Watch Comparisons: Rolex Submariner 41 vs. Submariner 40

What Are The New Submariner References?

In one fell swoop, Rolex discontinued all the no-date Submariner ref. 114060 and Submariner Date ref. 11661x models and replaced them with the new no-date Submariner 124060 and Submariner Date ref. 12661x models. Here’s a breakdown of the eight new Submariner references released in 2020:

• Submariner 124060: Stainless steel, no date, black bezel, black dial
• Submariner 126610LN: Stainless steel, date, black bezel, black dial
• Submariner 126610LV: Stainless steel, date, green bezel, black dial
• Submariner 126613LN: Stainless steel/yellow gold, date, black bezel, black dial
• Submariner 126613LB: Stainless steel/yellow gold, date, blue bezel, blue dial
• Submariner 126618LN: Yellow gold, date, black bezel, black dial
• Submariner 126618LB: Yellow gold, date, blue bezel, blue dial
• Submariner 126619LB: White gold, date, blue bezel, black dial

Submariner 41 vs. Submariner 40, What Changed?

In classic Rolex fashion, at first glance, the changes to the new Submariner are more subtle than dramatic. After all, why reinvent the world’s most famous luxury dive watch? However, these tweaks here and there have come together to create a fantastic new version of the Submariner that many Rolex fans welcome.

The most talked-about change is the increased case size to 41mm replacing the once-standard Submariner size of 40mm. Interestingly, while there was some initial resistance to the announcement of a larger case size, Rolex reshaped the Submariner 41 case where it actually looks and wears closer to the classic Submariner watches with aluminum bezels (such as the ref. 16610) of yesteryear.

These case redesigns include slimmer lugs and shorter crown guards. Therefore, in comparison to the stockier “Super Case” of the now-discontinued Submariner 40 ref. 11661x, the Submariner 41 ref. 12661x may be larger on paper but its new proportions don’t make it appear so.

Due to the larger case and slimmer lugs, Rolex also widened the Oyster bracelet of the Submariner 41. While the Submariner 40 included a 20mm wide bracelet, the Submariner 41 is fitted with a 21mm one.

There are a handful of blink-and-you-might-miss updates when comparing the Submariner 41 vs. Submariner 40. For instance, the Submariner 41 include a Rolex crown in-between “Swiss” and “Made” at the bottom of the dial under the 6 o’clock marker, a marginally longer minute hand, and a slightly wider bezel. Furthermore, the “Swiss Made” and coronet marking is placed below the minute track instead of above it.

There are some significant Submariner colorway changes to note, but we’ll go into more detail further below.

New To The Rolex Submariner 41: Caliber 3235

The biggest change to the Submariner 41 is not one that can be seen from the exterior but rather, hidden from view, tucked inside the case. While the recently-discontinued Submariner 40 collection runs on Caliber 3135 (for date versions) and Caliber 3130 (for the no date version) fresh to the Submariner 41 are Caliber 3235 and Caliber 3230, respectively.

Caliber 3235 is not brand new, having made its debut in 2015 in the Pearlmaster and rolled out to models within the Yacht-Master, Sea-Dweller, and Datejust collections.

Caliber 3235 is new, however, to the Rolex Submariner, and wearers will certainly appreciate its longer 70-hour power reserve (compared to the 48-hour power reserve of Caliber 3135). On the other hand, Caliber 3230 that powers the new no-date Submariner 41 ref. 124060 is brand new to the Rolex lineup, based on Caliber 3235, but without a date indication.

Submariner 41 vs. Submariner 40, What Stayed the Same?

So what rolled over from the previous Rolex Submariner 40 over to the new Submariner 41? With the Submariner 41, you still get 300 meters of water resistance thanks in part to the Triplock screw-down winding crown fitted into the Oyster case.

Also, the dial continues to emit a blue glow in low light due to the use of Rolex’s proprietary Chromalight luminescence on the Mercedes hands and hour markers. As expected, the new Sub dive watches are also furnished with sapphire crystals to protect the dials and the Submariner Date models maintain the ubiquitous Cyclops magnification lens protruding above the date window.

The same unidirectional Cerachrom ceramic bezel used on the preceding Submariner generation is also found on the new Submariner 40, providing superb resistance to scratching and fading.

Furthermore, we’re happy to report that the new Subs retain the super sturdy Oysterlock folding clasp and practical Glidelock extension system of the previous generation.

New Rolex Submariner 41 Colorways

If we dig even further into the Submariner ref. 12661x collection, we see that some important color changes have occurred compared to the Submariner.

For example, though Rolex has retained the popular green bezel option with the steel Submariner 41, unlike the matching green dial and green Cerachrom bezel of the Submariner ref. 116610LV “Hulk,” the latest green Submariner ref. 126610LV features a black dial.

As a result, some have taken to nicknaming the Submariner ref. 126610LV as the “Cermit,” which is short for “Ceramic Kermit” in reference to the very first green Submariner ref. 16610LV “Kermit” with a green aluminum bezel and black dial.

Similarly, while the older white gold Submariner ref. 116619LB (aka the “Smurf,”) has a matching blue bezel and blue dial, the new white gold Submariner ref. 126619LB has a black dial contrasting with the blue bezel.

Conversely, the new yellow gold Submariner 41 and two-tone Submariner 41 watches retain the matching black bezel and black dial (LN) and blue bezel and blue dial (LB) colorways of the preceding Submariner 40 references. Moreover, like all no-date Submariner models that came before it, the latest no-date Submariner 41 ref. 120460 is exclusively available with a black dial and black bezel.

Rolex Submariner 41 vs. Submariner 40 Specs Breakdown

Regardless if you have a preference for the beefy “Super Case” versions of the Submariner 40 or the officially larger but in reality leaner new Submariner 41, both generations are topnotch luxury dive watches that mark different moment’s in the Rolex Submariner’s long and illustrious history.