168000 Low serial

[FLASHBACK]

I own a Submariner 168000 that has a serial beginning with R8. I have owned this since 1989 when i bought it new. All the serials i have seen on 168000s begins with R9. This must mean that i have a very early 168000.

Does this fact make my 168000 even more valuable as a collectors watch?

Regards
Peter

[padi56]

Originally Posted by FLASHBACK

I own a Submariner 168000 that has a serial beginning with R8. I have owned this since 1989 when i bought it new. All the serials i have seen on 168000s begins with R9. This must mean that i have a very early 168000.

Does this fact make my 168000 even more valuable as a collectors watch?

Regards
Peter

Short answer no the only difference is the extra 0 on the case, yes it did have a short run,but not all short run Rolex watches are collectable, the 168000 is nice to have in any ones collection. But IMHO its not the be-all end-all in the Rolex line up,and today there are many 168000 that are faked simply by adding a extra 0 to the case.All the extra 0 was for the introduction of the 904L SS, but today not thought of as really collectable but a nice reference to have. .

[swish77]

The 168000 is a relatively rare reference to begin with, and is actually the rarest Sub reference ever. (It’s technically not even a reference. You won’t find the number on any original Rolex paperwork, manual, brochure, or case back. It’s actually a 16800 with an extra zero added to distinguish the new 914L steel at the time.)

That said, no R serial is the earliest, nor the rarest of this rare reference. I own a 9.3 million serial (1986), and I’ve seen at least one in the high 8 millions.

One other thing to keep in mind … rare doesn’t always translate to value. Still, a very cool reference that can take on great patina and interesting aging effects on the early gloss dials.

[Onequik135i]

Stunning example you have there swish.

[Tools]

Rolex never did anything by serial number, it's just a number.

Having one you think is unique gives you bragging rights, but not much else.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum

[jimcameron]

It's worth millions.

........well maybe not so much.

[Little machines]

Thank you again Peter for sharing your in depth knowledge and passion for us at the forum.

[Viscount1961]

AFAIK this reference started with cases in the 9 million series and then switched to R series cases. I owned an R593xxx (which was stolen in a burglary).