Rolex
copy of submariner - war in gulf

Rolex submariner watch ref 16610 tritium country code 902 Serie L stamped by the military authority of the headquarters of the NATO forces in Germany during the deployment of the American air forces in the prelude to the gulf war in 1989. Following the adoption and the use of the Rolex Submariner (mil-sub) by the British Army, the submariner model was very fashionable within the armed forces. For a short period, the stores reserved for military personnel on NATO bases had the privilege of distributing Rolex watches for the attention of the armed forces and the military. The Country code (902 for this watch) on the warranty certificate certifies availability in the AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) store in Germany at Ramstein Air Base. A regrouping point for US air forces before deployment to NATO bases. In 1989, many squadrons before the Gulf War passed through the Ramstein AFB base before being deployed in the Gulf. Some Submariner 16610 were sold on this occasion to pilots before their assignment.

The Rolex submariner 16610 began its career in 1988. This L series watch is, therefore, to be considered one of the first versions of 16610. Dial with hour markers enhanced with tritium (swiss indication T <-25 at the bottom of the dial) with a natural eggshell patina. Sapphire crystal magnified by a cyclops magnifying glass to improve the visibility of the current date (window at three o'clock) inscriptions on four lines at the bottom of the dial with the mention submariner, 1000 ft/300 m and hard two lines below the mention COSC certifying that the watch is is a chronometer (superlative chronometer officially certified). At the top of the dial sits the crown, the brand logo and Rolex above the generic qualification of the brand's automatic watch series: oyster perpetual date. The circular time rail is indexed in minutes. The hands are enhanced with tritium, baton-shaped for the minutes, lollipop for the central seconds and Mercedes type for the hour.

The watch is equipped with a rotating bezel with unidirectional rotation indexed in minutes for the first quarter of an hour and five minutes after. The case is made of steel and has a diameter of forty millimetres. It has pierced horns for better disassembly of the bracelet. The bracelet is twenty millimetres wide, with very long oyster links, adjustable by adding or removing links. The folding clasp is fitted with an anti-opening safety clasp (clip-lock), and a bracelet length extension device is fitted to the buckle. A shoulder protects the screwed winding crown, the case back is screwed down, and the watch is water resistant to 30 ATM. 

The movement that drives the Rolex submariner 16610 is an automatic Rolex calibre 3135, equipped with thirty-one jewels. This movement works at twenty-eight thousand vibrations per hour and has a power reserve after a complete winding of forty-eight hours.

In terms of usage, this Rolex submariner 16610 is a professional model with timeless lines made by Rolex to equip action enthusiasts. A diver's watch equipped with non-magnetic and anti-shock devices, this watch is made to withstand without fail the hectic trajectories and lives of its owners. In terms of collection, the exceptional condition of the watch, which approaches the new state in which it was purchased, and its military provenance give it great testimonial value. Considered a safe bet in standard times for civilian models, this peculiarity of military origin makes it a remarkable distinction for any collector or investor.