Rolex Submariner
+680 % above RRP
📱 Track this reference's market value on the go with the watch value app — daily median, price alerts and a watchlist.
ℹ️ 1-month trend
Price change over the past 30 days. Shows the short-term market movement — relevant if you want to buy or sell soon.
ℹ️ 4-month trend
The central metric behind the momentum score. It filters out short-term swings and shows the true, medium-term market trend of this reference.
ℹ️ Volatility
Annualised price fluctuation. Below 10 % = very stable, 10–20 % = normal, above 20 % = volatile. With high volatility the price can change quickly — in both directions. Be cautious about buying without checking the current price.
ℹ️ Momentum score
ChronoCheck's own indicator from 0 to 100, calculated from the 4-month trend, volatility and market direction.
- Above 60 — Upward trend. Good time to sell, prices are rising.
- 40 – 60 — Neutral. Stable price level, no pressure to act.
- Below 40 — Downward trend. Wait or enter at a good price.
ℹ️ Investment Grade A/B/C/D
ChronoCheck's own rating for each reference. A 0–100 point scale, made up of four weighted components:
- Momentum (40 pts) — trend strength from the momentum score.
- Liquidity (25 pts) — number of active live listings.
- Stability (20 pts) — inverse volatility — the calmer, the better.
- Source robustness (15 pts) — number of independent market sources.
- A · 75+ Trend is right, liquidity good, data broad.
- B · 55–74 Solid, but one component weaker.
- C · 35–54 Average, volatility or market breadth weigh on it.
- D · below 35 Downward or too little data — a collector's piece.
Not investment advice. Pure data analysis from aggregated market sources.
The current market value of the Rolex Submariner (Ref. 16808) is $33,852. Last sold at auction: $33,057 (Christie's, 12/2025).
🔔Set up a price alert
Be the first to know when the market value for Rolex Ref. 16808 reaches your target threshold. No ads, no newsletters — only the price alerts you set yourself. Cancel any time with a single click.
We send a confirmation email. The alert only becomes active after you click the link in that email (double opt-in). Our privacy notice applies. Multiple alerts per address are possible, max. 10 active at the same time. Not investment advice.
Technical data
Lift angle 52° — important for timing-machine diagnosis: with this value a watchmaker can correctly measure rate deviation, amplitude and beat error. ChronoCheck verifies such technical details directly from the manufacturers' factory specifications.
Rolex Ref. 16808 — Variants and collector names
Known as: Triple Eight, Gold Sub, Transitional Model, Nipple Dial (early)
Production phases and changes
- 1979: Ref. 16808 launched alongside 16800. First gold Submariner with sapphire crystal.
- 1980: Dial finish and index styling begins transition
- 1982: Transition from matte to glossy dial finish
- 1983: Applied indices with gold surrounds become standard
- 1990: Ref. 16808 discontinued
Movement variants
- 3035 (1979–1990) · 28800 bph
Bezel variants
- Black Alu Insert 16808
- Blue Alu Insert 16808
Dial variants
- Applied Indices — SUBMARINER / 200m=660ft
- Blue Soleil — SUBMARINER / 200m=660ft
- Nipple Dial Mark I — SUBMARINER / 200m=660ft
- Blue Nipple Dial — SUBMARINER / 200m=660ft
Crystal variants
- Sapphire Flat No-Cyclops
Bracelet variants
- Oyster three-piece solid links Ref. Oyster
Serial numbers
- 6.0M – 6.5M (1979–1980) — Early nipple dial production. Matte dials common.
- 6.5M – 7.5M (1980–1982) — Transitional nipple to applied indices period.
- 7.5M – 9.0M (1982–1985) — Mid-production applied indices, glossy dials becoming standard.
- 9.0M – 9.7M (1985–1990) — Late production, modern applied indices standard.
In 1979, Rolex launched two references simultaneously: the 16800 in steel and the 16808 in 18k yellow gold. What set both apart from their predecessor, the 1680/8, was the sapphire crystal — a change that the trade still regards as a watershed moment to this day. With it came the new unidirectional bezel, which from that point on became part of the Submariner's DNA.
## Nipple Dial, Transitional, Gold Sub: The Story Behind the Collector Names
Early 16808 examples ran until around 1982 with a matte dial and cone-shaped indices that gave the dial its collector name: the Nipple Dial. Two main variants circulate in the market — the Matte Black and the considerably rarer Matte Blue. From 1983 onward, Rolex switched to polished dials with applied white gold indices; the transition played out over roughly three production years. Examples from this period that bridge both generations are known as the "Transitional Model" — a term that carries genuine price significance in the market.
## Cal. 3035 and the End of an Era
The 16808 ran throughout its production life with the calibre 3035, Rolex's first in-house movement to feature a quick-set date. Production ended in 1990; the successor 16618 retained the 18k case but introduced the new Cal. 3135. Anyone searching today for an early 16808 with an original Nipple dial and black aluminium bezel is operating in an entirely different price bracket from the post-83 variants — the premium commanded by early dials is well-documented and continues to climb.
Brand profile: Rolex
Rolex is the most counterfeited watch brand in the world. Super-clones (VSF, ARF, Clean — the latter inactive since the 07/2025 raid, with only old stock still circulating) reach 95%+ similarity. Authenticity can almost always only be identified through micro-details and caliber behavior.
- Case back: ALWAYS solid and closed — any display window means it's definitely fake (exception: vintage Ref. 6085 only)
- Minute hand length: genuine Rolex minute hands end EXACTLY at the minute chapter ring. 1 mm too long = fake. The strongest VSF tell.
- Seconds hand: smooth sweep without any hesitation — the slightest tick-tock motion means it's fake
- Cyclops lens (on Date models): must magnify exactly 2.5×, with the date filling almost the entire window
Serial number format: Since 2010, a random alphanumeric combination (e.g. 'G3M9K721'). 2000-2010: a letter plus 6-7 digits. Serial number engraved on the rehaut at 6 o'clock (from ~2005). Older models: between the lug shoulders at 6 o'clock on the case.
Further sources
Buying guide: Rolex Submariner
Market situation and price range
At $33,852 the Submariner sits in a segment where first owners sell regularly — clean pieces with box and papers are not uncommon. The jump from "good" to "very good" usually costs 1,000 to 2,000 euros more at purchase. You get that premium back on resale if the condition is preserved.
Watch out for swings: This reference has an above-average volatility of 66.9 percent. In concrete terms: the price can move by several hundred euros within a few weeks. Check the current value before buying or selling — old listings or auction results from two months ago are of little help.
What to look out for when buying?
- Authenticity: The serial number and reference on the case must match the papers. A professional authenticity check of the Rolex Submariner reliably rules out counterfeits.
- Condition: Check scratches on the case and bezel — professional refurbishment can leave traces.
- Service history: A documented service by the manufacturer or a certified watchmaker increases the value.
- Scope of delivery: Box, papers and warranty card make a noticeable price difference on the Submariner.
- Independent certification: The CPS-52 standard covers 52 checkpoints — from the serial number and the timing machine to water resistance. The result is secured on the blockchain and can be verified at any time.
Check the market value live now
Interactive price analysis with momentum indicator and buy/sell signal.
Go to the market value tool →Auction results Rolex Submariner 16808
Recent hammer prices for this reference from international auction houses:
| Price | House | Date |
|---|---|---|
| $33,057 | Christie's | 12/2025 |
| $30,065 | Christie's | 06/2025 |
| $29,668 | Sotheby's | 11/2024 |
| $26,589 | Sotheby's | 10/2024 |
| $46,210 | Phillips | 10/2024 |