Let's see those much loved Transitional models...

[Clay]

Well…Much loved by those of us who own them anyway…

Pooh poohed by most die-hard vintage fans and just plain ignored by the modern crowd,
the transitional models, (16800, 16660, 16750) are,
without a doubt, the most underrated Rolex Sports Watches ever made…

Perhaps it's for that reason that I am so drawn to them…???

I have always had a fondness for the underdog...

So if you are lucky enough to own one…Let's see it…!!!!!!!!!

Here are mine…Cheers…



7.4 Mil




Another 7.4 mil




8.0 mil




9.4mil

[Jason71]

I love 'em also. I just need to find the right 666. Here are my two:

16800 with a gloss dial. This one is crisp. The bracelet is so stiff it feels brand-new. I don't believe it has ever been polished and chamfers are super. It has no doubt spent much of its life in a safe. I need to get a decent dial shot of it



My matte 16800. This one is a great watch as a daily.

[Clay]

Originally Posted by Jason71

I love 'em also. I just need to find the right 666. Here are my two:

16800 with a gloss dial. This one is crisp. The bracelet is so stiff it feels brand-new. I don't believe it has ever been polished and chamfers are super. It has no doubt spent much of its life in a safe. I need to get a decent dial shot of it



My matte 16800. This one is a great watch as a daily.

Wonderful indeed…Would love to see a shot of the dial on that Gloss 16800...

[Vincent65]

I agree, C, and I love them - yours are fab examples, esp the 7.4s.
Nearest I have is the 16600, but it doesn't count here.

Also - nice one, Jason.

[nsumner]

Nice pics boys!

Here's a 16750.

I have to say a matte 666 is on my radar, big time!

[CrownMe]

Love those models!!! Keep the pics coming guys!

[JustinK]

Nice watches! Here is my 16750.

[diverdick]

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Clay

Wonderful indeed…Would love to see a shot of the dial on that Gloss 16800...

I will try and shoot a couple more pics of it tomorrow

[michel33]

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[bluemartinifan]

Late to the party!
I did not plan to collect transitional references but the matte 16750 was a must have, then I quickly went from intrigued to compulsive (thanks Clay ) about finding a matte 16660.
So maybe I am collecting transitionals, or maybe I acquired these simply based on their history and character. I will let you know when I figure it out!
Russ

[bluemartinifan]

[QUOTE=Jason71;4798914]I love 'em also. I just need to find the right 666. Here are my two:

16800 with a gloss dial. This one is crisp. The bracelet is so stiff it feels brand-new. I don't believe it has ever been polished and chamfers are super. It has no doubt spent much of its life in a safe. I need to get a decent dial shot of it



LOVE that case and chamfers Jason

[Beaumont Miller II]

Great watches guys. For many sapphire and matte is where it's at.
In twenty years these models will be fifty years old. Is anyone going to claim that they still aren't vintage because they don't have a plexi crystal?

[magnetized]

Original Matte Dial GMT 16750 with patina
Hello everyone

[armypilot]

Here's my 6.6 mil 16750. Had to have been first year of manufacture. I picked it up at a PX in Hainerberg Germany on 20 Jan 1981. It came with a Pepsi insert that I finally replaced in 2001. Unfortunately I did not realize the faded inserts had any value, so I told the AD to just keep it. I also have a black fat font serif bezel insert as well. I swap them out all the time.

[autofiend]

Plexi shmexi, a 30+ watch is vintage. Have the bracelet for this, but really enjoy it on the NATOS.

[Clay]

Originally Posted by autofiend

Plexi shmexi, a 30+ watch is vintage. Have the bracelet for this, but really enjoy it on the NATOS.

I couldn't agree more...

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Clay

Wonderful indeed…Would love to see a shot of the dial on that Gloss 16800...

Hands are a little knackered, but I love the look of this watch. Bob Ridley secured the lume on the hands......so all should be good. I still have the original crystal, but Bob also put a service crystal on it sans cyclops.

[Clay]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Hands are a little knackered, but I love the look of this watch. Bob Ridley secured the lume on the hands......so all should be good. I still have the original crystal, but Bob also put a service crystal on it sans cyclops.

Now that's a stunner…Thanks for posting those photos...

[Andad]

:o)

[sea-dweller]

Great watches, everyone!

[skprd13]

My 16750 however not my wrist. Do own the watch. She is sleeping in my safety deposit box right now.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by skprd13

My 16750 however not my wrist. Do own the watch. She is sleeping in my safety deposit box right now.

get it out and wear it - beauty!

[eeh100773]

I have to ask: transitional? Is that referring to 5 digit models - the bridge between the 70's models and newer ceramic ones? Or am I way off?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bluemartinifan]

Keeping this thread alive
Had nice morning sun in Dallas this past Sunday so I took a few pics. IMO, the Solid End Links and lugs on the 666 are a large part of it's wrist presence.

Fun Fact - what is the only Rolex produced with solid end links and a matte dial?

You guessed it - the 16660

[Clay]

Originally Posted by bluemartinifan

Keeping this thread alive
Had nice morning sun in Dallas this past Sunday so I took a few pics. IMO, the Solid End Links and lugs on the 666 are a large part of it's wrist presence.

Fun Fact - what is the only Rolex produced with solid end links and a matte dial?

You guessed it - the 16660

A stunning example...

[vintagehartmann]

'81 version on holiday in HK.

[autofiend]

Originally Posted by eeh100773

I have to ask: transitional? Is that referring to 5 digit models - the bridge between the 70's models and newer ceramic ones? Or am I way off?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The "transitional" designation mainly refers to the addition of the sapphire crystal and higher beat, quick set movement (3035 in the SD and Sub's case) while retaining the older matte dial and silver date disk. The later gloss dialed 16660s and 16800s are still considered transitionals however, too.

[craniotes]

Truly the best of both worlds!

Regards,
Adam

[M4rkg4rd3n]

Here you go 16800