16610 LV Anniversary Sub serial numbers

[JohnFM]

I'm considering adding a green 16610LV 50th Anniversary Submariner and realize that there are minor variations by model year (e.g., bezel color, dial printing, engraved rehaut, AR-coated cyclops).

While Y serials from the first year of production (2003) seem to be most collectible, I'm wondering how you would rank the following in terms of value and desirability: Y, F, D, Z, M, V, G, Random

I realize this is all subjective, personal, and not of earth shattering importance but was curious nonetheless ;-)

Thanks.
John

[Tools]

Serial letters do not indicate any differences in a model.. Rolex never changed anything based on serial prefixes..

Condition is where the value is. In the case of the LV, collectors only consider the first releases as the true collectible, they will command more if original.

[JohnFM]

Larry,

Would the 'first release' include Y and early F serials, all produced in 2003 with similar features (dial, bezel)?

John

[Tools]

Originally Posted by JohnFM

Larry,

Would the 'first release' include Y and early F serials, all produced in 2003 with similar features (dial, bezel)?

John

Yes..

In the Rolex world, some serial prefixes are running concurrently, so Y and F were being made side-by-side. Nobody can know for sure if an F watch was actually manufactured after or before a Y serial in the same display case.

It is known and documented that Rolex did not make their serial releases sequentially.

[SMD]

Fwiw, I have an F02 LV that has papers dated 12/03. I have also seen Y serials with papers dated the same or later. No way to determine which came first production wise.

[Alpino]

.

Production wise Y serial came first and F serial second. But that's related to case production, not Watch assembly or delivery to an AD.

[Passionata]

All are great pieces though the most collectibles are the y serial with flat 4 insert .

[JohnFM]

So if a Y with Flat 4 is the consensus favorite, what might be a second or third choice, assuming the same overall condition?

[BLACKHORSE 6]

The 16610LV is the sub that I have in mind, but I won't be ready to purchase for some time. In a few years from now, if I just try to find one in good/great condition without worrying about when it was made, will the price be any higher than they are now? Have the prices leveled off?

Sorry to jack your thread, but just wondering.

[Gaijin]

Randoms may be next to answer your question. I have only seen one. Ever. Here or in person. In this case I saw it in person in Tokyo. Unless I have missed an LV thread here I have never seen anyone here say that they own one.

I can't speak for prices so much anywhere other than Japan. I see less and less of them and they don't stay on the shelves of grey dealers very long. I pop by the greys here often. The prices are always higher than the last time I saw one. Have not seen one brand new with stickers for over a year.

Here in TRF the prices seem to have leveled off.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Randoms may be next to answer your question. I have only seen one. Ever. Here or in person. In this case I saw it in person in Tokyo. Unless I have missed an LV thread here I have never seen anyone here say that they own one.

I can't speak for prices so much anywhere other than Japan. I see less and less of them and they don't stay on the shelves of grey dealers very long. I pop by the greys here often. The prices are always higher than the last time I saw one. Have not seen one brand new with stickers for over a year.

Here in TRF the prices seem to have leveled off.

Like everything today a product price is only for those willing to pay that price.The Internet today is a wonderful place to drive prices up for very minor details like say flat four fonts.When watches of the same period like black subs and SD had flat four fonts and that font have been used many times over the past decades.But now thanks to the Internet and those trying to make a say a 16610 into a LV and visa verso the price of the green insert have rocketing to almost ceramic prices.And now green insert is Rolex exchange only as independents cannot even get them now.Plus quite a few reports of new exchange green inserts 2014/15 using the same flat four font that was used around 2002/3.

[brettpaul]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Randoms may be next to answer your question. I have only seen one. Ever. Here or in person. In this case I saw it in person in Tokyo. Unless I have missed an LV thread here I have never seen anyone here say that they own one.

I can't speak for prices so much anywhere other than Japan. I see less and less of them and they don't stay on the shelves of grey dealers very long. I pop by the greys here often. The prices are always higher than the last time I saw one. Have not seen one brand new with stickers for over a year.

Here in TRF the prices seem to have leveled off.

I have a random LV I purchased BNIB from a dealer in Bahrain in early 2012...it was purchased in Europe in 2011 and never worn. I wear it, but infrequently as I can't get my BLNR to stay in the safe!!

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by brettpaul

I have a random LV I purchased BNIB from a dealer in Bahrain in early 2012...it was purchased in Europe in 2011 and never worn. I wear it, but infrequently as I can't get my BLNR to stay in the safe!!

