Rolex Sub vs. Datejust: Complete buying guide [2026 updated]

The Rolex Submariner and the Rolex Datejust serve two fundamentally different purposes. The Submariner is the quintessential high-performance dive watch, built for durability and underwater functionality with its rotating bezel and 300-meter water resistance, while the Datejust is the original classic dress watch, celebrated for its elegant versatility, date complication, and wide range of customizable styles.

Here's everything you need to know to decide which iconic timepiece from Rolex is the right one for your collection and lifestyle.

Rolex Submariner

Launched in 1953, the Rolex Submariner is arguably the most famous and influential luxury dive watch in history. It set the standard for underwater timepieces with its robust construction, exceptional water resistance, and a clear, legible dial. It's an icon of both adventure and luxury, equally at home exploring a coral reef or navigating a boardroom.

• What it is: A professional-grade luxury dive watch designed for durability, reliability, and underwater legibility.
• Key features: Unidirectional rotatable 60-minute bezel (typically ceramic), 300m (1,000 ft) water resistance, highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence, and a Triplock winding crown for enhanced water-tightness.
• Price: Retail prices generally range from $9,000 to $15,000 depending on materials, but can be significantly higher on the secondary market.
• Materials/Construction: Built from a solid block of corrosion-resistant Oystersteel. Models are also available in gold and two-tone (Rolesor) configurations. The ceramic (Cerachrom) bezel is virtually scratchproof.
• Sizing/Fit: The modern Submariner features a 41mm case, providing a substantial but wearable presence. Its Oyster bracelet includes the Glidelock extension system for fine adjustments over a wetsuit or for daily comfort.
• Pros: World-renowned iconic design, exceptional durability and water resistance, excellent long-term value retention, highly functional as a true tool watch, versatile enough for most casual and semi-formal wear.
• Cons: Extremely difficult to purchase at retail from an authorized dealer due to high demand, its sporty aesthetic may be too bold for strictly formal events, singular case size may not suit all wrists.

This watch is the definitive choice for those who desire a legendary sports watch that blends rugged capability with timeless style.

Shop this product: rolex.com/watches/submariner

Rolex Datejust

Introduced in 1945, the Rolex Datejust was the first automatic waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window on the dial. A true classic, its enduring design, defined by features like the Cyclops lens magnifier and optional fluted bezel, makes it one of the world's most recognizable and versatile luxury watches.

• What it is: The classic everyday luxury watch, known for its timeless elegance, date display, and vast range of configurations.
• Key features: Instantaneous date with rapid setting, signature Cyclops lens over the date for magnification, and options for fluted, smooth, or gem-set bezels. Features 100m (330 ft) of water resistance.
• Price: Ranges from roughly $7,000 to over $14,000 at retail, depending on size, metal, bezel type, bracelet, and dial.
• Materials/Construction: Available in Oystersteel, yellow gold, Everose gold, white gold, and two-tone Rolesor combinations. Comes on the elegant Jubilee or sporty Oyster bracelet.
• Sizing/Fit: Offered in a wide array of sizes (most notably 36mm and 41mm) to fit various wrist types and personal preferences. The Easylink 5mm comfort extension link allows for minor adjustments.
• Pros: Unmatched versatility for any occasion from casual to formal, extensive customization options, available in multiple sizes for a perfect fit, more readily available than steel sports models, iconic and timeless design.
• Cons: Lacks the robust, tool-watch specifications of the Submariner, less water resistant (not for diving), may not see the same level of market appreciation as in-demand sports models.

This timepiece is for buyers seeking the ultimate all-arounder - a sophisticated, highly customizable watch appropriate for nearly any setting.

Shop this product: rolex.com/watches/datejust

Rolex Submariner vs. Rolex Datejust Comparison

Style & Aesthetic

The core difference between these two watches is their aesthetic philosophy. The Submariner is utilitarian and sporty. Its design is dictated by function: the bold, rotating bezel is for tracking dive time, the oversized luminous markers are for visibility in the dark, and its substantial case is built for pressure resistance. It projects confidence and a spirit of adventure.

The Datejust is all about classic elegance and personalization. Features like the polished, fluted bezel are purely decorative, designed to catch the light beautifully. With endless combinations of dial colors, materials, and either the five-link Jubilee or three-link Oyster bracelet, the Datejust is a chameleon. It can be a simple, understated steel watch or a flashy two-tone statement piece, but its primary identity is refined sophistication.

