Rolex 16800/168000 Dial Variations

[hammywatch]

Hello Fellow TRF members!

As many 16800 and 168000 are going into the 30th year period, I was trying to search for records on the gloss dial variation during its production phase but didn’t managed to find much info.

Does anyone of here have good information on the gloss dial variation to share?

I’m sure it will be helpful for 16800 and Neo-vintage submariners lovers as a reference.

Some information I’ve gathered is that 16800 was produced from 1979 till 1989. It started with the matte dial variation that was made from 7+ million series till 8.4-8.5 million series, after which the matte dial was replaced by gloss dial that was produced till late 9+ million series.

From late 9+ million series, it was then replaced by 16800A/168000 which was produced for only 9 months till R5xx,xxx series.

At the moment I’ve only found this record online. Credits to the buddy that compiled this matte dial variation for the VRF community.

Thank you everyone for your contribution!

Have a great day ahead!




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[srlwatch]

Do you know when the white gold started around the lume? On the 16800 model?


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[Glosstritium]

I have a 1984 all original early 16800 gloss transitional dial that was bought at the Rolex dealer when it first came out and been in the family for 35 years now and is my daily wearer... The serial number is 8.395k...


EDIT...Oh and I forgot to add, my uncle bought a new one also in 1984 serial 8.355k...

[greanie]

I though the 168000 was produced end of '87 - '89 . . . is that the 9M serial + ?

Maybe i dont understand.