The Rolex Submariner reference 16803 is both a vital reference of the world’s favorite luxury dive watch and a surprising one. Its importance stems from the fact it introduced a whole laundry list of new features to the venerable Submariner, elements that we now take for granted. However, with the ref. 16803 being launched as recently as 1984, it is surprising that it took Rolex so long to produce the watch in its signature bi-metal combination, Rolesor. There has been a solid gold Submariner since as early as 1969, starting with the ref. 1680/8, from the generation that introduced a date function. However, seeing as the brand had been making watches with its patented combination of a stainless steel case with a gold winding crown, bezel, and central bracelet links since the 1950s, it seems odd that its most famous creation had to wait for more than 30-years for its two-tone debut.   This makes the Rolex Submariner Date 16803 an especially rare beast on the pre-owned market.