16610 Series Questions

[Bulliondesk]

Hey guys. I'm a newb to the Sub world.. looking to get a 16610, as I love it's aesthetics and fit on my wrist.

Want to know which letter series have the Rehaut Engraving? And if the Ceramic bezel was on any of the V series 16610 or strictly 116610?

Besides the date they were produced is there any specific difference between the A.. P.. K.. Y..F..D..Z..M.. or V that I should know about before I make my decision? If you guys have a preference of which series I should look to get, please feel free and let me know. I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks!

[toph]

rehaut engraving started with the D series.. so all M, V, (G and randoms) most recent- will have it along with some or many Z serial and i have heard even the possible D serial which preceded the Z. not all D and Z were done.. i have no idea why.

As for any difference the pre 1998 serial U , T etc going backwards will have Tritium hour markers and hands rather than Luminova which was introduced around 98 so A serail forward will say Swiss made on dial and pre A wil say swiss T<25 ( tritium as luminous paint) of course there will be the odd crossover.
it is only the 116610 that has the ceramic bezel.
hope that is of some help
Cheers

[Kanger]

For 16610, engraving rehaut started in late Z :)

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by kanger

For 16610, engraving rehaut started in late Z :)

YUP, sounds about right for SS... earlier models did have engraving but primarily precious metals

[Bulliondesk]

Originally Posted by toph

rehaut engraving started with the D series.. so all M, V, (G and randoms) most recent- will have it along with some or many Z serial and i have heard even the possible D serial which preceded the Z. not all D and Z were done.. i have no idea why.

When was the G series produced?

Dec 08 - Present V 000,001
Jan 08 - Nov 08 M 000,001
July 06 - Dec 07 Z 000,001
Jan 05 - July 06 D 000,001
Jan 04 F 000,001
Sept 02 Y 000,001
August 01 K 000,001
April 00 P 000,004
1998-1999 A 000,002

Is this date series correct? Would there be a reason to purchase a Rehaut vs. Non Rehaut? Just trying to figure out all the little intricacies of the 16610 before I make a final decision.

Thanks Toph for your detailed response!

[toph]

G possible started in 2010 and random ( mix of letters and numbers) series are 2011 serial probably most charts havent added them yet. They have been introduced in conjunction with each other as far as i can see.
That chart is pretty much correct, its hard to put exact months on the production dates as not every model is collated into findings obviously ( as rolex will not do it) but the year is a good enough indicator.
What do you prefer? The engraved rehaut is an extra security feature agiant copying/fakes and is a nice touch which adds detail in an intricate way. The engraved Rehaut also has the serial number engraved above the 6 oclock marker rather than the serial number being between the lugs like it was pre engraving.
cheers

[leerecords]

This is a newbie question, but if the 116610 has a Ceramic Bezel what kind of Bezel do the older 16610 Subs have?

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by leerecords

This is a newbie question, but if the 116610 has a Ceramic Bezel what kind of Bezel do the older 16610 Subs have?

aluminum

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Bulliondesk

Hey guys. I'm a newb to the Sub world.. looking to get a 16610, as I love it's aesthetics and fit on my wrist.

Want to know which letter series have the Rehaut Engraving? And if the Ceramic bezel was on any of the V series 16610 or strictly 116610?

Besides the date they were produced is there any specific difference between the A.. P.. K.. Y..F..D..Z..M.. or V that I should know about before I make my decision? If you guys have a preference of which series I should look to get, please feel free and let me know. I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks!

Well it was from around 2004 Serial F/D on some models the Rolex Rolex Rolex started on the Rehaut ring.The 16610 was introduced in 1988/9 with the introduction of the cal 3135 movement which is still current today.And the only changes to the 16610 over almost 30 years,now they have a solid end link bracelet from 2000 on, the change from Tritium dials to Luminover around 1998.A few minor font details, a LEC crystal thats the Rolex emblem etched on crystal its very hard to see.Plus the different case date stamps different prices over the years and thats about it.There is no ceramic insert on any 16610 they all have a perfectly functional aluminum insert thats quite easy and cheap to replace if even needed.And no matter what the serial any 16610 if serviced they will all perform the same, and all last 50 plus years with proper routine service.

