THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 16610LV
YEAR: 2003
BOX/PAPERS: YES/YES
CASE DIAMETER: 40mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL:STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT:AUTOMATIC

In March 2004, a gentleman walked into a Rolex AD in Northampton to purchase a new watch for himself. He received a warm welcome and was invited to try on—and choose from—anything on display or in the catalogue, something we are rather unfamiliar with nowadays. After some time, he selected a Submariner with a rather unique green bezel. The shop assistant explained that this was a brand-new model, released just a few months earlier to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Submariner.

A brief back-and-forth later, the watch was sold for a whopping £2,650 (having spent the last few months on display...). Upon getting home, the gentleman placed the watch in his safe, among his rather impressive collection. What he did not expect was that the next time he would properly look at the watch would be some 13 years later, in 2017. As you can imagine, it looks exactly as it did the day it left the shop. No marks, no wear, and no ageing to the Super-LumiNova markers and hands.

However, while handling it (alongside his other watches), he suddenly noticed that something looked a little strange… Before reading further, we encourage you to scroll through Jake’s high-resolution photos to see if you can spot it.

Shocked by the discovery, the gentleman returned to the AD where he had purchased the watch over a decade earlier. They, too, could not believe their eyes. The watch was swiftly sent to Rolex UK for authentication. A few weeks later, it returned along with a letter from the store manager.

Drumroll—it bears belief that the dial on this watch is slightly misaligned. While the bezel and markers are perfectly aligned, all of the dial text, including the minute track, is tilted clockwise. In the manager’s words: “I can only put the misalignment down to human error or perhaps less rigorous quality control at the time of manufacture than is currently implemented.” Thankfully, the owner declined to have the issue corrected (despite it being offered), and the watch remains unworn.

We all know that early Flat Four “Kermits,” especially in untouched condition, have soared in popularity in recent years. However, what we have here is nothing short of a unicorn.

By the early 2000s, Rolex was producing hundreds of thousands of watches per year, with strict quality control and a largely streamlined manufacturing process. It is beyond belief that this watch was ultimately sold, having passed through countless watchmakers, technicians, and sales staff. To our knowledge, there has never been another example of a 16610LV with a similar issue discovered. It serves as a reminder that even the king of watches, the most consistent brand of all, can occasionally slip.

The watch comes complete with its original inner and outer boxes, wallet, booklets, calendar, swing tags, receipts, anchor, guarantee paper, and the letter from the AD. We are proud to present it for sale on the open market for the very first time.