The reference 16800 bridges the gap between the quintessential vintage Rolex Submariner and the modern Submariner as we know it today, earning it the title of a transitional Submariner reference. With its inception, Rolex did away with the older-style acrylic crystal in favor of tougher scratch-resistant synthetic sapphire crystal. The movement powering its predecessor ref. 1680 was also retired and replaced with the higher-beat cal. 3035 with a then-new Quickset date function. The reference 16800 was also the first Submariner to offer water resistance up to 300 meters, which remains the Submariner’s standard depth rating to this day. Lastly, it was around this time that the bezel was upgraded to a safer uni-directional design that only rotates counterclockwise as a way to prevent divers from underestimating their impression times.