Rolex Submariner 50th Anniversary “Kermit”

The Rolex Submariner ref. 16610LV, affectionately known as the “Kermit,” stands as one of the most celebrated references in the Submariner lineage. Introduced in 2003 to mark the model’s 50th anniversary, it debuted the now-iconic green anodized aluminum bezel insert — a bold departure from the classic black that had defined the Submariner for decades. Paired with the matte black dial and luminous Mercedes hands, the contrast is both striking and purposeful, a design statement that has only grown more iconic with time. Beneath the Oyster case, the calibre 3135 movement — a self-winding mechanical heart refined over decades of Swiss horological mastery — beats with a precision that earned Rolex its COSC chronometer certification. The unidirectional rotatable bezel, graduated in five-minute intervals, serves the diver’s need for elapsed time tracking with the same reliability demanded by professional underwater explorers. Every component, from the screw-down Triplock crown to the solid end-link Oyster bracelet with its Oysterlock safety clasp, reflects Rolex’s uncompromising standard of construction. On the wrist, the Kermit occupies a rare space between tool watch and collector’s trophy. It is equally at home clipped to a dive tank or fastened beneath the cuff of a dinner jacket, a versatility that defines the Submariner’s enduring appeal. Discontinued in 2010 when Rolex transitioned to the ceramic-bezeled ref. 116610LV, the 16610LV has only appreciated in cultural and monetary value — a wearable piece of horological history that rewards both the connoisseur and the everyday wearer with equal measure.