943
Rolex
Ref. 16610LV
Submariner, “Kermit”, Flat Four
A rare and well-preserved stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with green "flat four" bezel, center seconds, date, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$100,000 - 200,000€11,900 - 23,800$12,800 - 25,600
HK$176,400
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 2005
- Reference No
- 16610LV
- Movement No
- 30’255’969
- Case No
- F434’294
- 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 clasp stamped “CL4”
- Dimensions
- 40mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Ben Bridge JLRS USA dated 28th June 2005, original purchase invoice, hang tags, steel anchor, leather card holder, cloth, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Submariner, ref. 16610LV was introduced in 2003 and enjoyed instant recognition for being the first of its kind to feature the now-iconic green bezel. A cult favourite sought after by collectors, its nickname was coined after “Kermit” the Frog, as the colour of its bezel resembles the everyman protagonist in the Muppet productions. Only in production for 7 years, the reference was replaced in 2010 by ref. 116610LV, the “Hulk” which was updated with a green Cerachrom bezel and a matching green dial.
The present timepiece is an early example of the “Kermit” as it features a distinguishable “Flat Four” bezel insert. Rare and highly coveted, these earlier ref. 16610LV watches were believed to be only manufactured in the first year of their release.
Ticking all the boxes for all the highly desirable features found on an early example, the present Rolex Submariner “Kermit” is well preserved in excellent overall condition, complete with its original accessories. With an ever-growing demand for this discontinued reference, the current timepiece from circa 2005 is undoubtedly one to collect.
The present timepiece is an early example of the “Kermit” as it features a distinguishable “Flat Four” bezel insert. Rare and highly coveted, these earlier ref. 16610LV watches were believed to be only manufactured in the first year of their release.
Ticking all the boxes for all the highly desirable features found on an early example, the present Rolex Submariner “Kermit” is well preserved in excellent overall condition, complete with its original accessories. With an ever-growing demand for this discontinued reference, the current timepiece from circa 2005 is undoubtedly one to collect.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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.
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