Why have the used prices on the 16610LV risen so much lately?

[Joey_V]

When I got my first Rolex - it was 16610 vs 16610LV... I chose the 16610. I often wonder if I should have gone for the LV.

[rossi46]

Originally Posted by mountbaldy

It could be a an indirect rejection of the new Ceramics. PEople are realizing that Rolex used to produce quality pieces in the past.

Nothing says "quality" like that old-style stamped clasp!

[moviefreak]

There are less 16610lv made than 16610 so they are less seen around... Hard to get.. Not so much... Easy to sell yes... And nothing wrong if someone has one and wants to cash in on the rarity hype... If you can sell one for 2,000 more than what you paid for it there is nothing wrong with that...
Lots of people complain on high prices... But why should you sell something for 5,000usd when you can maybe sell it for 6,000usd...

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by rossi46

Nothing says "quality" like that old-style stamped clasp!

I have no problem with them. They work just fine, and the watches I have with them tend to be more comfortable wearing watches than the ones I have with the newer clasps.

Saying that though, the newer clasps do have their strentghs as well.

[rossi46]

Originally Posted by dddrees

They work just fine

Indeed, they do! I think one of the reasons someone can wear a vintage, decades-old Sub is because they work just fine.

But, when it comes to the quality one expects when paying over $7k for a luxury watch... it would be hard to argue that the older clasps were of a higher quality than the new style. That's all I was saying to mountbaldy.

[psv]

Since I just took delivery of a 16610LV here is what I found in my research.

The prices have sky-rocketed in less than 12 months. 6-8 months ago you could pick up a minty one for $5,200, now it is easily $6,500.

I did put up WTB ads for a couple of weeks here and on TZ - absolutely no offers.

I did search around and took a look at what came up and most of the ones offered at this point have been polished and/or serviced. Your miles may vary but I prefer unpolished cases. They may not collect much of a premium (unless they are unused, e.g. with stickers) but they are certainly more rare.

Also, there general price increase of the ceramic models tend to drive up prices on the older models as well.

I'm sure prices will stabilize soon, the current trajectory is not sustainable at all. It was never a really rare or overly popular watch. But then again, it wasn't long ago a 5513 was less/around $3,000 or a 1665 was $5-6,000. Or 2-3 years ago in the beginning of the crisis you could pick up a minty 116713 GMTIIC for $12K-$13K, now they are back over $20,000.

Who knows where it is going? I'm happy I got a mint one to use (not collect) before the craze got any worse. I paid good money for it but not as high as I've seen around here lately.

[Zed Homme]

There has always been a minor premium in LV prices vs the 16610LN. I expect this ratio to remain the same. I bought my z series for 4200 USD and thought it was pricy...lol

[rad87gn]

Got my late F for $5,100 new when they were going for a premium $6-$7K new back then. Doesn't seem like much has changed except the back then new prices are now the current used prices.

[ddnyc77]

its my favorite modern rolex. i think many others feel the same even though the differences from the standard 16610 are "minor". Maxi dial and hands do it for me with the added benefit of having a modern watch, ie lume that works and other modern comforts.

I do believe prices have increased in the past year or so, I do think you can still find deals thought if you are patient.

[swiss ghost]

bottom line, like it or not, the LV is simply much much much more valuable and rarer than your run of the mill sub date. period. Sure all kinds were produced over 7 years but not nearly as much as a regular sub date over that same 7 year period. I have NEVER seen anyone with a sub 50th EVER and in that same period ive seen tons of regular sub dates. sub LVs will always be worth more than a regular sub date and will continue to rise in value but eventually it will plateau

internet hype? who cares the LV is simply a sought after piece. Most haters dont own one and regret the day they passed on it

[swiss ghost]

Originally Posted by karmatp

It is basically sellers trying to cash in on less informed buyers. Mass produced for 7 years, wow, that does make them rare.

indeed MUCH MUCH rarer than your run of the mill sub date

FACT

[MJD]

Not so common in the wild, Sub date is a classic, but LV would always carry 50th anniversary distinction thus command premium price tag. Proud owner of an LV who also initially debated the purchase, but it became clear this was the Sub to celebrate the great history and tradition of a fine timepiece.

[Kanger]

I am so biased when I say this because I have 2 Z, 2 M, and 2 V BNIB stickered in my safes, so take my words with a grain of salt if you will. In my opinion, if we overlook the special makes such as 16710 with 3186 movement or the V serial 16600 Sea Dweller, the 16610LV as a whole, as a line of watch, will go down in history as the most aesthetically pleasing, most historically significant, and most well balanced stainless Rolex of the last 20 years. I love this watch to no end, followed so closely by the Sea Dweller, simply because I never see these two watches anywhere. The 16610LV is the most significant Rolex to me, and I believe a must have for any great Rolex collection.

[nch209]

Double post... Darn iPad.

[nch209]

All good points, although I think you mean 116718 and not 13.... A watch I should have bought in the low teens!!!!! Your lv is lookin good!!!

Originally Posted by psv

Since I just took delivery of a 16610LV here is what I found in my research.

The prices have sky-rocketed in less than 12 months. 6-8 months ago you could pick up a minty one for $5,200, now it is easily $6,500.

