16610LV - the MK VI dial - Newly discovered dial variance?

[shou.biao.kuang]

Hi All,

To those of us who love the Green Sub and all its dial variance, hope this thread is useful in our research into the "supposed" last of the 16610LV MK dial, the MK VI dial.

This dial seems to appear only in the random serial (RS) and as replacement dial, as was the case in the first picture from Davey Boy ('Z' serial, #558xxx) . In my opinion, this dial is rare and probably ranks on equal footing with the MK I dial in terms of rarity. There are forumers who believe that most of the RS sets were shipped to Asia but this cannot be confirmed without enough evidence.

Moreover, not all RS sets have the supposed MK VI dial. I have seen numerous sets of RS up for sales on the internet and at the pre-owned dealers, all with the MK V dial. This makes the MK VI dial even rarer due to lack of information as basis for comparison. Here are the characteristics of the MK VI dial.


MK VI dial characteristics:


1) the ‘f’ in the ft of the MK I – MK V dial has long ‘f’ that is taller than the ‘t’, whereas a RS dial has short ‘f’ that is of the same height as the ‘t’ in ft.

2) longer ‘28-32’ minute markers that stretches to the same height as SWISS MADE, which is similar to the MK IV & MK V dial, aka ‘3 ticks'. The MK II - MK III dial has shorter '28-32' minute markers which stretch to the bottom of the word SWISS MADE.

3) ‘R’ in OYSTER under right foot of ‘R’ of Rolex but compared to the MK II dial, it only skewed slightly of the right foot of ‘R’ in Rolex.

4) the ‘m’ on the right of 300m is further away compared to those of the MK I – MK V dial.

5) the ‘=” sign between the ft and 300m seems smaller and shorter compared to those in the MK I – Mk V dial. Hence, the gaps of the ‘=’ sign between the ‘ft’ & ‘300m’ are wider than the MK I – MK V dial.

6) the gap between the ‘E’ and ‘C’ of SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER of the MK VI dial is wider than all its predecessors.

7) bigger gap between ‘Y’ and ‘C’ of OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED compared to the MK I – MK V dial, similar to that of the MK IV dial.

8) the MK VI dial has the same "thin/skinny font" characteristic which is seen only on the MK V dial. The "thin/skinny font" refers to texts/wordings found on the lower half of the dial.

9) the ‘O’ in the word ROLEX spots the round shaped O seen on MK III – MK V dial, rather than the oval ‘O’ spotted on the MK I – MK II dial.

If your 16610LV's dial happens to fit into this description, please post your dial picture here for discussion. Hope to see more pictures of this dial. Thanks all in advance.


(With special thanks to 'Davey Boy' for lending his picture to this study)



MK VI dial of the 16610LV: Courtesy of ‘Davey Boy’ of Rolex Forums. (Used with permission)




MK VI dial of the 16610LV:Posted by ikovalchuk17 on Rolex Forum, thread: BNIB 16610LV in Guangzhou AD, post #18




16610LV 'Y' serial with Flat 4 bezel and the MK I dial

[shou.biao.kuang]

Hi folks,

I need the wisdom of Rolex veterans out there who could shed some lights on these questions.

1. Is it possible that the 16610LV purported MK VI dial uses the same dial as that of 16610LN, probably around the same series, that is, the "AN" series? or even late "V"s?

2. When did 16610LN started using the maxi dial too (if any at all)?

3. Is it possible that the (MK VI) black dial be spotted having the maxi hands and plots on 16610LV and the non-maxi hands and plots on the 16610LN, both at the same time?

I have searched intently for info on these but thus far, the evidences are non conclusive.

Thanks in advance.

[Gaijin]

I don't know about all that but I did see a used random serial number LV in Tokyo. Pretty shocked. Unfortunately it did not have all the bits and pieces I like when I buy a Rolex.

[brettpaul]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

I don't know about all that but I did see a used random serial number LV in Tokyo. Pretty shocked. Unfortunately it did not have all the bits and pieces I like when I buy a Rolex.

I've got an RS LV purchased BNIB 2 years ago in the Middle East, watch was from a dealer in Europe. I'll post pics to help with the research when I return from holiday!

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by brettpaul

I've got an RS LV purchased BNIB 2 years ago in the Middle East, watch was from a dealer in Europe. I'll post pics to help with the research when I return from holiday!

Thanks Brett appreciate the effort.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by shou.biao.kuang

Hi folks,

I need the wisdom of Rolex veterans out there who could shed some lights on these questions.

1. Is it possible that the 16610LV purported MK VI dial uses the same dial as that of 16610LN, probably around the same series, that is, the "AN" series? or even late "V"s?

2. When did 16610LN started using the maxi dial too (if any at all)?

3. Is it possible that the (MK VI) black dial be spotted having the maxi hands and plots on 16610LV and the non-maxi hands and plots on the 16610LN, both at the same time?

I have searched intently for info on these but thus far, the evidences are non conclusive.

Thanks in advance.

The 16610LN never had a maxi dial as standard and anything is possible with Rolex. As with all these so called variations we are talking about very minute font or colour differences just like there has been on all Rolex models throughout the past 50 odd years.

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by padi56

The 16610LN never had a maxi dial as standard and anything is possible with Rolex.

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the info. Insightful as usual

Is it possible that the same black dial (ignoring the Markings) be spotted having the maxi hands and plots on 16610LV and the non-maxi hands and plots on the 16610LN, both at the same time?

[Dave in Wales]

Apologies if this is old news…….

http://www.newturfers.com/vb/forum/w...-dial-variants

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by Dave in Wales

Apologies if this is old news…….

http://www.newturfers.com/vb/forum/w...-dial-variants

Hi Dave,

Actually JBP has done a comprehensive review of the 16610LV on VRF. The link is as below. Great work done by John, and his article has been used by many as reference points when discussing the Green Sub 16610LV.

