The Rolex Submariner occupies a rarefied space in horology, transcending its function as a tool to become a cultural symbol. While its design lineage is celebrated for its consistency, specific reference points within its evolution capture the essence of their time. The Submariner references produced around 2004, primarily the 16610, represent a definitive icon of its era—a perfect synthesis of Rolex's tool-watch heritage and its emerging identity as a luxury icon. This period marks the culmination of a decades-long design philosophy, standing as the last bastion of the classic Submariner before a significant technological and aesthetic shift.

The heart of the 2004-era Submariner's identity is its movement, the Caliber 3135. Introduced in 1988, this self-winding mechanical movement was, by the early 2000s, a proven legend. Its reputation for robustness, accuracy, and reliability was unparalleled. Featuring Rolex's proprietary Parachrom hairspring, resistant to magnetic fields and temperature variations, and the efficient Perpetual rotor, the 3135 was the workhorse that justified the watch's "Superlative Chronometer" designation. This era's Submariner was not about radical innovation in timekeeping but the perfection of a known, trusted quantity. The watch on the wrist in 2004 was powered by the same fundamental technology that had been refined and trusted for over 15 years, offering a sense of mechanical maturity and proven performance that is central to its iconic status.

Aesthetically, the reference 16610 was the definitive expression of the classic Submariner silhouette. It featured a 40mm stainless steel case with a brushed finish, preserving the manageable, wearable proportions that defined the model for generations. The aluminum bezel insert, in its deep black or classic "Kermit" green for the 50th-anniversary 16610LV, offered a slightly softer, vintage-tinged aesthetic compared to the ceramic that would follow. The dial, protected by a flat sapphire crystal, was a study in legible perfection: crisp white gold-applied indices filled with Chromalight luminescence, Mercedes hands, and the stark, clean text without the later "Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified" arc. The bracelet was the solid-link Oyster with a stamped clasp, a design that was strong and functional yet distinctly of its time before the introduction of the solid, milled Glidelock clasp system.

This era's Submariner existed at a fascinating cultural crossroads. It was unequivocally a professional dive watch, water-resistant to 300 meters with a unidirectional timing bezel. Yet, by 2004, it had long since been adopted as the ultimate luxury sports watch, a symbol of achievement and understated taste. It was worn by CEOs, artists, and explorers alike. This dual identity—born from functionality but elevated by cultural perception—is what solidified its iconic status for that period. It was the last Submariner that could be purchased brand-new that still felt directly connected to its historical predecessors from the 1950s and 1960s, while simultaneously being a modern, precise instrument.

The significance of the 2004-era Submariner is profoundly heightened by what followed. In the late 2000s, Rolex initiated a monumental update to the entire Submariner line. The reference 16610 was discontinued and replaced by the 116610. This new generation introduced the Maxi dial with larger indices and hands, a ceramic "Cerachrom" bezel insert that was virtually scratch-proof and fade-resistant, a heavier, broader case with redesigned lugs, and the vastly upgraded bracelet with a solid, milled Oysterlock clasp featuring the Glidelock extension system. While these were undeniable technical improvements, they marked a clear aesthetic and tactile departure. The pre-ceramic, pre-Maxi case Submariner of 2004 thus became the end of an era—the final iteration of a classic design language that had endured for over half a century.

In the contemporary collector's market, the 2004 Submariner holds a distinct appeal. For purists, it represents the most evolved and reliable version of the classic tool-watch design. It lacks some of the heft and shine of its successors, offering a more nuanced, wearable character on the wrist. Its aluminum bezel will develop a patina over time, creating a unique narrative, unlike the static perfection of ceramic. It is a watch that is both modern and vintage, a bridge between the storied past of the Submariner and its bold future. As a definitive icon of its era, it captures a specific moment when luxury watchmaking was transitioning from pure mechanical tradition into a new age of advanced materials and bolder statements, all while retaining the timeless essence that made the Submariner legendary.

Therefore, the Rolex Submariner of 2004 is far more than just a vintage reference. It is the polished culmination of a legendary design cycle. It embodies the peak of an analog era in watchmaking, where proven mechanical mastery and a timeless, functional aesthetic reigned supreme. As the last of its kind, it serves as a permanent benchmark, a definitive icon that allows us to understand and appreciate both the heritage of the Submariner and the nature of the evolution that followed. It is a watch forever fixed in its moment, representing the perfect balance between the tool and the icon, just before the paradigm shifted.