I did put up WTB ads for a couple of weeks here and on TZ - absolutely no offers.

I did search around and took a look at what came up and most of the ones offered at this point have been polished and/or serviced. Your miles may vary but I prefer unpolished cases. They may not collect much of a premium (unless they are unused, e.g. with stickers) but they are certainly more rare.

Also, there general price increase of the ceramic models tend to drive up prices on the older models as well.

I'm sure prices will stabilize soon, the current trajectory is not sustainable at all. It was never a really rare or overly popular watch. But then again, it wasn't long ago a 5513 was less/around $3,000 or a 1665 was $5-6,000. Or 2-3 years ago in the beginning of the crisis you could pick up a minty 116713 GMTIIC for $12K-$13K, now they are back over $20,000.

Who knows where it is going? I'm happy I got a mint one to use (not collect) before the craze got any worse. I paid good money for it but not as high as I've seen around here lately.

[psv]

Originally Posted by nch209

All good points, although I think you mean 116718 and not 13.... A watch I should have bought in the low teens!!!!! Your lv is lookin good!!!

Oh yes, of course I mean the 116718! My bad.

[Blue Owl]

Don't u guys realize that even people who hated green color love the LV. I hated green myself but I felt so great when acquired one a year ago. LV, for me is the only Rolex that represented the iconic color of Rolex (green) the most. This Rolex is gonna be the most sought after Rolex these years. About their prices that have risen lately? What can I say? We live in a crazy world.

#just my 2 cents#

[Andad]

Originally Posted by karmatp

It is basically sellers trying to cash in on less informed buyers. Mass produced for 7 years, wow, that does make them rare.

Another gem from Trevor's pen.

You didn't flip your 3186 Pepsi 'M' and your LV did you Trevor?

[Johny]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Another gem from Trevor's pen.

You didn't flip your 3186 Pepsi 'M' and your LV did you Trevor?

stunning pics ed.

[NYMike]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Demand is higher than supply.

Not by any stretch of the imagination. There is little demand for this watch. The only thing it has going for it is, again, people trying to make something out of nothing. It's an artificial rarity that's being perpetuated to somehow increase the value. People will try to look for any angle to make more money. In 100 years it will be in short supply - I guess they are factoring in the Future rarity.

There are probably 5-10 thousand for sale right now, with potentially Hundreds of customers..

[Johny]

if you took the last known official retail price of the lv before it was discontinued and then added all the subsequent price increases what would be the current official retail price?

[simonmcc]

Originally Posted by dddrees

The Daytona wasn't a big seller in the seventies either. Typically it's the real bad sellers and low production watches (LV) that are rare and then become extremely popular for some reason. Oh how things change.

There's hope for the rainbow Daytona yet then!

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by NYMike

Not by any stretch of the imagination. There is little demand for this watch.

There are probably 5-10 thousand for sale right now, with potentially Hundreds of customers..

Right now there are 19 for sale in Ebay USA and UK combined. A dozen or so on the watch forums.

Any idea where the other 9,970 LVs for sale are?

[chicfarmer1]

Originally Posted by psv

I'm happy I got a mint one to use (not collect) before the craze got any worse.

A stellar photo of a beautiful watch.

[ddnyc77]

Originally Posted by kanger

I am so biased when I say this because I have 2 Z, 2 M, and 2 V BNIB stickered in my safes, so take my words with a grain of salt if you will. In my opinion, if we overlook the special makes such as 16710 with 3186 movement or the V serial 16600 Sea Dweller, the 16610LV as a whole, as a line of watch, will go down in history as the most aesthetically pleasing, most historically significant, and most well balanced stainless Rolex of the last 20 years. I love this watch to no end, followed so closely by the Sea Dweller, simply because I never see these two watches anywhere. The 16610LV is the most significant Rolex to me, and I believe a must have for any great Rolex collection.

I'm with Daniel on this. He liked it so much he bought it 6 times. I on the other hand only bought it twice, so far....

[Kanger]

Originally Posted by ddnyc77

I'm with Daniel on this. He liked it so much he bought it 6 times. I on the other hand only bought it twice, so far....

Hahaha no doubt no doubt. Actually have owned a LV more than 10 times but finally wised up and kept 6. 2 Z clean without rehault, 2 M with different shades of green, and 2 cool V. Just toss them in the safe and "forgot'a about them"

[ddnyc77]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Right now there are 19 for sale in Ebay USA and UK combined. A dozen or so on the watch forums.

Any idea where the other 9,970 LVs for sale are?

this is true there are not 10k LVs for sale, prob a few dozen advertised on forums and ebay as you stated. Also note that the asking prices are in the 6-7k range on ebay. However if you do a search of "completed listings" you will see they are usually being sold in the 5s. I saw two about a month ago go for low 5s. Some also get hit in the 6s as well.

[ddnyc77]

Originally Posted by kanger

Hahaha no doubt no doubt. Actually have owned a LV more than 10 times but finally wised up and kept 6. 2 Z clean without rehault, 2 M with different shades of green, and 2 cool V. Just toss them in the safe and "forgot'a about them"

which ones do you wear?

[Johny]

another gratuitous pic.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Johny

another gratuitous pic.

Just awesome, love that green date wheel Johny.