The Rolex Submariner Date 16610 is the 40 mm steel Submariner with a black dial, a black aluminium bezel insert, a sapphire crystal with Cyclops and the calibre 3135, made from 1988 until 2010. It is the last of the aluminium-bezel Submariner Dates, the watch that ran for more than two decades before the ceramic 116610LN replaced it, and it is now a pre-owned purchase between roughly 16 and 38 years old. This guide covers the specifications, how the 16610 changed over its production run, how it differs from the green-bezel 16610LV Kermit and the ceramic 116610LN, how it wears, what Bizak's catalogue asked on 1 October 2026 and what to check before buying. Bizak & Co. sources the 16610 to order; the used Submariner collection lists what we can seek.
Last reviewed on October 1, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.
Rolex Submariner 16610 specifications
| Attribute | 16610 |
|---|---|
| Case | 40 mm stainless steel, about 12.5 mm thick, 20 mm lug width, screw-down Triplock crown with crown guards |
| Bezel | Unidirectional 60-minute, black anodised aluminium insert |
| Movement | Calibre 3135, automatic, about 48 hours of power reserve, chronometer certified, quickset date; the earliest 1988 watches carried the calibre 3035 |
| Dial | Black, with luminous markers; tritium early, then Luminova, then Super-LumiNova; date at 3 with Cyclops |
| Crystal | Sapphire with Cyclops |
| Bracelet | Oyster with folding clasp with flip-lock and diver's extension; solid end links on later examples |
| Water resistance | 300 m (1,000 ft) |
| Production | 1988 to 2010; it replaced the 16800 and was replaced by the 116610LN |
Source: the Rolex Submariner collection page lists the current Submariner models that descend from this watch, and Rolex watch care and service covers service intervals and parts policy for older references.
How did the 16610 change from 1988 to 2010?
- 1988 to about 1998. Tritium lume, marked "SWISS - T < 25" at the foot of the dial; the lume ages to cream, which collectors prize.
- About 1998 to 2000. Luminova lume, with dials marked "SWISS" for a short period before "SWISS MADE"; the lume stays white.
- About 2000 to 2007. Super-LumiNova lume and solid end links; the traditional bracelet in its final form.
- About 2007 to 2010. Engraved rehaut with "ROLEX" repeated around the inner ring, and the serial between the lugs moving to the rehaut.
The case and movement are the same throughout, so the differences matter for originality and appearance more than for how the watch works.
16610 vs 16610LV vs 116610LN: which Submariner Date?
| 16610 | 16610LV (Kermit) | 116610LN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bezel | Black aluminium | Green aluminium | Black Cerachrom |
| Dial | Black | Black | Black, Maxi markers |
| Case | 40 mm, slim lugs | 40 mm, slim lugs | 40 mm, broad "Super Case" lugs |
| Years | 1988 to 2010 | 2003 to 2010 | 2010 to 2020 |
| Bizak guide | This page | 16610LV guide | 116610LN guide |
The 16610 is the plain, black-bezel configuration with no nickname; the green-bezel 16610LV is the Kermit and is a separate configuration. The 116610LN keeps the date and the black bezel but moves to ceramic and a broader case. If you also want a no-date dial, that is the 14060 or the later 114060, not the 16610.
What do the V3, Z3 and P1 codes in the SKUs mean?
Bizak's catalogue handles carry short suffixes such as V3, Z3, P1 and N-3. They are internal codes that identify the individual example in our system, not different Rolex references or models. Every one of them is a 16610 with a black dial and black aluminium bezel. What actually distinguishes the examples is condition, whether a set comes with the watch, the dial generation and any replaced parts, so ask for photographs of the exact watch rather than reading anything into the suffix.
How does the Submariner 16610 wear?
