Tempted to buy Rolex: Submariner HELP!

[aflop]

Hi people!

First off, a happy 2011 to all!! HUAT AH!!
Recently i've been thinking of buying a Submariner, so i have a couple of questions about it and i hope you experts out there can help me!

From what i've read up (correct me if i'm wrong here) the new late 2010/2011 Submariner (same series as HULK) is known as 116610 and the old (same series as Kermit) is known as 16610?

I love the new Submariner 116610 but the new look makes it look extra bulky and a little too big for my wrist compared to the old 16610. However, i do like the fact that the 11610 has a scratch resistant cereamic bezel as compared to the older 16610 which isn't scratch resistant.

Questions:

1) How much more premium should a 'Green Sub' e.g. Sub LV Kermit cost over the black of its kind (Same year/model etc)? (Torn between Green and Black)
2) How do we know which models are "Anniversary" models? I was told to look out for these.
3) I was checking out watches at PengKwee (yes i know they are exorbitant, but shop only mah) and i was also reading that the bezel can be changed. So is it possible that someone replaces the black bezel with a green one and charge extra for an unsuspecting newbie like me?
4) How do i tell the difference between a green sub and a black sub apart from the bezel colour (for 16610)?
5) In your opinion, would it be wiser to buy the old sub or the new ones?

I apologise for the many questions in advance!
I look forward to your reply!

Happy to join this group of proud Rolex owners soon (hopefully!)

[Oceanklassik]

Welcome!

Hi people!

First off, a happy 2011 to all!! HUAT AH!!
Recently i've been thinking of buying a Submariner, so i have a couple of questions about it and i hope you experts out there can help me!

From what i've read up (correct me if i'm wrong here) the new late 2010/2011 Submariner (same series as HULK) is known as 116610 and the old (same series as Kermit) is known as 16610?

I love the new Submariner 116610 but the new look makes it look extra bulky and a little too big for my wrist compared to the old 16610. However, i do like the fact that the 11610 has a scratch resistant cereamic bezel as compared to the older 16610 which isn't scratch resistant.

Questions:

1) How much more premium should a 'Green Sub' e.g. Sub LV Kermit cost over the black of its kind (Same year/model etc)? (Torn between Green and Black)
2) How do we know which models are "Anniversary" models? I was told to look out for these.
3) I was checking out watches at PengKwee (yes i know they are exorbitant, but shop only mah) and i was also reading that the bezel can be changed. So is it possible that someone replaces the black bezel with a green one and charge extra for an unsuspecting newbie like me?
4) How do i tell the difference between a green sub and a black sub apart from the bezel colour (for 16610)?
5) In your opinion, would it be wiser to buy the old sub or the new ones?

I apologise for the many questions in advance!
I look forward to your reply!

Happy to join this group of proud Rolex owners soon (hopefully!)

Wow! That's quite 'mouthful' . Let me try ...

Between the two, ie 16610 & 16610LV, the difference in price should not be too great. It may hover between $200 and $300, with the latter slightly more expensive.

For ROLEX watches, you can know easily either by asking an AD, or reading up. Or best, checking up on the many watch forums around. One tell-tale sign is the colour green.

Though you are correct that the bezel can be swopped, the watch certificate can't go wrong, right? One physical tell-tale sign is the markers, some call it indexes. The markers in the 16610 are smaller than those in the 16610LV. Easy? And with the small difference in pricing, it is highly unlikely anyone will want to risk that.

IMHO, buying the old/new Submariner is secondary. What is primary is whether which model you like best, and can afford. Again you are not wrong to state that the ceramic bezel is more (not totally) scratch-resistant but the cost of service and/or repair/replacing it should also cost more. One AD I spoke to told me that the replacement of a ceramic bezel on the 116610 (if damaged) is around $800-$900, while that of a 16610 is less than $200.

