Rolex introduced the Submariner 16610LV in 2003, to mark the company’s 50[SUP]th[/SUP] Anniversary. LV stands for “Lunette Verte”, meaning green bezel.
The bezel insert in Rolex’s corporate colour was the most striking feature of the LV. To some, it was considered too bold a step, and there was early resistance to this borderline heretical meddling with the classic Submariner looks. The new model also featured the “maxi” dial and hands - these were a design change intended to increase legibility (originally debuted on the Yacht-Master in 2001) – and hinted at the next incarnation of the Submariner; the Cerachrom insert “Sub-C”, that arrived in 2010, heralding the end of the Kermit (and 5-digit Sub’s) production.
Over the course of its relatively short 7-year run, the Kermit went through a number of small tweaks to its design. There are 9 versions (known, unsurprisingly, as Mark I to Mark IX). Early models featured drilled lugs and hollow end links. Early crystals were without the anti-reflection coating (AR) under the cyclops (AR was introduced around 2005). All crystals had the Laser Etched Crown (LEC), as this was introduced in 2001. Rehaut engraving was introduced in 2007. There were 6 dial configuration changes, and 5 different variations of the insert. I won’t go into any more detail here – because it’s all out there on the interwebs. There’s a good summary article on the Watch Club site (including a useful insert variations pic, which pops up all over the place), here:
https://www.watchclub.com/curated-by...ry-sub-decoded
Prices of the Kermit have gone completely mental over the last couple of years – like the Hulk, it seems a splash of green = licence to print money. Two years ago you could pick one up for 11k. I recently saw a dealer on Chrono24 selling one for £26k (their reasoning being that “these will be £35k in less than a year’s time!”). The cheapest you’ll find now are around £16k. Oh no wait – it’s about a week since I last looked, now it’s about £19k. FFS.
So, if paying that amount for a watch seems too stupid or just impossible to contemplate, then the rep route is a sensible alternative. Although, whether owning 5 Kermit reps (including 3 with various degrees of Frankening) is a sensible alternative… is open to debate. I know, I know, if I sold them all, I’d have a useful deposit on a gen…
Anyhoo, here’s a little pictorial tour through my current collection, along with brief descriptions of each one.
JF - DRILLED LUGS, NO REHAUT ENGRAVING
I bought this JF with SH3135 and no rehaut engraving M2M. I sent it to ado213 who drilled the lugs, and installed a VR3135 and gen LEC/no AR crystal. It’s on the JF SEL bracelet, which I keep meaning to swap for a hollow link but never get round to. Gen owners tended to upgrade to the SEL bracelet, so it doesn’t look out of place.
TC – STOCK v6
The TC 5-digit Subs are, for many, the holy grail of rep Subs. The case shape is spot-on, the dials (especially the “Kensington High” dials) are crisply printed (JF dial print looks grey in comparison). The v6 was released around 2016. This one was fitted with a new JF insert when I bought it M2M, but the slightly scratched original insert was included and I reinstalled that as it has a nice metallic sheen and is a more acid, less apple-green colour compared to the JF.
The only thing that slightly bugs me about TCs is the lack of case engraving. But given there are no visible engravings (unless you put the watch on a strap) this is a very minor quibble. (It still bugs me though.)
JF – FRANKEN LITE
This JF with rehaut engraving was another M2M buy. It also went to ado213 who installed a VR3135, gen datewheel and gen NOS LEC/AR crystal. This configuration represents a post 2007 LV.
JF – FRANKEN
This JF base Franken is the latest addition to my 5-digit Sub collection. Another one bought M2M here, it was originally built by Grimlocktime and had additional work done by the one and only tripdog. The parts list and work done:
- Gen insert
- Gen hands
- Gen crown
- Gen datewheel
- Gen LEC/no AR crystal
- BP dial
- JF case
- JF bracelet
- VR3135 (serviced)
Unfortunately, during a subsequent service the previously pristine gen insert was damaged. Ouch. Ah well, it adds patina…
BP – STOCK
Last, and in some ways least but in others not… The venerable BP. With a dial so good the previous owner of the Franken installed one to replace the JF, the BP has that dial as its main attraction. I also love the lime green insert on these. The notorious circlip of doom holding the bezel on is another story, and the source of many a bent bezel modding mishap. The stumpy fat hour hand... And the SA3135 is nothing to write home about. But as with all the BP offerings, overall, it’s a really good budget Sub. This is my third BP Kermit, and I bought this one just to use in this photo feature, having sold the previous ones.
THE FROG CHORUS
And lastly, a group shot showing the evolution of a frog…
The group shot comprises the new Cermit (Clean Factory), the Hulk (ZZF v3 - AKA Clean) and the original Kermit (TC).
Thanks go as always to our wonderful forums for the opportunity to share with likeminded rep addicts. And thank you for taking the time to look at another of my Sub homage rambles. I do this because it’s a way for me to snapshot parts of my collection, and I love photographing these small mechanical works of art.
I’m a million miles from being an expert on this (or any) subject… I’m just an enthusiastic amateur. So, by all means feel free to comment or correct my drivel! I look forward to hearing from you.
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