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Comparison Luxury dive watches

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN vs Rolex Submariner 124060: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN if you want the most recognized luxury watch and its strong resale. Buy the Rolex Submariner 124060 instead if you want the cleanest Submariner.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN
Buy

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN

Best for The dive icon

Typically $10,700–$15,000

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Rolex Submariner 124060
Buy

Rolex Submariner 124060

Best for Purist Sub

Typically $9,600–$13,000

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureRolex Submariner Date 126610LNRolex Submariner 124060
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$10,700–$15,000$9,600–$13,000
Best forThe dive iconPurist Sub
Key feature41 mm Oystersteel diver with Cerachrom bezel and calibre 3235No-date Submariner with symmetrical dial
Case41 mm Oystersteel41 mm Oystersteel
MovementRolex 3235 automaticRolex 3230 automatic
Water resistance300 m300 m
Power reserve70 hours70 hours
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Case

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN: 41 mm Oystersteel; Rolex Submariner 124060: 41 mm Oystersteel.

Movement

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN: Rolex 3235 automatic; Rolex Submariner 124060: Rolex 3230 automatic.

Water resistance

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN: 300 m; Rolex Submariner 124060: 300 m.

Power reserve

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN: 70 hours; Rolex Submariner 124060: 70 hours.

Why buy it

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN: 41 mm Oystersteel diver with Cerachrom bezel and calibre 3235; Rolex Submariner 124060: no-date Submariner with symmetrical dial.

Made for

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN: the dive icon; Rolex Submariner 124060: purist Sub.

Usual price

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN: $10,700–$15,000; Rolex Submariner 124060: $9,600–$13,000.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN if you

  • you want the most recognized luxury watch and its strong resale
  • value holds value
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Choose the Rolex Submariner 124060 if you

  • you want the cleanest Submariner
  • value clean dial
Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every piece we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best luxury dive watches.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Tudor Black Bay 58

Tudor · Luxury dive watches

Tudor Black Bay 58

Buy it if you want the best-sized diver for most wrists.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Best size
Typical price
$4,200–$4,600

Pros

  • Ideal size
  • Chronometer

Cons

  • Riveted bracelet not for all
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

Omega · Luxury dive watches

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

Buy it if you want Rolex-level quality for far less.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Best value icon
Typical price
$5,900–$6,600

Pros

  • METAS certified
  • Great bracelet

Cons

  • Thick
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN or Rolex Submariner 124060: which should I buy?

Buy the Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN if you want the most recognized luxury watch and its strong resale. Buy the Rolex Submariner 124060 instead if you want the cleanest Submariner.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN usually costs $10,700–$15,000 and the Rolex Submariner 124060 $9,600–$13,000. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN or Rolex Submariner 124060: the full reasoning

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN or Rolex Submariner 124060? Both are strong luxury dive watches, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN if you want the most recognized luxury watch and its strong resale, and buy the Rolex Submariner 124060 if you want the cleanest Submariner. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN wins on 41 mm Oystersteel diver with Cerachrom bezel and calibre 3235. The Rolex Submariner 124060 answers with no-date Submariner with symmetrical dial. Case: 41 mm Oystersteel on the Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN, 41 mm Oystersteel on the Rolex Submariner 124060. Movement: Rolex 3235 automatic on the Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN, Rolex 3230 automatic on the Rolex Submariner 124060. Water resistance: 300 m on the Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN, 300 m on the Rolex Submariner 124060. Power reserve: 70 hours on the Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN, 70 hours on the Rolex Submariner 124060.

Reasons to buy the Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN

Holds value, Superb build, 70-hour reserve. What to accept: hard to buy at list, common. Usual price: $10,700–$15,000. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN review.

Reasons to buy the Rolex Submariner 124060

Clean dial, Holds value, Robust. What to accept: hard to buy, pricey. Usual price: $9,600–$13,000. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Rolex Submariner 124060 review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best luxury dive watches has every other piece with its own call. Size: 39 to 42 mm wears well on most wrists; check lug-to-lug length, which matters more than diameter.

Also consider the Tudor Black Bay 58 ($4,200–$4,600): vintage-inspired 39 mm diver with in-house movement. Buy it if you want the best-sized diver for most wrists.

Also consider the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M ($5,900–$6,600): Master Chronometer diver with wave dial and ceramic bezel. Buy it if you want Rolex-level quality for far less.

Buyer tip

Buy luxury watches from authorized dealers or the brand for the full warranty; grey-market and pre-owned sellers can save 10–30% but check their warranty.

Buying in Europe: authorized-dealer prices for Swiss watches are set per country and include VAT; a watch bought in Switzerland or the EU carries the same international warranty as one bought in the US. Grey-market and pre-owned prices are often quoted in euros or Swiss francs.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.