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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 16610LV Submariner}}
{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Rolex Submariner 16610LV — "Kermit" — BezelBase
|title=Rolex Submariner 16610LV 'Kermit', Green Bezel, 2003–2010 | Rolexopedia
|description=The 16610LV is the Kermit. That is what collectors call it, and the name has stuck firmly enough that "Kermit" appears in major auction house literature…
|description=The Rolex Submariner 16610LV is the 2003–2010 steel anniversary reference with a green aluminum bezel, black Maxi dial, and caliber 3135.
|keywords=Rolex, 16610LV, Submariner, specifications, reference guide
|keywords=Rolex, 16610LV, Submariner, specifications, reference guide
|type=article
|image=Ref 16610LV hero.webp
|image_alt=Rolex Submariner 16610LV Kermit in steel with green anniversary bezel and full Oyster bracelet
|type=Article
|og_type=article
|published_time=2026-04-14T16:12:53Z
|modified_time=2026-08-04T00:09:27Z
|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
}}
}}


<small>[[Reference:submariner|Submariner]] → '''16610LV'''</small>
<small>[[Reference:submariner|Submariner]] › '''16610LV'''</small>


[[File:Ref 16610LV hero.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
<div class="rp-lead">
[[File:Ref 16610LV hero.webp|thumb|center|640px|alt=Rolex Submariner 16610LV 'Kermit' in steel with green anniversary bezel, black Maxi dial, and full Oyster bracelet, shown with its box and papers|Rolex Submariner 16610LV 'Kermit' with box and papers, steel case, green anniversary bezel, black Maxi dial, full Oyster bracelet.]]
</div>


The 16610LV is the Kermit. That is what collectors call it, and the name has stuck firmly enough that “Kermit” appears in major auction house literature alongside the reference number. Rolex released it in 2003 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Submariner at BaselWorld, and it ran until 2010 when the ceramic-bezel 116610LV took over. The LV in the reference number stands for Lunette Verte — green bezel in French.
The 16610LV is the steel Submariner Date reference introduced in 2003 for the line's 50th anniversary. It ran until 2010, when the ceramic-bezel 116610LV replaced it. The watch uses a green anodized-aluminum bezel insert, a black Maxi dial, and caliber 3135. "Kermit" is a collector nickname; LV refers to *lunette verte*, French for green bezel.
 
<span id="core-facts"></span>


Before the Kermit, the black aluminum insert had been standard across the entire Submariner line for decades. The green insert broke that continuity — a deliberate anniversary statement.


<span id="core-facts"></span>
==Core facts==
== Core facts ==


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable rp-facts"
|-
|-
! detail
! detail
Line 44: Line 53:
|-
|-
| crystal
| crystal
| sapphire with Cyclops, LEC present from introduction
| sapphire with Cyclops; laser-etched coronet on documented early examples
|-
|-
| water resistance
| water resistance
Line 53: Line 62:
|-
|-
| bezel
| bezel
| unidirectional 60-click, green anodized aluminum insert
| unidirectional 120-click, green anodized-aluminum insert
|-
|-
| dial
| dial
Line 64: Line 73:
| Oyster ref.93250, solid end links (SEL), Oysterlock clasp
| Oyster ref.93250, solid end links (SEL), Oysterlock clasp
|-
|-
| first delivery serials
| early examples
| Y serial (2001–2002 range); also early F serials (Oct–Dec 2003)
| Y- and early F-serial cases are documented; serial and delivery dates do not always coincide
|-
|-
| successor
| successor
| 116610LV “Hulk”
| 116610LV "Hulk"
|}
|}


<span id="where-it-sits-in-the-line-and-why-it-matters"></span>
<span id="where-it-sits-in-the-line-and-why-it-matters"></span>
== Where it sits in the line and why it matters ==
== Where it sits in the line ==
 
The 16610LV is a platform variant of the 16610, not a separate design. Case, movement, crystal, crown, and bracelet are identical. The external differences are the green aluminum bezel insert and the Maxi dial with enlarged hour indices and slightly wider hands. But those differences are significant enough to make the Kermit a distinct collecting story.
 
