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Perdu · 28 March 2009, 06:18 AM

The Ultimate Two-Tone – The Submariner 16613

On the occasion of my Submariner’s 15th birthday I thought I would write a short review.

The 16613 was first introduced 1983 with an MSRP of $2975.00 USD. The movement was updated to the venerable Cal. 3135 in 1998. It’s old technology now but the 3135 has proved its accuracy, stability and durability over 21 years. By 1988 the MSRP had risen to $3900.00 USD, but hey, you got a new movement. Apparently, the cal.3135 has passed more COSC certification first time than any other men’s movement along with the ETA 2892-A2.

Between 1998 and now there have been cosmetic improvements – solid end links, a Super Luminova and heavy gold plate through the clasp. With the current MSRP of $9300.00 those are some expensive improvements! Although the gold has a more integrated look and is a definite improvement, I personally like my steel clasp because it’s so easy to keep it scratch free. Actually, it’s very scratch resistant.

With a case thickness 13mm it sits fairly high on the wrist, which personally, I like. You can’t flex the back of a Sub with its back thickness of 1.81mm. By comparison the Date Just is 0.81mm and the GMT (16750) 0.72mm (information from fellow member, Sheldon). The Triplock crown is very comfortable to wind. Not too big, not to small, just perfect.

About my watch: It’s an X serial and although Keith Dowling shows this as 1991, mine was assembled in Feb 2005. I have collected other data on X serials that shows them with clasp codes from 1992- very early 2005. At some point in the X series Rolex had a problem with the Tritium as the applied indices do not glow on some watches. But since they are tritium their useful life is now over.

In my Rolex years I have always oscillated back and forth between the Sub and the GMT but I always end up back with the Sub with its thicker case, thicker back and simpler design. Plus I find the black, gold and steel stunning. The Basel 2009 refinements make the poster child for the sports watch even further refined, but at a cost that is likely too rich for my blood.

Cato · 28 March 2009, 03:13 PM

I'm not a fan of TT, but the black and gold combo is very nice. It's wonderful that you have some history with that watch as well.

harlansmart · 28 March 2009, 07:46 PM

Thanks for the review made interesting w/ some good beta.

What are the opinions on X Serials being made in 2005, 14 years afterward?

sea-dweller · 29 March 2009, 10:45 AM

Lovely TT Sub !

Rebel · 29 March 2009, 12:12 PM

Great looking pic!

CharlieG · 29 March 2009, 11:20 PM

Good information, thanks for sharing

fengchewu · 30 March 2009, 04:14 PM

but maybe I am just old fashioned!!

hflee55 · 31 March 2009, 12:52 AM

Sirowhite · 8 April 2009, 08:19 PM

this is the one i like ..........great watch...

heresiarh · 9 April 2009, 12:38 AM

Great review, lovely watch. Very very sheek ...

JIM- · 9 April 2009, 08:06 AM

Looks great, cant go ever wrong with that combo.

GMT Time · 9 April 2009, 12:20 PM

Beautiful piece.

ttomczak · 9 April 2009, 08:35 PM

Great write up and beautiful watch!

rik byatt · 10 April 2009, 09:52 PM

Many thanks for posting.

Alcan · 10 April 2009, 10:00 PM

Good write-up, Gary.

DSJ · 11 April 2009, 12:29 AM

Nice Gary, thanks!

kcmo · 11 April 2009, 12:37 AM

Great review and watch! I really like the TT black version!

