The Rolex Submariner ref. 16610 is the one a lot of people quietly prefer, even if they don’t say it out loud. It has that older-school balance: slimmer lugs, a lighter feel on the wrist, and proportions that look “right” in a way the newer, beefier Subs don’t always manage. Aluminum bezel, drilled-lug era for many examples, and just enough vintage character without feeling like something you’re scared to wear.
It also happens to be a strap monster. Not because it looks good on everything, but because the watch has a calmer presence. It doesn’t fight the strap. It lets the strap change the mood.
Strap sizing that actually matters on the 16610
Here’s the part that keeps you from ordering the wrong strap and then trying to convince yourself it’s fine.
The Submariner 16610 is a 40mm case and uses a 20mm lug width. That’s the hard spec.
On Helvetus product pages, the exact option you need to select is Submariner 40mm.
Even though the 16610 is older than the ceramic models, the selection still matters because fit around the case is what makes a Sub look intentional on rubber. Choose something else and you’ll see it at the lugs straight away.
If you want the simplest pre-checkout rule: when you’re on the product page dropdown, click Submariner 40mm and you’re good.
Three straps that suit the 16610 without ruining its charm
A 16610 can play it safe and classic, or it can lean into the fun side of a Submariner. Because it has an aluminum bezel and a slightly softer silhouette, bold colors often look better on it than they do on a modern ceramic Sub.
Black deployant rubber
This one is the “this should’ve been an OEM option” look. Black rubber on a black-dial 16610 keeps everything clean and purpose-driven, but the overall feel becomes more casual and wearable than the bracelet.
On this reference, black rubber also makes the case look even slimmer, which is a nice bonus. It turns the watch into that perfect daily piece you don’t have to think about. Jeans, office, travel, whatever. If you only want one strap for the 16610, black is still the sensible answer.
Orange deployant rubber
Orange Submariner Rubber Strap
Orange is where the 16610 gets interesting.
On a modern Sub, orange can feel a bit too “look at me.” On the 16610 it feels playful in a way that still makes sense, almost like a nod to vintage dive gear, faded bezel inserts, and that whole era when tool watches were actually used as tools.
It’s also the kind of strap that makes you wear the watch more. Suddenly you’re reaching for the Sub on weekends, on sunny days, on vacations. It pairs ridiculously well with neutral outfits, and it gives the watch a personality shift without changing the watch itself.
Black/Red LuxLine ® (deployant)
Black/Red Submariner Rubber Strap
This is the “sport mode” strap.
The black keeps it grounded, and the red adds just enough punch to make the 16610 feel sharper and more modern. I like it on this reference because the 16610 can sometimes look almost too understated, especially if you’re used to newer Rolex proportions. The black/red combo gives it a bit more edge without turning it into a costume.
It’s also a good choice if you want something that stands out a little, but you’re not ready to go full orange. Consider it the confident middle step.
Picking the right strap from Helvetus
If you’re the type who likes having options (and honestly, with a 16610 you should), the Submariner collection page is the easiest place to browse without bouncing around:
Submariner Rubber Straps
You’ll see a variety of colors, and the straps are available in both deployant and pin buckle versions. Some people love deployant for the consistent feel and secure closure once it’s sized. Others stick with pin buckle because it’s quick, classic, and makes strap swaps feel effortless.
Whatever route you go, the key point is that these straps are designed specifically to sit properly on the Submariner case profile, so the watch still looks like a Submariner, not a great watch on a slightly wrong strap.
The closing truth about the 16610 on straps
The 16610 is one of the few Rolex sports models that can look equally “correct” dressed up or dressed down, and straps only exaggerate that strength. Get the fit right, pick a color that matches how you actually live, and the watch becomes even more of a keeper.
Helvetus helps on the practical side too: lifetime warranty, a design that’s made to fit this Submariner generation properly, free worldwide shipping, and no import costs to surprise you at checkout. Add the fact that they’re trusted by 30,000+ customers worldwide, and it’s the kind of purchase that feels low-risk in a category where a lot of straps are basically a gamble.
Black for daily. Black/red when you want energy. Orange when you want the 16610 to feel like summer.