The green bezel Submariner lineage runs:


* [[Reference:16610LV|16610LV]] '''Kermit''' (2003–2010): green aluminum bezel, black dial
The 16610LV shares the 16610 platform, including its case, caliber 3135, sapphire crystal, crown, and Oyster bracelet. Its identifying factory changes are the green aluminum bezel insert and the black Maxi dial with larger markers and hands.
* [[Reference:116610LV|116610LV]] '''Hulk''' (2010–2020): green ceramic bezel, green dial
* [[Reference:126610LV|126610LV]] '''Starbucks''' (2020–present): green ceramic bezel, black dial


The Kermit is the founding member. It established the green bezel as a Submariner identity element that has persisted across three successive platforms. Neither the 116610LV Hulk nor the 126610LV Starbucks can be confused with the original aluminum-bezel Kermit — which is precisely why the Kermit’s authentication problem is so significant.
The later [[Reference:116610LV|116610LV]] uses a green ceramic bezel and green dial, while the 126610LV uses a green ceramic bezel and black dial. The 16610LV is the aluminum-bezel member of that later green-bezel sequence. An insert can be replaced, so the dial, case, movement, serial, and delivery records still need to agree.


Per the Vintage Rolex Field Manual, the 16610LV was the first Submariner with enlarged lume indices. This Maxi dial format later became standard on the 116610LN and all subsequent Submariner references. The Kermit is the original application.
The Field Manual and other collector references describe the 16610LV as the first Submariner with the Maxi dial. Rolex later used that dial format on the 116610 generation.


<span id="production-outline"></span>
<span id="production-outline"></span>
== Production outline ==
== Production outline ==
The 16610LV's broad production window is clear, but the detailed dial and bezel sequence comes from collector classifications and surviving examples rather than a Rolex-published parts chart. Serial and delivery dates overlap, and service parts can change an individual watch.


<span id="first-delivery-and-early-serials"></span>
<span id="first-delivery-and-early-serials"></span>
=== First delivery and early serials ===
=== First delivery and early serials ===


The 16610LV was introduced at BaselWorld 2003, with first deliveries in autumn 2003. The Vintage Rolex Field Manual documents that the first examples went out with '''Y serial''' numbers. Y serials correspond to the 2001–2002 production band in the Rolex sequential serial system — these movements were produced earlier and held for the anniversary release. Additional first-delivery examples carried early '''F serials''' from October–December 2003, as the watch moved into regular retail.
Rolex presented the reference at BaselWorld 2003 and delivered the first watches later that year. Y-serial and early F-serial cases are both documented among early deliveries. A case serial dates the case's production period; it does not by itself establish the retail date or prove that every component is original.
 
'''On the Y-serial production-to-delivery timeline''': The Y-serial range (~2001–2002) reflects Rolex movement production dates, not retail delivery dates. Movements produced in 2001–2002 were assembled into watches and delivered to authorized dealers beginning in autumn 2003, following the BaselWorld 2003 introduction. This batch-production-to-retail timeline is standard Rolex practice. A Y-serial Kermit purchased in 2003 with original papers is entirely consistent — the movement was produced earlier but the watch was new at point of sale.
 
Collectors specifically seek Y-serial Kermits as the earliest production examples of the reference. The first green bezel Submariner ever delivered. An F-serial Kermit from the same autumn 2003 delivery window is also an early example and is priced accordingly.


<span id="no-drilled-lug-holes"></span>
<span id="no-drilled-lug-holes"></span>
=== No drilled lug holes ===
=== No drilled lug holes ===


The 16610LV arrived without drilled lug holes. By 2003, Rolex had already removed lug holes from the standard 16610 (approximately the same time). No standard production 16610LV examples exist with drilled lug holes. Prototype examples with drilled lug holes were given to Rolex executives and are not production pieces. Drilled lug holes on a 16610LV are either an extremely rare executive prototype or a red flag for case fraud.
Production 16610LV cases are found with closed lugs. A purported drilled-lug prototype or executive example needs specific provenance; a drilled-lug case without that evidence should be treated as a case or component mismatch until examined.


