The “Rolex Submariner Blue Bezel Steel Gold Watch Review” is a comprehensive analysis of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner 116613LB dive watch. This particular model features a 40mm stainless steel case with an 18k yellow gold diving bezel and a Cerachrom ceramic insert. The watch also boasts a sunburst blue dial and is equipped with a stainless steel and 18k yellow gold Oyster bracelet with a folding buckle and Glidelock dive extension. Notable features of this timepiece include 300-meter water resistance, a COSC Swiss chronometer certified Rolex automatic caliber 3135, unidirectional dive bezel, and functions for hours, minutes, seconds, and date. The watch’s water resistance is impressive at 300 meters, while the gold Triplock crown on the case adds a touch of luxury. With its stunning design and exceptional performance, the Rolex Submariner Blue Bezel Steel Gold watch is a true testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence.
Design and Materials
Stainless Steel Case
The stainless steel case of this watch is not only visually appealing but also durable and resistant to corrosion. It provides a strong and sturdy foundation for the other elements of the watch, ensuring its longevity. The sleek and polished surface of the case adds a touch of elegance to its overall design.
18k Yellow Gold Bezel
The bezel of this timepiece is crafted from 18k yellow gold, giving it a luxurious and sophisticated appearance. The yellow gold bezel contrasts beautifully with the stainless steel case, creating a visually striking combination. The use of 18k yellow gold also enhances the value and exclusivity of the watch.
Cerachrom Ceramic Insert
The watch features a Cerachrom ceramic insert on its bezel. This ceramic insert is not only highly durable but also scratch-resistant. It is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of underwater exploration, making it an ideal choice for divers and water sports enthusiasts. The blue color of the ceramic insert adds a stylish and vibrant touch to the overall design of the watch.
Sunburst Blue Dial
The sunburst blue dial of this timepiece is a sight to behold. It features a mesmerizing play of light and shadow, creating a dynamic and captivating effect. The blue color of the dial is both elegant and eye-catching, making a bold statement on the wrist. The sunburst finish on the dial adds depth and complexity to its appearance, making it an exquisite piece of craftsmanship.
Stainless Steel and 18k Yellow Gold Oyster Bracelet
The bracelet of this watch is a combination of stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, perfectly complementing the design of the case and bezel. The use of stainless steel ensures durability and long-lasting performance, while the touch of yellow gold adds a touch of luxury. The bracelet is not only comfortable to wear but also secure, thanks to its robust construction and Oyster clasp with double locking.
Features
300-meter Water Resistance
As a dive watch, this timepiece boasts an impressive water resistance of 300 meters. This means that it can withstand the pressures and conditions of underwater exploration, making it a reliable companion for professional divers and water sports enthusiasts. The exceptional water resistance of this watch is achieved through meticulous engineering and rigorous testing, ensuring its performance even in the most demanding environments.
COSC Swiss Chronometer Certified
This watch is COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) certified, a testament to its exceptional precision and accuracy. It undergoes stringent tests and meets the highest standards set by the industry, guaranteeing reliable and precise timekeeping. The COSC certification is a mark of excellence and quality, ensuring that this watch is a timepiece of utmost reliability.
Rolex Automatic Caliber 3135
At the heart of this watch beats the Rolex automatic caliber 3135 movement, known for its reliability and precision. Rolex is renowned for its in-house movements, and the caliber 3135 is no exception. It features a paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, offering greater resistance to magnetic fields and temperature variations. With its self-winding mechanism, the caliber 3135 provides accurate and reliable timekeeping for years to come.
Unidirectional Dive Bezel
The unidirectional dive bezel is a key feature of this timepiece, allowing divers to track their immersion time accurately. The bezel can only rotate in one direction, ensuring that the elapsed time can only be increased, never decreased accidentally. The 120-click bezel action and the clear and legible markings on the bezel make it easy for divers to keep track of their dive duration, enhancing safety and functionality.
Hours, Minutes, Seconds, and Date
The watch offers the essential functions of hours, minutes, and seconds, allowing for precise timekeeping in any situation. The inclusion of a date function adds practicality and convenience to the watch, allowing the wearer to easily keep track of the current date. The date window is magnified by a Cyclops lens, ensuring excellent visibility and legibility.
Dimensions
12.7mm Thickness
With a thickness of 12.7mm, this watch strikes the perfect balance between durability and wearability. It sits comfortably on the wrist without feeling bulky or cumbersome. The slender profile of the watch adds to its elegance and sophistication, making it suitable for both formal occasions and everyday wear.
