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Lunette Verte · 21 September 2011, 08:35 AM

I am hoping to purchase a 16610 lv 50th anniversary watch and have recently found one with a 2003 Y 9xxxxx serial. Everythign checks out about it (the 93250 stamped on the band, the "Swiss Made" positioning, etc.) EXCEPT: the bezel looks as though it has been replaced with a bezel from a later model 16610lv. The "flat" four on the 40 is not there, it is instead a "pointed" four, which is much more common and not a characteristic of the early serial watches. Is it possible to find just the original bezel (doubtful) or should I avoid this watch, knowing that I will be owning most of a rare, yet still pieced together timepiece?

I love this watch and the early serial has such a strong draw, but it isn't quite all there. Has onyone run into this before?? Thanks for any advice!

ikovalchuk17 · 21 September 2011, 08:39 AM

You're going to have a hard time finding a correct bezel for it and if you do, you are going to pay a lot for it.

Lunette Verte · 21 September 2011, 08:49 AM

Yea I assumed that would be the case. The seller has told me that, while he is not the original owner, he has "been told by the watch tech, who is Rolex trained and certified, that it is the original bezel," whatever that's worth.

I know that there were watches made in late '04/early '05 that had the pointed 4 before it switched back to the flat 4, then again switched to the pointed 4 for good. This is the only thing givng me pause, as I guess it is possible that the watch came with a pointed 4 in late '03. Am I just trying to justify this, or has anyone heard of this before?

HL65 · 21 September 2011, 08:57 AM

No it didn't come with pointed 4 - it came with flat four. If you are buying it because you place value on having it then don't get it as you will never find correct insert. If you just want an LV and don't care about whether it is first series- then get it. Here is my 03' LV for your reference- and no I won't sell the insert!

L00ker · 21 September 2011, 09:00 AM

I've also done some research on this although don't have much of an opinion on your consideration... Past link I've found from TRF http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=175262

HL65 · 21 September 2011, 09:09 AM

Here is a good link giving you correct info on LV....Whether you place any extra value on having the Y and early F or not- note the correct differences.
http://www.timekeeperforum.com/showt...bmariner-dials

dddrees · 21 September 2011, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelerfan65

no it didn't come with pointed 4 - it came with flat four. if you are buying it because you place value on having it then don't get it as you will never find correct insert. If you just want an lv and don't care about whether it is first series- then get it. here is my 03' lv for your reference- and no i won't sell the insert!

x2

Sky-Dweller · 21 September 2011, 09:18 AM

The price is high for normal green inserts with pointed 4...think about the price for a flat 4 one...

HL65 · 21 September 2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alin plaiasu

The price is high for normal green inserts with pointed 4...think about the price for a flat 4 one...

I've never seen flat four green insert for sale and highly doubt he will! Again if one places premium on having a Y or early F then forget it. If you don't care and just want an LV then go for it!

Lunette Verte · 21 September 2011, 09:24 AM

Thanks for all the help guys.

MortgageGuy · 21 September 2011, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

No it didn't come with pointed 4 - it came with flat four. If you are buying it because you place value on having it then don't get it as you will never find correct insert. If you just want an LV and don't care about whether it is first series- then get it. Here is my 03' LV for your reference- and no I won't sell the insert!

X3... perfectly said

I certainly would not pay a premium for this watch as it is not 100% original... 100% authentic perhaps but not original. (this is meant for the OP's watch in question not the one pictured above with is GORGEOUS by the way)

DolphinV8 · 21 September 2011, 04:59 PM

Kinda curious if the RSC would service a LV w/ the wrong bezel insert? Still authentic, but it's replaced with either early or later insert?

le_baroudeur · 21 September 2011, 05:10 PM

For RSC, there is only one bezel insert: the green one! Pointed fours or flat fours are a WIS thing...

dddrees · 21 September 2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DolphinV8

Kinda curious if the RSC would service a LV w/ the wrong bezel insert? Still authentic, but it's replaced with either early or later insert?

It's entirely possible RSC was the one who replaced it to begin with. So I am sure they would service the watch.

padi56 · 21 September 2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by le_baroudeur

For RSC, there is only one bezel insert: the green one! Pointed fours or flat fours are a WIS thing...

Have to agree its a just a slight font difference.

Puffy · 21 September 2011, 10:22 PM

internet hype

condition is all that matters

Deep Sea · 21 September 2011, 10:51 PM

Chances are the change in the 4 from the first LV's to the later ones was evolutionary or supplier related. As long as it has a genuine Rolex green insert, regardless of the 4, they'll service it.

Johny · 22 September 2011, 12:26 AM

is it still a bargain given that it has the later insert?

Lunette Verte · 22 September 2011, 01:25 AM

It was difficult for me to figure what I would be willing to pay for it, but even though defining a bargain on items like this is very subjective, I did like the price. However it was on Ebay (I know, it's a very credible site) but that made me hesitant, and now the poster has taken it down early, with no bids, and sent me another message saying he had a couple other people ask him about why the bezel was not original. I guess if I really want it I can get in touch with him, it's been hard for me to find one of these watches so I'll keep it in mind. I think I need to start looking more on forums like this one. BTW thanks everyone for your help, I do appreciate it.