<span id="bezel-variants-flat-four-and-pointed-four"></span>
<span id="bezel-variants"></span>
=== Bezel variants: Flat Four and Pointed Four ===
=== Bezel variants and color ===


The 16610LV bezel insert changed during the production run. The key distinction is the numeral 4 at the 4-minute position on the bezel scale:
Collectors distinguish early "Flat Four" and later "Pointed Four" numerals at the 40 mark. The change is usually placed around the middle of the run, but published charts differ on the serial boundaries. Green shades also vary with production, fading, lighting, and replacement; shade alone does not date or authenticate an insert.
 
* '''Flat Four''' (early production): the top of the 4 is closed — the crossbar extends fully, closing the upper portion of the digit. This is the original bezel configuration.
* '''Pointed Four''' (later production): the top of the 4 is open — the crossbar does not extend far enough to close the digit, leaving an angular open loop.
 
Rolex Forum documentation places the Flat Four to Pointed Four transition at approximately serial F5xxxxx, corresponding roughly to mid-2005. All Y-serial and early F-serial examples should have the Flat Four bezel. The Pointed Four continued through the end of production.
 
<span id="bezel-color-evolution"></span>
=== Bezel color evolution ===
 
The green aluminum bezel insert was not a single uniform shade across the seven-year run. Rolex Forum collectors have documented a progressive color evolution:
 
* '''Y-serial (~2003 delivery)''': bright lime green with a metallic finish
* '''F-serial (~2004–2005)''': pure green metallic
* '''D-serial (~2005–2006)''': lighter lime tone
* '''Z-serial (~2006–2007)''': lighter green
* '''M-serial (~2007–2008)''': deepest green, non-metallic finish
 
The overall trajectory moved from a bright, metallic lime green on the earliest examples to a deeper, flatter green on late production. Two original, unfaded Kermit bezels from different production years may look noticeably different — a point that matters both for authentication and for understanding why bezel appearance varies across genuine examples.


<span id="dial-variants-seven-marks-mk-i-through-mk-vii"></span>
<span id="dial-variants-seven-marks-mk-i-through-mk-vii"></span>
=== Dial variants: seven marks (MK I through MK VII) ===
=== Dial variants ===
 
Rolex Forum research — particularly the classification work by JBP (VRF) and Mondani — identifies seven distinct dial marks across the 16610LV production run. The identification points are subtle: the shape of the “O” in ROLEX (oval versus round), the positioning of the “R” in “Oyster” relative to the “R” in “Rolex,” the number of tick marks spanned by “SWISS MADE” at 6 o’clock, and the presence or absence of rehaut engraving.
 
'''Classification note''': JBP (VRF) and Mondani use different classification systems. JBP combines dial and bezel variants into a single numbering scheme (a “Mark” in JBP’s system may refer to a dial-and-bezel combination). Mondani classifies dials only. The summary below follows the combined approach, noting bezel type where it is part of the Mark definition.
 
* '''MK I''': Oval “O” in ROLEX. “SWISS MADE” at 6 o’clock spans approximately 5 tick marks. Flat Four bezel. Serials approximately Y96xxxx to F47xxxx (~September 2003 to June 2005). The earliest production configuration.
* '''MK II''': Transitional. Variations in “O” shape and “R” positioning distinguish it from MK I. Still paired with Flat Four bezel. Limited serial window.
* '''MK III''': Further transitional variation. Subtle differences in letterforms from MK II. Still Flat Four bezel era.
* '''MK IV''': Oval “O” in ROLEX. The “R” in “Oyster” sits directly under the right foot of the “R” in “Rolex.” “SWISS MADE” spans approximately 3 tick marks. Pointed Four bezel. Appears from approximately July 2005 onward.
* '''MK V''': Round “O” in ROLEX (a visible change from the earlier oval). Variations in “R” positioning and minute marker details distinguish it from MK IV.
* '''MK VI''': Round “O.” Further variation in “R” positioning and marker details from MK V.
* '''MK VII''' (final): Round “O” in ROLEX. Serial number engraved on the inner rehaut — the defining feature that separates MK VII from all earlier marks. Appears from approximately August 2008 onward and runs through end of production.


