legit 16660 ?

[gilel]

Hi all,
My triple 6 from 1985 has a matte dial with the serial nbr 8.94xxx.

Refering to this link, "The Matt Dial 16660...Beginning from about 5.9 mil and running though about 8.5 mil. More or less..."

Is my 16660 legit ?
Any explanation ?

gilel

[Tools]

Nobody knows what serials that Rolex started or stopped anything. Rolex never did anything based on its number, it's just a number.

It is possible that the dial was changed at one time, but perhaps not.

[datejust24]

I agree with Larry on this and furthermore, to find a matte dial on an example with an 8.94mill sn would be the first time I’ve personally ever seen that..unless the piece was already purchased, I would tread carefully

[donq]

SELs in 1985?
Wow!

[Dan S]

Are you the original owner @gilel?

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by donq

SELs in 1985?
Wow!

Yes, Sea Dwellers were the first to get them and it’s period correct.

[Chrispare]

Can’t reply …but it is absolutely beautiful
Have you bought it to a trusted seller ?

[TuRo]

Never seen a matte dial 16660 or 16800 past 5,685,000 in my last 35 yrs ...but perhaps ...

[gilel]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Are you the original owner @gilel?

No there was a sole owner before me.
And yes, @Chrispare I bought it from a trusted seller.
I've got an invoice :
- watch from 1985
- all original parts (no change)

gilel

[swish77]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Never seen a matte dial 16660 or 16800 past 5,685,000 in my last 35 yrs ...but perhaps ...

Really? They're generally accepted into the 8.5 million range.

As for the OP's questions, an 8.9 million is late for that configuration, but is close enough to be possible, IMHO. It just raises some eyebrows. I'd search online to see if you can find any other examples closer to your serial number.

Ed Delgado absolutely knows his stuff, but he also adds this on his website about the 16660:

"Please note: This is the commonly excepted range for the Matt Dial 666...There are some people who swear that they have original Matt Dial watches with later serial numbers...This may in fact be true but based on my findings, anything Matt Dial with a serial number later then 8.5 is usually considered by most collectors as a bit suspect. These numbers are only a guide."

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by gilel

No there was a sole owner before me.
And yes, @Chrispare I bought it from a trusted seller.
I've got an invoice :
- watch from 1985
- all original parts (no change)

gilel

IMO, once a watch has changed hands, all bets are off with respect to claims of originality. TBH, even original owners often have memory lapses.

[gilel]

Thank you for your wise advice.
So a "bit suspect" and no one will ever know...
For my part I like to believe that it is the exception that proves the rule

gilel