Was Dowling wrong? Did this watch ever exist?

[jfmiii]

could mr rolex have made such a glaring mistake?

[dysondiver]

jocke will knock you one up ,,, if that helps

[Beaumont Miller II]

The depth rating looks like it says 300m which would make it a sapphire crystal. So, this watch would not be a 1680/3 which did not exist, but rather the 16803 which was introduced after the 1680. The 16803 had the sapphire crystal which gave it a greater depth rating and used the 3035 movement. Subsequently, the 16610 was introduced and used the 3135 movement.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=117042

The nipple hour markers on the dial have me a bit perplexed; however I believe that there are some 16803 nipple dials out there with a depth rating of 1000ft printed on the dial.

[dysondiver]

with nipples

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

The depth rating looks like it says 300m which would make it a sapphire crystal. So, this watch would not be a 1680/3 which did not exist, but rather the 16803 which was introduced after the 1680. The 16803 had the sapphire crystal which gave it a greater depth rating and used the 3035 movement. Subsequently, the 16610 was introduced and used the 3135 movement.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=117042

The nipple hour markers on the dial have me a bit perplexed.

what is the earliest serial 16803? i seem to remember there being '83 serial 16803. if so, at that time, the 16800 came with a matte dial and the 16808 came with a nipple. it doesnt make much sense to me that rolex would begin using WG on the 16803 when no other model Subs had them yet. Additionally, the 16753 DID have nipples at that time.

Hmmmm.....

[Beaumont Miller II]

Originally Posted by jfmiii

what is the earliest serial 16803? i seem to remember there being '83 serial 16803. if so, at that time, the 16800 came with a matte dial and the 16808 came with a nipple. it doesnt make much sense to me that rolex would begin using WG on the 16803 when no other model Subs had them yet. Additionally, the 16753 DID have nipples at that time.

Hmmmm.....

I don't think the nipple hour markers on the 16803 were white gold. They look yellow to me.

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

I don't think the nipple hour markers on the 16803 were white gold. They look yellow to me.

you are right, i meant YG. but im more curious as to whether dowling thinks a nipple dial 16803 did exist. perhaps i should email him.

[dysondiver]

id hang on a few mins , there is a vast well of knowledge here , id be surprised if some one hasnt got the answer , or even the watch.

[Beaumont Miller II]

I did a google image search for 16803 and saw some nipple dials mounted in cases and a few free standing dials as well in various states of condition. This is not a reference that I follow, but I would think the nipple dials would be primarily on the early ones when the transition from 1680 to 16803 was made.

[soundserious]

http://catalog.antiquorum.com/catalo...9&auctionid=71

Capture.JPG

[MonBK]

James is never wrong.

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by viknijjar

http://catalog.antiquorum.com/catalo...9&auctionid=71

what am i looking at here? why was this posted?

[Beaumont Miller II]

Originally Posted by jfmiii

what am i looking at here? why was this posted?

I was thinking the same thing.

[ROGERB]

So is thishttp://pds.exblog.jp/pds/1/201212/25/03/d0159403_0535381.jpg somehow not real?

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by ROGERB

So is this http://pds.exblog.jp/pds/1/201212/25...03_0535381.jpg somehow not real?

i dont doubt it isnt 100% authentic Rolex, it's that I cant confirm that the nipple was ever original to that watch. Is that your watch? Are you the original owner? Do you have any documentation proving that the nipple left the factory on that watch? I would really really love to see proof. I would buy one tomorrow if I had proof early 16803s came with nipple dials.

I have emailed Dowling about the picture. I'm hoping I get a response.

[Beef]

Originally Posted by jfmiii

i dont doubt it isnt 100% authentic Rolex, it's that I cant confirm that the nipple was ever original to that watch. Is that your watch? Are you the original owner? Do you have any documentation proving that the nipple left the factory on that watch? I would really really love to see proof. I would buy one tomorrow if I had proof early 16803s came with nipple dials.

I have emailed Dowling about the picture. I'm hoping I get a response.

Mr. Dowling usually gets back to you within 24 hours. Quite a knowledgable gentleman, always happy to help.

[Rolex time is money]

Bumping this from 2014, so anyone got a answer regarding the 16803 coming with a nipple dial?

Im curious since I bought a 16803 around 2 months ago with a nipple dial, it does not matter to me really if the dial come from a 16808 and then fitted on my 16803.

But it would be cool to know if 16803 come with a nipple dial option back then.

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by jfmiii

what is the earliest serial 16803? i seem to remember there being '83 serial 16803. if so, at that time, the 16800 came with a matte dial and the 16808 came with a nipple. it doesnt make much sense to me that rolex would begin using WG on the 16803 when no other model Subs had them yet. Additionally, the 16753 DID have nipples at that time.

Hmmmm.....

I almost certainly remember a 16803 with a high 7 mil serial..on eBay..it had a service dial...so the original...would not be able to be determined. I wish I'd bought it.

I bet there are nipple 16803's...a handful could actually be legit. The thing is 8 mil is still alright for nipples on a 16808...it's all gonna be tight.

[oysterquartz17000]

I would like to know the answer to this too

[oysterquartz17000]

Anyone? I would really like to know if the nipple dials were only sold with the 16803 in 1983 and early 1984. Some evidence points to this, in terms of the watches from that era having mostly nipple dials. However, to confuse things I have seen a few 1983 16803s with full lume plots. These could be service dials, not sure.

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

I would like to know the answer to this too

Even beyond that. Is that dial re-lumed it's got little blobs on top of the hour marker nipples.

[oysterquartz17000]

Yes it was relumed as part of a recent overhaul, but the watch only cost 5k box and papers, so I can live with it ;)

[oysterquartz17000]

I think its a pretty good catch for 5k :)

[swish77]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

I think its a pretty good catch for 5k :)

Yes, cool set! Relatively minor, but I believe that translation booklet is for a non-chronometer watch, such as 5513s and 6263s. The chronometer version is more of a booklet, not pamphlet, if that makes sense. Looks like this:

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by swish77

Yes, cool set! Relatively minor, but I believe that translation booklet is for a non-chronometer watch, such as 5513s and 6263s. The chronometer version is more of a booklet, not pamphlet, if that makes sense. Looks like this:

Thanks Swish :)

I think I have a booklet like yours somewhere in my stash of rolex odds and ends. I will take a look. Yes its a great little set, a lovely way to cap off a great year of collecting.