The progression from MK I through MK VII tracks the full production run. Early marks (MK I especially) carry the strongest collector premiums. MK VII, with its rehaut engraving, is the easiest to identify and represents the final production specification.
Collector references group 16610LV dials into several marks, often labelled MK I through MK VII. The systems do not use one consistent definition: some combine dial and bezel, while others classify dial printing alone. Differences discussed include the shape of the O in ROLEX, the placement of the R in Oyster, the span of SWISS MADE across the minute marks, and the presence of an engraved rehaut. These details are useful only when compared with a high-resolution known example and the rest of the watch.


A full taxonomy requires side-by-side comparison of dial printing under magnification. Forum threads with high-resolution macro photography are the primary reference for these distinctions. Casual identification is reliable only for MK I (Flat Four bezel, oval O, wide SWISS MADE) and MK VII (rehaut engraving). The intermediate marks require experienced eyes.
The final marks are associated with the later engraved rehaut, but neither a mark label nor a serial range is a substitute for examining the dial, insert, case, movement, and service history together.


<span id="franken-warning"></span>
<span id="franken-warning"></span>
=== “Franken” warning ===
=== Variant and service-part checks ===


The secondary market for the 16610LV carries a significant risk of “Franken” watches — examples assembled from parts of different production years, service replacements, or mixed-reference components. A Kermit with a MK I dial but a Pointed Four bezel, for example, is either a rare transitional piece or a parts mismatch. A late rehaut-engraved case fitted with an early-mark dial suggests a service replacement or deliberate parts swap. Rolex Forum collectors flag this as a persistent concern on the 16610LV specifically because the seven-mark dial progression and the bezel transition create many possible mismatched combinations. Buyers should verify that dial mark, bezel type, and serial band are mutually consistent before paying a variant-specific premium.
The reference has many documented dial and bezel combinations, and replacement parts circulate. A plausible-looking watch can contain a later dial, a service insert, or a case and movement from different dates. Record each component separately instead of treating a mark name as proof of originality.


<span id="authentication-bezel-swap-fraud"></span>
<span id="authentication-bezel-swap-fraud"></span>
== Authentication — bezel swap fraud ==
== Authentication and bezel swaps ==
 
'''This is one of the most significant authentication concerns in the modern Submariner market and requires explicit attention before purchase.'''
 
The green aluminum bezel insert from the 16610LV fits on a standard 16610 case. This creates a direct fraud opportunity: a 16610 fitted with an aftermarket green bezel insert can be presented as a 16610LV at a premium price. The fraud is common. The countermeasure is simple but must be applied consistently.
 
'''How to authenticate a 16610LV:'''
 
# '''Check the caseback reference engraving.''' A genuine 16610LV caseback is engraved with the 16610LV reference number. A 16610 fitted with a green bezel will still read 16610 on the caseback. This is the definitive check.
# '''Check the dial.''' The genuine 16610LV has the Maxi dial with enlarged lume indices. A 16610 with a swapped bezel retains its standard (smaller) lume plots. A green bezel on a standard-index dial is an immediate authentication failure.
# '''Check the papers.''' Genuine 16610LV examples come with papers identifying the LV reference. Papers can be forged or mismatched, so they must be cross-checked against the caseback and serial.
# '''Check the bezel fit.''' An aftermarket green insert sitting in a 16610 case may show subtle fit variations compared to factory installation. This requires experience to assess reliably and should not be the primary check.
 
The ceramic 116610LV Hulk cannot be faked this way — its Cerachrom bezel cannot be swapped without obvious mechanical disruption. This closed the fraud vector for the successor but increased scrutiny on aluminum-bezel Kermits.


<span id="y-serial-authenticity-verification"></span>
A green insert alone does not establish that a watch is a 16610LV. The insert can be removed or replaced, and a standard 16610 case can accept a green insert. Check the reference and serial markings, the black Maxi dial, case construction, caliber 3135, bracelet, insert printing, and any service or delivery records as separate evidence.
=== Y-serial authenticity verification ===


The Y-serial Kermit is the most collectible tier and consequently the most scrutinized. The Y-serial production timeline is explained in “First delivery and early serials” above — a Y serial with a 2003 purchase date is the expected pattern, not an anomaly.
Y-serial and early F-serial examples are often discussed as early deliveries, but a serial alone is not proof of an original anniversary watch. A case swap, service dial, or replacement insert can create a mixed configuration. Any mismatch needs an explanation tied to the watch's documented history.
 