Johny · 22 September 2011, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunette Verte

It was difficult for me to figure what I would be willing to pay for it, but even though defining a bargain on items like this is very subjective, I did like the price. However it was on Ebay (I know, it's a very credible site) but that made me hesitant, and now the poster has taken it down early, with no bids, and sent me another message saying he had a couple other people ask him about why the bezel was not original. I guess if I really want it I can get in touch with him, it's been hard for me to find one of these watches so I'll keep it in mind. I think I need to start looking more on forums like this one. BTW thanks everyone for your help, I do appreciate it.

new and used ones for sale on here quite often.

there is one for sale now. never worn with all the plastics still on it.

21 September 2011, 08:35 AM	#1
Lunette Verte "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Derek Location: Seattle, WA Watch: 16610 LV Posts: 10	Novice needing advice. 16610 lv. I am hoping to purchase a 16610 lv 50th anniversary watch and have recently found one with a 2003 Y 9xxxxx serial. Everythign checks out about it (the 93250 stamped on the band, the "Swiss Made" positioning, etc.) EXCEPT: the bezel looks as though it has been replaced with a bezel from a later model 16610lv. The "flat" four on the 40 is not there, it is instead a "pointed" four, which is much more common and not a characteristic of the early serial watches. Is it possible to find just the original bezel (doubtful) or should I avoid this watch, knowing that I will be owning most of a rare, yet still pieced together timepiece? I love this watch and the early serial has such a strong draw, but it isn't quite all there. Has onyone run into this before?? Thanks for any advice!

21 September 2011, 08:57 AM	#4
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,006	No it didn't come with pointed 4 - it came with flat four. If you are buying it because you place value on having it then don't get it as you will never find correct insert. If you just want an LV and don't care about whether it is first series- then get it. Here is my 03' LV for your reference- and no I won't sell the insert! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

21 September 2011, 09:09 AM	#6
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,006	Here is a good link giving you correct info on LV....Whether you place any extra value on having the Y and early F or not- note the correct differences. http://www.timekeeperforum.com/showt...bmariner-dials __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

21 September 2011, 05:10 PM	#13
le_baroudeur "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rennes, FRANCE Posts: 802	For RSC, there is only one bezel insert: the green one! Pointed fours or flat fours are a WIS thing... __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Assoc. of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons.

21 September 2011, 10:22 PM	#16
Puffy "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Here and there Posts: 12,485	internet hype condition is all that matters __________________ Fine Quality is Long Remembered After the Pain of Spending Money is Forgotten

21 September 2011, 08:39 AM	#2
ikovalchuk17 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: LA Watch: ND Sub Posts: 371	You're going to have a hard time finding a correct bezel for it and if you do, you are going to pay a lot for it.

21 September 2011, 08:49 AM	#3
Lunette Verte "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Derek Location: Seattle, WA Watch: 16610 LV Posts: 10	Yea I assumed that would be the case. The seller has told me that, while he is not the original owner, he has "been told by the watch tech, who is Rolex trained and certified, that it is the original bezel," whatever that's worth. I know that there were watches made in late '04/early '05 that had the pointed 4 before it switched back to the flat 4, then again switched to the pointed 4 for good. This is the only thing givng me pause, as I guess it is possible that the watch came with a pointed 4 in late '03. Am I just trying to justify this, or has anyone heard of this before?

21 September 2011, 09:00 AM	#5
L00ker Banned Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Mark Location: Managua Posts: 56	I've also done some research on this although don't have much of an opinion on your consideration... Past link I've found from TRF http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=175262

21 September 2011, 09:18 AM	#8
Sky-Dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Alin Location: Italy Posts: 604	The price is high for normal green inserts with pointed 4...think about the price for a flat 4 one...

21 September 2011, 09:24 AM	#10
Lunette Verte "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Derek Location: Seattle, WA Watch: 16610 LV Posts: 10	Thanks for all the help guys.

21 September 2011, 04:59 PM	#12
DolphinV8 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Earth Watch: 16610LV Posts: 949	Kinda curious if the RSC would service a LV w/ the wrong bezel insert? Still authentic, but it's replaced with either early or later insert?

21 September 2011, 10:51 PM	#17
Deep Sea "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Martin Location: NC Watch: A Rolex or two Posts: 952	Chances are the change in the 4 from the first LV's to the later ones was evolutionary or supplier related. As long as it has a genuine Rolex green insert, regardless of the 4, they'll service it. __________________ Deep Sea A few Rolex & a Tudor Sub An Omega & a bunch of Breitling

22 September 2011, 12:26 AM	#18
Johny "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: john Location: Scotland Watch: sub 16610Lv Posts: 13,523	is it still a bargain given that it has the later insert? __________________ "AFTER DARK" BAR AND NIGHT CLUB GM.

22 September 2011, 01:25 AM	#19
Lunette Verte "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Derek Location: Seattle, WA Watch: 16610 LV Posts: 10	It was difficult for me to figure what I would be willing to pay for it, but even though defining a bargain on items like this is very subjective, I did like the price. However it was on Ebay (I know, it's a very credible site) but that made me hesitant, and now the poster has taken it down early, with no bids, and sent me another message saying he had a couple other people ask him about why the bezel was not original. I guess if I really want it I can get in touch with him, it's been hard for me to find one of these watches so I'll keep it in mind. I think I need to start looking more on forums like this one. BTW thanks everyone for your help, I do appreciate it.

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