Construction & Durability

Both models uphold Rolex's legendary standards for quality, but they are engineered for different environments. The Submariner is a purpose-built tank. Its Triplock screw-down crown has three sealed zones to guarantee water resistance up to 300 meters, and its robust Oyster case is designed to withstand extreme pressure and impacts. The unidirectional bezel ensures a diver can only accidentally decrease, never increase, their tracked bottom time - a critical safety feature.

The Datejust is still exceptionally well-made using the same tough Oystersteel, but it's built for daily life, not deep-sea exploration. It features a Twinlock crown system and is water resistant to 100 meters, more than enough for swimming and daily exposure to water. However, it lacks the specialized over-engineering of the Submariner, prioritizing aesthetics over extreme ruggedness.

Fit & Sizing

Choice of size is a major differentiator here. The Submariner comes in one modern size: 41mm. This gives it a bold presence that works well on average to larger wrists. It's a statement of capability and size.

The Datejust, by contrast, is known for its wide range of sizes. The most popular men's sizes are the classic 36mm and the more contemporary 41mm. This variety allows buyers to choose a watch that perfectly fits their wrist proportions and style preference - a more traditional, discreet look with the 36mm, or a modern, larger profile with the 41mm. This makes the Datejust a more accommodating choice for a wider range of people.

Price & Value

At retail, a stainless steel Datejust typically has a lower entry price than a stainless steel Submariner. Both hold their value remarkably well, which is a hallmark of the Rolex brand.

However, the Submariner, especially in steel, is one of the most in-demand watches in the world and often trades for significantly above its retail price on the secondary market. Its status as an irreplaceable icon gives it a distinct investment edge. The Datejust has strong value retention too but doesn't usually see the same level of market speculation as professional models like the Submariner.

Which One Should You Choose?

These are two of the best watches ever made, but they excel in different areas.

Choose the Rolex Submariner if:

• You want a robust, durable sports watch built for an active lifestyle.
• You love its iconic, bold, and instantly recognizable tool-watch design.
• You're an enthusiast or a diver who will use its specialized features.
• Long-term value appreciation and secondary market performance are your primary concerns.

Choose the Rolex Datejust if:

• You need one excellent watch that is appropriate for any occasion, from black-tie to the beach.
• You value personalization and want to choose the perfect size, dial, and metal combination.
• Your style leans more toward classic elegance and timeless sophistication than overt sportiness.
• You prefer a more understated profile or have a wrist size better suited to the 36mm or 41mm options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between the Submariner and the Datejust?

The main difference is their purpose. The Submariner is a professional dive watch designed for underwater ruggedness with a rotating bezel and 300m water resistance. The Datejust is a classic dress/everyday watch known for its elegance, date function, and vast array of style options.

Which is a better investment, the Submariner or Datejust?

Both are excellent investments that hold their value. However, stainless steel Submariner models historically have a track record for higher value appreciation on the secondary market due to extreme demand and a more limited supply.

Can you wear a Rolex Submariner with a suit?

Yes, this has become widely acceptable, especially in professional and business-casual settings. While a traditionalist might argue a dress watch like the Datejust is better suited, the Submariner is so iconic that it confidently pairs with a suit.

Can I swim with a Rolex Datejust?

Absolutely. With 100 meters (330 feet) of water resistance and a screw-down crown, the Datejust is perfectly safe for swimming, snorkeling, and other surface-level water activities. It just is not a watch designed for scuba diving.

Which Rolex holds its value best?

Generally, stainless steel professional (sports) models like the Submariner, Daytona, and GMT-Master II tend to hold their value and appreciate the most due to consistently high demand far outstripping supply from authorized dealers.

Which is more comfortable, the Submariner or the Datejust?

Comfort is subjective, but many people find the Datejust with the Jubilee bracelet to be exceptionally comfortable. Its smaller, more numerous links conform closely to the wrist. The Submariner's Oyster bracelet is also very comfortable, and its Glidelock clasp offers more on-the-fly micro-adjustability.

Why is it so hard to buy a Rolex Submariner?

The demand for the steel Submariner far exceeds the production supply allocated to Rolex's authorized dealers. This imbalance creates long waiting lists, with many dealers reserving pieces for their most established clients.

Which size Datejust should I get?

This depends entirely on your wrist size and style preference. The 36mm is the classic, traditional size that offers a more vintage and understated look. The 41mm provides a more modern and bold wrist presence. Trying both on is the best way to decide.