What Is a Fake Rolex 16610LV v2?
A fake Rolex 16610LV v2 is the second production batch of a replica Kermit Submariner, the green-bezel 40mm dive watch Rolex sold from 2003 to 2010. The v2 label comes from the factory or the seller, not from Rolex. Each version fixes flaws found in the batch before it, so the real differences sit in the bezel insert color, the dial print, the case shape, and the movement.
How to Spot a Fake Rolex 16610LV V10
Rolex built the original 16610LV on a caliber 3135 with an aluminum green insert and a maxi dial. A replica earns the v2 name when it copies those three features with fewer mistakes than v1.
What Changed From v1 to v2?
Factories do not publish changelogs. Buyers compare side-by-side photos and note the fixes.
- Insert hue moves closer to the dull olive green of the original, with less orange in daylight.
- The lume pip sits flatter and closer to center instead of doming above the insert.
- Dial text is thinner, and the 1000ft = 300m line spaces out like the original.
- Date wheel font and cyclops magnification get corrected.
- Some builds swap an ETA 2824 for a 3135 clone with a smoother sweep and correct crown height.
- Bracelet solid end link fit tightens, and the clasp stamping looks cleaner.
Two sellers can both advertise a v2 and ship different watches. Always ask for photos of the exact piece in stock.
Which Parts Decide Quality on a 16610LV Replica?
Bezel Insert
The LV insert is aluminum. That means a matte surface, a distinct raised pip, and a slight gray tone inside the green. Any replica that shows a glossy, ceramic-like finish reads wrong from across a table. Check the 60-minute scale too: numbers should be sharp with no bleed at the edges.
Dial and Hands
The maxi dial is the giveaway. Markers and hands on the LV are wider than on a standard 16610. Lume fill should sit level with the metal surround rather than puffing above it. The SWISS MADE line at six o'clock carries small serifs on both ends.
Case, Crown Guards, and Lugs
A 16610 case measures about 40mm across without the crown and about 12.8mm thick. Crown guards should be slim and rounded, not squared off. Lugs taper with a subtle curve, and drilled lugs only appear on examples copied from early production years.
Movement
Two movements show up in 16610LV replicas: the ETA 2824 clone and the 3135 clone. The 2824 family beats at 28,800 vph and any competent watchmaker can service it. A 3135 clone matches the winding feel, crown position, and beat of the original, but repair options are narrower.
Bracelet and Clasp
The 93250 Oyster bracelet with solid end links should meet the case with no visible gap. Flip the clasp and expect stamped codes that match no real reference. Flimsy links that rattle on the wrist point to a low-grade build.
How Do You Spot a Low-Grade 16610LV Replica?
- Insert turns bright green under indoor light. The original leans olive.
- Cyclops does not magnify at 2.5x.
- Date sits off-center or crowds the window edge.
- Crown guards look square and thick.
- Bezel rotation feels loose with back-play.
- Hands are too thin for a maxi dial.
- Rehaut engraving looks deep, wavy, or uneven in height.
- Solid end links show a gap or a step where they meet the case.
Checks 1 through 4 are the ones a collector runs first. Get those right and the watch reads well on the wrist.
What Should You Ask a Seller Before Buying?
- Which factory built the watch, and which batch number it came from.
- Which movement is inside, and whether spare parts exist for it.
- Photos of the insert in daylight, not studio light.
- Whether the case back has been pressure-tested.
- Return policy and shipping method.
- Water-resistance claims in writing.
A seller who dodges the movement question hides something. Ask twice and walk away if the answers stay vague.
Do You Need a 3135 Clone?
No, and many buyers do better without one. A 2824 clone costs less, keeps time, and repairs at any local shop. Pick the 3135 clone only if you care about the winding feel and the correct hand stack, and you have a watchmaker who will touch it.
Care and Servicing Notes
Rinse the case with fresh water after salt exposure, keep the crown screwed down, and store the watch away from magnets and speakers. Aluminum inserts scratch, so keep the bezel off rough surfaces. A clean and oil service every three to five years keeps an ETA-based build running.