A Look in the Rear View Mirror of the Rolex Submariner to the Newer 116610LV “Lunette Verte”

The Rolex Submariner is arguably the most recognized watch in the world, is it not?  If there was ever a watch that was genuinely timeless in its appeal, reliability and collect-ability, it has to be the Rolex Submariner.  First introduced in 1954 – can anyone dispute this watch has indeed stood the test of time- no pun intended. It’s popularity spans a 60 year global fan club that created an incredibly sought after watch that still has an over whelming demand to this day. Back in 2004 on the 50^th anniversary of the Submariner,  Rolex chose to commemorate the 50 year anniversary with a new version of the world wide favorite Sub and did so with a new model – the (ref)16610LV.

Only to be redesigned once again later in 2010, by introducing an even newer Submariner 116610LV at the 2010 BaselWorld fair. The watch fanatics of the world saw fit to quickly  nickname it “ The Hulk “ because of the matching green dial and insert. No longer did the 16610LV  have the typical black dial  everyone had come to appreciate over the past 50 something years. Some other changes came along with the green dial of the 116610LV was the addition of the “ Maxi Dial “that now had the same markers Rolex utilized on the Yacht-Master which were the white gold larger markers.

Rolex has kept many of the sacred components intact of the from the 16610 LV on the 116610LV ,such as the sapphire scratch resistant crystal and the same 40mm case dimensions but changed the lugs making it a new case design known as the “Maxi Case”. Congratulations to Rolex for continuing to use a tremendously reliable self-winding 3135 movement that had remained exceptionally bullet proof over the past 25 years. Sadly the the 16610LV was taken out of production by Rolex in 2010 ,which may now drive the Rolex enthusiasts even more crazy as one more collectable model. Everyone wants what they can’t have. A friend of mine currently owns 26 Rolexes of various models, some vintage, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. I asked him recently- can’t you take some medication for your sickness? Sadly, there is no known antidote for the love of these fine Swiss time pieces.

The post A Look in the Rear View Mirror of the Rolex Submariner to the Newer 116610LV “Lunette Verte” appeared first on Bezel & Barrel written by Michael DiMartini.