Need help in buying a 16800 matte dial.

[IS2000]

I’m about to pull a trigger on a matte dial 16800. The price is decent for the condition of the watch (over polished and no accessories). I just need some help determining if the watch looks legit. Thank you.

[IS2000]

Additional photos

[alwayshere]

Need better pics of the dial to be honest.

The rest looks okay to me.

[IS2000]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

Need better pics of the dial to be honest.

The rest looks okay to me.

Had to resized the photo. Here’s a clear shot of the dial.

[alwayshere]

Looks fine.

The case as you have already identified, has been polished - slightly overpolished but i'm sure you have factored that in terms of price.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

I would not call this overpolished at all. Not even close. And I’m picky as hell.

Watch looks good. Case, bracelet, dial and hands look good. Also using the correct 593 endlinks. I doubt the insert is original, however. If it is, the pearl has been replaced, as these are known to fall out on older subs.

Curious to know the asking price, considering it’s naked.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

I would not call this overpolished at all. Not even close. And I’m picky as hell.

Watch looks good. Case, bracelet, dial and hands look good. Also using the correct 593 endlinks. I doubt the insert is original, however. If it is, the pearl has been replaced, as these are known to fall out on older subs.

Curious to know the asking price, considering it’s naked.

really? not the crown guards?

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

really? not the crown guards?

Sure, CGs are a tad thin, but overall this case is in nice condition to be sure.

[Swearengen]

Looks like service replacement hands, possible not tritium?

[IS2000]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

I would not call this overpolished at all. Not even close. And I’m picky as hell.

Watch looks good. Case, bracelet, dial and hands look good. Also using the correct 593 endlinks. I doubt the insert is original, however. If it is, the pearl has been replaced, as these are known to fall out on older subs.

Curious to know the asking price, considering it’s naked.

The price is around USD $8.7K which I think is okay. The right upper lug is slightly thinner than the rest.

[IS2000]

Originally Posted by Swearengen

Looks like service replacement hands, possible not tritium?

The seller stated the hands are tritium. I have seen some examples with lighter colored lume on the hands and they were original.

[Swearengen]

Ask for a UV light shot, that would confirm one way or the other. For me the colour mismatch is too much. Here's mine for reference

Originally Posted by IS2000

The seller stated the hands are tritium. I have seen some examples with lighter colored lume on the hands and they were original.

[IS2000]

Originally Posted by Swearengen

Ask for a UV light shot, that would confirm one way or the other. For me the colour mismatch is too much. Here's mine for reference

Beautiful watch!

[TuRo]

Look like older tritium hands to me...darker lume toward pinion, bluey hue to metal and quite a bit of light tarnishing...i'm slightly doubtful they are orig to watch also btw...

[GB2]

I have a doubt about the insert.
IMHO, it is a flat four for 16610. You need a semi flat four long tail serif insert.

My 2cts

[TuRo]

Here’s a few, you can see different dial, hands, insert hues - terrible phone photo I know.

[GB2]

Thanks Turo. I know the different dials... But i have always a doubt for the insert.
Best regards

[springer]

Some of these reviews here were spot on. The hands appear to have been changed at some point in time and the bezel insert is later than an early 1980s insert. The case has been polished but appears respectable to me. The dial is an original circa 1982 matte dial.

For the price paid, I'd say the buyer paid a reasonable price for this example.

Below is an example from 1982 found in my photo archives.

[Texasjim]

Nice watch for a nice price.

[GB2]

Originally Posted by springer

Some of these reviews here were spot on. The hands appear to have been changed at some point in time and the bezel insert is later than an early 1980s insert. The case has been polished but appears respectable to me. The dial is an original circa 1982 matte dial.

For the price paid, I'd say the buyer paid a reasonable price for this example.

Below is an example from 1982 found in my photo archives.

Thanks ! I agree with you.
Your watch has is a semi flat four long tail serif insert.

[springer]

Originally Posted by GB2

Thanks ! I agree with you.
Your watch has is a semi flat four long tail serif insert.

Wow, I never knew that about the insert. I guess that made it extra special!

[GB2]

Sorry, but I don't have another way to describe this 4...

[IS2000]

Thank you for your helpful advices. I already picked up the watch and it’s my first vintage Rolex piece.

[Swearengen]

I hope you enjoy your new watch

[XavierM]

Congrats and enjoy!
Later handset (lume buble on the second hand is too far from the center) and insert I would say.
Most probably a 90s service.