greenbrier Pawn (as well as Hilltop Pawn, which is our sister store in Virginia Beach) are both great places to sell your watch for top dollar.

 

What Sets the Rolex Submariner Apart from Other Watches?

Because the Rolex Submariner was released with the intention of providing the perfect diving watch, it does have some features that set it apart. Notably, the Rolex Submariner has a unidirectional rotatable bezel. This was not the case when the watch was first released, but this change was actually made with the safety of divers in mind. Before the unidirectional rotating bezel was added, the bezel could be moved in both directions. This might not seem like a big deal, and for everyday use, it isn't. For divers, though, critical issues can occur. Basically, divers often use their watches to track how long they have been underwater, which is important for safety purposes. There was the potential for the bezel to move in the wrong direction, which could result in a diver being underwater for a dangerously long time. Once the unidirectional bezel was implemented, only the opposite could accidentally happen, so safety risks were minimized.

 

Other Rolex Submariner Services in Chesapeake

Even if you don't want to sell your first Submariner Date, you can benefit from other services at Greenbrier Pawn. If you're thinking about adding a new-to-you Rolex Datejust or GMT Master to your collection, we'd love to help. We offer pre-owned watches from the top brand names here at our shop, all in a reasonable price range. Let us be your official dealer of pre-owned watches from Rolex, Tag Heuer, Cartier, Omega, Patek Philippe, and more.

 

Another exciting option you may want to look into is the option to use your Rolex Submariner watch to take out a pawn loan. Many of our customers choose to do this when they need to access cash quickly but aren't quite ready to part ways with their Rolex Submariner just yet. We will have to hold on to your watch as collateral, but we'll grant you a loan based on its value. As long as you come back and repay your loan by the due date, you'll get your watch back. This is one of the easiest ways to borrow money, and it's even an option if you have bad credit. In fact, we won't actually run your credit score at all. Also, if you happen to need a little more time to repay your loan, you can talk to us about an extension, which can be granted for a modest fee. We do our best to work with all of our customers on their pawn loans, and we'd be more than happy to help you with one, too.

 

Stop By Greenbrier Pawn Today

If you're in the Chesapeake area and want to sell one of the Submariner Date models or another pre-owned Rolex Submariner, or if you need help with buying a watch or taking out a pawn loan, we are here to help. Just stop by Greenbrier Pawn, and we'll be happy to assist you. Also, if you're in the Virginia Beach area or just want to check out our other locations, feel free to stop by Hilltop Pawn in Virginia Beach.