Hope this review helps you too.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...ary+Submariner

[brettpaul]

The watch was purchased new in the Netherlands....hope this is helpful.

[brettpaul]

Bit better pic....

[shou.biao.kuang]

Hi Brett,

Thanks for the pics

The AN / RS 16610LV usually comes with the MK V dial which in your case is the MK V. It is rare to see the purported MK VI dial and it is likely that the MK VI dial could be a service replacement dial. I do not have enough info to conclude on this. And thus far, only one forumer claim to have a MK VI dial on his RS set which has never been sent for servicing and bought it BNIB.

[brettpaul]

Happy to be of help (if I was any) my friend - thanks for the research and interesting read!

[shou.biao.kuang]

Hey folks,

A short update on this thread.

Since I last posted the MK VI dial as purportedly the last dial variant known of the 16610LV aka Submariner 50th anniversary model, I have received several photos and comments sent to my email on this dial variant. Recently, a forumer (let’s call him AJ since he specifically asked me not to mention his name) was kind enough to snap a few pictures of his precious find to lend a hand in identifying the MK VI dial found only on the “AN” series and as replacement dial thus far.

What is interesting about this piece is the ultra rare MK VI dial that is found on his “AN” series 16610LV, which IMHO as mentioned in the OP, is probably rarer than the MK I dial! What makes this piece even more interesting is the warranty card was dated December 2014, a good 3 – 4 years after production was discontinued!

Do note that the warranty card spots the new style Rolex warranty card where Rolex started issuing around one plus years ago. And this set came with it! Another rarity!!

According to AJ, he bought this piece from an AD in Singapore in December 2014 but the AD told him that they got this BNIB piece since late 2013 (!) and has been sitting in their store before he purchased it.

There you have it all…. In term of rarity, it’s a

1. “AN” series 16610LV,
2. Brand New In Box set,
3. MK VI dial variant
4. and lastly the new style Rolex warranty card !

Pictures will be uploaded in the next post. Stay tuned…

[shou.biao.kuang]

AJ's BNIB MK VI "AN" series 16610LV PIC 1

[shou.biao.kuang]

AJ's BNIB MK VI "AN" series 16610LV PIC 2

New style Rolex warranty card

[shou.biao.kuang]

This is another of AJ's "AN" series 16610LV with the MK V dial. He has since sold this piece to a good friend of his. Unfortunately, his lady friend went into labour recently and hence was not able to take a close-up picture for him

AJ's preowned "AN" series with MK V dial PIC 1

[shou.biao.kuang]

AJ's preowned "AN" series with MK V dial PIC 2

[padi56]

Originally Posted by shou.biao.kuang

What is interesting about this piece is the ultra rare MK VI dial that is found on his “AN” series 16610LV, which IMHO as mentioned in the OP, is probably rarer than the MK I dial! What makes this piece even more interesting is the warranty card was dated December 2014, a good 3 – 4 years after production was discontinued!

Do note that the warranty card spots the new style Rolex warranty card where Rolex started issuing around one plus years ago. And this set came with it! Another rarity!!

According to AJ, he bought this piece from an AD in Singapore in December 2014 but the AD told him that they got this BNIB piece since late 2013 (!) and has been sitting in their store before he purchased it.

There you have it all…. In term of rarity, it’s a

1. “AN” series 16610LV,
2. Brand New In Box set,
3. MK VI dial variant
4. and lastly the new style Rolex warranty card !

Pictures will be uploaded in the next post. Stay tuned…

Well that would depend on your interpretation of being rare or ultra rare..Is something rare or ultra rare more than say 5, 10,50,100,200,300,500 or even 1000.Now if you want a rare Rolex watch try finding one of the left hand wind Rolex watches now they are really rare.And what is a "AN" series do you mean its a random serial ?.

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by padi56

.And what is a "AN" series do you mean its a random serial ?.

Hi Peter,

Yes, I meant the "random" serial (RS). Some of us do call it "AN" serial, with "AN" being Alpha-Numeric serial.

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by padi56

Now if you want a rare Rolex watch try finding one of the left hand wind Rolex watches now they are really rare.

I have been looking out for one, have found a few but not to my liking yet. Will post if I do find one I like. thanks Pete..

[Brushpup]

I'm still waiting to see one with lug holes.

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

I'm still waiting to see one with lug holes.

Convert a 16610LN with lug holes and swop the dial over to a 16610 LV's?

But will the dial fit? likely not since LV is a maxi dial?

[Brushpup]

Early photos of this watch from ROLEX show it with lug holes, yet no one has ever seen one.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by shou.biao.kuang

Convert a 16610LN with lug holes and swop the dial over to a 16610 LV's?

But will the dial fit? likely not since LV is a maxi dial?

16610lv dial will fit the 16610ln.

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by Johny

16610lv dial will fit the 16610ln.

Thanks Johnny

[Johny]

Originally Posted by shou.biao.kuang

Thanks Johnny

your welcome. it also fits the ceramic sub dates.

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by Johny

your welcome. it also fits the ceramic sub dates.

Oh is it? I see. Thanks pal again. This is really useful info

[Johny]

Originally Posted by shou.biao.kuang

Oh is it? I see. Thanks pal again. This is really useful info

hi sam
one of the members on here ..bondtoys..I think it is, has fitted a 116610ln dial with blue lume to his 16610lv. the pics are in the modified rolex thread. johny.

[bondtoys]

Yep, I have been using a 116610LN dial for a 16610LV watch to get the blue lume: