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Old 9 November 2018, 09:37 AM   #1
sixers
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about to get my first rolex... a 16800

Hello all,

I had been looking for a watch since 2 or 3 years ago but nothing had really appeal to me until I discover all the fun with vintage rolex world. 5513 is my favorite but the price point is too much for me. So I find this 1995, 16800, the dial is the version which the lum dot doesn’t has the platinum ring around it (which I much prefer) It started to show a bit of patina which hopefully will age beautifully.

The watch and bracelet has quite marking and scratches then others examples around the same age. But for 6.5k it seems like a deal? The sales person also told me the markings would be a lot less noticeable after they brush it lightly (not polishing) I’ve no idea if that’s true or not but the dial and hands seems to be in beautiful condition. (there are 3 tiny black dots on the dial which I am told is an easy clean) Any thing to watch out here? Obviously I am a bit nervous making this fairly big purchase.

Thank you so much for your time in advance.
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Old 9 November 2018, 01:34 PM   #2
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Lovely watch, congrats !

But do you mean it's from 1985 and not 1995 ? The latter would have the white gold (not platinum) rings around the plots.

Don't be in a hurry to have the watch polished - just wear it as is for a bit, that's the charm of wearing a vintage :-). And $6500 is a pretty good price.
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Old 9 November 2018, 01:45 PM   #3
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Nice pickup and yes, just enjoy it, don't polish ~
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Old 9 November 2018, 01:59 PM   #4
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Thank you so much for your replies! Does the scratch look bad to you at all? The shop also showed me another one with no-date and a non-matt dial, which has a lot less scratch/markings at around 6000 (I much prefer this one this one tho)

How do I check the watch after I bought it? The store is in 5th Ave New York (inside one of those midtown commercial buildings) Can I bring it to rolex to verify it?

Many thanks again!
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Old 9 November 2018, 07:56 PM   #5
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Apart from a couple of tiny dings on the crown side, all the other scratches look superficial and means the watch was actually worn - to me, that adds to the "character" & charm of a vintage watch, though others may not agree.

I'm not sure about Rolex in the U.S., but over in Asia, they have stopped doing verification of used watches. Up until a few months ago, they were still quoting officially for servicing - if they able to quote, it means the used watch is genuine & also not stolen. But apparently they have stopped doing that too.

If the scratches bother you and since you want to have the watch verified, you could send it to Rolex for a service & overhaul - might cost you about $1k or so depending on what needs to be done. You'll also get 2 years warranty after that. But make sure you tell them you DO NOT want that gorgeous matt dial & hands replaced :-)
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Old 9 November 2018, 10:08 PM   #6
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Lovely example of a 16800 that looks like it's actually had a useful life .Everything about it looks genuine & straight, as in not messed about with. The 16800 can be a great daily wearer, please dont get it polished . Mine says hello
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Old 9 November 2018, 11:17 PM   #7
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Firstly I think year 1985 or 1995 16800 is too late for the matte dial version.

If the watch serial number is correct for the matte dial, i would strongly encourage you to get it as the matte dial 16800 has vintage charm and at the same time come with sapphire for better water resistance.




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Old 9 November 2018, 11:51 PM   #8
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If its from 1995 and has a matte dial then that may be why its only priced at $6500. That is not the correct dial for 1995. Even 1985 as suggested above is pushing it for a matte dial. Please post the first few numbers of the serial number so that we can verify the year for you.
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Old 10 November 2018, 02:04 AM   #9
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Hi Sixers , the best way to check approx year of production is to remove the bracelet & check the Serial number against one of the readily available online rolex production charts . This isn't a guarantee of year but does help .
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Old 10 November 2018, 02:47 AM   #10
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Wasn't there a discussion somewhere in the forum about matt dials found on low 9-mil serial numbers which indicates around 1985-86 ? Maybe that was referring to 16750s ... Hmm ... I could be wrong though.

Anyway this 16800 couldn't possibly be from 1995 since it was discontinued around 1988.

Best to check the serial number as some already pointed out.
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Old 10 November 2018, 04:53 AM   #11
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So I stopped by again today, the sales lady made a mistake about the year and it is a 1984. The serious number is 8267xxx

Does that sound all good? And do you guys think around 6500 it is a good deal?

Thank you again for all your help, I am definitely feeling the love!
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Old 10 November 2018, 05:32 AM   #12
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That price for a matte dial 16800 seems pretty decent to me. I would jump on it.
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Old 10 November 2018, 05:44 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sixers View Post
So I stopped by again today, the sales lady made a mistake about the year and it is a 1984. The serious number is 8267xxx

Does that sound all good? And do you guys think around 6500 it is a good deal?

Thank you again for all your help, I am definitely feeling the love!


Underpriced in my opinion. Grab it.


