Submariner Update

[tjm]

Hi all,

I have a Submariner I purchased back in 1980 and have worn almost daily since. While the watch is still great, the dial is a bit faded. I was wondering if it is possible to have the dial replaced with the Maxi Dial that is now in use on the new Submariners?

If a replacement dial from Rolex is not possible, does anyone know of a really good aftermarket Maxi Dial.

Thanks!

T.J.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by tjm

Hi all,

I have a Submariner I purchased back in 1980 and have worn almost daily since. While the watch is still great, the dial is a bit faded. I was wondering if it is possible to have the dial replaced with the Maxi Dial that is now in use on the new Submariners?

If a replacement dial from Rolex is not possible, does anyone know of a really good aftermarket Maxi Dial.

Thanks!

T.J.

Hi TJ....I'm JJ!! Welcome to TRF. While I'm not really into the older Rolex models, my best suggestion would be for you to contact your AD and see if he can help you out.

Good luck and enjoy yourself on this forum.

JJ

[Blue Bull]

Have the original dial replaced,with an original.Dont "change" the watch.

[Arturo]

I asked my AD about this and he said that Rolex would not do that as it would dilute the LV model. I am sure it can be done in the grey world of Rolexmania, but then I agree with JJ, get the face that it was born with and keep it the watch that it was meant to be.

[Solo118]

Stick with whats on the watch, And I would really strongly suggest you do not do anything aftermarket

[leopardprey]

Can not do. Rolex will not swap out parts that way. You may be able to find a AM dial and have a watchmaker do that, but I am sure a AM dial would look like crap. I would just get it to a RSC adn have them replace the dail the way it should be.

[Alex Stylianou]

Welcome To TRF. better give the ad a call

[mike]

Originally Posted by tjm

Hi all,

I have a Submariner I purchased back in 1980 and have worn almost daily since. While the watch is still great, the dial is a bit faded. I was wondering if it is possible to have the dial replaced with the Maxi Dial that is now in use on the new Submariners?

If a replacement dial from Rolex is not possible, does anyone know of a really good aftermarket Maxi Dial.

Thanks!

T.J.

Hi Tim, Welcome!

You watch from 1980 sounds like either a sub date reference 16800 or a reference 5513 (non-date) in either case it should have a matt tritium dial.
Indeed the lume is probably about gone as tritium, the exciting agent, in the paint matrix has a half-life of roughly 12.5 years (tritium is a midly radioactive substance that by itself does not glow, but causes phposphors in the paint to glow).
Tritium has not been used since about 1998, being replaced by a substance called luminova. Any dial that Rolex replaces your's with will be luminova.
Your watch, because of the matt tritium dial is a bit valuable and replacing the dial-or reluming the dial-will have an impact on it's value.

Since either of the references mentioned at some point in their run were fitted with a Rolex gloss dial with WG surrounds that's what Rolex will fit. Again the value of your vintage will be impacted.

Does your watch look like either of these? If so I'd be hard pressed to replace a dial valued to the collector.

5513,


16800,

[padi56]

Got to agree with Mike any change from original dial type will seriusly damage the value of watch,IMHO leave it well alone,just a service,change nothing,unless movement parts are worn.And a very gentle case polish thats all thats needed welcome to TRF.

[nko51]

Only an AD or RSC can answer that question.

[President]

Welcome!

[tjm]

According to the pictures above, the watch is a 16800. I would like to replace the dial due to the fact it no longer glows and is faded. Would an AD replace the dial and allow me to keep the old one? That way I could have a new looking watch and keep the old dial for collectible reasons.

Thanks for the advice!

T.J.

[tonelar]

Now there you have another option. Call your favorite SC... keeping the original dial with the watch will help you when/if you decide to sell the watch.

Why not sell the 16800 / combine those funds with the amount you saved by not performing a $750-1000 service (including hand and dial replacement) and buy a new Sub?

[mike]

Originally Posted by tjm

According to the pictures above, the watch is a 16800. I would like to replace the dial due to the fact it no longer glows and is faded. Would an AD replace the dial and allow me to keep the old one? That way I could have a new looking watch and keep the old dial for collectible reasons.

Thanks for the advice!

T.J.

Unlikely, at least in the U.S. Most Rolex techs here operate on an exchange basis--dial for dial.
Your watch would have a new luminova gloss dial with WG surrounds as that was the last correct dial for the 16800.
It would look like this,

Reference 16610,


The new dial for the 16800 and the current 16610 look the same (save for the fact your dial will say "SWISS" at the bottom indicating a replacement dial.
It will glow-though not like your orginal tritium dial did as luminova needs to be charged by an outside source.

Depending on the condition of your watch you might lose 1 to 1.2k in value.

Additionally, service if done by Rolex will run about $500 plus the cost of a dial-$225 or so, plus the cost of a set of hands-about $50 or so.

IF lume is important one option is to sell your watch--value high 3k to over 4k depending on condition and buy a new piece.
The only options you have for a maxi-dial are the YM--over 8k-MSRP, the new TT or gold GMT--I think about $8.5k and 20k respectively(that's a guess others have better numbers)
OR the LV -- about 5.5k I think


Comparison of the two types of dials,


Your call, but to be honest, if it were me I'd service the 16800, leave as is and pat myself on the back for having a great transitional piece.

Hope this helps.