Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2007 Reference No: 16610LV Movement No: 31’406’631 Case No: Z387’929 Model Name: Submariner, “Kermit” 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 “OP9” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Dickson Watch & Jewellery Co., Ltd., Hong Kong dated 1st January 2007, two additional links, hangtags, leather card holder, suede cloth, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Submariner ref. 16610LV is one of the most revered references among luxury sports watches today. Released in 2003 to commemorate the model’s 50th anniversary, it enjoyed instant recognition as it was the first Submariner to be fitted with a green bezel. Without a doubt, every timepiece leaves the factory with an official reference number or model name, but nicknames on the other hand, must be earned. Dubbed as the “Kermit” for its vibrant bezel, its nickname was inspired by the everyman protagonist frog from the Muppet productions.
The present example was manufactured in circa 2007, making it the last of its kind before the ref. 16610LV was then replaced by the “Hulk” ref. 116610LV in 2010, sporting a green sunray dial that matches the upgraded Cerachrom bezel. Well-preserved in excellent overall condition with its original accessories, this athletic showstopper a will be a fantastic addition to any collection.
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.