The Rolex Submariner 16610LV is the 50th anniversary Kermit, a 40 mm steel dive watch with a green aluminum bezel that Rolex built from 2003 to 2010. A replica Rolex Submariner 16610LV copies that outline, but it is not a Rolex, and the differences appear in the bezel insert, dial printing, case engraving, and movement. Knowing the real reference makes the copy easy to read.
What the 16610LV actually is
Rolex launched the Submariner in 1953 and marked its 50th year with a Submariner Date that swapped the standard black bezel for green. The reference is 16610LV, with the LV standing for lunette verte, French for green bezel. It ran alongside the standard black 16610 and shared most of its structure.
- 40 mm Oystersteel case with a unidirectional rotating bezel
- Green aluminum bezel insert with silver numerals and a luminous pearl
- Black maxi dial with larger hour plots and broader hands than the standard 16610
- Calibre 3135 automatic movement with a date at 3 o'clock and a cyclops lens
- Water resistance to 300 m and an Oyster bracelet with a flip-lock clasp
- Production from 2003 to 2010, replaced by the ceramic 116610LV
Collectors nicknamed it the Kermit for the green bezel and black dial combination. Later examples added an engraved rehaut, the ring between the dial and crystal where the word ROLEX repeats around the dial.
Why this reference gets copied
The 16610LV sits in an awkward spot for buyers. It looks distinct enough to be noticed, yet its aluminum bezel and painted dial are simpler to reproduce than modern ceramic references. The case shape is also shared with the far more common 16610, so a copy can borrow a widely available case profile and add a green insert. That combination makes the 16610LV one of the more frequently faked Submariner references.
How to spot a replica Rolex Submariner 16610LV
Most copies fail on small, repeatable details rather than on overall shape.
- Bezel insert: Genuine inserts have crisp, uniform numerals and a pearl that sits flush inside its triangle. Copies often show soft edges, uneven spacing, or a pearl that sits proud or off center.
- Green tone: The original green is a flat, slightly olive shade. Many replicas read brighter or more metallic.
- Dial printing: Text on a genuine maxi dial is sharp and evenly spaced. Look for fuzzy edges, thin or crowded lettering, and misaligned depth ratings.
- Cyclops magnification: The date should fill the lens at roughly 2.5x. A small date under a large lens is a common tell.
- Engraved rehaut: On later watches the repeated ROLEX text should line up with the hour markers. Copies often have it drifting or misaligned.
- Case and lugs: Genuine lugs are thick with defined bevels. Copies tend to look soft, polished too heavily, or slightly too wide.
- Movement and winding: A genuine calibre 3135 winds smoothly and sets with firm clicks. Many copies feel gritty, and a few use a battery.
- Inside the case: Reference and serial engravings between the lugs should be cleanly struck and consistent with the paperwork.
Collector details replicas usually miss
Two production variations matter to collectors. Early bezel inserts carry what is called a Flat 4, where the top of the 4 in the 40 numeral is flat rather than pointed, and those inserts are more sought after. The engraved rehaut arrived later in the run, so an early watch with a rehaut engraving deserves extra scrutiny. Service history also separates the two: a genuine 16610LV can be serviced by Rolex or an independent watchmaker with original parts, while a replica cannot.
What to consider before buying
Counterfeit watches are illegal to sell in the United States and many other countries, and reselling one carries legal exposure. Copies also have no service network, no parts supply, and no resale market, so the money spent does not come back. If the goal is the Kermit look, a genuine 16610LV bought from a reputable dealer with service records, or a clearly labeled homage from a legitimate brand, avoids those problems. Buy the reference, not the photograph.