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Rolex Submariner 16800 and 168000


Stephane

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Rolex Submariner 16800/168000 Project

 

Rolex16800_800_02B.jpg

 

Dear All,

 

Here is my funniest project so far: a rep of a transitional Rolex Submariner.

 

Preambule

 

I have no intention to pretend this is a 1:1 rep as it is totally impossible to build such a watch yet.

Let's say this is my attempt to create a different Sub with the help of MM.

:blush:

The final goal is to wear a heavily scratched and beaten watch.

A watch that would have been abused for almost 20 years, since 1989!

 

16800, 168000, 16610, transitions…

 

Once upon a time, there was a Submariner 1680 with a plexi glass and a slow beat movement

(Movement ref: 1575).

We all know the watch don't we?

The date cycloped Sub mother.

 

Gen1680White.jpg

 

My understanding is that the 1680 migrated to the 16610.

That is true of course, but didn't happen in one step though.

 

In 1977, for the 16800, Rolex introduced a sapphire crystal, a higher beat movement with quick set date (Caliber 3035 which was said to be worse than a 1575 according to MM).

The dept rating on the dial changed from 660 to 1000 feet.

A star is born (I mean the 16610 is on it's way).

 

16800MateDial.jpg

 

On the above photo, we see a 16800.

It has a sapphire crystal and a mate dial, without white gold surrounded hour markers thus.

 

Around 1985, the dial changed for a glossy one with lume markers surrounded by white gold circles (see photo here under).

The movement was still the same, the 3035, and so was the date wheel.

 

16800GlossyWG.jpg

 

1989: from what I found, there is one more variation before the 16610 birth: the 168000!

This one carries white gold surrounded hour markers too but a different steel quality (904 instead of 316).

(EDIT: and date wheel (like on the 16610) as the movement is now the great 3135! According to Alligoat, that is not true  :p Thanks for the update  ;)  ).

It was produced during less than a year and was replaced by the 16610 with the same steel grade and movement.

 

Primetime24_168000_01.jpg

 

My Noobmariner

 

The project started with a Noobmariner that I got from TTK.

It's a 70€ watch!

My NoobMariner testimonial is here

 

RolexSubmariner16610NoobMariner_-25.jpg

 

The LugHoles

 

RolexSubmariner16610NoobMariner_-23.jpg

 

The first step to build a "transitional" is of course to get a lugholed case.

As I had no TW Best, I decided to go for the Noobmariner and find a way to have lug holes drilled.

Unfortunately, it was not easy to find a member here to help a few weeks ago.

After Omega's thread, we know it is possible. (Good luck with the 1.000 PMs Bobby!)

Anyway, my friend Rosnik helped me and sent me back My Noob with "pre-drilled holes" for the Noob bracelet that is.  :1a:

 

RolexSubmariner16610NoobMariner_-24.jpg

 

The next step was to drill them a bit more to accept gen springbars.

That is what MM did.  :good:

 

Rolex16800_800_11.jpg

 

Now that it is done, the watch accepts genuine 501b end links …and a genuine 93150

 

Rolex16800_800_14.jpg

 

The dial

 

RolexSubEbayDial_800_03.jpg

 

That is the dial I was offered by a guy on eBay. It's not in perfect state of course, but I like it very much.

Bear in mind this project is about a beater.

 

Now, it is installed on the watch and looks much better. :yu:

 

Rolex16800_800_04B.jpg

 

The insert

 

We went for a genuine insert and pearl of course that I bought on R-L-X.de.

It is the most expensive part of the watch and it looks great too, isn't it  :wub:

Beautifully cracked pearl!

 

Rolex16800_800_07B.jpg

 

The Crown and tube, the crown guards

 

I've been fortunate to find a matching old genuine crown. It is a 24-703-0 but the older one.

The coronet is higher and thinner, and the cutout at the base is more elliptic than round.

 

Rolex16800_800_09.jpg

 

The tube is a Clark one though.

