A fake Rolex 16610LV is a counterfeit or replica copy of the Submariner Date 16610LV, the 40mm steel dive watch Rolex released in 2003 with a green aluminum bezel to mark the Submariner's 50th anniversary. Genuine examples use the caliber 3135 movement, a black maxi dial, and a specific shade of green on the insert, while replicas vary from cheap quartz-driven lookalikes to high-grade "super clones" that copy the case geometry and movement architecture. Spotting one comes down to the bezel insert color and font, the lume pip, the cyclops magnification, and the engravings on the case and rehaut.

What makes the 16610LV different from a standard Submariner?

The 16610LV shares the 16610 case but swaps the black bezel insert for green and adds larger hour markers on the dial, a combination collectors nicknamed the "Kermit." It stayed in the catalog until 2010, when the ceramic-bezel 116610LV replaced it. Because the LV was a limited-appeal anniversary model at launch, it now trades well above a standard 16610, which is exactly why counterfeits exist.

How do you tell a fake 16610LV from a genuine one?

• Bezel insert hue and font: genuine inserts sit in one narrow green range with crisp, evenly spaced numerals; most replicas run too yellow, too flat, or too bright.
• Lume pip: the pearl on a real insert is set flush inside a metal ring, not glued on top of the surface.
• Cyclops: genuine magnification is about 2.5x, so the date fills the lens; counterfeits usually land near 2x.
• Rehaut engraving: later production 16610LV examples carry a crisp "ROLEX ROLEX" ring that aligns with the dial; clone engraving often looks shallow or misaligned.
• Case and crown guards: genuine guards are asymmetric and hand-finished, while replica guards tend to look symmetrical and sharp.
• Laser coronet: the etched crown at 6 o'clock on the crystal should be visible only at an angle, and it should have the correct dot pattern.

What movement sits inside a replica 16610LV?

Cheap replicas use quartz or basic Asian automatic movements that tick rather than sweep and have no date-change snap. Mid-tier copies run a 2836-style automatic with a decorated rotor. The most convincing replicas use a clone of the caliber 3135, which copies the bridge layout and winding feel but rarely matches Rolex timing tolerances or the smooth 28,800 vph sweep.

How much do fake 16610LV watches cost?

Entry-level fakes sell for roughly $60 to $150, mid-tier automatics for $200 to $350, and high-grade clones for $450 and up. A genuine 16610LV typically runs several thousand dollars and above on the secondary market, so any "Kermit" offered near clone pricing is not authentic. Buyers who pay super-clone money still receive a watch with no service network, no parts support, and no resale value.

Is buying a fake Rolex 16610LV legal?

No. In the United States, importing or trafficking counterfeit goods violates trademark law, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize shipments and pursue penalties. Selling a counterfeit as genuine is fraud in every U.S. state, and even reselling a replica while disclosing it can create liability. Authentication by a qualified watchmaker is the only reliable protection for a buyer.