Definitely read through the thread posted above. It’s a good read with lots to learn.
There isn’t one good 16610LV out there.
Each has its own issues.
Factories:
BP with 3135 movement, incorrect hands size for this model, non gen like bezel design which can make changing crystal difficult, case has rehaut, to fit gen bezel insert it needs shaving to fit in bezel, dial I think is a MK1 early version which suits a non rehaut case and flat 4 bezel insert.
Nice dial and beautiful insert.
Lugs have a bit too much chamfer(polished edge)
Good cheap out of the box option if you don’t plan to modify it
ARF, with VR3135 (good movement) (I think older ARF had SH3135)
probably the best one but some older versions had stubby short pointy crown guards, some newer versions have a bit better crown guards (more squared, a little longer)
Dial has green tinted lume in the dial indices and bright white hands.
Probably made from 904L steel
Bezel insert has a long hook on the #2
but may have been fixed with latest ones.
If they could fix the lume on the indices, just pop in a better bezel insert and have a great Kermit.
RAF, with SH3135 (not as good as VR3135) a cheaper version of an ARF with the stubby crown guards, older ones have an air gap between crown and case, new ones fixed it.
Old ones can have gap between bracelet endlink and lug, new ones fixed it.
Dial has nice lume and hands, but I think some dials have a small oval hole in the middle of the crown logo on the dial, ew.
Bezel insert has proper looking #2
I think the dial is a MK4 or MK5, dial might be intended for a rehaut case.
Probably made from 904L steel
Clasp might have uncentered crown stamp
TMF brand new version that’s just out, I don’t think anyone has gotten one yet, they appear to be similar to RAF.
Comes with or without rehaut case.
Dial might be MK4 (no rehaut)or MK5 (rehaut case) I’ll update when I find out.
If you order an ARF you may get a RAF or TMF, it seems like a crapshoot, good to research what to look for in QC.
Old versions that you can’t get anymore:
TC - gift from the rep gods, but wide between case lugs and no engravings on case, uses a 2824 movement, not a clone 3135, used 316 steel i think.
JF- gen insert won’t fit bezel perfectly, very popular if you can find one, 316 steel?
If I’m incorrect about any of this please ping me and I’ll edit my post.
Great thread to read
Rolex introduced the Submariner 16610LV in 2003, to mark the company’s 50th 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...
forum.replica-watch.info
Also, most or all of the crowns sort of protrude at the end, gen is more squared off and flat. Not a big deal, but a gen crown on these is a nice upgrade.
Seems the best Kermit would probably be a new ARF, then Gen crown, if the lume is bad swap the dial out for a RAF dial or if you can find one a JF dial. Some say BP dial but I think it has spacing issues on the print and it’s meant for a flat 4 insert MK1 I think. BP dial may also be a little larger diameter and need shaving to fit an ARF case.
It’s tempting to use a 116610LN dial but those have blue lume and a Kermit has green lume. This is what I’m pondering right now, mashing together a CLEAN 116610LN movement, dial, hands, bracelet, onto an ARF or sillan case. Sort of like a Ginault but with the crown on the dial.
To OP, I don’t mind sharing this notes, but for the love of god don’t ask me what a rehaut or a MK5 dial is, that’s a good time to use google lol.
RAF thread
Just saw this and am curious to hear opinions. Thoughts? https://puretimewatch.io/submariner-16610-ln-black-bezel-904l-steel-raf1-1-best-edition-on-ss-bracelet-sa3135.html
forum.replica-watch.info
