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chelan17 · 6 May 2010, 08:29 AM

New to this forum. I see you all talking about the different movements, models, serial numbers, year manufactered etc. I was wondering if the Rolex I have is a popular one, good movement, vintage etc. S.S. Submariner black face and bezel purchased new in December of 1997 (actually my wife got it for me for Christmas) great woman, style number is r16610a30b9315, serial number is u120555. Thanks in advance for you info and help.

Kanger · 6 May 2010, 08:34 AM

very popular one, great movement, I don't know about vintage, but you got yourself a great piece there. Wear it in good health.

joeychitwood · 6 May 2010, 08:38 AM

It's a classic. Wear it and enjoy it.

Jocke · 6 May 2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chelan17

New to this forum. I see you all talking about the different movements, models, serial numbers, year manufactered etc. I was wondering if the Rolex I have is a popular one, good movement, vintage etc. S.S. Submariner black face and bezel purchased new in December of 1997 (actually my wife got it for me for Christmas) great woman, style number is r16610a30b9315, serial number is u120555. Thanks in advance for you info and help.

It's just a regular Submariner you got there, not vintage, not collectible yet. So the best you can do is to enjoy it in my opinion.

The GMT Master · 6 May 2010, 08:40 AM

The 16610 is a classic Rolex, it's just in the process of being discontinued. Your one, judging by the dates, will be one of the earlier incarnations with tritium based lume, lug holes and hollow end links. If you bought one new today, they are cosmetically very similar, and mechanically identical - just a few slight changes to make the bracelet a little less rattly, and also a change to a non-radioactive based luminescent material due to legislation.

It's certainly not a vintage watch, but it is arguably the single most popular unique model that Rolex has ever made (disregarding the Datejust due to its many different variants). The movement is the cal. 3135, which is still the workhorse of the Rolex range, which has an excellent reputation for ruggedness, reliability, longevity and accuracy.

It's a great watch by all accounts, enjoy wearing it

Cheers

Chris

Tools · 6 May 2010, 08:41 AM

The Rolex Submariner you have is a very popular model. 1997 was the last year for Tritium dials and hands and so it may have future collect-ability as those are no longer made.. Keep the dial and hands original if this concerns you..

The movement is the same as that used for the past 2 decades and is a workhorse caliber 3135.

The bracelet on it is somewhat dated and was changed to a Solid End Link 93250 in about 2000 that has a slightly improved divers extension as well.

You have a keeper that should last you a lifetime and should you choose to have it serviced at one of the Rolex Service Centers around, it can be brought back to like-new condition........

gmaines · 6 May 2010, 09:29 AM

You have a classic, same year as mine. wear it in good health..

HL65 · 6 May 2010, 09:52 AM

Great watch--always in style--wear it and enjoy it!!

AWS · 6 May 2010, 10:00 AM

Congratulations on your classic Sub. I have the same model from 1997 (Serial U) that I purchased new. Just got it back from service.

chelan17 · 6 May 2010, 10:10 AM

Thanks guys! The knowledge here is incredible. I though I new watches, but now realize I know very little. I also have 2 Omegas, one Tag and my next purchase will be a Pan. But my 1st classic automatic was the Sub and even after more that 10 years it is still my favorite. Thanks, again.

The GMT Master · 6 May 2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chelan17

Thanks guys! The knowledge here is incredible. I though I new watches, but now realize I know very little. I also have 2 Omegas, one Tag and my next purchase will be a Pan. But my 1st classic automatic was the Sub and even after more that 10 years it is still my favorite. Thanks, again.

It's what we're here for - stick around, you'll be amazed at how much you can learn in such a short space of time

sea-dweller · 6 May 2010, 10:21 AM

My 16610 is also a U Series...

JMIND · 6 May 2010, 02:07 PM

You have a great watch; make sure you enjoy it!!!

6 May 2010, 08:29 AM	#1
chelan17 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: seattle Watch: SS SUBMARINER, Posts: 6	Rolex submariner New to this forum. I see you all talking about the different movements, models, serial numbers, year manufactered etc. I was wondering if the Rolex I have is a popular one, good movement, vintage etc. S.S. Submariner black face and bezel purchased new in December of 1997 (actually my wife got it for me for Christmas) great woman, style number is r16610a30b9315, serial number is u120555. Thanks in advance for you info and help.

6 May 2010, 08:41 AM	#6
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,514	The Rolex Submariner you have is a very popular model. 1997 was the last year for Tritium dials and hands and so it may have future collect-ability as those are no longer made.. Keep the dial and hands original if this concerns you.. The movement is the same as that used for the past 2 decades and is a workhorse caliber 3135. The bracelet on it is somewhat dated and was changed to a Solid End Link 93250 in about 2000 that has a slightly improved divers extension as well. You have a keeper that should last you a lifetime and should you choose to have it serviced at one of the Rolex Service Centers around, it can be brought back to like-new condition........ __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

6 May 2010, 09:52 AM	#8
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,006	Great watch--always in style--wear it and enjoy it!! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

6 May 2010, 10:00 AM	#9
AWS "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Allan Location: USA Posts: 959	Congratulations on your classic Sub. I have the same model from 1997 (Serial U) that I purchased new. Just got it back from service. Attached Images

6 May 2010, 10:21 AM	#12
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	My 16610 is also a U Series... __________________ TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)

6 May 2010, 08:34 AM	#2
Kanger Banned Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Daniel Location: North Carolina Watch: Sea Dweller Posts: 5,524	very popular one, great movement, I don't know about vintage, but you got yourself a great piece there. Wear it in good health.

6 May 2010, 08:38 AM	#3
joeychitwood "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Way Up North USA Watch: Rolexes & Tudors Posts: 6,361	It's a classic. Wear it and enjoy it.

6 May 2010, 08:40 AM	#5
The GMT Master "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: England Posts: 8,150	The 16610 is a classic Rolex, it's just in the process of being discontinued. Your one, judging by the dates, will be one of the earlier incarnations with tritium based lume, lug holes and hollow end links. If you bought one new today, they are cosmetically very similar, and mechanically identical - just a few slight changes to make the bracelet a little less rattly, and also a change to a non-radioactive based luminescent material due to legislation. It's certainly not a vintage watch, but it is arguably the single most popular unique model that Rolex has ever made (disregarding the Datejust due to its many different variants). The movement is the cal. 3135, which is still the workhorse of the Rolex range, which has an excellent reputation for ruggedness, reliability, longevity and accuracy. It's a great watch by all accounts, enjoy wearing it Cheers Chris

6 May 2010, 09:29 AM	#7
gmaines Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Riverside, CA Watch: Submariner&SDDS Posts: 306	You have a classic, same year as mine. wear it in good health..

6 May 2010, 10:10 AM	#10
chelan17 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: seattle Watch: SS SUBMARINER, Posts: 6	Thanks guys! The knowledge here is incredible. I though I new watches, but now realize I know very little. I also have 2 Omegas, one Tag and my next purchase will be a Pan. But my 1st classic automatic was the Sub and even after more that 10 years it is still my favorite. Thanks, again.

6 May 2010, 02:07 PM	#13
JMIND "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Jerry Location: New Mexico Watch: 16610 M Series Posts: 1,084	You have a great watch; make sure you enjoy it!!!

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