'''Fraud vector to check''': a Y-serial watch with a worn or service-replaced bezel deserves careful examination — the Y serial could be a legitimate early movement or could indicate a case swap. Verify: caseback engraved 16610LV with Y-range serial, matching movement serial, original green bezel with natural aging, and ideally a full set confirming 2003 purchase. Any single element out of alignment does not necessarily indicate fraud, but each gap requires a separate explanation.


<span id="movement-notes"></span>
<span id="movement-notes"></span>
== Movement notes ==
== Movement notes ==


Caliber 3135, identical to the standard 16610. Nothing movement-specific to the anniversary variant. COSC chronometer certification applies throughout the 16610LV run, consistent with all 16610-platform watches.
The 16610LV uses caliber 3135, the same movement family used in the standard 16610. The anniversary reference has no separate movement designation. COSC certification is part of the published specification, while later service parts and hairsprings should be assessed on the individual movement.


<span id="dial-map"></span>
<span id="dial-map"></span>
== Dial map ==
== Dial map ==


Black gloss Maxi dial with white-gold surround markers and date window at 3 o’clock. Super-Luminova throughout; no tritium dials exist on this reference.
The dial is glossy black in the Maxi format, with white-gold surround markers and a date window at 3. Super-Luminova throughout the run; no tritium dial ever appeared on this reference.


<span id="case-bezel-crystal-and-crown-notes"></span>
<span id="case-bezel-crystal-and-crown-notes"></span>
== Case, bezel, crystal, and crown ==
== Case, bezel, crystal, and crown ==


Case, crystal, and crown are identical to the contemporary 16610. The LEC (Laser Etched Crown) in the sapphire crystal was present from the first deliveries; the 16610LV arrived already in the post-2003 anti-counterfeiting configuration.
The 16610LV uses the contemporary 16610 case, sapphire crystal, Triplock crown, and 300m water-resistance specification. Published examples show the laser-etched coronet in the crystal from the early production period, although a crystal may have been replaced during service.


The bezel insert is green anodized aluminum. Not ceramic. The green color can fade over time — a known aging characteristic of anodized aluminum under UV and physical wear.
The insert is green anodized aluminum. Cerachrom ceramic belongs to the successor 116610LV. Aluminum inserts can change shade through wear, exposure, lighting, and replacement; those effects are evidence to weigh, not a stand-alone authenticity test.


<span id="bezel-fading-and-authentication"></span>
<span id="bezel-fading-and-authentication"></span>
=== Bezel fading and authentication ===
=== Bezel condition and authentication ===


Factory green anodized aluminum bezels fade through UV exposure and physical wear over years of use.
An original insert can show fading, scratches, or uneven wear, while a service or aftermarket insert can look uniformly saturated. There is no reliable colour rule that identifies an original insert from a photograph alone. Compare the font, numerals, pearl, ageing, case fit, provenance, and the rest of the watch.


A correctly faded Kermit bezel shows even lightening across the green field — the color shifts toward a lighter green or grayish-green while the numbers and dive scale markings retain legibility. Honest use. Complete fading to pale gray or near-white is more extreme and uncommon; it suggests heavy sun exposure over many years.
[[File:Ref 16610LV dial-detail.webp|thumb|right|250px|alt=Straight-on studio shot of the 16610LV dial and green bezel|16610LV dial and green bezel study.]]
 
A service replacement bezel insert is the primary alternative. The giveaway is a saturated, uniform, new-looking green — vivid and consistent in a way that a 2003 watch should not exhibit unless it was stored unworn or the insert was replaced. A service insert with thin-font Luminova plots is an obvious replacement. A service insert with correct thick-font printing but new condition is a subtler tell but still detectable against a correctly worn original.
 
Collectors prefer authentic worn bezels to replaced ones. A replaced insert — even one fitted by Rolex — requires disclosure. The pearl at 12 o’clock sits in the green field rather than the black field of the standard 16610.


