Pre-owned Rolex Submariner: UK prices and what to check
The Submariner is the dive watch most others are measured against: tough, easy to wear every day and recognised everywhere. Buying one pre-owned in the UK is safest through Rolex Certified Pre-Owned at an authorised dealer, or a marketplace with escrow and authentication; below are the references, what to check on this model, and where to look.
Updated 6 Nov 2026. Watches aren't investments; prices fall as well as rise.
New vs pre-owned
Rolex doesn't publish UK prices online; ask an authorised dealer.
UK pre-owned price index coming soon.
References
| Ref | Made | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 126610LN | 2020– | Date, 41mm, calibre 3235 |
| 124060 | 2020– | No date, 41mm, calibre 3230 |
| 116610LN | 2010–2020 | Date, 40mm, ceramic bezel |
| 114060 | 2012–2020 | No date, 40mm, ceramic bezel |
| 16610 | 1988–2010 | Date, 40mm, aluminium bezel insert |
Why people buy it
The Submariner is the dive watch most others are measured against: tough, easy to wear every day and recognised everywhere. New steel models are hard to get from a dealer, so many buyers go straight to pre-owned.
What to check on a pre-owned Submariner
- Bezel insert: ceramic on the 116610 and later, aluminium on the 16610 and earlier. Check it turns one way only with firm, even clicks, and that the zero pip is present.
- Lume: modern dials glow blue (Chromalight). Uneven or patchy glow across the markers can mean a replaced or fake dial.
- Date models: the Cyclops lens should make the date fill most of the window. A weak magnification is a common sign of a fake.
- Engraved inner ring (rehaut): from the 2000s Rolex engraves 'ROLEX' and the serial number around the dial. The text should line up neatly with the markers.
- Case finish: heavy polishing rounds off the lug edges and can't be undone. Ask for photos from the side.
- Bracelet and clasp: check stretch between the links and that the Glidelock extension (on the 116610 and later) slides and locks.
- Papers: the serial on the warranty card should match the one on the watch.
- Service history: Rolex suggests a service roughly every 10 years; ask when it was last done and by whom.
More on buying safely: our pre-owned guide.
Where to buy
Dealer links may earn us a commission; it never decides what we recommend.
Questions
How much is a pre-owned Rolex Submariner in the UK?
It depends on the reference, condition, and whether it has its box and papers. We're building a UK pre-owned price index from authenticated listings; until then, compare like-for-like listings on Chrono24 and eBay's Authenticity Guarantee.
Is it safe to buy a Rolex Submariner pre-owned?
It can be, if you buy from an authorised pre-owned programme, an established dealer, or a marketplace that holds your money in escrow and authenticates the watch. Check the serial against the papers, ask for service history, and never pay a stranger by bank transfer.
What should I check before buying a used Submariner?
Bezel insert: ceramic on the 116610 and later, aluminium on the 16610 and earlier. Check it turns one way only with firm, even clicks, and that the zero pip is present. Lume: modern dials glow blue (Chromalight). Uneven or patchy glow across the markers can mean a replaced or fake dial. Date models: the Cyclops lens should make the date fill most of the window. A weak magnification is a common sign of a fake.
Does a pre-owned Rolex Submariner hold its value?
Some models have sold above their new price for long spells, but watches aren't investments: prices fall as well as rise. Buy one because you want to wear it.
What is Rolex Certified Pre-Owned?
Rolex's own pre-owned programme: second-hand Rolex watches checked by an authorised dealer under Rolex's rules and sold with a Rolex guarantee. In the UK, authorised dealers including Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb sell them. They cost more than a typical private sale, but you know what you're getting.