In 2024, replica Rolex was responsible for about one-third of Swiss watch exports, and it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that it sparked nearly twice as much discussion among enthusiasts that year. Blogs, articles, social media, and watch meetups were overflowing with dedicated fans analyzing every detail about Rolex in an attempt to distinguish between models. It’s both overwhelming and captivating. Part of the reason we can dive so deeply into just one brand is that, while replica Rolex essentially carries the marketing weight of the Swiss watch industry, they reveal very little about their updates. The Rolex approach over the years has been one of small, incremental tweaks in the pursuit of perfection. This is why the 2023 update to the replica Rolex Submariner (ref. 126610LV) is so interesting — almost nothing changed, yet Rolex (sort of) acknowledged it. As expected, the modification was minimal, and in the case of the replica Rolex Submariner 126610LV, often called the “Kermit” or “Starbucks” (because why settle for just one nickname?), the only difference was a slight change in the green bezel color.
Before diving into the details, let’s cover the basics. The 2023 replica Rolex Submariner 126610LV is a stainless steel dive watch with a 41mm case, 12mm thickness, and a lug-to-lug measurement of 47.6mm, paired with an oyster bracelet. The steel case and bracelet are made from a material the brand calls “Oystersteel,” which is essentially 904L stainless steel but produced in Rolex’s own foundry, making its exact composition proprietary. The 904L alloy contains more nickel, chromium, copper, and molybdenum, providing superior corrosion resistance and a more reflective polished finish than the usual 316L steel. Atop the case is a unidirectional 120-click bezel with a Cerachrom ceramic insert for tracking elapsed time. The numerals on the bezel are coated with a thin layer of PVD platinum, giving them a silvery white hue with minimal shine. A flat sapphire crystal, complete with a magnifying cyclops over the date, sits above the dial. Previously, Rolex listed the magnification at 2.5x, but this is no longer officially mentioned. The glossy black dial contains six lines of text and features luminous indices filled with Chromalight. The ensemble is completed by polished white gold hands — the iconic Mercedes hour hand, baton-style minute hand, and a lollipop seconds hand — all driven by the in-house 3235 movement. This Superlative Chronometer movement is accurate to within ±2 seconds per day, resistant to shocks and magnetism, and offers around 70 hours of power reserve. The oyster bracelet extends seamlessly from the case, tapering from 21mm to 18mm, and includes a quick adjustment system in the clasp. There’s no denying the Submariner is packed with everything you’d expect from a high-end dive watch, but this isn’t just a standard review — it’s an exploration of the nuances around this particular model and the subtle bezel color change that only true watch enthusiasts would notice.
To clarify, Clone Rolex never issued an official statement about the color change. However, it was verbally confirmed by Rolex staff at Watches and Wonders 2023, as well as in boutiques and authorized dealers worldwide. This is about as close as you’ll get to an official Rolex confirmation when it comes to adjustments in color. The Rolex GMT Master II “Pepsi” has gone through multiple color shifts over time as the brand fine-tunes its use of colored ceramics, yet none of these changes have ever been formally acknowledged.
So why acknowledge the change this time? Some speculate that the new color is just a slight return to the green bezel of the original Submariner ref. 16610LV. Others think it’s a subtle nod to the 70th anniversary of the Submariner, and that Rolex didn’t have anything more significant planned. Although this is mostly speculation, it quickly became the accepted explanation and was first reported by Adrian Barker during last year’s watch event. Personally, I believe Rolex simply altered the formula, and after one person mentioned it, they decided to run with it. While Rolex isn’t one to shy away from celebrating, a 70th anniversary doesn’t seem like a particularly important milestone, and a quiet color change feels like a lackluster way to mark such an occasion.