Picked up this beautiful 16800 as a daily beater, opinions

[Bigmike76]

Hi just purchased this gorgeous looking Rolex 16800 from 1983, just wondering what you guys thought of this bezel insert? Does it look genuine? Was looking at the 10 under magnification and the side of the zero looks slightly out of line with the digit next to it, plus the numbers don’t look that crisp around the edges (a bit of ghosting) could just be down to the age as it is supposedly the original untouched bezel. Love the look of the watch just wanted your thoughts.

[padi56]

Well inserts are cheap to replace if needed around £40 direct from Rolex, and pearl has good patina so its a old insert. But throw your loupe away as they can and will be a Rolex owners worst enemy.

[jimcameron]

I'd say the watch looks original and maybe never serviced. The bezel looks original and remember, the bezel was and is the cheapest component of the exposed parts of the watch. In the early 80's that watch sold for around $1000. Now you are examining it under significant magnification. I purchased my 16800 in 1985. The date wheel was replaced because the paint started flaking off. The hands were replaced because they corroded over time (like your second hand) and a new bezel was installed at every service. Forget the loupe and enjoy your vintage original looking watch.

[Jackie Daytona]

Really like the patina and wear and tear on this one. Beautiful vintage look, I don’t know much about inserts, but that’s a beautiful vintage piece.

[mineral]

Nice pick up and 1983 is correct for matte dial too. I won’t worry about that insert and look good.


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[Dan S]

I like it!