The Record Ledger · updated October 2026 · 10 documented results
The 10 Most Expensive Rolex Submariner Watches Ever Sold
The most expensive Rolex Submariner ever documented by MostExpensiveWatches is the Rolex Submariner "Big Crown" Explorer Dial ref. 6538, which realized $1,068,500 at Christie's New York in 2018 — the top of 10 documented results totaling $3,782,674.
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1
Rolex Submariner "Big Crown" Explorer Dial
$1,068,500 · 2018 · Christie's New York
A world record for any Submariner at the time, this lot features an exceptionally rare 'Explorer' 3-6-9 dial with the depth rating printed in red.
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2
Rolex Submariner Prototype
$628,572 · 2017 · Christie's Geneva
One of only three known white gold prototype Submariners from the early 1970s, featuring a unique bezel and no serial number.
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3
Rolex Submariner 'Big Crown'
$579,000 · 2017 · Phillips Geneva
The 'King of Submariners,' featuring the 8mm Brevet crown and an Explorer-style 3-6-9 dial. It was the first Submariner to offer 200m water resistance and remains the most imposing vintage diver from the brand.
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4
Rolex COMEX Submariner
$525,000 · 2023 · Phillips Hong Kong
Made for Compagnie Maritime d'Expertises (COMEX) divers. Helium escape valve. Issued individually to COMEX divers (engraved caseback).
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5
Rolex Military Submariner 'MilSub'
$238,000 · 2022 · Bonhams London New Bond Street
A rare military-issued Submariner for the Royal Navy with fixed lugs and sword hands.
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6
Rolex Military Submariner
$200,000 · 2020 · Bonhams London
A genuine Royal Navy-issued MilSub featuring the 'T' circle dial, sword hands, and fixed lug bars. These watches were never available to the public and saw active service duty.
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7
Rolex Submariner COMEX
$155,000 · 2008 · Antiquorum New York
A Submariner reference 1680 featuring the COMEX logo on the dial, issued to the commercial diving firm in 1978.
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8
Rolex James Bond Submariner
$155,000 · 2008 · Antiquorum New York
A rare 'Big Crown' Submariner reference produced for only one year, famously associated with the early James Bond films.
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9
Rolex Military Submariner
$155,000 · 2008 · Antiquorum New York
Issued to the British Military in 1975, this 'Milsub' features fixed bar lugs and military engravings on the case back.
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10
Rolex Submariner 'Comex'
$78,602 · 2017 · Bonhams London New Bond Street
A rare stainless steel automatic divers watch made for Comex, accompanied by extensive diving paraphernalia.
How the record was set
Every documented result that beat all before it.
| Year | New record | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $155,000 | Rolex Submariner COMEX · Antiquorum New York |
| 2017 | $579,000 | Rolex Submariner 'Big Crown' · Phillips Geneva |
| 2017 | $628,572 | Rolex Submariner Prototype · Christie's Geneva |
| 2018 | $1,068,500 | Rolex Submariner "Big Crown" Explorer Dial · Christie's New York |
Part of the Rolex record ranking.
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Cite this record
Every figure above is a documented hammer price with a primary source on its lot page. Cite as “MostExpensiveWatches Record Ledger”, e.g.:
“The most expensive Rolex Submariner ever documented by MostExpensiveWatches is the Rolex Submariner "Big Crown" Explorer Dial ref. 6538, which realized $1,068,500 at Christie's New York in 2018 — the top of 10 documented results totaling $3,782,674.” — MostExpensiveWatches, October 2026. https://mostexpensivewatches.net/most-expensive/model/rolex-submariner
Machine-readable: /data/records.json · See also the Grail Index and the daily Price Index.