Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2002 Reference No: 16610 Movement No: 9’434’331 Case No: K'914’765 Model Name: Submariner Material: Stainless Steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped “93250”, endlinks stamped “801”, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “DT3” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated 17th September 2002 stamped Precision Watch Co., LTD, Hong Kong, instruction manual, product literature, 2001-2002 calendar card, green card holder, hang tag, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Debuted in 1987 and remained in production until 2010, the reference 16610 was considered to be the mark of the modern era of Rolex Submariner. With the latest 41mm case upgrade of the new 2020 generation of Submariner reference 126610, the reference 16610 is a perfect chance for collectors to purchase a beautiful watch that is fast becoming an icon in the Submariner date collection.
Offered in excellent condition, the present watch also comes with the original Rolex guarantee dated in 2002, and its original green sticker retaining intact on the case back.
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.