Rolex Submariner on wrist and Size Guide
The Rolex Submariner is probably the most iconic watch in the world. It has become the watch that is the definition of a diver’s watch, yet the majority of Submariner owners will never even swim with it.
If you are thinking about buying a Rolex Submariner but are unsure of the size and how it sits on the wrist, we hope this guide can help you.
The fact of the matter is that when it comes to watches, the dimensions of a timepiece on paper may be completely different from how it is perceived on the wrist.
There are watches that are, on paper, 40mm in diameter but feels like a 45mm. At the same time, there are watches that are 44mm that feel like 39mm.
So how does the Rolex Submariner sit on the wrist?
Rolex Submariner size and dimensions reference 116610
As you know, there are a number of different variations and iterations of the Submariner. The same generation Submariners use the same case and thus have the same size, but every now and then, Rolex has updated the Submariner and given it a new case design. Here we are going to focus on the Submariner ceramic and the non-ceramic previous generation, which are available both in gold, bi-color, and steel. When determining the size of a watch, the dimension you primarily look at is the diameter.
The Rolex Submariner ceramic reference 116610 has the following dimensions:
- Diameter: 40mm
- Lug to lug: 47.2 mm
- Lug width: 20mm
- Thickness: 12.7mm
The number one feedback people have about the Submariner ceramic is that it wears larger than 40mm. The mass of the crown guards is also vastly increased in the ceramic Submariner.
What is interesting is that the previous generation Submariner reference 16610 is also 40mm in diameter, yet still, the two watches wear completely different. They also have the same thickness.
The biggest difference between the previous generation Submariner and the Submariner ceramic is that the latter has a so-called maxi-case. This primarily means broader lugs and larger crown guards. Overall a bulkier and sportier case. So whilst on paper, they are very similar, they will wear very differently.
Rolex Submariner size and dimensions reference 16610
- Diameter: 40mm
- Lug to lug: 46.7 mm
- Lug width: 20mm
- Thickness: 12.7mm
Below we share some wrist shots of the Rolex Submariner to demonstrate how the Rolex Submariner sits on the wrist. Both the 116610 and the 16610.
Rolex Submariner on the wrist
With the above mentioned above, knowing how a watch sits on the wrist by only looking at the dimensions on paper can be difficult. This is because there are more factors that affect how a watch wears than what is usually specified and measured. This also includes things like the dial size and the bracelet. Below we share some wrist shots of the Submariner to hopefully help you get a sense of how it wears.
Photo: @Bjoerlin76
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