Rolex Kermit

Rolex Kermit Submariner 16610LV: The 50th Anniversary Green Submariner

The Rolex Kermit is the collector name for the Submariner Date ref. 16610LV, released in 2003 to mark fifty years of the Rolex Submariner and produced until 2010. It was the first Submariner with a green bezel, the watch that put Rolex's house color on its most famous model, and the starting point for every green Submariner that followed. It is also the last of its kind: a green bezel in aluminum, on the slimmer classic case, before ceramic and the Maxi case took over. We buy, sell, and trade the Rolex Kermit in every condition, from unworn full sets to used pre-owned watches.

The "LV" stands for Lunette Verte, French for green bezel. The nickname came from the color, a bright green over a black dial that reminded collectors of the famous frog. Rolex gave the anniversary model one more change beyond the bezel: the Maxi dial, with larger luminous hour markers and broader hands than the standard black Submariner of the day. Both details carried into later generations, which is why the Kermit is treated as a turning point rather than a color variant.

Rolex Kermit Specifications

What Makes the Kermit Special in Hand

The aluminum bezel is the heart of it. Unlike ceramic, an anodized aluminum insert has a soft, slightly matte sheen, and its green varies from watch to watch and changes gently with age and sun. Some Kermits read as a deep emerald, others as a lighter, brighter green. Collectors pay close attention to that tone, and it means no two examples look quite the same, which is one reason we are always happy to FaceTime a Kermit so you can see the bezel color for yourself before you buy.

The case matters just as much. The Kermit is 40mm like the watches that replaced it, but it uses the older classic case with slimmer lugs and smaller crown guards, so it sits flatter and wears lighter than the later Maxi case Submariners. For many buyers that proportion is the whole point: the look of a modern green Submariner with the wrist feel of a vintage one.

Flat 4 vs. Pointed 4: The Kermit Bezel Variations

One small detail separates the most collectible Kermits from the rest. On the earliest production, mostly 2003 and into 2004, the numeral 4 in the bezel's 40 has a flat top. Collectors call this the Flat 4. Later inserts use a 4 that comes to a point, and that is what the large majority of Kermits carry. A correct early watch with its original Flat 4 insert trades at a substantial premium over a later example in the same condition.

Because bezel inserts can be swapped, the insert has to make sense for the watch's serial and production year. Dials changed in small ways across the run as well, and later production gained the engraved ROLEX rehaut that earlier watches do not have. Both are correct for their period. We go through each of these points on every Kermit we handle and will tell you plainly what a watch is and is not.

Rolex Kermit Price and Market History

Pre-owned Rolex Kermit examples typically trade from $13,000 to $18,000+, with complete sets and the best preserved watches at the top of that range. Early Flat 4 examples sit in a class of their own, commonly $20,000 to $30,000 depending on condition and paperwork. Kermit prices climbed sharply through the 2022 market high, corrected with the broader market, and have since settled into a narrower, steadier band.

Where a specific watch lands comes down to five things: the bezel insert (Flat 4 or pointed, original or replaced), the condition of the case and whether it has been heavily polished, dial originality, completeness (box, warranty papers, booklets, hang tags), and service history. We will walk you through current comps on any Kermit you are considering, ours or not.

Kermit vs. Hulk vs. Starbucks

Choose the Kermit if you want the original green Submariner, the slimmer classic case, and an aluminum bezel that gains character over time. Choose the Hulk if you want the boldest version, with a green dial to match the bezel and the heavier Maxi case. Choose the Starbucks if you want the Kermit's black dial and green bezel recipe with a ceramic insert, a 41mm case, and a 70 hour power reserve. Prefer blue? The white gold Smurf and the two tone Bluesy are the blue counterparts in the Submariner family.

How to Buy a Rolex Kermit With Confidence

The Kermit has not been sold new since 2010, so every purchase is a pre-owned purchase, and on a reference where one small part can change the price by thousands, dealer choice is the most important decision. Here is what we check on every Kermit, and what you should expect any dealer to confirm:

• Bezel insert. Genuine green aluminum with the correct font for the watch's production period. A Flat 4 insert should sit on an early watch, and service replacement inserts should be disclosed.
• Dial and hands. Correct Maxi dial with crisp printing, white gold surrounds on every index, and matching lume on dial and hands. Replacement or refinished dials are a major value killer on this reference.
• Case condition. Even lugs, sharp crown guards, and clear engravings between the lugs. A heavily polished classic case loses the lines that define it.
• Serial and period details. The serial number should agree with the paperwork and with the watch's details, including whether the rehaut is engraved.
• Movement. A genuine Caliber 3135, timed on our equipment and pressure tested for water resistance.
• Completeness. Box, warranty papers, booklets, and hang tags all add value, and collector sets with the original anniversary era accessories add more. Every listing we post states exactly what is included, nothing assumed.

New Unworn & Used Pre-Owned Rolex Kermit

We buy, sell, and trade the Rolex Kermit in every condition, from unworn full sets to used pre-owned watches with honest wear. Every watch is authenticated in house at our Oak Park, Michigan showroom, and we will FaceTime any Kermit in hand so you can see the bezel, dial, and case for yourself. If you own a Kermit or any Submariner you are ready to move, start a quote on our Sell My Watch page, or ask about trading toward another piece. Looking for a Flat 4, a specific year, or a full set? Tell us through our contact page or call or text 248-422-0909 and we will source it.

Ships fully insured nationwide from our Oak Park, Michigan showroom via FedEx Hold for Pickup at your nearest FedEx location. Call or text 248-422-0909. Browse every Rolex Submariner we carry or shop all Rolex.

Rolex Kermit FAQ

Complete Reference Index

Rolex Kermit (2003 to 2010): 16610LV, Submariner Date, 40mm stainless steel, black Maxi dial, green aluminum bezel, Caliber 3135. On this site the Kermit name applies to this single reference only. The current 126610LV, which some collectors also call the Kermit, is listed under Rolex Starbucks.