The Vault › All references › Submariner
Submariner · 2008 to 2020
“Smurf”
Grade A · 81/100Today's call: Buy
A: strong buy-and-hold. Ranked #32 of 129 references in The Crown Index vault.
| Original retail (2019) | $39,650 |
|---|---|
| Market today | $31,000 – $37,000 |
| Vs original retail | -14% |
| 1-year trend | +3% |
The first white gold Submariner, nicknamed the Smurf for its electric blue bezel and dial. Discontinued in 2020 and replaced by the 41mm 126619LB, which switched to a black dial.
That switch is the whole story: this is now the only blue-dial white gold Sub there will ever be, and the collector market has treated it accordingly.
The Smurf arrived in 2008 as the first white gold Submariner, with a matching blue dial and bezel that no other Sub has worn since. The nickname was mildly mocking; the discontinuation in 2020 made it a legend.
It's the collector's favorite modern gold Sub precisely because its spec died with it: successor went black dial, 41mm. One-generation configurations are how modern Rolex mints future grails, and this is the cleanest example in the Sub line.
Our verdict: A. Stealth-wealth Sub with a closed production window and a one-of-one dial and bezel combination. The strongest of the gold Subs.
| Sizes | 40mm |
|---|---|
| Case & bracelet material | 18k white gold |
| Factory bracelet | Oyster |
| Factory bezels | Blue Cerachrom on 18k white gold |
| Notable dials | Blue sunburst |
| Caliber | 3135 |
| Production | 2008 to 2020 (discontinued) |
Live eBay listings ↗ Open in the interactive Vault