History of the Rolex Kermit: The 50th Anniversary Submariner

<p>The Submariner has a long history dating back to 1953 when Rolex released their <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/blog/rolex-submariner-guide.html">first official dive watch</a>. Over the years since the original launch, the Submariner has had some color added to the precious metal variations of the model, but it wasn’t until the Kermit was launched in 2003 that Rolex used green, a color synonymous with the luxury brand. Where did the nickname come from and what’s so special about this green bezel watch?</p>
<p>> <a href="#launch">Launch of the 16610LV</a><br />
> <a href="#kermit">Getting the Kermit Nickname</a><br />
> <a href="#variation">Variations Produced</a><a><br />
> </a><a href="#buying"">Buying the Kermit</a></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-1164151 size-full" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Kermit-Rolex-Green-Bezel.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="" width="800" height="533" /></p>
<p> </p>
<h2><a id="launch"></a>Launching the Kermit in 2003</h2>
<p>To celebrate the 50th anniversary of an iconic dive watch, Rolex launched the 16610LV with a black dial and green aluminum bezel. The green has become a marker of anniversary pieces as the <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/blog/rolex-milgauss-history.html">Milgauss green crystal</a> also celebrates the anniversary of the model. The green was also the first time Rolex added color to a stainless steel sports watch, outside of the GMT-Master collection; blue had been used previously on two-tone and yellow gold models.</p>
<p>While Rolex has never explicitly stated why they decided to use green in some anniversary releases, the bold color has been associated with the brand for years. The logo, boxes, and tags are all green. The color green, while universally associated with nature, represents stability, endurance, taking action, prosperity, and wealth, especially in darker greens.</p>
<p>The color was an unexpected choice for Rolex and was polarizing to collectors at the time. The green has a strong contrast against the black dial, even compared to the Rolex blue on other <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/rolex/rolex-submariner/">Submariner models</a>.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-1164153 size-full" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Rolex-Kermit-16610LV-Green-Bezel.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="Rolex Kermit 16610LV Green Bezel" width="800" height="800" /></p>
<h3>Characteristics</h3>
<p>The 166170LV featured the same compact 40mm case in other Submariner models along with a 13mm thickness. The dial is the ‘maxi-dial’ style, which means the markers and hands are larger allowing for improved visibility and more lumen for reading the time at night. As with all modern Submariners, the Kermit also features a 300m water resistance and uses the Calibre 3135.</p>
<h2><a id="kermit"></a>Nicknaming the Rolex Kermit</h2>
<p>The release was a surprise to the watch world and some collectors took to nicknaming it the ‘Vomit Sub’ because of the color. However, the nickname that stuck and what collectors use today has a much better ring to it, the ‘Kermit’.</p>
<p>The green aluminum bezel is not fade-resistant like the later Ceracrhom inserts used and is slightly lighter in color as well. Collectors started calling the 16610LV the ‘Kermit’ because of the similarity in the coloring between the Muppet and the Submariner bezel.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-1164154 size-full" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Rolex-Kermit-Wristshot.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></p>
<h2><a id="variation"></a>Variations Released</h2>
<p>Throughout the 7-year production of the 16610LV, there have been a few versions with different configurations.</p>
<h3>Flat 4 vs Pointed 4</h3>
<p>A noticeable difference between generations of the 16610LV is the ‘Flat 4’ found in early generations. This ‘Flat 4’ references the 40-marker on the bezel. In early models, the top of this was flat instead of a pointed end. Sometimes this can also be referenced as the ‘Fat 4’.</p>
<div id="attachment_1164150" style="width: 1667px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1164150" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-1164150 size-full" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Flat-4-Rolex-Kermit-Sothebys.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="Flat-4-Rolex-Kermit-Sothebys" width="1657" height="878" /><p id="caption-attachment-1164150" class="wp-caption-text">Flat 4 on Rolex Kermit via Sothebys</p></div>
<h3>Color</h3>
