Rolex Submariner 16803

[TSKDUS]

Hi TRF,

I had been toying with getting a blue TT submariner for a while. I finally came across a 16803 (which does not seem to be on the market that often) that pushed me to make the commitment.

I did a bit of research and found some interesting facts that I thought I will share it with you. Do let me know more about the 16803 or if anything I found todate is incorrect:-

It is a transitional model that was produced for a limited period around ('86 - '87). It was replaced by the 16613 that has been in production for the next 20 years

It is considered the last TT Submariner model to introduce radical changes (until the recent introduction of the 116613 that introduced the next wave of updates).

THe changes introduced in the 16803 included:-

a. a sapphire crystal (compared to the previous acrylic)
b. water resistant rating of 300 meters (increased from 200 meters)

Meanwhile, it retains the older 3035 movement until it was subsequently replaced by the 3135 movement with the introduction of the 16613/16610.

Any input on the history of the 16803 is much appreciated.

[Some Pair]

Great info too.
Seems like you may have it covered.
If not someone will add to it hopefully.

and btw, here's my 16803.

[TSKDUS]

Thanks, Rick. Nice to find a fellow-16803 owner out there!

[TimeToGo]

Love the TT Blue Subs...

..but the one you have pictured has had the dial replaced at some point w/a new luminova. Note the "Swiss Made"... should be "Swiss-T<25."

[TSKDUS]

Thanks for the heads-up, TimeToGo. Much appreciated. The resources here in TRF is amazing!

Can anyone offer more thoughts / pointers / observation on the piece and model? Cheers

[rustedmetal]

Looks like the crown is worn down a bit. Having never owned TT before, this has scared me off a couple times---meaning when the watch goes in for service; the service parts may cost more. Same reason I've past on "deals" on TT heads before. By the time I priced out a replacement band, it just wasn't worth it.

But I think transitional pieces of the sport models will continue to go up in value. Deals can also be had on the parts too.....just try Steve Mulholland for anything you might need.

[TSKDUS]

Thanks, Matthew. I was informed that the dial was repaced :-) I will probably take up your referral and look up Steve. Cheers

[Poom]

All good infor. tks.

[TSKDUS]

Thanks, Poom. Glad to share any information. Cheers

[PaulHuntzyLa]

I also have a 16803, Question, Wgat are your bracelet and endlink #'s?

[XXoF]

And here is my recently acquired 16803 from 1986 (complete with B&P dated 1987 )

Bracelet ref.: 93153, endlinks: 401b

[Ed Branches]

Hello everybody.

My name is Ed and this is my first post here, though I've been reading it for a while.

I also have a 16803 and I enjoy it very much. Mine has a bezel insert with numbers with serif, as you can see in the picture. Any one has any comment on it?

Best wishes to all.

Ed

[Michael M.]

Cool 16803, they are quite rare.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

Love the TT Blue Subs...

..but the one you have pictured has had the dial replaced at some point w/a new luminova. Note the "Swiss Made"... should be "Swiss-T<25."

Mine has "Swiss-T<25", too. Mine is showing small cracks in the dial face, maybe that is why they replaced it. I am torn between replacing it, or leaving it be as a mark of character. Does anyone have an idea if the "Swiss-T<25." in black is still available and how much it would run?

I am planning to send it into Rolex to have the watch gone over.

[budawatch]

Big congrats on a great looking watch!!!

[zee_dweller]

Originally Posted by TSKDUS

Hi TRF,



THe changes introduced in the 16803 included:-

a. a sapphire crystal (compared to the previous acrylic)
b. water resistant rating of 300 meters (increased from 200 meters)

Meanwhile, it retains the older 3035 movement until it was subsequently replaced by the 3135 movement with the introduction of the 16613/16610.

Any input on the history of the 16803 is much appreciated.

Thanks for listing these. I am considering the purchase of a 16803 as well. So apart from the difference in the "Swiss-T<25" marking (what does that mean anyway?) kindly pointed out by another forum member and the 3035 movement, have you been able to determine if there are any physical differences between the 16803 and the 16613?

Thanks very much. What a great forum. This is my first posting after lurking for awhile.

[jatco]

Nice watch TSKDUS.. like this shot. - You can see your reflection....

.

Nice looking other 16803's there guys..
I like it...
thanx

[jjmcd]

Originally Posted by Ed Branches

Hello everybody.

My name is Ed and this is my first post here, though I've been reading it for a while.

I also have a 16803 and I enjoy it very much. Mine has a bezel insert with numbers with serif, as you can see in the picture. Any one has any comment on it?

Best wishes to all.

Ed

Ed - I would have your bezel insert checked by a Rolex dealer - the font of the numbers looks wrong (compare it to the others pictured in this thread); I suspect that the bezel insert is an aftermarket (non-Rolex) replacement. Very easy to replace with a correct Rolex bezel insert.

[jjmcd]

I looked into a TT Submariner a while back and learned, to my surprise, that the early ones came from Rolex with the all-stainless steel buckle from a stainless Submariner; only later TT models had the center part of the buckle in gold to match the rest of the bracelet.

[Brent87st]

Thanks, Poom. Glad to share any information. Cheers

[nejo]

What's a reasonable price on of these, no b+p, but original dial etc...

[Taing]

come accros 1 of this 2 ton black gold 16803... the seller ask for 6000 is it a reasonable price?

[landroverking]

18kt crown about $120 from Rolex.

[R.W.T.]

Actually they started earlier than that. Probably 83. I have seen a high 7 million 16803 once.

[azguy]

That would look great on a SS jubilee

[Daytona4130]

I LOVE transitional Rolexes. Very cool reference.

[JohnAndrew]

Originally Posted by azguy

That would look great on a SS jubilee

+1