Another Rolex Sub 16800 - 1984 year...?

[Tudor66]

I got a call from a local watch contact who just refurbished a 16800 Submariner from 1984- this model however has the matt dial... He needs to move it quickly, so I may be able to get another song deal....

Guys, how crazy would I be to pick up a 16800 when I already own one with the newer dial...? Are the matt dials more sought after than the newer white gold marker dials...?

After nearly selling/trading my 16800 last week, I've worn it for a few days straight, it's the nicest watch I own hands down, perhaps another one would be great. Also, I could brag to Gunter that I have two 84 subs..., though I think he other very high end watches that are out of my budget...

[azguy]

The matt dials are worth much more than the later gloss dials in my opinion. The matt dial with the saphire crystal makes it truly "transitional".......

A 16800 with the wg gloss dial is really nothing more than an old 16610 IMO

[btinl]

Originally Posted by azguy

the matt dials are worth much more than the later gloss dials in my opinion. The matt dial with the saphire crystal makes it truly "transitional".......

a 16800 with the wg gloss dial is really nothing more than an old 16610 imo

+1

[drockadam]

Could you buy me one sir?

[TimeToGo]

Go for it !

...and change your User Name to NewbieTWO..

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by drockadam

Could you buy me one sir?

Hello Adam, I enjoy your participation on TRF, but if I gave you a Rolex you would never experience the joy of buying it with your own earned money- which, would be just like robbing from you...

Keep working at it Adam, save, invest and try to make the right life decisions and someday I hope you will enjoy your Rolex and as much as I do mine...

[azguy]

did you get it, pics ...........

[xhype]

pic

[drockadam]

Originally Posted by Newbieone

Hello Adam, I enjoy your participation on TRF, but if I gave you a Rolex you would never experience the joy of buying it with your own earned money- which, would be just like robbing from you...

Keep working at it Adam, save, invest and try to make the right life decisions and someday I hope you will enjoy your Rolex and as much as I do mine...

Thanks mate! Will do! Post some pictures please of the 16800, in question! My dad had a 16800, he bought it in 83'. Supposedly it was a gloss dial, not much rarity it in at all. But I wish he still had it!

[HongNinja]

Matte dial is much more sought after. I had a 16800 with matte dial, and I wish I would have kept it. True transitional Rolex.

[Tudor66]

I went to check on the watch, the owner has it locked away in his safe for now. As soon as he finds time to get it out I will do a quick review/with pics, and possibly bring it home so that it's twin brother can keep it company:

[azguy]

strange............he couldn't/wouldn't pull it out to make a sale...

In your 1st post you said "he needs to move it quickly".........

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by azguy

strange............he couldn't/wouldn't pull it out to make a sale...

In your 1st post you said "he needs to move it quickly".........

Yup, my thoughts exactly, I rushed over to his shop after work, as he has told me on several occasions that he needs the money. So there I am last night asking to see it and he can't get it out of the safe...

I provided his contact information to another TRF member who is looking for that same watch. I have my eye on four or five watches right now, so it's not a big issue for me- I need to save up a little more cash anyways for these next purchases....

[bigwatchman]

Just out of curiosity, why have two of the same identical watches? I can understand if price is right and you can flip one for a profit... otherwise that is a lot of coin wrapped up in a duplicate that looks and is the same.

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by bigwatchman

Just out of curiosity, why have two of the same identical watches? I can understand if price is right and you can flip one for a profit... otherwise that is a lot of coin wrapped up in a duplicate that looks and is the same.

One is a Matte, now white-gold surround.

[Tudor66]

I finally got to see the Matte dial 16800 that my friend has. We checked the serial#, it's actually a 1983 watch- my high school graduation year....!

He is getting a new Rolex bezel insert, and he is going to polish the oyster bracelet, then he is going to loan it to me to see if I want to keep, or perhaps sell it for him...I am going to pick it up next week.

I really appreciate the different look of the matte dial, and specifically the slightly larger dots with no white gold around them. It's a near vintage look, but with the quickset date, never movement and sapphire crystal etc...

Hell, I might buy this one next week...I'll post pics then, I only took the movement pics today...

[freddyttt]

I only took the movement pics today.....

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by freddyttt

I only took the movement pics today.....

X 2.....

[azguy]

getting fishy..... couldn't flip it over and shoot one more pic.....

