May ask some experts advice on a 16660 please

[dy4]

Hi everyone.
i came across a very nice 16660 matt dial but since i am new to the rolex world, i was hoping to get some opinions here.
I see there is a very small black spot in the hour hand, is this a concern or normal for the older watches.
Tx in advance!
Best
David

[Vincent65]

Looks very nice indeed to me, but need more pics! Dial, case, insert look great. I would not worry about a tiny mark on the hand - just a little defect/decomposition of the tritium lume material.

[shane0mack]

Looks good like Vincent said. What's the serial?

[Clay]

It's a Mk 1 Dial…If that helps at all...

[dy4]

is around 7471xxx

so it's indeed a MK1 if i read correctly. It looks great, but like i said, only concern was the fact that the hour hand has some tritium lost. I have no idea if this can only increase, so all tritium can come off.

I have no idea if the tritium can come off completely. I read they can fix the tritium, but i have no idea how you do that.

best
David

[shane0mack]

If all the dates check out, I think it's a great example. Any service history?

I can't tell if that's a "hole" in the tritium, or just patina. If there are holes growing, a good watchmaker can stabilize the tritium. I'm just not positive from your picture if that's the case.

[dy4]

this is the best pic i got from the dial. Could that be patina?

do you think the watch is polished? I always find that hard to see. I have the idea it's unpolished, but i can be wrong.

It's been recently serviced by a specialised rolex center, but i guess that's not rolex.

[MaxCargo]

grab that 666 and never look back

[Vincent65]

Looks totally awesome to me. I'd be all over it. I also would not worry about the hand, and would not have it stabilised - leave well alone, IMHO!

Case may have been lightly polished, but also maybe not. Either way, it looks good. Gorgeous patina, stunning insert and pearl. And just been serviced. If you don't buy it, I will!

[Clay]

Looks to me to be a hole in the Tritium Hand…
Tritium can dry out and crack…It happens…

From the pictures the case looks to have been polished at some point…

I would ask to see the paperwork from the service to see what was done…

Matte Dial 666's are the best...

Good luck…

[Frosty]

I would be concerned about Helium Release Valve. It should be flush with the case. jmho

[dy4]

Great pictures of your 16660 Clay! That's not the same watch in those pic's, isn't it?

If the tritium dries out, will the rest also come off?

I don't think it has on official service history, but will ask. Good idea.

[joli160]

It's a real beauty. No fear on this one.

[dy4]

never noticed this, but it is indeed deeper. Is this something that's a concern? Or what could be the reason this is not flush with the case?

[wantonebad]

That's a really nice piece, I would buy that watch with zero concerns about the hand! The patina is stunning, combined with that gorgeous matte dial it's literally making me drool!!



Not sure about the helium valve though, let the Sea Dweller experts direct you on that, it looks to have been replace possibly?

[psv]

It is a nice copy, I would open it up to check for service markings.

It has definitely been polished both once or twice, you can see it not only on the case sides but also the "teeth" on the bezel.

Any box/papers? How much is the seller asking?

[Clay]

Originally Posted by dy4

Great pictures of your 16660 Clay! That's not the same watch in those pic's, isn't it?

If the tritium dries out, will the rest also come off?

I don't think it has on official service history, but will ask. Good idea.

No, those are 3 different watches…Two 7.4 mil and One 8.0 mil

And don't worry about the HEV…I've had them like that, No worries…

But I would strongly recommend taking it to a qualified watchmaker and let him have a look at it after you purchase…

I'm not sure what the policies are where you live, but in the USA, Rolex will NOT sell an HEV to just any watch maker, even if he or she has a Rolex Parts account…

The watch maker must have the proper equipment to pressure test the watch to it's MAX DEPTH, (Which most do not have) have some sort of special Rolex certification and then must FIRST send the HEV to Rolex, at which point Rolex will send a replacement back…

In regard to the hands, I would get the watch makers opinion when you have him or her look at the watch…

Hope that helps...

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by dy4

never noticed this, but it is indeed deeper. Is this something that's a concern? Or what could be the reason this is not flush with the case?

Can see the case better now, and it has had a polish once or twice, but not overly, IMHO. Ask the guy who serviced it re the HEV, but I wouldn't be too worried about that either. There's a spring mechanism in there to let the gas out in decompression so it doesn't get the bends and explode. I'd be more concerned if the valve was proud/protruding, but I'm no expert, so it's worth an enquiry

[Frosty]

Here is an image of my 16660 HEV.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Here is an image of my 16660 HEV.

beauty - and the rest of it!

[crowncollection]

nice example, buy it

[shane0mack]

A properly and lightly polished case to me shows the previous owner took good care of his/her watch. No concern there!