No need to apologise and happy buying

[aflop]

Hi OceanKlassik,

Thanks for taking sometime out to answer my questions, very much appreciated!
When i approach second-hand shops they obviously don't have the full range of "kermits" available and i'm at a loss of telling the differences between the different years. I've decided to buy the 16610 Green, but i have no idea which year i should be looking for.
Apart form the price differences, are there any differences between one that was made in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007?

Thanks in advance!

[breitling77]

There are a series of different shades of green for 16610LV modela since it was launched in 2003. Search on the net and you should able to see the difference. And only the recent models from 2008 comes with chapter ring, ie the serial number is inscribed on it. I think the late Z, M and V series.

[Subdude]

3) I was checking out watches at PengKwee (yes i know they are exorbitant, but shop only mah) and i was also reading that the bezel can be changed. So is it possible that someone replaces the black bezel with a green one and charge extra for an unsuspecting newbie like me?

If I'm not mistaken. The Anniversary models also have bigger "Swiss Made" inscription at the six o'clock position of the dial. I'n most Subs, the "Swiss Made" lettering spans 3 second indices. On the Anniversary model, it spans 5 indices. This way, even if someone changes the bezel, you'll know at once if it's a conversion.

[Oceanklassik]

Hi OceanKlassik,

Thanks for taking sometime out to answer my questions, very much appreciated!
When i approach second-hand shops they obviously don't have the full range of "kermits" available and i'm at a loss of telling the differences between the different years. I've decided to buy the 16610 Green, but i have no idea which year i should be looking for.
Apart form the price differences, are there any differences between one that was made in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007?

Thanks in advance!

I heard there is for a particular batch that was produced in 2003-04 ('F' series). Some slight difference in the dial but I believe it is very minor. You can search the forum and read on this, or wait for the experts to give you the advice/info.

[zidaneong]

http://www.sg-roc.com/showthread.php...lv+anniversary

Hope this helps.

[BAR_Honda]

The F series, which is the "real" anniversary SubLV series, has a prominent features different from other subsequent series of SubLV
- "flat" 4 at the bezel

[Ian Limm]

if you are just buying a green sub to wear, it don't matter which year it comes from.
green subs are nice and get their fair share of attention.

However, collectors will only buy the "True 50th Anniversary sublv" (those from 2003 and early 2004-sublvs made in late 03 but sold a few months later in 04).

Collector's mentality is you can buy the newer models anyday,anytime so no interest.

[Ian Limm]

The True 50th Anniversary sub.



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[aflop]

Thanks for the answers everyone!

BAR_HONDA - I noticed most of the Bezels have a flat 4 on it? Or am i seeing it wrongly?
I've decided that a 2003 F series is just too rare to find, so i'll stick with the V series which is the latest produced before the HULK came along.
Now to get a BNIB one...

[melburn]

i think if u look carefullu u can spot the flat 4. Heres a flat 4 and "normal" 4 for comparison.

[aflop]

The True 50th Anniversary sub.



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How can you tell so easily? Noob here..

I noticed:

1. No chapter ring (but many other series also do not have a chapter ring
2. Flat 4
3. 5 Ticks "Swiss made"

But there's still the Oyster R which can't be seen in this photo!

[Ian Limm]

simple way to tell Anniversary models from current models (thanks to bro Caeden)

Dial difference :-

Oval 'O',

'R' in 'Oyster' aligned with gap between left and right feet of 'R' in 'Rolex',

"SWISS MADE" word at 6 o'clock covers 5 minute markers '5 Ticks',

Bezal difference:-

Flat 4

"OPEN 5" in 50

[submarooner]

I heard there is for a particular batch that was produced in 2003-04 ('F' series). Some slight difference in the dial but I believe it is very minor. You can search the forum and read on this, or wait for the experts to give you the advice/info.

Yes, looking for and getting the F series is in itself no easy feat, if one were to consider getting the 50th anniv watch. But there is actually an earlier Y series before the F series that is launched as Y96...... , just before the F series took over. This batch of 50th LVs are indeed even rarer, and much much much tougher to come by. This would be much sought after, IMHO, due to it's scarcity. Happy hunting!