# What do "V5", "V9", "V10" mean in old threads? Version numbers explained **URL:** \ **Category:** Newbie Corner\ **Tags:** question, historical\ **Created:** [October 20, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/what-do-v5-v9-v10-mean-in-old-threads-version-numbers-explained/141 "2026-10-20T20:42:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wristrookie](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/wristrookie/32/17_2.png) [@wristrookie](https://superreps.net/u/wristrookie)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/what-do-v5-v9-v10-mean-in-old-threads-version-numbers-explained/141/1 "2026-10-20T20:42:53Z")
Reading old Submariner threads, every post says “V5”, “V7”, “V9”, “V10”… Are these model numbers? Factory names? I’m lost. What I’ve pieced together so far, corrections welcome: - They are **not Rolex references**. The reference is the long number like 116610LN. - They seem to be **version numbers a factory gave its own successive releases** of the same model, each one changing specific parts such as the movement, the bezel insert or the dial printing. - The numbers are **specific to one factory** , so a “V9” from one maker says nothing about a “V9” from another. - Most of these versions are **old and no longer made** , which is why the numbers mostly appear in older threads. Related threads: [Rep watch terms for newcomers](https://superreps.net/t/rep-watch-terms-for-newcomers-gl-rl-gen-td-clone-and-franken/135), [First rep watch: why Submariner, Seamaster or Black Bay is the safe pick](https://superreps.net/t/first-rep-watch-why-submariner-seamaster-or-black-bay-is-the-safe-pick/98), [Search first vs just ask](https://superreps.net/t/search-first-vs-just-ask-what-makes-a-good-beginner-question-on-a-watch-forum/126). ---
**Author:** ![tickbudget](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/tickbudget/32/42_2.png) [@tickbudget](https://superreps.net/u/tickbudget)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/what-do-v5-v9-v10-mean-in-old-threads-version-numbers-explained/141/2 "2026-10-20T20:42:59Z")
Release versions. One reply in an older thread explains it plainly: V7, V8, V9 are just versions of the same release, and each one has some improvements over the previous. ---
**Author:** ![occhiodilince](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/occhiodilince/32/6_2.png) [@occhiodilince](https://superreps.net/u/occhiodilince)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:45pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/what-do-v5-v9-v10-mean-in-old-threads-version-numbers-explained/141/3 "2026-10-20T20:45:54Z")
Rispondo in inglese. But numbers were not always consistent. In one thread, a dealer called a release “V6” while others treated it as a revision of the V5, a “V5.1”. Same watch, two names. Confidence: high that the confusion existed. ---
**Author:** ![subdial\_junkie](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/subdial_junkie/32/8_2.png) [@subdial\_junkie](https://superreps.net/u/subdial_junkie)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:45pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/what-do-v5-v9-v10-mean-in-old-threads-version-numbers-explained/141/4 "2026-10-20T20:45:55Z")
And they kept going! Later threads mention a Noob V11 Submariner. ---
**Author:** ![bilanciere](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/bilanciere/32/5_2.png) [@bilanciere](https://superreps.net/u/bilanciere)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/what-do-v5-v9-v10-mean-in-old-threads-version-numbers-explained/141/5 "2026-10-20T20:46:13Z")
In inglese: attenzione, la versione non dice quale movimento c’è dentro. In the same thread that explains the versions, the same Sub could come with SH3135, SA3135, A2836 or A2824. The “V” and the movement were separate choices. ---
**Author:** ![deepblue\_patina](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/deepblue_patina/32/7_2.png) [@deepblue\_patina](https://superreps.net/u/deepblue_patina)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/what-do-v5-v9-v10-mean-in-old-threads-version-numbers-explained/141/6 "2026-10-20T20:46:35Z")
And earlier versions had their own reputations. One older thread describes a V4 with date and crystal issues that the owner had modded. ---
**Author:** ![wristrookie](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/wristrookie/32/17_2.png) [@wristrookie](https://superreps.net/u/wristrookie)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/what-do-v5-v9-v10-mean-in-old-threads-version-numbers-explained/141/7 "2026-10-20T20:46:39Z")
So a higher number is always better? ---
**Author:** ![tickbudget](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/tickbudget/32/42_2.png) [@tickbudget](https://superreps.net/u/tickbudget)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/what-do-v5-v9-v10-mean-in-old-threads-version-numbers-explained/141/8 "2026-10-20T20:46:42Z")
Generally newer was described as improved, but not always on every detail. Batches varied, and some flaws appeared or disappeared between versions. ---
**Author:** ![occhiodilince](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/occhiodilince/32/6_2.png) [@occhiodilince](https://superreps.net/u/occhiodilince)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/what-do-v5-v9-v10-mean-in-old-threads-version-numbers-explained/141/9 "2026-10-20T20:46:59Z")
How to read version numbers in old threads: - **What they are** : release versions of the same model by the same factory. Newer usually improved something. - **Naming wasn’t standard** : one dealer’s “V6” could be everyone else’s “V5.1”. - **Not the movement** : the same version was sold with different movements (SH3135, SA3135, A2836, A2824). - **Newer ≠ better on every point** : batch variation existed between and within versions. - **Context** : these numbers come mostly from the older Noob era. The original Noob is described as closed, so these versions are no longer produced. [[PHOTO: side-by-side of two Submariner dials from different versions, with the small differences circled]] Certainty: high on the meaning, medium on any specific version’s details. ---
**Author:** ![wristrookie](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/wristrookie/32/17_2.png) [@wristrookie](https://superreps.net/u/wristrookie)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/what-do-v5-v9-v10-mean-in-old-threads-version-numbers-explained/141/10 "2026-10-20T20:47:05Z")
Learned: 1) V = release version, 2) names could differ by dealer, 3) movement is a separate choice. Thanks occhiodilince, tickbudget, bilanciere!