Bestowed many nicknames over the years like “the Tuborg”, “the Kermit”, “the Maxi Sub”, or a personal favorite, “the Vomit Sub”, the Rolex Submariner 16610LV has acquired a love-hate relationship with many. As formerly mentioned in a pervious article, 5512 Rolex Submariner Watch, the Rolex Submariner is one of the most iconic divers watches in the world since 1953.
In celebration of their 50th anniversary, Rolex released a new Submariner model, the 16610LV, at BaselWatch Fair in 2003. Powered by an in house automatic movement, the Rolex Submariner 16610LV has a 40mm diameter case, black maxi dial with white gold maxi markers, maxi hands, green bezel, sapphire glass, date with cyclops lens, and screw down crown quick set function. Waterproof up to 1000 feet, the Rolex Submariner is made out of the extremely durable 904L steel, down to the Rolex Submariner watch strap.
The watch band for the Rolex Submariner is a Rolex Oyster Bracelet, and has has a flip lock clasp with dive suit extension. This nifty feature of the the Rolex Submariner watch strap allows users to wear their Submariner watch over their dive suits.
The 16610LV Rolex Submariner has since been replaced by the 116610LV Submariner, which features a ceramic bezel instead and has come to be known as “the hulk”. Although the Rolex Submariner was discontinued in 2011 after a meager 7-8 year run, it bears virtually the same technical specifications, apart from the cosmetic differences of the dial and bezel.
As over time red hands tend to fade to orange, and orange hands tend to fade to yellow, an interesting question to ask is what the green bezel will look like over a few years time… I guess only the seasons will tell.