<span id="bracelets-end-links-clasps-and-packaging-notes"></span>
<span id="bracelets-end-links-clasps-and-packaging-notes"></span>
== Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes ==
== Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes ==


The 16610LV uses the 93250 Oyster bracelet with solid end links throughout its production run. Stamped end links never appeared on this reference. The clasp is the standard diver’s extension Oysterlock of the era, not the Glidelock system that arrived on the 116610.
The 16610LV ships on the 93250 Oyster bracelet with solid end links across the entire run. Stamped end links never appeared on this reference. The clasp is the period diver's-extension Oysterlock, not the Glidelock that arrived with the 116610.


Packaging follows the Rolex period standard for 2003–2010. Boxes, papers, and hang tags from this era are well-documented in the market. Complete examples are strongly preferred, both for market value and for authentication confidence.
Packaging follows the period in which the watch was delivered. Boxes, papers, and hang tags can support provenance, but they are not reference-specific proof and can be separated from the watch.


<span id="collectibility-and-market-position"></span>
<span id="collectibility-and-market-position"></span>
== Collectibility and market position ==
== Market context ==
 
The 16610LV appears in auction and dealer records in several dial and bezel configurations. Results vary with originality, insert and dial condition, service history, bracelet, papers, and sale date. No published production total or complete serial-linked dial and bezel register was found, so claims about rarity or a fixed premium should be tied to a named lot rather than applied to every example.


The Kermit commands a consistent premium over the standard 16610, driven by its shorter production run (~7 years versus 23), anniversary significance, and the verified-original premium created by the bezel swap problem.
Stephen Pulvirent's Sotheby's guide places the Kermit, Hulk, and Starbucks in the same green-bezel Submariner sequence; the three references still differ in case, bezel material, dial, movement generation, and production period.


Within the reference, the most collectible tier is the Y-serial early delivery group, followed by early F-serial examples. Mark I Flat Four dials carry a premium over later marks, consistent with the general pattern where the first production configuration is most prized. Sotheby’s names the Kermit, Hulk, and Starbucks as a recognized collecting lineage.
== Related references ==
 
* [[Reference:14060M|Submariner 14060M]], 2000–2012
* [[Reference:16610|Submariner 16610]], Date, Cal 3135 (1988–2010)
* [[Reference:16613|Submariner 16613]], 1989–2009
* [[Reference:16613LB|Submariner 16613LB]], 1989–2009
* [[Reference:16613LN|Submariner 16613LN]], 1989–2009
* [[Reference:116618|Submariner 116618]], Yellow Gold (2008–2020)
 
See also the [[Reference:submariner|Submariner family index]], [[Reference:Movements|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers|serial numbers by year]].
 
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref 16610LV hero.webp|alt=Rolex Submariner 16610LV Kermit|Rolex Submariner 16610LV Kermit
File:Ref 16610LV dial-detail.webp|alt=16610LV black Maxi dial and green bezel|16610LV black Maxi dial and green bezel
</gallery>