<p>While Rolex produced the Kermit with an aluminum bezel known to fade, there were also some distinguishing color differences from production between the years. Typically, a more racing green color was used on the aluminum but one was produced in a lighter, more olive-green color. Because of the color, this Kermit has also gained the nickname of ‘Bertolli’ for the olive oil brand. It is worth noting that this bezel was only produced with the ‘Flat 4’.</p>
<h3>Case</h3>
<p>There have been some minor changes to the case through the production as well. The prototype for the model was thought to have used drilled lugs, while the first production cases had solid lugs. The production pieces also had the reference 16610T engraved between the lugs at 12 o’clock and the serial number engraved between the lugs at 6 o’clock. The ‘T’ stands for ‘Trou Borgne’ or ‘Blind Hole’ for the spring bar, but the ‘LV’ is not included on this reference number marking.</p>
<p>In 2008, the serial number moved onto the Rehaut ring, making it visible from certain angles. The later produced models, just before the watch was discontinued, also feature a random serial number.</p>
<h2><a id="discontinue"></a>The Kermit Discontinued and Re-released in 2020</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/shop/Rolex-Submariner-16610LV.html">Kermit</a> was discontinued in 2010 after a moderate 7-year production time. This discontinuation brought in the Rolex Hulk with a green bezel and green dial. The Hulk was also later discontinued in 2020 where collectors were introduced to an entirely new Submariner lineup.</p>
<p>The 2020 Submariners were upgraded to a 41mm case size, up from 40mm, and also featured the new Calibre 3235. This release also brought back the use of a green bezel and black dial Submariner, this time featuring a Cerachrom bezel insert. The Ceracrhom bezel combines the fade-resistant material and green of the Hulk but in the colorway of the 50th anniversary Kermit Submariner.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-1164155 size-full" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Original-Kermit-vs-2020-41mm-Kermit.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="" width="900" height="681" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Collectors have been divided on if this should still be nicknamed the Kermit since it is the same colorway but upgraded in size, movement, and bezel material. Some have started calling it the ‘Kermit 2.0’ or ‘Cermit’, combining the ceramic and Kermit names, but there is a third that has taken the lead, the <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/shop/Rolex-Submariner-126610LV-0002.html">‘Starbucks’ Submariner</a>.</p>
<p>Many collectors draw a similarity between the coffee logo with black interior and green branding to the black dial and green bezel on the 2020 <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/rolex/rolex-submariner-126610/">Submariner reference 126610LV</a>.</p>
<h2><a id="buying"></a>Buying a Rolex Submariner ‘Kermit’ 166170LV: What Makes it Collectable</h2>
<p>While the model had a slow start with collectors, after being discontinued the demand grew for the anniversary piece. There was a short production time of only 7 years and this model celebrates 50 years of the iconic dive watch. The 166170LV was also released before the updated ‘super-case’ found on the Hulk, and before the increase in overall case size in 2020. The ‘Flat 4’ is a highly desirable version of the Kermit because of the uniqueness of the 4 on the bezel.</p>
<p>On the pre-owned market, the Kermit now retails for around $15,000 and is often hard to acquire. The ‘Flat 4’ and newer 2020 ‘Starbucks’ Submariner are highly sought-after models and command a higher pre-owned retail value. Ready to find your perfect Rolex Kermit? Discover the WatchBox collection of black dial and <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/rolex-kermit/">green bezel Submariner watches</a>.</p>
<p>Continue reading about Rolex watches:</p>
<p>> <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/blog/rolex-submariner-116610lv-hulk-smashhit.html">Rolex Hulk Review 116610LV: Hulk Smash [Hit]!</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/blog/rolex-smurf-guide.html">Why is it Nicknamed the Rolex Smurf?</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/blog/rolex-daytona-vs-submariner.html">Rolex Daytona vs Submariner Comparison</a></p>

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Written By

Emily Smith

Emily joined the WatchBox team in 2015 and loves the history of watches and learning how they work. She has now started to build out her own collection, consisting of a vintage Omega and vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with her eyes on many other pieces. She appreciates the design and intricate details in watches and is always looking to learn more about the art.

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