Submariner LV - Old vs New
Submariner LV - Old vs New
Author
Discussion

AndrewWF

Original Poster:

280 posts

173 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
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Made as a fiftieth anniversary celebration of the Submariner, the 16610 LV gave away a few of the features from the Submariner 116610 that would replace it, specifically the maxi markers and hands, but that's not what it will be remembered for - the vivid green 'Lunette Verde,' or green bezel, was the part that made the headlines.

The updated 116610 LV has, of course, a ceramic green bezel, but it also has a sunburst green dial inside the larger case to compliment it. Has it evolved well from the old design or has it taken the concept too far? Is that much green too much? I know which I prefer, but to help you make up your minds, here is a pic of the two generations of LV standing proud together (click the link for higher res):



http://www.flickr.com/photos/78669534@N05/76504977...

nonuts

15,855 posts

260 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
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One on the left for me.

VERN UK

155 posts

175 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
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New one for me too....still prefer my bi metal black face sub, blue too common....

DH01

820 posts

199 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
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Older version for me.
The newer LV looks odd because the bracelet was never resized to the new case , leaving the awkward shoulders. On the older one there is a nice smooth transition from case to bracelet.




All they both need is a few sparkly stones . . .

alanm_3

370 posts

270 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
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New one for me!

I have one and I love it!

Spice_Weasel

2,369 posts

284 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
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DH01 said:
Older version for me.
The newer LV looks odd because the bracelet was never resized to the new case , leaving the awkward shoulders. On the older one there is a nice smooth transition from case to bracelet.
This is so true, yet on the new 42mm Explorer 2, the lugs taper in the classic style and the lug width has been increased from 20 to 21 mm.

Vvroom

1,170 posts

221 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
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Old one please.

lick

Miguel Alvarez

5,191 posts

201 months

Friday 27th July 2012
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Either or for me. They're both nice. The missus suggested the green one to me when I was doing my usual window drooling but I couldn't imagine wearing it to work.

Podie

46,649 posts

306 months

Friday 27th July 2012
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RTZ the bezel!!! banghead

Janosh

1,790 posts

198 months

Friday 27th July 2012
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DH01 said:
Older version for me.
The newer LV looks odd because the bracelet was never resized to the new case , leaving the awkward shoulders. On the older one there is a nice smooth transition from case to bracelet.
I love the new one cloud9

Will be interesting to try one, as I don't understand why the case wider if it's still a 40mm watch?

Spice_Weasel

2,369 posts

284 months

Friday 27th July 2012
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The case is still a 40mm diameter on the new ceramic bezel version, but the lugs are more of a square shape. It gives the appearance of a bigger watch without actually being any wider.

I just don't get the Rolex strategy for its sports models designs as the case sizes and shapes are all over the place now.

AndrewWF

Original Poster:

280 posts

173 months

Friday 27th July 2012
quotequote all
Spice_Weasel said:
The case is still a 40mm diameter on the new ceramic bezel version, but the lugs are more of a square shape. It gives the appearance of a bigger watch without actually being any wider.
That's exactly it - the angle that the lugs drop down at is much steeper than it used to be, leaving the lugs much wider at their tip.

Miguel Alvarez

5,191 posts

201 months

Friday 27th July 2012
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Are the crown guards larger on the new cases or is that just the picture?

AndrewWF

Original Poster:

280 posts

173 months

Friday 27th July 2012
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Miguel Alvarez said:
Are the crown guards larger on the new cases or is that just the picture?
They are larger. Taller and thicker.

Guyr

2,546 posts

313 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
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I have the earlier (smaller) version of these, however mine has the bezel engraved with the logos (Rolex and serial number) as per the latter version, I think they changed that for the '08-'10 production only.

Vvroom

1,170 posts

221 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
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Not to hi-jack, but has anyone ever swapped the black bezel insert form their sub and put a green one in?

I have a 16610 back sub, and wondered about this if I ever fancied a change.

Edited by Vvroom on Saturday 28th July 14:51

AlexWF

127 posts

173 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
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Vvroom said:
Not to hi-jack, but has anyone ever swapped the black bezel insert form their sub and put a green one in?

I have a 16610 back sub, and wondered abotu this if I ever fancied a change.
It can be done yes, but the LV model had larger hour markers so you end up with a dial and bezel combo that never existed as far as Rolex are concerned. This is why Rolex won't do this for you - you could only do it by getting hold of the bezel (or just insert) yourself. Have seen a picture of an LV with a black bezel before, looks cool. Not seen green bezel on a non-LV before though.

Vvroom

1,170 posts

221 months

Saturday 28th July 2012
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AlexWF said:
It can be done yes, but the LV model had larger hour markers so you end up with a dial and bezel combo that never existed as far as Rolex are concerned. This is why Rolex won't do this for you - you could only do it by getting hold of the bezel (or just insert) yourself. Have seen a picture of an LV with a black bezel before, looks cool. Not seen green bezel on a non-LV before though.
Might be worth a try!

Thanks Alex

AndrewWF

Original Poster:

280 posts

173 months

Monday 30th July 2012
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Vvroom said:
Might be worth a try!

Thanks Alex
Here's a youtube guide if you're feeling brave! I'd stick a bit of masking tape over the lug first before prizing the bezel off though. Oh, and it's all at your own risk!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__y-IJt_IOY