Submariner 16800 dial question

[cforbes54]

Looking at a 16800. I trust the dealer, but they are saying it's is a 16800 matte dial. However, it has applied indices with white gold rings. I thought the matte dial only had painted?

Also, I have literally never seen a Sub with "T SWISS T" at the bottom, but that is what this says.

Anyone ever seen this combo?

[0nly5iv3Digits]

This is also my understanding. I can’t say for 100% certainty, but I believe that the “palletoni” matte dials (as they are affectionately referred to by our Italian brothers and sisters) only came with painted markers, sans surrounds.

I know the GMT 16750 did have an early variation of matte dial with white gold surrounds though.

I’ve personally never seen a matte 16800 dial with white gold hour marker surrounds.

[Brian Page]

Think it might be a service dial of some kind?

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by Brian Page

Think it might be a service dial of some kind?

I would agree.

[cforbes54]

That's what the dealer said it may be as well! I just can't find a single picture online of a Submariner that says that.. so had me concerned.

What would that mean per say? That Rolex replaced the dial, and the replacement they used had a different marking?

Would a service dial affect value long term?

[0nly5iv3Digits]

In general, service dials have been known to affect values. Of course, particular collectors will generally prioritize condition and originality over all else.

What’s the asking and does it come with paperwork?

[Dan S]

I still can't see the photos.

[rootbeer7]

16800 came with both matte (no white gold surrounds on plots) and with gold surrounds. Perhaps they’re misusing the term to relate to the dial itself? This term isn’t usually reserved this period of dial. Best to post pictures.

[BloodyElbow]

The dial on my 168000 has WGS and is matte. I'm uncertain if it is due to age or the early 16800/168000 WGS dials were matte from the factory?

[hutch300]

I think it started gloss and turned matte over time.

[996marty]

A lack of photos isn’t helping your post

[TimeToGo]

.
Discussed here (w/pictures):

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...7#post13058177

[springer]

Originally Posted by BloodyElbow

The dial on my 168000 has WGS and is matte. I'm uncertain if it is due to age or the early 16800/168000 WGS dials were matte from the factory?

I've owned both Submariner 16800s and GMT 16750s that originally came with the glossy dials with the gold surround markers. On a few of them, the glossy finish turned to a matte dial appearance with time, so, it would not be unusual to find a glossy dial from the 1980s that changed to a matte finish.