Do you know this reference ?

[unknown]

Or is it the first time you see or hear something about a 168000?

Anyway, this is a bit more info about the ref 168000 which I found on the net
"
Reference 1680 was introduced in 1965 or 1966 and had the chronometer status and a date display. This also introduced the Cyclops date magnifier to the Submariner line. The 1680 also marked the philosophical transition of the Submariner from a pure "tool watch" built for serious divers to also being built and sold as a luxury sports watch. I say this, because the 1680 was the first reference to be sold in a steel and gold version ("two-tone" or "bi-metal") and also in an 18 carat gold model.

The reference 16800 was introduced in 1977-78. The 16800 introduced caliber 3135 which introduced the quick-set date and a sapphire crystal. Also, the 16800 was now rated from 660 feet to 1000 feet. Sometime around 1985 or 86, white gold surrounds were added to the luminous hour markers. Toward the end of the production run of the 16800s, for only about nine months, Rolex produced a reference 168000 in which the quality of the stainless steel was upgraded from grade 316 to grade 904.

Iin 1989, the Submariner Date received its last update, and became the reference 16610 (still in use as the current Submariner Date in 2005). The change being the introduction of caliber 3135, which featured a 28,800 BPH rate versus the slower 21,600 BPH used in the caliber 1565. "

[dman]

Bruno, that is a new one to me. I will have to research that one. Sorry, don't know.

[Clifton]

168000s are for real. The text you found on the net is correct.

As Rolex upgraded the 316 steel to 904L they added a 0 to the 16800 model. It was the last improvement made to the SUB date prior to the introduction of the 16610.

[dman]

Originally Posted by Clifton

168000s are for real. The text you found on the net is correct.

As Rolex upgraded the 316 steel to 904L they added a 0 to the 16800 model. It was the last improvement made to the SUB date prior to the introduction of the 16610.

Damnit!! I just found out this info after searching for twenty minutes, then Clifton swoops in and steals my thunder.

He's right on the money as usual.

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by dman

Damnit!! I just found out this info after searching for twenty minutes, then Clifton swoops in and steals my thunder.

He's right on the money as usual.

Sorry D wasn't trying to swoop...just happen to be lusting for a 168000 so they are fresh on my mind.

[dman]

Originally Posted by Clifton

Sorry D wasn't trying to swoop...just happen to be lusting for a 168000 so they are fresh on my mind.

I know mate!! I also know that you are a walking Rolex encyclopedia.

Wow, that was a long word for me, I need to go rest now.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Clifton

168000s are for real. The text you found on the net is correct.

As Rolex upgraded the 316 steel to 904L they added a 0 to the 16800 model. It was the last improvement made to the SUB date prior to the introduction of the 16610.

Thanks for confirming that, Clifton....that's one thing I wasn't even aware of!!

[dman]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Thanks for confirming that, Clifton....that's one thing I wasn't even aware of!!

or the thickness of a SD crystal.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by dman

or the thickness of a SD crystal.

...and that too!!

[unknown]

So this is probably the rarest Submariner made in the last 40 years :)

While the 1680, 16800 and 16610 are 10 years or more in production this one was made for only 9 months.


I'm pretty glad I found this one!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by unknown

So this is probably the rarest Submariner made in the last 40 years :)

While the 1680, 16800 and 16610 are 10 years or more in production this one was made for only 9 months.


I'm pretty glad I found this one!

Just hang on to it, pal...you never know!!

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by unknown

So this is probably the rarest Submariner made in the last 40 years :)

While the 1680, 16800 and 16610 are 10 years or more in production this one was made for only 9 months.


I'm pretty glad I found this one!

Even though it is rare, for some reason colectors continue to overlook the 168000. I think this is mainly due to the lack of significance of the metal upgrade. At any rate, I would hang on to it just in case.

Nice find!!!

[unknown]

Originally Posted by Clifton

Even though it is rare, for some reason colectors continue to overlook the 168000. I think this is mainly due to the lack of significance of the metal upgrade. At any rate, I would hang on to it just in case.

Nice find!!!

You're probably right, collectors overlook the 168000 today.
But I think this is because even a lot of Rolex collectors don't know this reference.
If one day collectors start realizing that this miss this one, price could rise very fast.
For example: the german book '2421 Rolex Uhren' gives a very short discription of all subs, daytona's, explorers ...
This book is from 1998. They also gave a price indication for each watch.
Double red seadwellers were priced between 3500 and 4000 euro.
Today some collectors want those watches and you'll have to pay between 13.000 and 18.000 euro. (and prices are still goiing up)
This is + 400% in 7 years !

So I don't buy my watches as investment but I won't be angry if they would become a lot more expensive ;)
Now I'm just happy knowing that I have a rare (very rare) beautifull submariner ;)

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by unknown

So I don't buy my watches as investment but I won't be angry if they would become a lot more expensive ;)
Now I'm just happy knowing that I have a rare (very rare) beautifull submariner ;)

Personally, I'd like to add a 168000 to my collection. So if you ever tire of it, you just let me know.