Rolex's reference numbering is the most over-analysed series of five-digit codes in the watch world. In September 2020 the brand renumbered its entire Submariner line, changed the case from 40mm to 41mm, and in doing so quietly recalibrated what each variant means.
The 126610LN is the Submariner Date. Black gloss dial with Chromalight, ceramic Cerachrom unidirectional bezel, Oystersteel case, calibre 3235 with 70 hours of reserve, cyclops over the 3 o'clock date. UK list is currently £9,750. We have one in stock — see the rolex-submariner-date-126610ln dossier, full UK paper, unworn.
The 124060 is the Submariner without date. Same case, same bezel, same Oyster bracelet — but a calibre 3230 (no calendar module) and a perfectly symmetric dial. UK list £8,750. The two pieces are almost identical from a metre away. From thirty centimetres they read like different watches.
Why the no-date became the connoisseur's pick
There's a school of thought — once dominant on enthusiast forums, now mainstream in the trade — that says the Submariner was always meant to be without a date. The original 6204 had no date. The 5513 — the Submariner Connery wore on screen — had no date. The date was a 1966 commercial concession, added because Rolex was selling the Submariner alongside the Datejust to office workers who wanted both functions in one.
The no-date is also the only modern Rolex sports model without a cyclops, which means the crystal sits flush and the dial reads as a single object. Some call this purist hair-splitting. Some call it the difference between a tool watch and a dress watch in tool-watch clothing.
What's changed in the last five years is the price. In 2018 the no-date traded 5–8% under retail at most independent dealers. By 2024 it had crossed retail. By 2026 it trades at a consistent 12–18% premium. The connoisseur preference has become a market preference.
Why the date still commands the room
And yet — across our desk, more dealers sell more 126610LNs than they do 124060s, by a margin of about three to one. The reason is simple: a date is useful. Most people who buy a Submariner are not professional divers. They are professionals who want a watch that does most things quietly. The cyclops is a flaw to some; for most buyers it is a navigation aid.
The 126610LN also benefits from being the obvious answer when somebody asks for "a Rolex." If the buyer doesn't know the difference between a Submariner and a Sea-Dweller, the 126610LN is the watch the dealer reaches for. It's the most recognisable Rolex sports watch on Earth, and that recognition has retained value through every secondary-market downturn since 2008.
If you want to read the year-by-year market data on both references, our The Off-Market in 2026: Where Prices Are Actually Going piece tracks the spread quarter by quarter.
The case redesign — what the spec sheet doesn't tell you
The 41mm case introduced in 2020 is the single change that determines whether you'll like the new generation. On paper it sounds like a millimetre upgrade. On the wrist, it's two changes at once.
First, the lugs were re-engineered. They're 1.5mm thinner from the side and slightly more curved at the wrist, which makes the watch sit lower than the 40mm 116610LN it replaced. A 41mm Submariner 126610LN actually wears smaller than the 40mm Hulk did. Most dealers we've spoken to underestimate this until they put both on the same wrist.
Second, the bracelet was tightened. The Glidelock clasp was re-engineered to fit closer to the case, and the centre links are slightly thinner. The bracelet now flows into the case rather than stepping down from it. It's the most refined Submariner bracelet Rolex has ever made.
What to check when you buy one
Three things matter when you buy a 126610LN or 124060 secondary:
Paper and warranty. Rolex warranty is now five years and is tied to the original purchase date, not the current owner. Always check the date on the warranty card matches the dial year. We will not stock a piece without its original paper and a verified date.
The bezel insert and the lume. The Cerachrom ceramic insert is essentially scratch-proof, but it is not impact-proof — a hard knock can crack the white platinum hour markers. The Chromalight on the dial should fluoresce blue under UV; a green or fading glow indicates a swap.
The bracelet's first link. The integrated end-link to the case is a known stress point. Look for any play between case and bracelet. If it rattles, the watch needs a service or the bracelet needs replacement.
If you'd like us to walk you through any of this on a piece you're considering — even one we don't sell — we'll do it. <a href="/get-your-watch" class="linkish">Tell us the reference</a>.
Which one to buy
A dealer answer: buy the no-date if you already own a chronograph (a rolex-daytona-126500ln-white or otherwise) and want a watch that disappears into your shirt cuff. Buy the date if you want a single Rolex that you'll wear three days a week, every week, until you eventually sell the rest of your collection and keep this one.
We stock both. Our 126610LN is unworn, 2024-dated, with full UK paper — ready to ship the same day. If you want the no-date specifically and we don't have one in stock that week, we'll source from the trade within five working days. The supply isn't difficult; it's the configuration that's specific.