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by azguy

getting fishy..... couldn't flip it over and shoot one more pic.....

-No fish here,

-I want to take a photo with the oyster bracelet fully brushed, the new bezel insert installed, and the watch looking it's absolute best. He had it on a shiny fake leather looking leather strap.

-The owner also thinks he might have the original box, and I want to take the watch to an AD to get an appraisal, check everything out, etc.

When all of these items are completed, next week I will post a photo either showing off my new watch, or telling others about a watch for sale...stay tuned.

[Tudor66]

I passed on this watch, which I was was trying to help a clock repair shop sell to another member here. The dial looks great, though probably relumed, and the hands are newer. Case was great, but here is where the problems started:

-MINOR ISSUE: aftermarket bezel insert
-MINOR ISSUE: aftermarket clasp lock and pin
-BIG ISSUE: I had the movement looked at by a third party Rolex repair expert. He pointed out that the movement had at one point been rusted, and parts had been ground down. He said that the screws that hold down the movement had been rusted and forced removed, which created lots of deep gouges from the screwdriver. He said that a Rolex repair facility would have replaced multiple movement pieces, and he advised me to walk away from this watch- "it was only a 60% watch, not worth your time".

Whew, glad I didn't take part in selling a lemon...

Perhaps someone should setup a lemon Rolex database, I would add this one to the list. PM for serial# details...

[hdrazor251]

Run Forest!! ... Run!!

[Tudor66]

Yes, I kept thinking about this 16800 matte dial watch today. I visited the seller again; After I told him about the concerns identified he lowered his price to 3,750. This is still way too high for a watch that's had movement surgery via sledgehammer. Hell, the bezel doesn't even move....!!!
Photo with my GMT MasterII...

I promise to now move on and focus on enjoying my current collection, and start planning out a future 1680 purchase, with yellow markers/hands in the 5k range...

[azguy]

Good thinking getting that watch checked out, you missed a bullet with that one.....$3,750..........

[cht]

Originally Posted by Newbieone

Hell, the bezel doesn't even move....!!!
.

Looks like it's in two different positions to me in the pics you posted.

[Tudor66]

Guys, the guy still had this watch, he said he will sell it to me 3750...

I need to borrow it, and get a second opinion on the movement...I tried it on today, very nice dial in my opinion...

[Mickey®]

Originally Posted by Tudor66

Yes, I ...

I promise to now move on and focus on enjoying my current collection, and start planning out a future 1680 purchase, with yellow markers/hands in the 5k range...

I will NEVER understand this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by Mickey®

I will NEVER understand this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Mickey, I didn't think anyone actually read my posts.

Ok, Yes I am seeking a 1680 with mustard yellow Patina, but lately i have been annoyed but the higher prices of the 1680's that i seem to find. Another 16800 with a matte dial might fill the void if I can get it for a "friend price."

I am going slowly continue buying subs if I can get them for a good price, wear them, enjoy them...., until I change my mind..

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by Tudor66

I got a call from a local watch contact who just refurbished a 16800 Submariner from 1984- this model however has the matt dial... He needs to move it quickly, so I may be able to get another song deal....

Guys, how crazy would I be to pick up a 16800 when I already own one with the newer dial...? Are the matt dials more sought after than the newer white gold marker dials...?

After nearly selling/trading my 16800 last week, I've worn it for a few days straight, it's the nicest watch I own hands down, perhaps another one would be great. Also, I could brag to Gunter that I have two 84 subs..., though I think he other very high end watches that are out of my budget...

Hey bud go for it!!!!!! Then when I can buy one (hopefully in the next year) you could always sell to me at a premium. I've only got one higher end watch other than my Rolexes and unless something really changes in the future only a birthyear Sub and LV are in my market for a LONG time. Haha

Edit: sorry didnt read all the posts but good move on passing even at a good price.

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by gwalker

Hey bud go for it!!!!!! Then when I can buy one (hopefully in the next year) you could always sell to me at a premium. I've only got one higher end watch other than my Rolexes and unless something really changes in the future only a birthyear Sub and LV are in my market for a LONG time. Haha

Edit: sorry didnt read all the posts but good move on passing even at a good price.

Hey Gunter, you're not going to believe this, but my friend who has this 1983 - 16800 matte dial watch also has another submariner 16800 from 1983 with the non-matte dial; Yes, I already own one just like it..., but this too is a tempting buy...