A Closer Look at Rolex Anniversary Models

Unlike most other luxury watch brands, Rolex does not produce limited editions or collaborative editions with big-name celebrities. However, Rolex does occasionally produce special commemorative editions to mark the major anniversaries of some of its most iconic models. While these fake Rolex watches do not have any markings that explicitly state that they are commemorative editions, they do all commemorate a specific milestone anniversary.
The Rolex Submariner, first introduced in 1953, was one of the world’s first dive watches, and to celebrate the line’s 50th anniversary in 2003, Rolex released the reference 16610LV. In terms of its core design and functionality, the Submariner 16610LV is identical to the standard model 16610. 16610, with its identical 40mm stainless steel case and 3135 movements. However, where it differs from the standard Submariner 16610 is in its dial and bezel.
While the dial of the Rolex Submariner 16610LV remains black with luminous hour markers, it represents the first modern Maxi dial, a style characterized by larger hands and hour markers. What’s more, the most striking feature of the 50th Anniversary Edition 16610LV is its bright green color. The most striking feature of the 16610LV is its bright green aluminum bezel, which represents the first time a stainless steel submariner has been available in any color other than black and the first time green has appeared in its iconic dive watch collection.
The first Rolex GMT-Master was released in 1955, and although it was eventually discontinued to make way for the more capable GMT-Master II, most collectors see the updated model as a continuation of the original collection. In 2005, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rolex’s iconic multi-time pilot’s watch, replica Rolex released the number 116618LN, the GMT-Master II.
In addition to the traditional model with a white or black dial, there is a black dial variant with a distinctive green sapphire crystal. Just like before, this watch is available with either a black or white dial; however, the diameter of the case has increased to 42 mm and it has received the updated 3187 calibers. Furthermore, when the 50th anniversary of the Explorer II comes around in 2022, Rolex has barely changed the design of the watch, just tweaking a few minor design elements and adding an updated movement, which makes the Explorer II 40th Anniversary 216570 even more prominent in the overall history of this purpose-built collection.
Rolex certainly knows how to celebrate a milestone anniversary in style, and the brand’s various anniversary edition replica diamond watches have been a favorite of many collectors. We look forward to seeing what else the Swiss watchmaking giant can come up with to mark future anniversaries of its top models!