opinions requested on new to me 16800- Are these hands original?

[pk552502]

Hi All, I just received my 16800 circa 1983 and overall, I'm pretty pumped.

From what I can tell, the bezel insert, dial and bracelet are all original- would you agree with that?

The case condition is very sharp although it does have its scratches. I also need to clean some grime away.

Now, when it comes to the hands, I think the hour and minute hand are original. The seconds hand may be suspect and I would like to get your opinions on it. It looks like the metal finishing on the second hand may even be flaking off a little bit.

What are you thoughts on the hands? Any other thoughts are welcome as well.

Thanks All!

[pk552502]

additional pics of hands

[pk552502]

additional

[pk552502]

additional pics

[pk552502]

crown guards

[pk552502]

pics of bracelet

[studioal]

Oxidization on the hands, which is common as moisture rises towards the crystal could cause that. Maybe it's just your photo, but the width of the crown guards is something I noticed. It's probably indistinguishable to the naked eye.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by studioal

Oxidization on the hands, which is common as moisture rises towards the crystal could cause that. Maybe it's just your photo, but the width of the crown guards is something I noticed. It's probably indistinguishable to the naked eye.

If you browse Rolex catalogs from when this watch was produced you'll see crown guards that don't match, and lugs of different thickness...on brand new watches. These were cut by hand and aren't symmetrical like today's computer cut cases (thank god!). That said, add some polishing over the years and these get more enhanced. it's just the way it is.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by studioal

Maybe it's just your photo, but the width of the crown guards is something I noticed. It's probably indistinguishable to the naked eye.

Normal. Crown guards were often a little different on these old cases.

Here's my 5512 with a fatter top crown guard.

[studioal]

Totally. Watch looks good overall, OP.

[rootbeer7]

All looks good. I had an ‘83 1665 with a corroded seconds hand.

[learningtofly]

What do you mean by metal finish flaking? There Is no finish to flake, but hands can show signs of oxidation over time.

[antrolexsub]

Seconds hand is aftermarket, there’s no taper to it. Hour and minute hands look ok but are relumed imo. Not the end of the world, easily fixed. It’s a very nice example.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by antrolexsub

Seconds hand is aftermarket, there’s no taper to it. Hour and minute hands look ok but are relumed imo. Not the end of the world, easily fixed. It’s a very nice example.

A UV photo would give some clues.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by antrolexsub

Seconds hand is aftermarket, there’s no taper to it. Hour and minute hands look ok but are relumed imo. Not the end of the world, easily fixed. It’s a very nice example.

Yes agree aftermarket as no taper and a tiny bit too much metal around the trit' blob.

Nice watch otherwise... all else look period. Incl DW, Bracelet, sapphire, dial, the other hands, bezel and insert etc...etc...

[pk552502]

Originally Posted by learningtofly

What do you mean by metal finish flaking? There Is no finish to flake, but hands can show signs of oxidation over time.

It's hard to tell...but by flaking, it almost looked like the silver finish came off in a couple places and was black underneath. Like it was chrome plated and cheaper material underneath. Under the loupe, the seconds hand does appear to be cheaper made. I don't think it's chrome plated plastic or anything, but I got the impression the finish may be flaking off. Could just be oxidation.

I tend to agree the seconds hand is aftermarket but the hour and minute hand are both genuine.

What are the odds of tracking down a period correct tritium seconds hand I wonder?

[pk552502]

Originally Posted by swish77

A UV photo would give some clues.

I've been asking around if anyone I know has a black light and no luck so far. Do you have a recommendation for a UV light? I did a quick search this past weekend and it seems there are different wavelengths and other variables to choose from.

It would be good to confirm if the hour and minute hand have been relumed. I tend to think they are original and not relumed because the lines look sharp, but agree a blacklight may shed some light on it.

[pk552502]

Hi All, I did end up getting UV photos of the 16800 and figured I would add them here for the record. To the naked eye, the lume plots on the dial and hands all glow white and appear consistent. They fade immediately when the UV light is removed.

However, when I use my phone, the hands look a little bit greener in some photos. I think it's my phone because I did a similar test with my tritium 14060 and the hands also appear a bit greener as well on that model.

I'm still in the camp the hour and minute hand are original and not relumed. I purchased a replacement tritium second hand and I'm getting the watch serviced and adding the replacement second hand.