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by toph

As for any difference the pre 1998 serial U , T etc going backwards will have Tritium hour markers and hands rather than Luminova which was introduced around 98 so A serail forward will say Swiss made on dial and pre A wil say swiss T<25 ( tritium as luminous paint) of course there will be the odd crossover.
it is only the 116610 that has the ceramic bezel.
hope that is of some help
Cheers

I own a 16610 U series I bought new that has the "swiss" lume dial. All the 16700 GMT "U" and "A" series I have seen are "swiss"lume dials as well.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Newportkrieger

I own a 16610 U series I bought new that has the "swiss" lume dial. All the 16700 GMT "U" and "A" series I have seen are "swiss"lume dials as well.

Quite true but nothing is wriiten in stone with Rolex and all the letter serials are just a approximation when a case was stamped nothing more.Up till 1960 Rolex used the word SWISS then the dials were Radium, from 1960 on Rolex used (T.Swiss.T less than 277 MBq (7.5mCi) and (Swiss <T25 less than925 MBq 25mCi) on there dials depending on how much radioactivity they had used from 1960 till approximately 1998.Swiss only was then used with the change Luminovor from 1998 to 2000.,but have seen a few by the case letter 1998 Rolex still with the Tritium dial, then mainly after 2000 back to Swiss Made only now with Superluminovor .

[Bulliondesk]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well it was from around 2004 Serial F/D on some models the Rolex Rolex Rolex started on the Rehaut ring.The 16610 was introduced in 1988/9 with the introduction of the cal 3135 movement which is still current today.And the only changes to the 16610 over almost 30 years,now they have a solid end link bracelet from 2000 on, the change from Tritium dials to Luminover around 1998.A few minor font details, a LEC crystal thats the Rolex emblem etched on crystal its very hard to see.Plus the different case date stamps different prices over the years and thats about it.There is no ceramic insert on any 16610 they all have a perfectly functional aluminum insert thats quite easy and cheap to replace if even needed.And no matter what the serial any 16610 if serviced they will all perform the same, and all last 50 plus years with proper routine service.

Thank you for the detailed response! Much appreciated!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Bulliondesk

When was the G series produced?

Dec 08 - Present V 000,001
Jan 08 - Nov 08 M 000,001
July 06 - Dec 07 Z 000,001
Jan 05 - July 06 D 000,001
Jan 04 F 000,001
Sept 02 Y 000,001
August 01 K 000,001
April 00 P 000,004
1998-1999 A 000,002

Is this date series correct? Would there be a reason to purchase a Rehaut vs. Non Rehaut? Just trying to figure out all the little intricacies of the 16610 before I make a final decision.
!

No, this is not "correct" .. It is an absolute fabrication for any chart to affix start and stop dates to a Rolex serial number because nobody knows exactly when a serial prefix started, where it was shipped, or who bought it and what country it's in - they're guesses based on information from forums like this one... These Forums likely represent on a couple percent of aqctual watches bought/made

All serial prefix letters were used for several years and they all overlap.. Use such charts as approximations, not absolutes..



So, go out and find a watch that you like that is in the best condition you can find... then ask questions about that watch, not all watches in general..

[Bulliondesk]

Originally Posted by Tools

No, this is not "correct" .. It is an absolute fabrication for any chart to affix start and stop dates to a Rolex serial number because nobody knows exactly when a serial prefix started, where it was shipped, or who bought it and what country it's in - they're guesses based on information from forums like this one... These Forums likely represent on a couple percent of aqctual watches bought/made

All serial prefix letters were used for several years and they all overlap.. Use such charts as approximations, not absolutes..



So, go out and find a watch that you like that is in the best condition you can find... then ask questions about that watch, not all watches in general..

Understood. Thank you for your response!