At 40 mm with slim lugs and a flat, brushed-and-polished case, the 16610 wears smaller and lighter than the ceramic Submariners that followed it, and many owners find it more balanced on wrists of roughly 15.5 to 18 cm (6.1 to 7.1 inches). The date window and Cyclops are visible but unobtrusive. The aluminium bezel insert fades and scratches with age, and some owners treat that as part of its character; others prefer the colour stability of ceramic. Because every example is at least 15 years old, how it wears also depends on case polishing and bracelet stretch, so read the condition, not just the reference.
How much is a Rolex Submariner 16610? Dated prices
- Retail. Rolex discontinued the 16610 in 2010 and does not list it. The current Submariners and their prices are on the Rolex page linked above.
- Bizak catalogue asks. On 1 October 2026 our sourced catalogue listed ten pre-owned black-dial 16610 examples at US$10,277 each, all sourced to order. For comparison, a green-bezel listing coded 16610LV asked US$18,599.
- What moves the price. A complete set with box and papers, an untouched tritium dial with an even patina, an unpolished case with sharp lugs and an unstretched bracelet each add; a replaced dial, a service insert, polishing or a stretched bracelet each subtract.
Our Q2 2026 wholesale report does not print a figure for the 16610, so we do not quote a market median. Ask for a dated quote for the exact year and set; our Submariner price guide explains how to compare quotes.
Is the 16610 a good investment?
It is a watch to wear and enjoy rather than a trade. A 22-year production run means plenty of examples exist, so a correct, complete and lightly polished watch is the one that holds its value and the rest are cheaper for reasons you can see in the photographs. Buy the example whose dial, insert and set you want to live with, and if resale matters, ask for a written cash-buy assessment before you commit.
Buying a used 16610: what to check
- Serial and papers. The serial between the lugs at 6 (and on the rehaut from about 2007) should match the guarantee paper if one exists; Rolex does not reissue papers for this era.
- Dial originality. A tritium dial reads "SWISS - T < 25"; a "SWISS MADE" dial on an early-serial watch is a service replacement, and lume on dial and hands should match in colour.
- Bezel insert. Original inserts have sharper printing and age with the dial; a bright, perfect black insert on a 1990s watch is a service part, which is acceptable if priced as such.
- Date window. There should be a date window with Cyclops; a no-date dial means a 14060 and a different watch.
- Case. Sharp lug chamfers and even brushing; rounded, soft edges mean repeated polishing.
- Bracelet. Hold the watch by the clasp; a bracelet that sags into a curve is stretched and costly to fix.
- Movement and service. A 3135 should run within a few seconds a day; ask for the last service receipt and pressure-test date.
Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch, and our vintage Submariner authentication guide goes deeper on dials and inserts.
Quick answers
How much is a Rolex Submariner 16610?
Rolex no longer lists the 16610. Bizak's sourced catalogue listed ten pre-owned black-dial examples at US$10,277 each on 1 October 2026, sourced to order.
What years was the Rolex 16610 made?
From 1988 to 2010, when the ceramic-bezel 116610LN replaced it.
Is the 16610 the Kermit?
No. The Kermit is the green-bezel 16610LV. The 16610 has a black aluminium bezel and is the standard configuration.
What movement is in the Submariner 16610?
The calibre 3135, an automatic chronometer with a quickset date and about 48 hours of power reserve; the earliest 1988 watches used the calibre 3035.
Does the 16610 have a ceramic bezel?
No. It has a black anodised aluminium insert that can fade and scratch; the ceramic Cerachrom bezel arrived with the 116610LN in 2010.
Request a Submariner 16610 sourcing quote
Tell us the preferred year range or dial generation, condition and whether papers are required, plus your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, papers and final price before you commit. Catalogue entries: 16610 pre-owned, 16610 pre-owned (second example), 16610 pre-owned (third example); browse the used Submariner collection, the Submariner collection, or sell or trade your Submariner.
Related reading: Submariner 16610LV Kermit guide · Submariner 16613 Bluesy guide · Vintage Submariner authentication · Submariner price guide.
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