Calling all 16610 experts | VERY specific question re hour hands

[wakinggiants22]

Hi all,

First time poster here but after the recent acquisition of a Rolex 16610 Submariner (A Serial from 1999), I have a very specific question about the Mercedes hour hand. After weeks of searching I have yet to find a clear answer and have seen images that contradict each other. Hopefully this is the right place.

It is my understanding that at some point, the Submariner went from totally flat Mercedes hands to slightly curved hands – some conversations have been had in this forum. Some of you may not have given this much thought or even noticed this. I received my 16610 from a reputable online dealer and when I brought it to my local Rolex specialist, the first thing he mentioned was that the hands look “very flat” relative to other Subs he works with. He advised that the hands were likely replaced at some point between 1999 and when I got the watch and that they seem to be aftermarket hands. He had the Rolex hands at his shop and was able to easily switch them out.

The new hands he provided certainly look more curved but I will say the lume matched perfectly on the previous “flat” hands, while the lume on the newer curved hands look weaker. I am also looking on Chrono24 for the exact watch and seem to see hands that are curved and flat.

1) If anyone on the forum has the 1999 A Serial Submariner, can you please take a look and let me know what you see regarding flat vs. curved?
2) If anyone is an expert in this area and this watch, can you tell me with 100% certainty which it should be?

Thanks in advance everyone!

[gt0279a]

The Hands are shaped vs curved

You are aware A serials with swiss only dials use luminova vs. super luminova



See here https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=123755

[wakinggiants22]

Thanks for the response. So you are of the opinion that the flat hands that originally came with the watch are probably not proper Rolex hands? As for the Luminova vs. Super Luminova, I am aware of the difference. I just noticed the newer curved (or shaped) hands I received are a bit 'weaker' than the indices on the dial.