Help with judging birth year 16610 condition.

[herou1272]

Hi guys,

I've been looking for a birth year watch for quite some time now. I've found this submariner on watchmaster with papers confirming it's from 1992.

I've got very little experience with judging watch condition but was hoping to get your opinions on the 16610 they've got advertised for £7300.... it looks soft around the edges.... like it's been polished heavily.... but would be grateful for your input as well.

Thanks

Sorry I can't post a link to it directly... haven't hit 10 posts yet

[e dantes]

The chamfers look rounded from polishing.

[Kliminator]

Yes the lugs look very rounded from polishing over the years. I would hold off for a better example if I were you

[DutchRudder]

Looks like it's been polished by a monkey - pass.

[Gerardus]

Over polished lugs.

[rmagoo57]

OP, you can educate yourself right here on TRF by clicking on a couple hundred examples in the classified section or similar posts here. In time you will figure out exactly what to look for - crown guards, lugs, bezel, bracelet, etc., for the price you want to pay. You will pay more for a quality or newer piece. Once you figure out what you want, the hunt for YOUR watch will be fun! Many watches hit the market every day. It could take a week or months so be patient.

[Nikrnic]

Definite pass at any price. You can do much better, just be patient..

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[77T]

I can’t say much about the watch’s condition because I always bet the seller first - and will say no more than the previous experiences some had here >> https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=449579

BTW, the “satisfied” posts appear to be schilling for WM since they joined for the sole purpose of damping down the negatives.


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[newu5er]

Rolex crown on band shows heavy polish
Lugs (especially bottom ones) heavy polish
Compare top lug's to bottom and you can see how much definition is missing
Look at position of pins in 2nd picture, appears to show more aggressive polish to bottom lugs
Not horrible considering age, but has been worn and polished a lot.

[Sandpit]

You can do a lot better. Maybe consider a 14060 also to widen the options?

[Meyrin]

The over-polished lugs spoil it for me. Take a deep breath and walk away from it! I know it´s easily said, but there are lots of better examples that can be found!

[Tools]

Looks good, nothing wrong with it for a 30 year old watch.

Any concerns with the chamfers can be cleaned up in no time.

[herou1272]

Thanks a lot for the feedback! Looks like I'll pass on this one and keep searching.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Tools

Looks good, nothing wrong with it for a 30 year old watch.

Any concerns with the chamfers can be cleaned up in no time.

It's 30yrs old but that's a mess, surely you're not recommending someone to buy that instead of a sharp well cared one for the same money?

Somebody has had the best of that OP, there is far better out there for your money than a restoration project that'll never be right.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

It's 30yrs old but that's a mess, surely you're not recommending someone to buy that instead of a sharp well cared one for the same money?

Somebody has had the best of that OP, there is far better out there for your money than a restoration project that'll never be right.

I'm not recommending anything.

I'm saying that somebody simply cleaned this example all over and softened the chamfers, which is not really a big deal on a 30 year old watch that is otherwise in good shape.

To expect an older, used, watch to look like a showroom example is not realistic.

Saying that it is a "mess" is without foundation.