Rolex Submariner ref.16808 in Yellow Gold, Tropical Dial

Since 1953, the Rolex “Submariner” has been synonymous with the practical tool watch. But in 1969, when Rolex introduced the 1680 Submariner in solid yellow gold, it caught many by surprise—transforming what had always been an accessible, utilitarian instrument into a bold, luxurious gold statement piece.

Although the early reception included skepticism and criticism, Rolex continued to refine the gold Submariner. In 1979, the brand updated the model by replacing the acrylic crystal with a more modern sapphire crystal. By the 1980s, a full-gold dive watch felt increasingly in tune with the era’s spirit—allowing the “Wolf of Wall Street” types, who favored wearing solid gold at sea, to carry their swagger effortlessly from land to ocean.