Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2006 Reference No: 16610 LV Movement No: 31'100'774 Case No: D'963'193 Model Name: "The Kermit" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 200mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex twinlock deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee dated July 31, 2006.
Catalogue Essay
Rolex launched "The Kermit" in 2003 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Submariner. Fitted with a green rotating bezel, it became an instant hit among collectors and remains incredibly sought-after today due to its rarity and good looks.
Presented in almost "New Old Stock" condition, this watch has been worn a handful of times only. It still displays the original factory sticker on the caseback and hardly shows any sign of wear. All factory finishes are present and the edges are incredibly crisp. It is furthermore accompanied by its original guarantee stating the watch was retailed in Japan.
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.