16610, historical thread

[QueTip]

Considering, I've already done the 16800 history thread, I thought why not do one for the 16610 as well. I'm super bored anyway so I have a lot of time on my hands hehe. 

 

 

Let's get this started.. The 16610, what is there to say about another iconic submariner. 

 

 

What has changed in comparison to the 16800? (Transitional 168000 excluded)

- new movement -> caliber 3135 introduced

- 904L Steel (316L on 16800, 904L on 168000)

 

Starting of in 1989 the 16610 of course has a few different dials as well. 

Here's that: 

 

 

The Mark1 dial: 

 

This is the first dial that was used on the 16610's and also the only one that was used during the time Tritium was used as luminous material. So if you're looking to build a Tritium 16610, this is the dial to look for. 

Mark1 also comes with the flat 4 bezel insert.

 

 

The Mark2 dial: 

 

The luminous material has been changed from Tritium to Luminova. 

Main differences between the dials are: Swiss Made writing underneath the 6' marker. 

The difference on the depth rating is more than obvious to see I think. 

Also the insert has changed on watches this age, the insert has the pointy 4. 

 

 

The Mark2.1 dial:  

 

This is basically the same dial as the Mk2 explained above just in a different case. This one was also used in the engraved rehaut cases. 

This dial was the first one to be featured in the engraved rehaut cases. There is another one to follow. 

 

 

The Mark3 dial: 

 

In this mark, the wording 'OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE' became wider with a bigger gap between each word. Also the oval at the base of the coronet has become flatter than on previous dials. 

The font on the depth rating and below have changed again too, more like they were on the Mk1 yet still a little different. 

 

 

What else is there to say about the LN? 

 

Lugholes were there until 2003. After that the no lug hole cases appeared (16610T) (Y serial) 

SwissMade dials were introduced in the late 90s. 

Bracelet changed from 93150 to 93250 in the early 2000s. 

Rehaut engraving started around 2007 (Z serial) 

 

 

 

 

Let's get to the LV then, shall we?  

 

 

The LV is the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Submariner. It was introduced at Baselworld 2003. It is also referred to as the 'Kermit' Submariner due to its green bezel insert and black dial. 

 

ALL LV's feature the new 16610T case, there are no lug hole cases. Only the prototype that was presented at Baselworld had lug holes. None of these were sold though. 

 

Let's get to the dial variations..

 

The Mark1 dial: 

 

 

Mark 1 went from 2003 up until the middle of 2004. 

The main features of the dials are: the swiss made writing is stretched beyond the 28 and 32 minute markers. They have been shortened on the dial to make room for the writing. Also you should notice the oval shape of the 'O' in ROLEX. 

 

 

The Mark2 dial: 

 

 

The wording 'Swiss Made' changes from a wide appearance to a rather narrow look. Although it doesn't exceed the 28 and 32 markers, they are still shortened. However the writing remains within these markers. The 'O' in 'ROLEX' is still oval and the 'R' in 'Oyster' is perfectly aligned with the right foot of the 'R' in 'ROLEX'.

Also the coronet is less sharp than in other marks and more fan shaped.

 

 

 

The Mark3 dial: 

 

 

The 'Swiss Made' appears to be the same as on the Mk2. The 'O' in 'ROLEX' has changed from an oval shape to a round shape. The 'R' in 'OYSTER' is almost aligned with the 'R' in 'ROLEX'.

Also the wording 'OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE' has become wider and with bigger gaps between each word. 

 

 

The Mark4 dial: 

 

 

The wording 'Swiss Made' remains to be narrow but now the 28 and 32 marker have stopped being shorter and are on the same level as all the other minute tracks. The 'Swiss Made' wording is almost closed by the two markers. 

Also the oval at the base of the coronet has become wider. 

 

 

The Mark5 dial: 

 

 

The word 'OFFICIALLY' is placed more to the right and the space between the 'Y' in 'OFFICIALLY' and the 'C' in 'CERTIFIED' has been reduced compared to other marks. 

 

 

Same as the LN, the LV has two different bezel insert prints. However there are different shades of green ranging from an olive green to a bright one. 

 

The two prints are the flat 4 printed version and the pointy 4 one. 

Flat 4 bezels were to be found on LV's up until some of the first Mk2 serials. 

 

All of the LVs came with the 93250 bracelet (SEL bracelet) 

 

 

 

 

Now to build these things. 

 

Of course, the easiest way to have one of these things is to buy a TC. However if you still want to build you can use my above post for reference of periodical correctness. 

 

Best parts to use are: 

 

Case: TC, WM9, Gen, Phong

Dial: Gen, TC KH

Hands: Gen, TC v3

Insert: Gen, TC v2 (although not as good)

Crown: Gen (24-703-0), Tube: Gen or TC (Gen: 24-7030-0)

Crystal: Gen (25-295-C2)

Bracelet: TC or Gen (93250 / 93150)

Bezel Assembly: Gen, Clarks, Phong

Movement: Gen, Yuki or ETA (Gen: 3135)

 

[Sogeha]

Another super post and my favourite modern Rolex. Thank you

[indywatchguy]

Great post thanks!


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[QueTip]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words.  

[alligoat]

Great post! the only thing that I'd add was that there was the SWISS dial which came out for only a year- I'm thinking it was around 1998 and it was during the time when Rolex switched from tritium to luminova. Around a year later Rolex switched to super luminova and hence marked the dials SWISS MADE. Also during that time, Rolex actually produced some dials that said SWISS- T<25 and were lumed with luminova- I have one of those dials in my 16800- kind of nice- still glows well at night.

I also have a 16610 from 1988- the first batch of 16610s with the R serial and the open 6/9 datewheel- tritium dial that doesn't glow much at all anymore- but an original watch in good condition.

[cheld]

There's also a Flat-S ("ZUBMARINER") tritium (T<25) variation with round Os on lOOOft = 3OOm (italicized ft, m, and =, no serif on l).