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Old 10 November 2018, 06:01 AM   #14
sixers
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Here's some more photos, does the uneven length of the lug something that concerns you? I am guess that is from a polish that was done some time ago.
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Old 10 November 2018, 06:06 AM   #15
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At $6500 you could send it off to LAWW for a full service, spend about $1500 total (assuming a lot of internals need replacing plus $500 for a case refinish), and come out pretty well.
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Old 10 November 2018, 06:09 AM   #16
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Quote:
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At $6500 you could send it off to LAWW for a full service, spend about $1500 total (assuming a lot of internals need replacing plus $500 for a case refinish), and come out pretty well.
Thanks for your reply 037. Does that mean it is still a deal? Or you mean it is crazy to spend $2000 on a $6500 watch?

Thanks again and I'm very new to vintage rolex world.
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Old 10 November 2018, 06:11 AM   #17
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That price for a matte dial 16800 seems pretty decent to me. I would jump on it.
Thanks Saskmh, there are no boxes/paper, is that a huge deal for watches of this year? Or the missing of those are already reflected in the price

Personally I don't mind those scratches and missing of the box/paper, just wonder if that undermine the value hugely if I happen to sell it one day...
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Old 10 November 2018, 06:16 AM   #18
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Icon14

Quote:
Originally Posted by koryong View Post
Wasn't there a discussion somewhere in the forum about matt dials found on low 9-mil serial numbers which indicates around 1985-86 ? Maybe that was referring to 16750s ... Hmm ... I could be wrong though.

Anyway this 16800 couldn't possibly be from 1995 since it was discontinued around 1988.

Best to check the serial number as some already pointed out.
Thank you so much Koryong for calling out the year/dial mismatch. Finally checked it is 1985 and was a 8267xxx which solved a lot of my question marks.

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Old 10 November 2018, 06:25 AM   #19
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Quote:
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At $6500 you could send it off to LAWW for a full service, spend about $1500 total (assuming a lot of internals need replacing plus $500 for a case refinish), and come out pretty well.
I agree , I think the 16800 matte dial will be one of the next must have vintage watches . Pretty much everything else Submariner with a matte dial is crazy money .
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Old 10 November 2018, 08:58 AM   #20
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Thanks for your reply 037. Does that mean it is still a deal? Or you mean it is crazy to spend $2000 on a $6500 watch?

Thanks again and I'm very new to vintage rolex world.
No, not crazy at all. You'd be out around $8000-8500 total for a fully working matte 16800. I'd say that's beyond a fair price. Sure, the case will be reworked and not pass "unpolished" standards, buy you're saving thousands in the process. If it's going to be a daily wearer then I can't find any faults in it.

This is definitely a case of buying a watch because you love it and bringing it back to health. If that's your approach then it seems worth doing.
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Old 10 November 2018, 09:09 AM   #21
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So I stopped by again today, the sales lady made a mistake about the year and it is a 1984. The serious number is 8267xxx

Does that sound all good? And do you guys think around 6500 it is a good deal?

Thank you again for all your help, I am definitely feeling the love!


Definitely good deal. Grab it.

Here is mine from 1983.




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Old 10 November 2018, 10:43 AM   #22
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Awesome, sixers :-) ... it's all good then. 6500 is not a good deal .... it's a steal !

Quickly grab it or I will ... kidding ;-) ... am too far away. Where I am, a fine specimen like this would go for about 9-10k without box & papers.
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Old 10 November 2018, 02:09 PM   #23
sixers
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Quote:
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Definitely good deal. Grab it.

Here is mine from 1983.




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Thanks for sharing! I can't help to stare at those beautiful patina, what a sweet watch
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Old 10 November 2018, 02:11 PM   #24
sixers
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Thanks again for all of your help! I can't tell you how nervous and excited I am about this first purchase. I think I am going for it next week, already had it on hold

Sharing this video I took earlier today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQWQZr81Mc0
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Old 10 November 2018, 02:17 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sixers View Post
Thanks again for all of your help! I can't tell you how nervous and excited I am about this first purchase. I think I am going for it next week, already had it on hold

Sharing this video I took earlier today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQWQZr81Mc0


Don’t be surprised if it’s gone or has a new price next week.


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Old 10 November 2018, 04:03 PM   #26
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Jump on it now OP before the seller gets wise to the great price or someone else stops in and offers more.
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Old 10 November 2018, 08:09 PM   #27
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Then it will b on eBay.


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Old 10 November 2018, 09:22 PM   #28
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wooow dude jump on it directly now!!
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Old 11 November 2018, 03:10 AM   #29
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Buy it! Now....

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Old 11 November 2018, 03:20 AM   #30
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Buy it, service it. Wear it. Repeat every 7-9yrs.

Do NOTHING else.
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