Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2004 Reference No: 16610LV Movement No: 30’340’453 Case No: F’517’731 Model Name: Submariner “Kermit”, Flat Four Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “93250”, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Leonardo Jewelers, New Jersey dated 19th October 2004, product literature, Rolex steel anchor, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Released in 2003 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rolex’s pioneering divers’ watch the Submariner, the ref. 16610LV would soon become a cult classic due to its eye-catching green aluminum bezel insert and Maxi dial featuring larger indexes and hands. It was given the nickname “Kermit” for its resemblance to the colour of the Muppet Frog. Highly desirable and worthy of collecting, this reference was only in production for 7 years before it was replaced in 2010 by the ref. 116610LV known as the “Hulk”, which featured a matching green dial with the updated Cerachrom bezel insert in green.
During the initial few years of its release, the ref. 16610LV was produced with the “Flat Four” bezel and is considered among collectors as a rare gem to find on the market. The present example from circa 2004 bearing a “F” serial with the coveted “Flat Four” bezel is preserved in excellent overall condition and comes with its original accessories. As a model that is increasingly difficult to find, the present watch is a fitting one to acquire for the celebration of the Submariner’s 70th anniversary.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.