 

Rolex16800_800_13.jpg

 

The CGs have NOT been shaved as how they look out of the box is closer to how they looked on the 16800/0.

I am following my friend MM's advice here and agree.

 

Rolex16800_800_12.jpg

 

Hands, Lume and Crystal.

 

The Noob hands needed to be aged so they match the dial colour.

 

Rolex16800_800_04D.jpg

 

No PhotoShop, not special exposure, this is a genuine dial...remember?

As you can see, the hands and markers match…and have no lume anymore  :o

 

Rolex16800_800_15.jpg

 

I have a Clark crystal ready to install as this one is not accurate at all ;)

 

Rolex16800_800_10.jpg

 

Movement.

 

The movement is the original Asian one, from the Noobmariner, and honestly, I like the look of it very much.

 

RolexSubmariner16610NoobMariner_-3.jpg

 

The end

 

The Jury says:

because of the "modern" date wheel, despite the movement is the slower beat one, the here above modded watch is now a 168000.

 

Yippeee ;)

 

Hope you enjoyed this nice little project.

Thanks for looking and reading.

 

:bye1:

 

Cheers

 

Stephane

 

Rolex16800_800_03B.jpg

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Guest carlsbadrolex

Interesting watch, there is one very simple change that I would make. Have the tube removed again and bevel the case so that it sits flush. Please dont ask me why, but seeing the beveled edge on tubes drives me crazy. Especially when so much care was taken with everything else.

Besides that one issue (which doesnt seem to bother most people) the watch is incredible! I LOVE the insert and pearl!

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wow - what a crazy project :D

you kept the asian movement and put a gen bracelet on the watch ?

that's the spirit ! :D

thanks for sharing !

Frank

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What a great project. You forgot to mention one thing though... 16800 and 168000 have shallower rehauts, so the Noobmariner case is excellent base for that reason too.

I'd love to get a no-date Sub built around the Noob case. It has shallower rehaut as well.

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You are "sick"!!!

Wow, guys, thanks so much for your nice words and comments.

:unsure:

I was about to quote all of you and reply to each one.

But I think ElPrimero sums it up :Jumpy:

Seriously, I would like to say the following:

- I have been a Rolex fan for a long long time but I didn't have any knowledge about these babies.

- I learned every day because I once became a member of this community where I met some great friends and some great artists.

I won't name them all, you know who you are.

Some sent me a part really difficult to find, some sent valuable information and some took the time to work on my watches (Thanks Tribal for your patience ;) ).

- BUT I have to add that I met a very nice person here, a "Rolex Living Bible", Monsieur MM (MM = Mystery Modder).

Not only he can put these projects togheter which is trully wonderfull but also he did educate me and still is educating me about the history of Rolex.

Some of you know who I am talking about.

For those who don't, sorry to say that I cannot share the information on who is MM as I promised I never would say it.

We put togheter a lot of watches and accomplished some crazy projects like the 1665 Trilogy, or the (soon to be published finally) 1680 Couple.

I am the one who goes "on stage" and collect the congrats.

I think that today it's fair to say that if my sick mind envisions the projects, none of them would ever have been come to reality without my friend MM.

Cheers and thanks to all of you.

A special thank to MM: you rock :1a:

Stephane

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Don't worry Steph, we're all sick. But I don't mind this sickness.

Everybody have their weird obsessions and dirty little secrets. Watches aren't among the dirtiest ones, imho. :)

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I have no idea if another crystal would fit Mrandazzo

We'll see. The one I have is not the Clark that is usually used on genuine, but the other one.

@ Tribal : What would the right case be in your opinion?

Cheers & thanks again

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Stephane has a horrible disease (RDD) :p and I think I have it too now :rolleyes::D

Problem is:

1) does the noob accept gen/aftermarket crystal? :oNO

2) Wouldn't be a better to use a new mbw with lugholes? :unsure:YES

Anyway, congrats man! :thumbsupsmileyanim:

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