I don’t know all the details of the chemical formula Rolex uses to get the green color in the Cerachrom bezel, but it is still the only green ceramic they make. You’ll notice of course that black ceramic bezels easily outnumber the other colors Rolex produces. With that said, I believe that Rolex probably makes more “colorful” ceramic bezels than anyone else out there. The rich green bezel is only slightly pale (a reality with ceramic) but otherwise is the rotating diver’s bezel you know and love on a Rolex Submariner – just green.
Interestingly enough, Rolex does not match the bezel color exactly with the tone of green they use on the dial. Not everyone likes this, but I have grown to appreciate it. Whereas the green bezel is polished but still a bit matte, the dial of the Rolex Submariner 116610LV is more metallic green. In some lights the bezel and dial match, and in other lights the two colors are distinct shades of green. Personally, I like the variety and how the watch plays with the light. I appreciate how sometimes the colors appear to fluidly blend together and how at other times there are distinct shades of green.
Moreover, the lighter color of the dial (as opposed to black) actually seems to aid in appreciating the finer details of the Submariner dial such as the beautifully crafted applied hour markers and hands (which are in 18k white gold) with their applied luminous material. Unlike my “No Date” Rolex Submariner, this one has a date window at 3 o’clock along with the corresponding “cyclops” magnifier lens as part of the sapphire crystal. Yes, another controversial element on Rolex watches, I am utterly unperturbed by the magnifier lens’ presence, even if I don’t check the date all the time. When I do, however, I love how the date size is much larger visually thanks to the magnification. It really is a system that works well, and I’ve never seen anyone do it as well as Rolex.
I have yet to broach the question of how well the green Rolex Submariner 116610LV works on a variety of straps. Those creative minds out there that like to play “strap dress up” with their watches no doubt have come up with clever pairings for the Rolex Submariner 116610LV watch. I, however, have a major problem taking my bracelet off the Rolex Submariner because the two go together so well. Not only visually, but the Rolex Submariner bracelet is easily one of the, if not the single best, top luxury watch bracelets in production, and it would be too easy to miss.
I will once again extoll the virtues of GlideLock, which is Rolex’s particular micro-adjust system in the bracelet that allows you to micro-adjust the bracelet for precision comfort or when you just want it to be a bit looser or tighter. Further, this serves as the wet-suit extension, and you have the opportunity to open up the bracelet enough to fit it over a wet or dive suit (should you need to).
Inside this and other Rolex Submariner watches with the date is the in-house-made Rolex caliber 3135 automatic movement. Operating at 4Hz with about 42 hours of power reserve these movements are now covered by Rolex’s Superlative Chronometer certification, which is an in-house testing process plus third-party COSC Chronometer certification. That means Rolex warrants accuracy of about 2 seconds per day, which is far superior to even COSC Chronometer certification. While COSC Chronometer certifications are still useful given that they are performed by an outside third-party, they offer inferior testing ranges and standards compared to Rolex’s Superlative Chronometer rating… which is also something called the “Green Seal.”
I’ll thank Bob’s Watches in Southern California for this particular green Rolex Submariner watch as I acquired it from them. Rolex watches are interesting in that for many people getting a pre-owned one is uniquely pleasurable as compared to getting a new one. Not only will you save some money (surprisingly little for steel Rolex sport watches given how well they hold value), but you get to know that someone before you bought the watch for a celebratory purpose, and now you get to inherit some of that joy.
Watches are celebration items. People almost always get nice watches in order to celebrate something – whether they are thinking about it or not. I know I am that way, and so having something that has already been chosen by someone at a happy moment in their lives means a lot to me. Of course, you need to ensure the quality and condition of a pre-owned watch is appropriate, but that is part of the service that the better pre-owned Rolex dealers such as Bob’s Watches offer. OK, that’s the end of the plug for my friends there, but honestly, I wouldn’t even pay attention to them if they weren’t the type of place I would feel more than comfortable doing business with myself.
When I see a Rolex Submariner watch on wrist out in the real world, I know the wearer likes nice things but is also probably down-to-earth. What is funny about the Rolex Submariner is that for all the luxury branding of Rolex and its price, it just doesn’t feel pretentious. With that said, the standard black models are also like a Mercedes E Class car – totally nice and totally practical, but rather generic in their message about the owner. With the Rolex Submariner 116610LV Hulk on someone’s wrist, I get a much more vivid look into their personality.
They had to know about the Submariner, look at the black model, then look at the green model, then actually be OK with not having the black model, and then actually choose the green model (and pay the premium). That means people who wear the green Rolex Submariner 116610LV have some added personality traits I can guess about just by looking at what is on their wrist – and I think they like sending out those extra, albeit subtle messages. Price for the Rolex Submariner Date reference 116610LV is $9,050, which is a $500 premium over the black-colored 116610 that costs $8,550. rolex.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: Rolex
>Model: Submariner Date ref. 116610LV
>Price: $9,050
>Size: 40mm wide
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Someone seeking an iconic watch, but one that has a unique personality that says something about the wearer’s taste.
>Best characteristic of watch: Distinct aesthetic combined with Rolex brand identity and quality.
>Worst characteristic of watch: You probably won’t love it if you don’t like the color green, or may be bothered by the fact that green bezel doesn’t match the green on the dial.
