Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 2003 Reference No: 16610LV Case No: F050962 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 200mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 93250 and AD8 Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee signed The MW Group, Ltd, and dated November 22, 2003, green leather Rolex presentation box, numbered green hang tag, red hang tag, anchor, green leather pouch with product literature, and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Rolex’s Submariner wristwatch has become one of the most iconic timepieces of the 20th century - appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts around the world for its robustness, durability, and classic styling. In celebration of the Submariner’s 50th anniversary in 2003, Rolex for the first time released a new Submariner model with a bold and charismatic green bezel, which became instantly popular, and since then highly sought after today. The new reference featured a black “maxi-dial”, referring to the large luminescent hour markers and an all new bezel color. It was this charismatic green bezel or “Lunette Verde” that added a new, eye-catching dimension. Nicknamed the “Kermit” by enthusiasts after the much-loved Sesame Street celebrity frog puppet, the green color was a logical choice for this edition. Green has a long tradition in Rolex’s history, with the brand’s use of green presentation boxes, green covered product literature, outer packaging, and marketing material spanning many decades.
The earliest versions of the “Kermit”, like the present wristwatch, became known as the “Flat 4” due to the fat top found on the “40” numeral of the bezel. Research suggests production numbers were limited and therefore these early wristwatches have become highly sought after. At Baselworld 2010, Rolex released the reference 116610LV, the new generation green bezel Submariner affectionately known as the “Hulk” named after the Marvel character. This model featured a more robust case with broader lugs, a green soleil dial versus the black dial of the 16610LV, and a new green Cerachrom ceramic bezel.
The present F series “Kermit” Submariner is in “new old stock” condition and has remained unworn since its manufacture. The watch is complete with Rolex guarantee and presentation box making it all the more attractive to collectors.
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.
Ref. 16610LV A “new old stock” stainless steel wristwatch with date and bracelet, accompanied by original Rolex guarantee, presentation box, and hang tags
2003 40mm Diameter Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
