Review of the Rolex Submariner 116613
By: John B. Holbrook, II
December 20th, 2009
Earlier this year, I reviewed the Rolex Submariner 116619 - the world's first taste of what a re-designed Submariner with the new maxi-dial, "super case" design would be like. Baselworld 2009 happened, as it does every year in April, and Rolex introduced the next step in the Submariner model line refresh initiative - the Submariner 116613. Where the 116619 was actually a new, never before seen Submariner model, the 116613 replaces the venerable 16613 Submariner - one of the most popular Rolex models. Rolex USA was kind enough to send me an example of the 116613 to evaluate, and I got to spend several days with the watch. Before I begin, let me state up front that I'm going to resist the urge to compare the 116613 to the previous 16613 in this article, instead evaluating the watch on its own merits. Stay tuned for a separate, comparative review of these two models.
The changes and upgrades on this new 116613 Submariner are consistent with those we saw on the white gold 116619 Submariner. Those familiar with the changes that Rolex introduced with the Anniversary GMT (beginning with the Rolex GMT Master II 116718 LN in 2005) will also recognize cosmetic and functional changes apparent in the 116613 Submariner. To begin with, the bezel is the same ceramic "CERACHROM" bezel first introduced on the 50th Anniversary GMT. This new bezel is both extremely hard and highly scratch resistant. CERACHROM has proven to has some interesting properties/limitations with regard to color. For example, the reason we have not (yet) seen a bi-color GMT Master II bezel is because the color red is said to be nigh impossible to do in CERACHROM. It also displays a great deal more shade variation depending upon the lighting conditions as compared to a traditional aluminum bezel insert. So showing an "accurate" photo representation of what the watch looks like is quite a challenge. But the dial of the 116613 is a very uniform, consistent color, designed to closely match the shade of blue used in the bezel.
The lugs as well as the crown guards on the 116613 share the expanded design also first seen on the 50th Anniversary GMT (dubbed the "supercase" design in the online Rolex enthusiast community) - these larger lugs and guards give the new Submariner a larger appearance on the wrist, though the dial size remains 40mm in diameter - the same as the previous Submariner models. The case of the Submariner 116613 is also every bit as water resistant as the previous model - 300m/1000ft. There was speculation that the re-designed Submariner models might be made to be more water resistant than previous models (like the re-designed Rolex Deep Sea Sea-Dweller). I for one am glad Rolex didn't move in that direction, as the watch more than likely would have become thicker in the process, which would impact both aesthetics and wearability.
The bracelet and clasp of the 116613 Submariner have received some fairly significant upgrades, which will no doubt be welcome news to most Rolex Submariner fans. The Rolex Oyster bracelet on Submariner models of years past, and particularly the clasp have had some short comings - the hollow center links were prone to "stretching" after years of use, and the stamped metal clasp on the Oyster bracelet functioned well, but never looked and felt to be of the same quality standard as the rest of the watch. The stainless steel and 18k yellow gold Oyster bracelet on the 116613 Submariner has solid center links which are beautifully polished giving this version of the Submariner some dress appeal. Better still is the new Glidelock clasp. The Glidelock clasp is a solid (not stamped) clasp that stands head and shoulders above the previous clasp design. Glidelock clasp isn't just a pretty face - it's functionally improved as well. No tools are required to make fine adjustments to the fit of the bracelet from the clasp. You simply slide the adjustment pin in the clasp forward or backward until an optimal fit is achieved. The design also negates the need for a dive suite extension, as we've seen in previous Submariner models. If you wish to fit the watch over a dive suit, simply adjust the Glidelock clasp appropiately. What was once a glaring weak point of the Rolex Submariner is now one of the best clasp designs I've ever seen on a watch - kudos Rolex!
Rolex (along with several other manufacturers) has also been experimenting a bit in recent years with the colors of the SuperLuminova coatings they apply on the hands and markers of their watches. For years, their watches would glow with a green color. But the lume on the 116613 Submariner glows blue, just like the 116619 Submariner and new Deep Sea Sea-Dweller. It looks great with the blue dial and bezel of this watch. Unfortunately, as my previous tests have shown, the pigment used in the new "colorized" SuperLuminova compounds tends to subdue the luminous glow just a bit. So I don't think it glows as brightly as previous, unpigmented compounds - see my Submariner 116619 review for some comparison shots.
Inside this new Submariner beats the tried-and-true 31 jewel Rolex caliber 3135 (designed and manufactured entirely "in house" by Rolex) which has been in service since 1989. Like the rest of the watch, the caliber 3135 in the 116613 has received an upgrade, as Rolex fitted their new "Parachrom Bleu" hairspring to the caliber 3135 in the 116613 Submariner. What is confusing to me is why the 3135 wasn't given a new designation, as was the case with the Rolex 3185, which became the Rolex 3186 when the new hairspring was added to that movement. In any event, the new hairspring is almost completely anti-magnetic, as well as highly shock and temperature resistant - the three main enemies to mechanical watch accuracy. The 3135 has garnered a reputation as being one of the most reliable, and robust watch movements ever created. At the same time, the movement has been criticized at times for lacking refinement and technological sophistication. True, the 3135 won't win any beauty contests (Rolex finishes and decorates a movement to a lesser degree than other manufacturers), but intentionally so. It was designed from the beginning as a movement to be encased in a stainless steel Oyster case, and endure rigorous conditions and treacherous environments - it's a clear case of function over form. I would also argue that the 3135 isn't lacking in technological sophistication - within the watch industry, Rolex Research and Development is regarded as being second to none. Rolex has implemented several, truly notable features into the 3135 over the years, such as Microstella adjustment screws, Kif shock absorption, and of course the new Parachrom Bleu hairspring. The high-beat movement oscillates at 28,800 beats per hour (BPH). In short, it's hard to criticize Rolex for setting the benchmark which other manufactures strive to attain. Every Rolex caliber 3135 is COSC tested and certified for the highest standards of accuracy.
