Which is better, the black sub or the green sub?

　　Although both watch models belong to the same collection and share the same movement (Cal.3135), they are frequently compared by watch enthusiasts due to their different colours. Ultimately, however, such comparisons usually boil down to two points: what the difference in colour actually signifies, and which colour one simply prefers.

　　Speaking ofSubmariner, many people are certainly familiar with it. It is the widely known nickname for Rolex's classic product line, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner, which was born in 1953. It was once the world's first watch water-resistant to a depth of 100 metres, and later featured a patented Triplock winding crown to enhance case sealing, increasing the water resistance depth to 300 metres.

　　However, since 1970, the Submariner has evolved into what it is today. Mercedes hands, a cyclops lens for date reading, and hour markers have become classic identifying elements of Rolex—especially the cyclops lens, which projects above the 1.5 mm sapphire crystal while maintaining a perfectly flat surface. One point to note is that within this so-called Rolex "sub" family, models are available in colours such as green, black, blue, and red (pictured below). It is simply because the black and green models sell better, or rather, the market is more familiar with these two colours, that comparisons between these two specific colourways so frequently arise.

Rolex Submariner 116613LB

　　Based on our usual standard introduction—such as, "This watch is powered by an automatic winding movement, stainless steel construction, featuring a date display, solid case back, 40 mm case diameter, 300 metres water resistance," and so forth—these sub models seem to have no real differences aside from material, colour, and price. According to the author's observations, both domestically and internationally, the retail price of the green sub is generally around 5% to 10% higher than that of the black sub.

　　When it comes to the differences between the two colours, their chemical compositions are certainly distinct. For instance, the one known as the "green sub"Rolex Submariner Date Collection 116610LVgreen dial watch, which was first introduced in 2010, is also a highly representative green sub. The green dial of this watch is reportedly coated with a "green gold" layer using PVD technology, whilst the exact compositional ratio of its claimed "green gold" material remains a secret, likely for patent protection purposes.

　　In fact, the green sub is pursued by many, but differing chemical compositions are certainly not the primary factor, and many enthusiasts do not even care about this at all. Frequently, those who prefer the green sub do so because of the style it represents; a very representative viewpoint is that green appears younger and more individualistic, whereas black looks relatively conservative and understated. So, which one is better? It entirely depends on your personal preference.

　　However, whether it is the black sub, the green sub, or any other sub, they all transform into the same appearance when the lights go out. Because the hour markers and hands on the dial are coated with luminescence, they emit a blue glow in dark environments. In the deep sea, the different wavelengths of radiation produced by sunlight are gradually absorbed as the depth of the water increases, in the order of red, orange, yellow, and green, until finally only blue-violet remains—which is precisely why Rolex chose blue.