Rolex 16800 matte

[AlexeyDp]

Hi! Recently became the owner of 16800. I wanted the Watch of my birth on the bracelet is the letter " g " but the number on the watch is 880...... . Which means 1984. Can someone tell me something? I will be very grateful!

[037]

Welcome to TRF and congrats on the 16800!

An 8.8M serial number is approximately 1985. The 'G' clasp code puts the bracelet at around 1982. However, it's certainly possible that the bracelet was manufactured before the watch head and paired up correctly. It's also possible that your watch was indeed manufactured in 1984 and not shipped for sale until 1985. The serial number lists found online are best guesses and not 100% accurate given how secretive Rolex is with their production.

If the watch is in the condition that you like then I would be happy with it being very close to your birth year.

After you make a few more posts on the forum, please post photos of your watch.

[AlexeyDp]

Originally Posted by 037

welcome to trf and congrats on the 16800!

An 8.8m serial number is approximately 1985. The 'g' clasp code puts the bracelet at around 1982. However, it's certainly possible that the bracelet was manufactured before the watch head and paired up correctly. It's also possible that your watch was indeed manufactured in 1984 and not shipped for sale until 1985. The serial number lists found online are best guesses and not 100% accurate given how secretive rolex is with their production.

If the watch is in the condition that you like then i would be happy with it being very close to your birth year.

After you make a few more posts on the forum, please post photos of your watch.

1.JPG

[onthedial]

@AlexeyDp
I think your 16800 is closer to production year 1984. A "G" bracelet isn't too far off base, meaning that it could have been paired with the watch (head) from the get-go. If it nags on you, you could always sell your "G" and turn around and purchase an "I."
___________
Instagram: @onthedial

[037]

AlexeyDp - Photo is small but the watch looks good. You did well.

Originally Posted by onthedial

A "G" bracelet isn't too far off base, meaning that it could have been paired with the watch (head) from the get-go. If it nags on you, you could always sell your "G" and turn around and purchase an "I."

I wouldn't do that. There's easily a 50/50 chance that the bracelet he has now is what shipped with the watch, which is what I mentioned above. Swapping it could break the original pairing. Unfortunately there's no way for us to know. So, I'd just leave it and err on the side of assuming it's original. It's not uncommon for bracelets to be made in batches and paired as needed.

[AlexeyDp]

Thank you friends!!!

[V.lats97nsx]

8.8 serial is way to late for matte dial

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[onthedial]

@AlexeyDp
Your image was posted after I submitted my previous comment. Now that I see that you do indeed have a matte dial, can you take some shots of your case SN and Ref. numbers? [You can block-out the last 3 digits of the SN]. For good measure you could also include pics of the end link and bracelet numbers + bracelet code stamp too. Lastly, how 'bout a macro shot of the dial?

[springer]

It really doesn't matter what year someone calls the watch, 1984, 85 or 1986. You can argue that point forever. The 8.8 million serial is well out of the range for the matte-dialed 16800 era. The G clasp code is too early for an 8.8 million too. Two significant strikes right there to be considered a late production leftover or fluke.

[037]

Originally Posted by springer

The 8.8 million serial is well out of the range for the matte-dialed 16800 era.

What's the absolute highest recorded serial number for a matte 16800 known with absolute definitive certainty, 100%, no-questions-asked?

I ask because I've seen VERY respected resellers with mid-8M serial matte dial 16800s sold years before vintage hype was a fraction of what it is today. 8.8 doesn't seem impossible given how vintage revolves so much around educated guesses, but maybe it is.

Honest question. I'm curious.

[springer]

Originally Posted by 037

What's the absolute highest recorded serial number for a matte 16800 known with absolute definitive certainty, 100%, no-questions-asked?

I ask because I've seen VERY respected resellers with mid-8M serial matte dial 16800s sold years before vintage hype was a fraction of what it is today. 8.8 doesn't seem impossible given how vintage revolves so much around educated guesses, but maybe it is.

Honest question. I'm curious.

Is it possible...maybe. Probable...no. It will always be a watch with a "story." I've seen "respected sellers" selling watches with incorrect parts before. It is not unheard of at all.

That's my opinion, whether you agree or not.

[037]

Originally Posted by springer

Is it possible...maybe. Probable...no. It will always be a watch with a "story." I've seen "respected sellers" selling watches with incorrect parts before. It is not unheard of at all.

That's my opinion, whether you agree or not.

I'm not disagreeing, I'm curious. There's a difference.

The latest matte 16800 I can find online is 8.3M in the archives of a very well-known seller. I'm still looking for a later example. But, I don't know if that's inside or outside of what's generally accepted as the latest matte dial range, hence why I asked. If 8.3 is accepted as being inside the matte range then the above watch is under 500k apart, which doesn't seem impossible.

[sillo]

I think I've seen an 8.4M matte dial for sale somewhere, but like others have said, 8.8 is later than anything I've ever seen.

[037]

Perhaps the serial on this is actually 830xxxx and it looks like 880xxxx from endlink wear.

@Alexey - Can you post a photo of the serial number end of the watch? Feel free to block the last four numbers.

[AlexeyDp]

today taking off the end saw the error that was indicated in certificate No. 808XXXX I called the store very apologized and promised to fix everything in my certificate.
P.S. I can not attach photos recently on this forum.

[AlexeyDp]

today took off the ends link and carefully looked at the number this 808XXXX calling the store where you bought a watch and issued a certificate of authenticity apologized and promised to fix everything in my certificate

[AlexeyDp]

I think that maybe they really can still be in 1982? do you think, is it possible?

[sillo]

Yeah that makes more sense if it's an original matte dial.

[blowfish89]

8.08 serial number makes much more sense, looks like this is figured out.