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Old 10 October 2019, 09:57 PM   #1
JasonBetts
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16800 matte dial serial and year sequences

My hunt continues for a collectible vintage / neo vintage and this came along.

What's claimed by seller:

- matte dial mk IV
- full set with warranty paper, box, booklet and tags
- serial is R
- year stamped on warranty is 1988

Asking price is on the lower usd10k

Now can someone please tell me if the serial matches the dial and the year?

I tried to search and learnt that the last matte dial was only until 8-9 million series. Please correct me if I'm wrong


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Old 10 October 2019, 10:26 PM   #2
ctzn
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I believe the matte dials ended in '83, around the 8M serials and under.
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Old 10 October 2019, 11:11 PM   #3
mineral
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R serial is definitely too late for matte dial. Not correct oh this watch.


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Old 11 October 2019, 12:46 AM   #4
Cooper33
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I also think an R serial would be too late. Although there are no real certainty around specific serial numbers, I'm pretty sure that when letters were added the gloss dials were in full production. 88 is really too late for a matte dial. My 16800 is 8.70mil and definitely on the later spectrum of serial numbers for matte dials.

This example looks good nonetheless, and assuming is 100% authentic, even if it should have a gloss dial you can still source one and end up with a few dollars on your pocket if you decide to sell the matte dial. Do you have pictures of the paper?
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Old 11 October 2019, 02:23 AM   #5
JasonBetts
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cooper33 View Post
I also think an R serial would be too late. Although there are no real certainty around specific serial numbers, I'm pretty sure that when letters were added the gloss dials were in full production. 88 is really too late for a matte dial. My 16800 is 8.70mil and definitely on the later spectrum of serial numbers for matte dials.

This example looks good nonetheless, and assuming is 100% authentic, even if it should have a gloss dial you can still source one and end up with a few dollars on your pocket if you decide to sell the matte dial. Do you have pictures of the paper?

I came across that idea too Cooper. However the asking price is a little premium at 12k. Provided I can find a period correct glossy dial, I think this example will be too much of a gambling.





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Old 11 October 2019, 02:27 AM   #6
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Frankenwatch.
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Old 11 October 2019, 02:32 AM   #7
JasonBetts
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Cooper, Since you brought that up, if I were to go ahead with this 16800 and try to source a new glossy dial, what mark of a dial would a 1988 R series be?


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Old 11 October 2019, 02:58 AM   #8
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I haven’t seen a late 80’s matte dial, I would beware of this one.
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Old 11 October 2019, 04:28 AM   #9
Cooper33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JasonBetts View Post
Cooper, Since you brought that up, if I were to go ahead with this 16800 and try to source a new glossy dial, what mark of a dial would a 1988 R series be?


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I'm not 100% on this but I think all 16800 gloss dials are the same, because they were quickly replaced with the same dials from the 168000. Not sure if there is a mk variation on gloss dials, but glad to be wrong

What worries me is that the dial was replaced at some point, that's almost for sure, but you're not getting that confirmation from the seller. So who knows what else might be wrong?

I thought you mentioned 10k, not 12k. A 16800 with a non-letter serial and box and papers would fetch around 15k...I'd try to find something else...
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Old 11 October 2019, 04:32 AM   #10
Cooper33
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Also, see this one. Assuming all else is good, it should be a good reference if have to source a period correct dial.

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...ess-steel.html
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Old 11 October 2019, 11:05 AM   #11
JasonBetts
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Quote:
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I'm not 100% on this but I think all 16800 gloss dials are the same, because they were quickly replaced with the same dials from the 168000. Not sure if there is a mk variation on gloss dials, but glad to be wrong



What worries me is that the dial was replaced at some point, that's almost for sure, but you're not getting that confirmation from the seller. So who knows what else might be wrong?



I thought you mentioned 10k, not 12k. A 16800 with a non-letter serial and box and papers would fetch around 15k...I'd try to find something else...


Yes the seller did not inform me about the dial. Lower 10k means 12k. Sorry for the confusion

I think you're right on the watch. So the hunt continues


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Old 12 October 2019, 06:06 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cooper33 View Post
also, see this one. Assuming all else is good, it should be a good reference if have to source a period correct dial.

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...ess-steel.html
nope
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