Hands-on Review: Rolex Submariner Date 126610LV

Submariner 126610LV. Review of the Rolex Submariner Date 126610LV Cermit/Stabucks with pricing. The Submariner 126610LV has a price of €9150/$9550

After our presentation article published last September (you can read it here), we had the opportunity to go hands-on with the new Rolex Submariner Date 126610LV and we are now delighted to share our pictures and impressions with our readers.

For its ceramic bezel and for using the same green/black colour scheme of the Submariner 16610LV "Kermit" launched in 2003 to celebrate 50 years of the model, the new Submariner Date 126610LV has been nicknamed "Cermit" by some collectors and "Starbucks" by others. 

Introducing this new model, Rolex pointed out the following key updates: 

– New 41 mm case diameter (vs 40 mm of previous ref. 116610LV, also known among collectors as the "Hulk")

– Redesigned thinner lugs

– A matte black dial matched to a ceramic green bezel (vs the sunburst green dial of ref. 116610LV)

– New Calibre 3235 movement

When you handle it for the first time, there is no perception of a case size increase. In fact, the exact diameter of the new 126610LV is 40.8 mm vs 40.3 mm of the previous Submariner generation introduced in 2010. Thus, the actual difference is just half a millimetre more.

Instead, what you will notice is a streamlined profile and redesigned lugs which better harmonise with the overall design. Not only thinner and more tapered, they are slightly concave, a detail that contributes to some nice play of light.

The external lug width has been reduced from 27.5 mm to 26.7 mm while simultaneously enlarging the bracelet width at the lugs from 20 to 21 mm.

From a design point of view, we consider the new case/lugs/bracelet ensemble an improvement over the previous Sub generation and more in line with the historical models. Wearability is truly excellent.

The case, just like the bracelet, is crafted from Oystersteel, the special Rolex alloy belonging to the 904L steel family that is particularly resistant to corrosion and maintains its sheen over time. It is equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel with a green Cerachrom bezel insert that is virtually scratchproof thanks to the properties of ceramic. The green hue changes depending on how the light hits the surface.  

In order to monitor diving time and decompression stops, the bezel is engraved with 60-minute graduations coated in platinum and enhanced by a luminescent capsule on the zero to mark the dive start time in conformity to standards for diver's watches. It rotates with perceptible and precise clicks (120) and offers excellent grip thanks to a knurled edge.

Fitted with a triple waterproofness system and protected by a crown guard integrated in the middle case, the Submariner’s Triplock winding crown screws down against the case offering water resistance to a depth of 300 metres / 1,000 feet.

The matte black dial maintains the typical Submariner layout with large luminescent hour markers in simple shapes – triangles, circles, rectangles – and broad hour and minute hands, all filled with Chromalight luminescent material emitting a long-lasting blue glow for improved legibility in dark conditions.

At 6 o'clock, a small crown emblem appears in the middle of the “Swiss Made” text. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is fitted with a Cyclops lens to magnify the date.

Hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement, the solid case back protects the new self-winding mechanical Calibre 3235.

Introduced in 2017 and employed for the first time in the Sea-Dweller 43 mm, the Calibre 3235 replaces the glorious Caliber 3135 equipping the Submariner Date since 1988. 

The new movement incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, it is also insensitive to magnetic interference. Thanks to this innovative geometry, the efficiency of this escapement improved by 15%.

The Rolex Calibre 3235 and, below, the Chronergy escapement

An optimized blue Parachrom hairspring is fitted to the oscillator, the heart of the watch. Patented and manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy, it is up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks.

Thanks to its new barrel architecture and the escapement’s improved efficiency, the power reserve of the movement extends to approximately 70 hours compared to the 48 hours guaranteed by the old Calibre 3135. Functions include instantaneous date with rapid adjustment and stop-seconds for precise time setting.

The remodelled solid-link Oyster bracelet in 904L steel is flawlessly executed with its broad, flat three-piece links with satin-finished surfaces and polished sides. 

It is equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp that prevents accidental opening. Simple and practical, the  Glidelock system allows fine adjustment of the bracelet length in 2 mm increments for a total of approximately 20 mm.

As the text on the dial remarks, this model is a "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified". Redefined by Rolex in 2015, this certification is applied to the fully assembled watch and guarantees precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer after casing is of the order of −2/+2 seconds per day.

With this model, Rolex continues its quest for excellence improving, once again, the iconic divers's watch. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date ref. 126610LV has a suggested retail price of Euro 9,150 / US$ 9,550. rolex.com