28 March 2009, 06:18 AM	#1
Perdu "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Gary Location: GMT-6 Watch: GMT Posts: 3,350	The 16613 Submariner The Ultimate Two-Tone – The Submariner 16613 On the occasion of my Submariner’s 15th birthday I thought I would write a short review. The 16613 was first introduced 1983 with an MSRP of $2975.00 USD. The movement was updated to the venerable Cal. 3135 in 1998. It’s old technology now but the 3135 has proved its accuracy, stability and durability over 21 years. By 1988 the MSRP had risen to $3900.00 USD, but hey, you got a new movement. Apparently, the cal.3135 has passed more COSC certification first time than any other men’s movement along with the ETA 2892-A2. Between 1998 and now there have been cosmetic improvements – solid end links, a Super Luminova and heavy gold plate through the clasp. With the current MSRP of $9300.00 those are some expensive improvements! Although the gold has a more integrated look and is a definite improvement, I personally like my steel clasp because it’s so easy to keep it scratch free. Actually, it’s very scratch resistant. With a case thickness 13mm it sits fairly high on the wrist, which personally, I like. You can’t flex the back of a Sub with its back thickness of 1.81mm. By comparison the Date Just is 0.81mm and the GMT (16750) 0.72mm (information from fellow member, Sheldon). The Triplock crown is very comfortable to wind. Not too big, not to small, just perfect. About my watch: It’s an X serial and although Keith Dowling shows this as 1991, mine was assembled in Feb 2005. I have collected other data on X serials that shows them with clasp codes from 1992- very early 2005. At some point in the X series Rolex had a problem with the Tritium as the applied indices do not glow on some watches. But since they are tritium their useful life is now over. In my Rolex years I have always oscillated back and forth between the Sub and the GMT but I always end up back with the Sub with its thicker case, thicker back and simpler design. Plus I find the black, gold and steel stunning. The Basel 2009 refinements make the poster child for the sports watch even further refined, but at a cost that is likely too rich for my blood. __________________ Omega Seamaster 300M GMT Noire Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 8500 Benson 1937 Sterling Silver Hunter

28 March 2009, 07:46 PM	#3
harlansmart "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: Harlan Location: Auckland, NZL Watch: Seiko Posts: 117	Thanks for the review made interesting w/ some good beta. What are the opinions on X Serials being made in 2005, 14 years afterward? __________________

29 March 2009, 10:45 AM	#4
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	Lovely TT Sub ! __________________ TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)

29 March 2009, 12:12 PM	#5
Rebel "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Dr Mark R Nail Location: New Albany Watch: Tudor Sub 75090 Posts: 8,176	Great looking pic! __________________ ------------------------------- Member of the Nylon Nation

8 April 2009, 08:19 PM	#9
Sirowhite "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Singapore Watch: Rolex Posts: 343	this is the one i like ..........great watch... __________________ Super fans: Watcholic....

28 March 2009, 03:13 PM	#2
Cato Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Land of the Lost Watch: 116610LN Posts: 2,201	I'm not a fan of TT, but the black and gold combo is very nice. It's wonderful that you have some history with that watch as well.

29 March 2009, 11:20 PM	#6
CharlieG "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Charlie Location: NY Posts: 1,135	Good information, thanks for sharing

30 March 2009, 04:14 PM	#7
fengchewu Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: china Posts: 13	but maybe I am just old fashioned!!

31 March 2009, 12:52 AM	#8
hflee55 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Andy Location: Kuala Lumpur, MY Watch: Me Watching You!! Posts: 3,260

9 April 2009, 12:38 AM	#10
heresiarh "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: heresiarh Location: Boston Watch: GMT-IIC Posts: 428	Great review, lovely watch. Very very sheek ... __________________ "I though paradise was a library" Patek 5711/1A White Dial

9 April 2009, 08:06 AM	#11
JIM- Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 599	Looks great, cant go ever wrong with that combo.

9 April 2009, 12:20 PM	#12
GMT Time Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 75	Beautiful piece.

9 April 2009, 08:35 PM	#13
ttomczak 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Thomas Location: North Carolina Watch: The Beach Posts: 3,419	Great write up and beautiful watch! __________________ If you wind it, it tells pretty good time (Paul Newman)

10 April 2009, 09:52 PM	#14
rik byatt Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Rik(obviously) Location: Manchester, UK Watch: 16613,15210,220050 Posts: 136	Many thanks for posting.

11 April 2009, 12:29 AM	#16
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	Nice Gary, thanks! __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

11 April 2009, 12:37 AM	#17
kcmo "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Karis Location: USA Posts: 19,377	Great review and watch! I really like the TT black version!

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