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/how-to-start-collecting-the-rolex-submariner The Rolex Submariner: A Complete Collector's Guide] — Stephen Pulvirent, Sotheby's
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/how-to-start-collecting-the-rolex-submariner Stephen Pulvirent, "The Rolex Submariner: A Complete Collector's Guide", Sotheby's, 2025-03-07]
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-part-2-the-55xx-1680references/ History of the Rolex Submariner - Part 2, The 55XX References and 1680 Date] — Tom Mulraney, Monochrome
* [https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-submariner-reference-points Stephen Pulvirent, "Reference Points: Understanding The Rolex Submariner", Hodinkee, 2019-07-18]
* The Vintage Rolex Field Manual, Vintage Rolex Field Manual — Morning Tundra (James Dowling & Jeffrey Hess)
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-part-2-the-55xx-1680references/ Tom Mulraney, "History of the Rolex Submariner - Part 2, The 55XX References and 1680 Date", Monochrome, 2020-08-19]
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-modern-references/ Tom Mulraney, "History of the Rolex Submariner - Part 3, Modern References", Monochrome, 2020]
* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'', Colin A. White, Morning Tundra
* ''Oyster Perpetual Submariner: The Watch that Unlocked the Deep'', Nicholas Foulkes, Wallpaper / ACC Art Books, 2024-09-16
* [https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/five-things-i-learned-from-the-first-ever-rolex-authorized-submariner-book Rich Fordon, "Five Things I Learned From The First Ever Rolex-Authorized Submariner Book", Hodinkee, 2024-09-25]
* ''Collecting Rolex Submariner'', Franca and Guido Mondani, Guido Mondani Editore
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/rolex-submariner-green-dive-watch/ "Rolex Submariner LV Dive Watches from Kermit to Starbucks", Fratello]
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/comparing-green-bezel-black-dial-subs-16610lv-kermit-vs-126610lv-starbucks/ "Comparing 16610LV Kermit vs 126610LV Starbucks", Fratello]
* [https://www.everestbands.com/blogs/bezel-barrel/the-evolution-of-the-green-bezel-submariner Jamie Morton, "The Evolution of the Green Bezel Submariner", Everest Bands, 2023-06-21]
* RolexForums community, "RolexForums 16610LV thread bundle", RolexForums, 2026-04-13
* [https://www.rolex.com/watches/submariner/from-tool-watch-to-icon Submariner: From tool watch to icon], Rolex
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolex_Submariner Rolex Submariner], Wikipedia (chronology cross-check)
 


[[Category:Submariner]]
[[Category:Submariner]]
[[Category:Working Draft]]

Latest revision as of 06:52, 29 September 2026


Submariner › 16610LV

Rolex Submariner 16610LV 'Kermit' in steel with green anniversary bezel, black Maxi dial, and full Oyster bracelet, shown with its box and papers
Rolex Submariner 16610LV 'Kermit' with box and papers, steel case, green anniversary bezel, black Maxi dial, full Oyster bracelet.

The 16610LV is the steel Submariner Date reference introduced in 2003 for the line's 50th anniversary. It ran until 2010, when the ceramic-bezel 116610LV replaced it. The watch uses a green anodized-aluminum bezel insert, a black Maxi dial, and caliber 3135. "Kermit" is a collector nickname; LV refers to *lunette verte*, French for green bezel.


Core facts

detail value
reference 16610LV
nickname Kermit
family Submariner Date
production autumn 2003 to 2010
introduced BaselWorld 2003 (50th anniversary of the Submariner)
movement caliber 3135, COSC, 28,800 vph
case 40mm, 904L steel, no drilled lug holes
crystal sapphire with Cyclops; laser-etched coronet on documented early examples
water resistance 300m / 1000ft
crown Triplock screw-down
bezel unidirectional 120-click, green anodized-aluminum insert
dial black, Maxi dial (enlarged lume indices, wider hands than standard 16610)
lume Super-Luminova
bracelet Oyster ref.93250, solid end links (SEL), Oysterlock clasp
early examples Y- and early F-serial cases are documented; serial and delivery dates do not always coincide
successor 116610LV "Hulk"

Where it sits in the line

The 16610LV shares the 16610 platform, including its case, caliber 3135, sapphire crystal, crown, and Oyster bracelet. Its identifying factory changes are the green aluminum bezel insert and the black Maxi dial with larger markers and hands.

The later 116610LV uses a green ceramic bezel and green dial, while the 126610LV uses a green ceramic bezel and black dial. The 16610LV is the aluminum-bezel member of that later green-bezel sequence. An insert can be replaced, so the dial, case, movement, serial, and delivery records still need to agree.

The Field Manual and other collector references describe the 16610LV as the first Submariner with the Maxi dial. Rolex later used that dial format on the 116610 generation.

Production outline

The 16610LV's broad production window is clear, but the detailed dial and bezel sequence comes from collector classifications and surviving examples rather than a Rolex-published parts chart. Serial and delivery dates overlap, and service parts can change an individual watch.

First delivery and early serials

Rolex presented the reference at BaselWorld 2003 and delivered the first watches later that year. Y-serial and early F-serial cases are both documented among early deliveries. A case serial dates the case's production period; it does not by itself establish the retail date or prove that every component is original.

No drilled lug holes

Production 16610LV cases are found with closed lugs. A purported drilled-lug prototype or executive example needs specific provenance; a drilled-lug case without that evidence should be treated as a case or component mismatch until examined.