That is awesome Brett. You may be the only member here that owns a random serial number LV. I would love to see a pic of it when you have time.

[Zed82]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

That is awesome Brett. You may be the only member here that owns a random serial number LV. I would love to see a pic of it when you have time.

Also have one but they are rare. More rare then both the Y and F-series.

[wulfman]

Random LV's are rare especially new, full stickered. You see it also in the prices that were called. It's the ultimative last series of the LV in 2010 after being discontinued...

[sirduncs]

I have a 2006 Z serial and love it to bits :)

[Chrispare]

I think the rarest is Y serial

[wulfman]

Originally Posted by Chrispare

I think the rarest is Y serial

+1 then Random!

[GsurgBM]

I'd say early F with a 2003 date of sale are equivalent to a Y.

[ronricks]

Was there ever a 'G' serial 16610lv?

I like the M and V serials personally with the engraved rehaut doesn't make it anymore rare though.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by ronricks

Was there ever a 'G' serial 16610lv?

I like the M and V serials personally with the engraved rehaut doesn't make it anymore rare though.

No modern day Rolex is rare no matter the case serial,just some case serials were stamped in smaller numbers. And seeing the LV is just a normal 16610 case so could be plenty of G and random serials world wide the WIS world is a tiny proportion of actual watches sold.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by ronricks

Was there ever a 'G' serial 16610lv?

I like the M and V serials personally with the engraved rehaut doesn't make it anymore rare though.

yes. g serial.

[Blingtone]

Mine's a 2007 'Z' - at the time I had a choice of 2 'M's 2007 with Rehault, but preferred the slightly older 'Z' without Rehault, however, they were all priced exactly the same at that time regardless of serials.
My personal advice (particularly as they're no longer produced) would be to get the best example &/or condition you can find, as the variances don't seem to make much difference to prices I have been seeing recently.
An LV16610 is an LV16610 regardless of year/serial IMHO

[BLACKHORSE 6]

Originally Posted by Blingtone

Mine's a 2007 'Z' - at the time I had a choice of 2 'M's 2007 with Rehault, but preferred the slightly older 'Z' without Rehault, however, they were all priced exactly the same at that time regardless of serials.
My personal advice (particularly as they're no longer produced) would be to get the best example &/or condition you can find, as the variances don't seem to make much difference to prices I have been seeing recently.
An LV16610 is an LV16610 regardless of year/serial IMHO

This is my thought as well. I want to get a good price when it comes time to buy, and I'll be willing to pay extra for a watch that is BNIB or LNIB, but I'm not willing to pay more for a particular series or font on the bezel.

That's just me though.

[alexxelor]

+ 1 random

[JohnFM]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

Sounds like a Y or Random would be the top choices though condition trumps all (to me) when it comes to an LV.

After searching a bit, I've seen an F with flat 4 (2004 or 2005, not sure), D, and M. All other things equal, which would you choose? ;-)

John

[Kiddodoc]

Originally Posted by JohnFM

Thanks for all the input everyone.

Sounds like a Y or Random would be the top choices though condition trumps all (to me) when it comes to an LV.

After searching a bit, I've seen an F with flat 4 (2004 or 2005, not sure), D, and M. All other things equal, which would you choose? ;-)

John

The Y and early F series had a bezel that was more lime green and the newer models have a darker green, so it also depends on which green you like better. I have an early F series and the green is quite different. Look at the pics of both greens and see if that makes a difference to you. I bought mine from one of our own here on TRF and have placed it in the safe. It's a keepsake for me so I am holding on to it and it does get occasional wear. Hope you get what you want.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by JohnFM

Thanks for all the input everyone.

Sounds like a Y or Random would be the top choices though condition trumps all (to me) when it comes to an LV.

After searching a bit, I've seen an F with flat 4 (2004 or 2005, not sure), D, and M. All other things equal, which would you choose? ;-)

John

Flat four if you plan on reselling it. Otherwise I would choose the one in the best condition. I own an M as a daily wearer and a V because I ... Well just because they are awesome. Had a Z before that and sold it.

[Chrispare]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Flat four if you plan on reselling it. Otherwise I would choose the one in the best condition. I own an M as a daily wearer and a V because I ... Well just because they are awesome. Had a Z before that and sold it.

+ 1
And whatever your choice sub LV is a great watch

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Flat four if you plan on reselling it. Otherwise I would choose the one in the best condition. I own an M as a daily wearer and a V because I ... Well just because they are awesome. Had a Z before that and sold it.

awesome.