Submariner dial with grey/silver print?

[Riva14]

Today I visited probably the most highly respected pre owned Rolex store in town for a sub for my friend and I came across this submariner. It had a distinct dial with grey print. I compared it to another submariner 16610 and the other watch had much whiter print. Did Rolex change the colour of it's print on the dials? When I pointed it out to one staff member he seemed quite panicked and kept comparing the two under his loupe! What do you guys think?

[Riva14]

Here's another shot further out

[nyyankees]

Something doesn't look right on the Sub on the left. The crown guards look strange to me in addition to the grey print. I'm sure an expert will come along though with better info than I.

[Invictus Maneo]

The dial on my 16610 has a grayish hue to it as well as compared to bright white. It looks identical to the one one the left. I know there are no problems with that as this watch ( an insurance replacement) came direct from Rolex via the insurance company and has been serviced last year. It's an F serial and was obtained in 2003-2004?

[nyyankees]

I stand corrected then - must be some variability..

[Invictus Maneo]

I have determined through exhaustive research that this is a very, very rare dial and is worth a fortune . I will however trade mine for a 116718 if anyone wants to!

[Invictus Maneo]

Originally Posted by nyyankees

I stand corrected then - must be some variability..

Either that or it's a fading issue that occurs over the years????? As you said, one of our experts should be along soon to shine some definitive light on this quandry.

[Riva14]

If it is a rare dial variation do any of you mind sharing links. Thanks for all chiming in.

[Gaijin]

It appears that the laser etched crown on the crystal is visible to the naked eye. The magnification of the cyclops seems off too. So....

[Invictus Maneo]

Originally Posted by Riva14

If it is a rare dial variation do any of you mind sharing links. Thanks for all chiming in.

I was joking. Here's a pic of mine.

[Riva14]

Sorry ken lol I actually did think it was a rare dial! Was going to run back and make him an offer haha! Gaijin you are totally correct about the laser etched crown. If I go in again I will try and take a few more photos of it!

[Invictus Maneo]

Originally Posted by Riva14

Sorry ken lol I actually did think it was a rare dial! Was going to run back and make him an offer haha! Gaijin you are totally correct about the laser etched crown. If I go in again I will try and take a few more photos of it!

No, mate, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to get you excited. Sometimes my humor is lost on everyone except me!

[AK797]

Doesn't look good to me either...

[mike]

In addition to what's been mentioned and perhaps it's the angle, the off set L is interesting as well as the longer minute markers.

[Riva14]

Originally Posted by mike

In addition to what's been mentioned and perhaps it's the angle, the off set L is interesting as well as the longer minute markers.

It is quite a strange dial! I've never seen one like it but I just can't get over that such a highly reputed jewellers would make such an amateur mistake which is why it may be just a very rare variation. I'll visit them tomorrow and take another look at it.

[dysondiver]

watching , with interest ,,, bet i kno which jewelers too ,, how strange

[1995akcoop]

watch looks fake to me guys....heck with grey text on dial, what about those tiny crown guards. im no expert tho

[nsxnext]

"Swiss Made" is also off-centered. Too many issue.

[tsattaba]

my sub black dial crown laser at 6 o'clock is hardly to see, must see in proper angle and light must be in proper position too. why this watch is easily find or u take a proper shot . dunno , wait for expert to distinguish

PS close up at crown laser and count the dot of laser at tip and base of crown may be help

[Rashid.bk]

I'm going to say it already, fake. It has all the trademark red flags. The font is off too. I should pick up a watch and it should authenticate itself to me immediately not me finding excuses to explain obvious deficiencies. Not buying the rare dial defense.
It's only defense is the store it's being sold from. There could be a few reasons why this one slipped through but it reflects bad on them and their quality control.
Even a service crystal does not have this many "flaws".

What is this jewellers name, we should know.

If they have Rolex papers or some other way to show provenance to proving authenticity, I will happily apologise and be educated on this new silver dial print.

[Jake B]

Wow...Are you kidding? If that's not fake then I'll eat my shirt.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by nsxnext

"Swiss Made" is also off-centered. Too many issue.

That's one of the first things that jumped out at me.. "MADE" is not even under the 6 o'clock marker. Glaring.

-Grey printing.
-Font off
-Long minute markers
-Offset L
-Offset SWISS MADE
-Small "S" in SUBMARINER (shorter than the U")

The machining of the crown looks dull, too, and the crown guards look off.

I'd say it's a "Shenzhen Special"

[mjclark32]

Yeah, don't like the lugs either

[CCI24]

Watch on the left is a fugazi.

Tiny crown guards

Wrong font on the bezel insert.

[watchwatcher]

Some issues, to be sure...