48mm Lug-to-lug
The lug-to-lug measurement of 48mm ensures that this watch fits comfortably on a wide range of wrist sizes. The lug-to-lug measurement refers to the distance between the lugs, which are the protruding parts of the case where the bracelet or strap is attached. This measurement is crucial in ensuring a proper fit and comfortable wearing experience.
Dial Variant
Change in Dial Design in 2013
In 2013, Rolex introduced a significant change in the dial design of this particular model. The previous dial design was replaced with a stunning sunburst blue dial, adding a modern and stylish twist to the watch. This change marked a departure from the traditional dial design of the watch, injecting fresh energy and vibrancy into its overall aesthetic.
Return to Sunburst Blue Dial
The return to the sunburst blue dial is a move that has been widely celebrated by watch enthusiasts and collectors alike. The sunburst blue dial is not only visually striking but also evokes a sense of nostalgia, harking back to the classic Rolex watches of the past. This dial variant adds a touch of uniqueness and exclusivity to this timepiece, making it a coveted piece among watch aficionados.
Nostalgic and Evocative Design
The sunburst blue dial of this watch is more than just a design choice; it is a nod to Rolex’s rich heritage and history. The dial evokes a sense of nostalgia and pays homage to the iconic Rolex watches of yesteryears. The sunburst finish adds depth and dimension to the dial, reflecting light in a captivating manner. This dial variant is both timeless and contemporary, capturing the essence of Rolex’s design philosophy.
Comfort and Fit
Comfortable Fit on the Wrist
When it comes to wearing a timepiece, comfort is of utmost importance. This watch is designed with comfort in mind, featuring a bracelet and case that sit snugly on the wrist. The combination of the materials used, such as stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, ensures that the watch is lightweight and comfortable to wear throughout the day.
Slender Profile
The slender profile of this watch adds to its comfort and wearability. It slides effortlessly under the cuff, allowing it to be worn with formal attire without any discomfort. The design of the case and bracelet ensures that the watch sits close to the wrist, reducing the chances of it catching onto clothing or other objects.
Fits Underneath the Cuff
For individuals who frequently wear dress shirts or formal attire, the ability of a watch to fit underneath the cuff is crucial. This watch is designed to be slim enough to fit comfortably under the cuff, allowing you to maintain a polished and professional appearance. The sleek and elegant design of the watch ensures that it seamlessly integrates with your outfit without drawing unnecessary attention.
Measurements Across the Wrist
The measurements across the wrist refer to the width of the case and bracelet when worn on the wrist. This watch is carefully designed to have proportions that are aesthetically pleasing and proportionate to the wrist. The dimensions are meticulously calculated to ensure that the watch neither looks too small nor overwhelms the wrist, striking the perfect balance.
Bracelet Design
Steel and Gold Rolex Oyster Bracelet
The bracelet of this watch is a testament to Rolex’s commitment to excellence in design and craftsmanship. It is crafted from a combination of stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, resulting in a bracelet that is both stylish and durable. The steel and gold Oyster bracelet is an iconic design element of Rolex watches, instantly recognizable and synonymous with quality.
Solid End Links
The end links of the bracelet, where it attaches to the case, are solid and robust. This construction ensures that the bracelet fits securely and snugly against the case, reducing any potential gaps or unevenness. The solid end links also contribute to the overall sturdiness of the watch, ensuring that it can withstand daily wear and tear.
Solid Centre Links
The center links of the bracelet are also solid, adding to its structural integrity and durability. The solid center links provide stability to the bracelet, preventing it from stretching or becoming loose over time. This ensures that the watch maintains its original form and fit, even after years of regular use.
Polished and Satin Shoulders
The bracelet features a combination of polished and satin-finished links, adding a touch of sophistication to its design. The polished shoulders catch the light and provide a gleaming contrast to the satin-finished links. This combination of finishes adds depth and visual interest to the bracelet, elevating its overall aesthetic.
Oyster Clasp with Double Locking
The Oyster clasp with double locking is a reliable and secure mechanism for fastening the bracelet. It features a fold-over clasp with a safety catch, ensuring that the bracelet remains securely in place. The double locking mechanism provides an extra layer of security, giving you peace of mind knowing that your watch is safely attached to your wrist.
Materials and Craftsmanship
High-quality Stainless Steel
The stainless steel used in this watch is of the highest quality, ensuring its durability and longevity. Rolex is known for its meticulous selection of materials, and the stainless steel used in this timepiece is no exception. It is resistant to corrosion and maintains its luster even with regular wear, making it a reliable choice for everyday use.
