cashdRolex Submariner
Used resale value · updated Oct 16
$9,500 – $11,841
Typical $10,763▲ 3.6% · 35d
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Middle 50% of 80 used listings on eBay US. Asking prices; sales usually land 10–20% lower.
Which one do you have?
- Current 41mm (2020–): 124060, 126610LN, 126610LVThe references with the strongest above-retail premium; the green-bezel LV ('Starbucks') highest among steel.
- Ceramic 40mm (2010–2020): 114060, 116610LN, 116610LV 'Hulk'Discontinued, still highly liquid; the Hulk trades well above the black model.
- Aluminium-bezel era: 16610, 14060, 16610LV 'Kermit'The most affordable modern Submariners; the 2003 Kermit is a collector piece.
- Two-tone and gold: 126613, 126618, 126619LBPriced on metal as much as model — gold models trade nearer retail than steel.
- Vintage: 5513, 1680, 16800 and earlierA separate market where dial and bezel originality can matter more than the reference itself.
What moves the price
- 01
Reference number first — it identifies the generation, size, bezel, and whether the watch is discontinued, which together set most of the price.
- 02
Box and papers add a meaningful premium on a Submariner specifically, because they're what separates a 'full set' from a watch that will be discounted for authentication risk.
- 03
Discontinuation drives price: the Hulk (116610LV) and Kermit (16610LV) both rose when Rolex stopped making them; the current LV may follow.
- 04
Steel vs. two-tone vs. gold: steel models carry the resale premium over retail; precious-metal models usually trade at or below theirs.
- 05
Polishing history and bracelet stretch: an unpolished case with sharp lug edges and a tight bracelet is worth more to collectors than a freshly buffed one.
- 06
Service history from Rolex or a known watchmaker reassures buyers; an unserviced older Sub is priced with a service in mind.
Listed now on eBay
- Rolex Submariner Date BLUE 40mm 18K GOLD BUCKLE Stainless Steel 16613 Watch$10,808
- 2004 PAPERS Rolex No-Date Submariner BLACK Steel 40mm 14060 M Watch BOX$10,808
- 2001 Rolex Submariner Blue Dial 40mm Two Tone Steel Gold Auto Watch 16613 B+P$10,719
- 1998 Rolex Submariner Date 16610 40mm Steel Watch Box Papers$10,870
- 1969 Rolex 5512 Submariner Four Lines Meters First Vintage Watch$10,500
The full story
The Submariner is the most liquid luxury watch in the world: there is always a buyer for a steel Submariner at a known price, which is why it's the reference point everyone uses for 'what's a Rolex worth'. Steel models have traded above their boutique price for most of the last decade — not because of hype alone, but because Rolex allocates them to established clients and the secondary market is where everyone else buys.
The price is set by the reference number engraved between the lugs. The current 41mm generation (2020 on) is the 124060 no-date and the 126610LN black / 126610LV green-bezel date models; the previous 40mm ceramic generation (2010–2020) is the 114060, 116610LN, and the green 'Hulk' 116610LV, which spiked when it was discontinued; before that, the 16610 and 14060 with aluminium bezels are the affordable entry, and 1960s–80s references (5513, 1680, 16800) are a separate vintage market.
Used (eBay listings): the Rolex Submariner averaged $10,394 on Sep 11 and $10,763 on Oct 16, so prices rose 3.6% over 36 days of tracking. The lowest daily median was $10,250 (Sep 22) and the highest $10,839 (Oct 4).
Show prices by date ↓Hide prices by date ↑
| Date | Median | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 11 | $10,394 | $9,500–$11,137 |
| Sep 16 | $10,498 | $9,838–$11,527 |
| Sep 21 | $10,300 | $9,500–$11,288 |
| Sep 26 | $10,394 | $9,499–$11,723 |
| Oct 1 | $10,601 | $9,950–$11,995 |
| Oct 6 | $10,595 | $9,495–$11,850 |
| Oct 11 | $10,593 | $9,850–$11,538 |
| Oct 16 | $10,763 | $9,500–$11,841 |
Questions
Why does a used steel Submariner cost more than a new one?
Because you generally can't buy a new one without a purchase history at an authorised dealer. The secondary market is where most buyers get a Submariner, and the premium over boutique price is the cost of skipping the waitlist.
Is the Submariner Date or No-Date worth more?
The Date models retail higher and usually resell higher too, but the no-date 124060 has a devoted following and trades at a strong premium over its own retail. Within the Date models, the green-bezel version leads.
How much do box and papers add on a Submariner?
Enough to matter at this price — a full set typically sells for a clear premium over the same watch alone, and much faster. Papers also settle authenticity questions, which is why dealers pay up for them.
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