1996 Rolex 16600 -Dial and hands Luminova

[DrRBW]

Just purchased a 1996 Sea Dweller 16600 complete set box and papers from a trusted Gray market dealer. Original finish, non polished. However dial says Swiss Made, so no tritium. Hands also match lume of dial, assume Luminova. As I assume the original dial and hands should be tritium, does this watch have any future collectible value or should I return it?

[BigBoy17]

Should of did your research before buying...not a collectible. If your not gonna wear and enjoy then return

[csfischer20]

If you got a decent price on it and it’s a full set, you can get the dial and hands. I wouldn’t buy a watch based on future value because nobody knows what will be collectible and rare.

[sillo]

As you already figured out the originals were replaced with a service dial and hands. Most people collecting are looking for original parts. If you want working lume then keep it, if you want an original watch return it.

[mrblue]

1996-1997 was be when the switch to Luminova conmenced. Your dial may very well be original.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by mrblue

1996-1997 was be when the switch to Luminova conmenced. Your dial may very well be original.

Actually more like 1998 and would be Swiss only if it was during the transition from Tritium to Luminova.

[Jason71]

What is the first letter of the serial?

[DrRBW]

S serial number. Paid $7250. Yes I would be very happy if this wasn't a service dial and hands. Thanks.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by DrRBW

S serial number. Paid $7250. Yes I would be very happy if this wasn't a service dial and hands. Thanks.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but it absolutely is a service dial. Even is it was near the transition, which it's too early for anyway, it would be a Swiss only dial. Swiss Made dials didn't come around until 2000-2001.

[037]

Originally Posted by DrRBW

Just purchased a 1996 Sea Dweller 16600

Originally Posted by DrRBW

S serial number.

Your watch is circa 1993-1994 and predates Luminova parts by quite a bit. It's 100% service dial and hands as sillo38 mentioned.

[DLRIDES]

‘93-‘94, service dial and hands. Minimal, if any, future collectibility. If that was you desire, send it back if you have the ability.

With non-original dial and hands, overpaid by approximately $2k.

Search for 16600 in the “For Sale” section here on TRF for comparison.

[HogwldFLTR]

Here the chart from our forum. S corresponds to '93-'95.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=54362

Luminova wasn't introduced until '98. Personally I'd be happy to have working lume on my watch as opposed to tritium.

[jimcameron]

Just when you think you've made a big score, you get slammed to the mat.

[DrRBW]

Thanks to you all! Unless the dealer can replace it with the period appropriate tritium dial and hands I am going to return it.

[037]

Originally Posted by DrRBW

Thanks to you all! Unless the dealer can replace it with the period appropriate tritium dial and hands I am going to return it.

Or, ask for some money back and enjoy the watch. If that's not an option then a return might be in order if they'll accept it.

[enginerd]

Originally Posted by 037

Or, ask for some money back and enjoy the watch. If that's not an option then a return might be in order if they'll accept it.

Ask for money back? Were photos and serial not part of the description of the watch? IMO, if you don't ask, it's on you. If something was misrepresented (i.e. "all original" with many sellers just means "genuine"), you have a case.

[037]

Originally Posted by enginerd

Ask for money back? Were photos and serial not part of the description of the watch? IMO, if you don't ask, it's on you. If something was misrepresented (i.e. "all original" with many sellers just means "genuine"), you have a case.

Agreed. I was thinking more in terms of it being represented as all-original since the OP seemed to have thought it was a 1996 and no replacement parts. We haven't seen the listing to know who's at fault — the seller for misrepresenting or the buyer for not doing his due diligence before buying. That's why I suggested both paths.

If it's the buyer's mistake then that's on him. The price he paid for an unpolished full-set 16600 is about right, even with the wrong dial and hands. That of course assumes one cares about wearing the watch rather than tossing it in the safe for 20 years.

[enginerd]

Originally Posted by 037

The price he paid for an unpolished full-set 16600 is about right, even with the wrong dial and hands. That of course assumes one cares about wearing the watch rather than tossing it in the safe for 20 years.

Yes I agree. I think the price is fine, and it's a fully functional watch with lume.

My first Rolex purchase was a 16600 back in 2012. I didn't know much about them at the time, but all I knew was that I wanted a SD and not a Sub. I ended up buying an original owner W serial complete set that was claimed untouched. I got it serviced in 2015 (specified several times to NOT polish) and the watchmaker called to tell me he was definitely the first one in there. The crystal gasket crumbled into pieces (I still have the pieces) and he said the watch probably would have ran another 10 or 20 years just fine had I done nothing (and didn't go diving). He resealed the watch and popped in a fresh crystal. I have the original with a few edge chips.

I love the 16600! #neversell

[DrRBW]

Contacted the dealer to which he responded:
"Looks like I inadvertently sold you the watch with an incorrect dial for which I apologize. I’m truly impressed with your diligence and ability to decipher this important detail which obviously got past me. As such, please return the watch and I will refund your money. Sorry for the inconvenience."
Thanks again to you all!

[juktagt]

Originally Posted by DrRBW

Contacted the dealer to which he responded:
"Looks like I inadvertently sold you the watch with an incorrect dial for which I apologize. I’m truly impressed with your diligence and ability to decipher this important detail which obviously got past me. As such, please return the watch and I will refund your money. Sorry for the inconvenience."
Thanks again to you all!

Good move by the dealer.

[jimcameron]

Now that's a dealer who's name is worth sharing.