Will Rolex Ever Make a Titanium Submariner?

Rolex doesn’t rush into things. The brand’s evolution is patient and deliberate, making small changes over decades. But when Rolex finally embraces a new (to Rolex) material or technology, they do it better than just about anyone. That’s exactly what we’ve seen with their approach to titanium.

It wasn’t until 2022 that Rolex released its first full titanium watch, the Deepsea Challenge. And at 50mm wide, 23mm thick, and rated to 11,000 meters, it felt more like a science experiment than a wearable, consumer-focused watch. But the very next year, the Yacht-Master 42 in RLX Titanium changed everything.

Image Source: WatchTime Magazine

Matte-black dial, matte-black bezel, 42mm across, <12mm thin, brushed finishing with sharp polished chamfers—this watch proved that titanium could look every bit as refined as Rolex’s usual steel and precious metal creations.

And just like that, the titanium Yacht-Master became one of the hottest—and hardest to get—models in the catalog.

The Case for a Titanium Submariner

Image Source: Fratello (Henry Black)

A titanium Submariner makes sense for a few reasons. First, the Sub is a dive watch. Titanium’s light weight, tensile strength, and resistance to corrosion make it an ideal material for diving. The fact that Rolex’s sister brand Tudor has been producing titanium dive watches for over a decade—starting with the Pelagos in 2012—only adds to the case. There's a popular perception that Tudor is somewhat of a testing ground for Rolex, and I think titanium is a great example, but that's for a different article.

Then there’s the demand. If the titanium Yacht-Master 42 is any indication, collectors would go crazy for a Submariner in the same material. That watch retails for $14,800, but early market prices topped $50,000. Even now, it trades for nearly double retail. The resale value is inflated by scarcity—who knows how many Rolex is making—but the demand is real.

Rolex has already developed RLX Titanium, their proprietary Grade 5 alloy, and proven they can finish it to a standard that matches their steel and gold offerings. That said, producing a titanium version of a steel model isn’t just a matter of swapping materials. Titanium requires different tooling. The entire case manufacturing process would need to be re-engineered.

Why It Might Not Happen (Yet)

Rolex Submariner on Everest Deployant Rubber Strap

The biggest counterpoint? Rolex has never made a titanium version of any of its core mid-century tool watches. No Submariner, no GMT-Master, no Explorer. These models have been steel (or gold, or both) for over half a century, and that legacy matters. The Deepsea and Yacht-Master are newer, more peripheral collections, which makes them easier testing grounds. The Submariner, however, is the dive watch. A titanium Sub would be a major shift.

And Rolex has no reason to move quickly. They already have a titanium diver in the catalog, and demand for the steel Submariner is stronger than ever. Why mess with a formula that’s still working?

Final Thoughts

Image Source: Analog:Shift

Could Rolex make a titanium Submariner? Absolutely. Will they? That’s a different question. A lighter, more corrosion-resistant Submariner sounds like a no-brainer. But Rolex doesn’t follow hype. If it happens, it’ll be because they’ve decided it fits into the Submariner’s long-term future.

Would you want to see a titanium Submariner—or should it stay steel forever? Let us know in the comments.