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need help with gen purchase form vintage expert :)


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Posted (edited)

Hi guys,

I'm not a great vintage expert but I could buy a nice 16800 Sub at a very reasonable price.

Now I'm wondering if it's gen or a good franken. Unfortunately I couldn't see the watch in person yet, I will do it in case I decide to buy it.

I''ve only those pics, I hope to get some movement pics soon.

All seems correct, endlinks ref 593, dial, bezel, datewheel, jsut a few doubts on the CG.

But it han no b&p, and the seller says it should be from the 90's, but if I'm not mistaken 16800 production ended in 1988

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance..

Pics:

1.jpg

2.jpg

3.jpg

4.jpg

Edited by w.genzo
Posted

Have a look between the lugs. Like you say, 16800 production ended around 1988. The last 16800's were R serials, as were the 168000 and the first 16610's.

But the watch looks fine to me.

Posted

Thanks guys, I'll see it in person on thursday, I'll keep you updated ;)

@Tribal, 168000 because of the colour of the steel? As far as I know the 904 steel should be the only difference vs 16800?

Posted

Thanks guys, I'll see it in person on thursday, I'll keep you updated ;)

@Tribal, 168000 because of the colour of the steel? As far as I know the 904 steel should be the only difference vs 16800?

No must be 316SS, 3035 Movement.

I thought about the Dial, normally a16800 has a matte Dial.

Posted (edited)

Well it has 593 endlinks so it could be either 16800 or 168000.

I did a quick search and seems that the only "upgrade" between later 16800 and 168000 was the steel used, 168000 uses 904L.

Should look like this one (post is of 2009, unfortunately it is not at that price :p)

http://www.rolexforu...ead.php?t=92779

Edited by w.genzo
Posted

Well it has 593 endlinks so it could be either 16800 or 168000.

I did a quick search and seems that the only "upgrade" between later 16800 and 168000 was the steel used, 168000 uses 904L.

Should look like this one (post is of 2009, unfortunately it is not at that price :p)

http://www.rolexforu...ead.php?t=92779

No 904L was used first at 16610 with 3135 Movement.

168000 was also 316L, that's what I know.

But who knows really?!?

Posted

No, the 16800 was 316L, 168000 was 904L as is the 16610.

16800 started out with a matte dial and then around 1984, Rolex introduced the current sub dial with the white gold surrounds. The same dial was used for the late 16800s, 168000s and the 16610. Tritium was replaced around 1998-9 with luminova, denoted 'Swiss' on the dial and shortly thereafter with SL- denoted 'Swiss Made'.

Posted

Alligoat is correct. I own a 16800 from 1984 With the mkIII matte dial. The 16800 was offered through 1988. 168000 for 7-8 months and then the 16610.

Keep one thing in mind since this is a gloss dial 16800 that it's value is lower then a matte 16800. Currently the 16800 mattes are the cheapest vintage Rolex sub since they are an in-between. Many view the gloss dial 16800 as mearly an "old" sub and thus with no significant value over a 16610. If the seller is asking more then 4-4.5k you are on the high end of a 16800 (especially for a gloss dial).

Also, the date changes counterclockwise and the time adjustment is the opposite of a 3135.

Posted

Thanks Alli & gavi, Very useful.

About the price yes I know that a matte dial would have been better but for this one I think price is fair, around 3,7k$ (no b&p)

I'm not sure to have the chance to open the caseback but If the date changes counterclockwise it could only be a 3035 movement, right?

And anyway I think it would be crazy to have all gen parts but the movement on a 16800 :)

3035u.jpg

Posted

That is a good price. I lucked out and got my 16800 for 3.5k. Figured I'd need to negotiate but the seller said ok to my surprise.

16800 uses a 3035. If the lugs say 16800, it is a quickset date and the date is counterclockwise it is a 3035.

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