Bezel variants and color

Collectors distinguish early "Flat Four" and later "Pointed Four" numerals at the 40 mark. The change is usually placed around the middle of the run, but published charts differ on the serial boundaries. Green shades also vary with production, fading, lighting, and replacement; shade alone does not date or authenticate an insert.

Dial variants

Collector references group 16610LV dials into several marks, often labelled MK I through MK VII. The systems do not use one consistent definition: some combine dial and bezel, while others classify dial printing alone. Differences discussed include the shape of the O in ROLEX, the placement of the R in Oyster, the span of SWISS MADE across the minute marks, and the presence of an engraved rehaut. These details are useful only when compared with a high-resolution known example and the rest of the watch.

The final marks are associated with the later engraved rehaut, but neither a mark label nor a serial range is a substitute for examining the dial, insert, case, movement, and service history together.

Variant and service-part checks

The reference has many documented dial and bezel combinations, and replacement parts circulate. A plausible-looking watch can contain a later dial, a service insert, or a case and movement from different dates. Record each component separately instead of treating a mark name as proof of originality.

Authentication and bezel swaps

A green insert alone does not establish that a watch is a 16610LV. The insert can be removed or replaced, and a standard 16610 case can accept a green insert. Check the reference and serial markings, the black Maxi dial, case construction, caliber 3135, bracelet, insert printing, and any service or delivery records as separate evidence.

Y-serial and early F-serial examples are often discussed as early deliveries, but a serial alone is not proof of an original anniversary watch. A case swap, service dial, or replacement insert can create a mixed configuration. Any mismatch needs an explanation tied to the watch's documented history.

Movement notes

The 16610LV uses caliber 3135, the same movement family used in the standard 16610. The anniversary reference has no separate movement designation. COSC certification is part of the published specification, while later service parts and hairsprings should be assessed on the individual movement.

Dial map

The dial is glossy black in the Maxi format, with white-gold surround markers and a date window at 3. Super-Luminova throughout the run; no tritium dial ever appeared on this reference.

Case, bezel, crystal, and crown

The 16610LV uses the contemporary 16610 case, sapphire crystal, Triplock crown, and 300m water-resistance specification. Published examples show the laser-etched coronet in the crystal from the early production period, although a crystal may have been replaced during service.

The insert is green anodized aluminum. Cerachrom ceramic belongs to the successor 116610LV. Aluminum inserts can change shade through wear, exposure, lighting, and replacement; those effects are evidence to weigh, not a stand-alone authenticity test.

Bezel condition and authentication

An original insert can show fading, scratches, or uneven wear, while a service or aftermarket insert can look uniformly saturated. There is no reliable colour rule that identifies an original insert from a photograph alone. Compare the font, numerals, pearl, ageing, case fit, provenance, and the rest of the watch.

Straight-on studio shot of the 16610LV dial and green bezel
16610LV dial and green bezel study.

Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging notes

The 16610LV ships on the 93250 Oyster bracelet with solid end links across the entire run. Stamped end links never appeared on this reference. The clasp is the period diver's-extension Oysterlock, not the Glidelock that arrived with the 116610.

Packaging follows the period in which the watch was delivered. Boxes, papers, and hang tags can support provenance, but they are not reference-specific proof and can be separated from the watch.

Market context

The 16610LV appears in auction and dealer records in several dial and bezel configurations. Results vary with originality, insert and dial condition, service history, bracelet, papers, and sale date. No published production total or complete serial-linked dial and bezel register was found, so claims about rarity or a fixed premium should be tied to a named lot rather than applied to every example.

Stephen Pulvirent's Sotheby's guide places the Kermit, Hulk, and Starbucks in the same green-bezel Submariner sequence; the three references still differ in case, bezel material, dial, movement generation, and production period.

Related references

See also the Submariner family index, movement reference, bracelet & clasp guide, and serial numbers by year.

  • Rolex Submariner 16610LV Kermit
    Rolex Submariner 16610LV Kermit
  • 16610LV black Maxi dial and green bezel
    16610LV black Maxi dial and green bezel

Sources

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