Smelted Gold by Rolex
The 18k yellow gold used in this watch is smelted and processed by Rolex, ensuring the utmost purity and quality. Rolex has its own foundry and performs all processes in-house, guaranteeing that every piece of gold used in their watches meets their stringent standards. The smelting process ensures that the gold is free from impurities, resulting in a beautiful and luxurious finish.
Anti-corrosive Properties
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the stainless steel used in this watch possesses excellent anti-corrosive properties. This ensures that the watch can withstand exposure to water, sweat, and other environmental factors without succumbing to rust or corrosion. The anti-corrosive properties of the stainless steel contribute to the watch’s longevity and reliability.
Solid and Reliable Construction
The materials and craftsmanship of this watch combine to create a timepiece that is solid and reliable. Rolex has a reputation for producing watches that are built to last, and this watch is no exception. The attention to detail and rigorous quality control ensure that every component of the watch functions seamlessly, providing you with a timepiece that you can trust for years to come.
Bezel Design
18k Yellow Gold Bezel
The bezel of this watch is crafted from 18k yellow gold, adding a touch of luxury and opulence to its design. The use of yellow gold enhances the overall aesthetic of the watch, elevating it to a higher level of sophistication. The warm and rich tones of the yellow gold create an enticing contrast with the blue dial, making the watch visually captivating.
Cerachrom Insert in Blue
The bezel features a Cerachrom ceramic insert in blue, offering exceptional durability and scratch resistance. The Cerachrom insert is highly resistant to fading, ensuring that the vibrant blue color remains vibrant and vivid for years to come. The use of ceramic in the bezel adds a modern and contemporary touch to the watch’s design.
Gold Deposited Numerals and Indices
The numerals and indices on the bezel are made of gold and deposited onto the ceramic insert. This adds a touch of luxury and elegance to the watch, further enhancing its overall aesthetic. The gold numerals and indices also provide excellent legibility and contrast against the blue background, making it easy to read the bezel markings.
Sapphire-capped Luminescent Pearl
The bezel is equipped with a sapphire-capped luminescent pearl at the 12 o’clock position. This luminescent pearl ensures excellent visibility in low light conditions, allowing for easy reading of the bezel markings even in dark environments. The sapphire cap adds a luxurious and refined touch to the overall design of the watch.
120-click Bezel Action
The bezel of this watch features a 120-click action, ensuring precise and accurate rotation. Each click corresponds to a 1/2 minute increment, allowing for precise time tracking and measurement. The bezel action is smooth and satisfying, adding to the overall tactile experience of using the watch.
Dial and Hands
Blue Sunburst Dial
The dial of this watch is a sunburst blue, creating a captivating play of light and shadow. The sunburst finish adds depth and complexity to the dial, creating a mesmerizing visual effect. The blue color of the dial is both vibrant and elegant, making a bold statement on the wrist. The dial is a focal point of the watch’s design, capturing attention with its striking beauty.
Yellow Gold Hands and Indices
The hands and indices on the dial are crafted from yellow gold, bringing a touch of luxury and opulence to the watch. The warm and radiant tones of the yellow gold create a harmonious contrast against the blue dial, enhancing the legibility and visibility of the timepiece. The yellow gold elements add a sense of refinement and sophistication to the overall design.
Clear Cyclops Date Window
The dial features a clear Cyclops date window at the 3 o’clock position, allowing for easy reading of the current date. The Cyclops lens magnifies the date, ensuring excellent visibility and legibility. This practical feature adds convenience to the watch, allowing you to easily keep track of the date at a glance.
Superlative Chronometer Certification
This watch is Superlative Chronometer certified, a distinction that represents the highest precision and accuracy in timekeeping. The Superlative Chronometer certification is granted by Rolex to watches that undergo a series of rigorous tests and meet strict criteria for precision and reliability. This certification is a testament to the quality and accuracy of the watch’s movement.
Accurate and Precise Movement
The movement of this watch is powered by the Rolex automatic caliber 3135, known for its precision and reliability. The caliber 3135 is equipped with a self-winding mechanism, ensuring that the watch remains accurate without the need for manual winding. The movement is finely engineered and meticulously calibrated, ensuring precise timekeeping in any situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this watch is a testament to Rolex’s commitment to excellence in design, materials, and craftsmanship. From its stainless steel case and 18k yellow gold bezel to its sunburst blue dial and Oyster bracelet, every element of this timepiece is meticulously crafted and designed to perfection. With its impressive water resistance, COSC Swiss Chronometer certification, and reliable automatic caliber 3135 movement, this watch is a true example of functionality and precision. Its comfortable fit, slender profile, and timeless design make it a versatile and sophisticated choice for any occasion. Whether you are a watch aficionado or a casual collector, this watch is sure to impress with its blend of luxury, style, and reliability.
