Rolex presents the first history of the Submariner watch
The first book to be authorised by Rolex takes a deep dive into the history of the Submariner watch

Of the millions of words written about Rolex watches, few, if any, have been authorised by the brand. That all changes with the publication of "Oyster Perpetual Submariner: The Watch that Unlocked the Deep".
The emblematic diver's timepiece, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2023, is the first subject in a series of books commissioned by Rolex and published by Wallpaper*, for which The Blend contributor, watch expert and historian Nicholas Foulkes has been given exclusive access to its archives.
Plotting its development, Foulkes recalls the work of Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf in developing the waterproof Rolex Oyster case and the self-winding "perpetual" movement, technical achievements later harnessed to create a robust, reliable watch capable of surviving prolonged immersion at ever greater depths – a journey, quite literally, to the bottom of the sea, to which successive generations of underwater explorers have contributed.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From the earliest tests undertaken by Royal Navy divers in the frigid waters of Loch Fyne shortly after WWII, to Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh's record-breaking descent of the Mariana Trench in 1960, the author's absorbing narrative pays tribute to the indomitable Submariner, but also its even hardier siblings, the Sea-Dweller and the Deepsea.
We also encounter the broader cultural sphere in which these watches have excelled: not least as the original watch of choice of 007, and in a host of other film outings besides, culminating in director James Cameron's epic descent to the Challenger Deep in 2012.
Indeed, it's hard to argue with Rolex CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour's own conclusion on a Rolex model whose legacy is as impervious as the watch itself: "Every single brand has a divers' watch. But nobody has a connection with the sea like we have."
A silk-bound edition of the book is available to order now at WallpaperSTORE*. For hardcover editions in English and French, visit ACC Art Books online.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Bill Prince is the Editor-in-Chief of The Blend
-
Gavin Newsom mulls California redistricting to counter Texas gerrymandering
TALKING POINTS A controversial plan has become a major flashpoint among Democrats struggling for traction in the Trump era
-
6 perfect gifts for travel lovers
The Week Recommends The best trip is the one that lives on and on
-
How can you get the maximum Social Security retirement benefit?
the explainer These steps can help boost the Social Security amount you receive
-
Laura Lippman's 6 favorite books for those who crave a high-stakes adventure
Feature The Grand Master recommends works by E.L. Konigsburg, Charles Portis, and more
-
Book reviews: 'Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream' and 'Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television'
Feature Private equity and the man who created 'I Love Lucy' get their close-ups
-
One great cookbook: 'The Cook You Want to Be'
The Week Recommends And the way you want to eat — now
-
July fiction: Summers to remember
Feature Featuring the latest summer-themed novels from Darrow Farr, Lucas Schaefer, and more
-
Secluded retreats for aspiring writers
The Week Recommends These tranquil hideaways are the perfect place to put pen to paper
-
5 dreamy books to dive into this July
The Week Recommends A 'politically charged' collection of essays, historical fiction goes sci-fi and more
-
The rise of performative reading
In The Spotlight Why Gen Z may only be pretending to read those clever books
-
Thomas Mallon's 6 favorite books from the 80's and early 90's
Feature The author recommends works by James Merrill, Calvin Trillin, and more