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Chronos22 · 31 October 2015, 12:37 AM

I would appreciate the assistance of experts. I have been offered a 1983 16800 Submariner. It has closed 6s and 9s on the date wheel. This made me doubt the originality of at least the date wheel. I checked my saved sources and realized that none of them clearly state when Rolex ceased using these date wheels on Submariners.

I need confirmation or correcting of the following statements please:

(1) Open 6s and 9s (O69) started with 1680 Subs but continued in 16800 Subs.
(2) O69 in 16800 Subs ended when glossy dials were introduced (I believe this happened in 1983)
(3) O69 were used in all 16800 Subs
(4) O69 were also used in 168000 Subs
(5) When Subs that were issued with O69 date wheels were serviced by Rolex and the date wheel needed to be replaced date wheels with closed 6s and 9s were installed when Rolex ran out of O69s.

I appreciate your responses!

TimeToGo · 31 October 2015, 08:50 PM

Welcome to the Forum!

Hate to say this but you are too hung up on a date wheel...

If that is causing you concern on the originality of a 32 year old watch, which could have been changed along the service history of the watch, then move on or take it to a watchmaker to break down the watch and inspect every part of it for your peace of mind..

JustinK · 31 October 2015, 10:16 PM

My 16800's from 82-83 both have open 6 and 9's. If the watch was later serviced and they replaced the date wheel it will probably have closed 6 and 9's.

If it's a nice watch otherwise who cares. You can always source the correct date wheel and have it installed.

Post some pics of what your considering and the forum will help you out.

Welcome to TRF!

swish77 · 31 October 2015, 11:46 PM

Open-6 date wheels were used on many Rolex models until at least the late '80s. (Even my '88 DJ has one.) I'd assume the 16800 you're looking at has a service date wheel, which might not be a deal-breaker for me, although I fully understand why you'd want one. Those open-6 date wheels are super cool, and I get hung up on them too. If the rest of the watch is good, you could always try to track down a period-correct date wheel. Good luck.

springer · 1 November 2015, 01:18 AM

Open numbers in the 1980s. A service date wheel is not going to affect the value of your watch.

31 October 2015, 12:37 AM	#1
Chronos22 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Africa Posts: 3	Open 6s and 9s on 16800 date wheels I would appreciate the assistance of experts. I have been offered a 1983 16800 Submariner. It has closed 6s and 9s on the date wheel. This made me doubt the originality of at least the date wheel. I checked my saved sources and realized that none of them clearly state when Rolex ceased using these date wheels on Submariners. I need confirmation or correcting of the following statements please: (1) Open 6s and 9s (O69) started with 1680 Subs but continued in 16800 Subs. (2) O69 in 16800 Subs ended when glossy dials were introduced (I believe this happened in 1983) (3) O69 were used in all 16800 Subs (4) O69 were also used in 168000 Subs (5) When Subs that were issued with O69 date wheels were serviced by Rolex and the date wheel needed to be replaced date wheels with closed 6s and 9s were installed when Rolex ran out of O69s. I appreciate your responses!

1 November 2015, 01:18 AM	#5
springer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: jP Location: Texas Watch: GMT-MASTER Posts: 17,197	Open numbers in the 1980s. A service date wheel is not going to affect the value of your watch. __________________ Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.

31 October 2015, 08:50 PM	#2
TimeToGo 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 16,593	Welcome to the Forum! Hate to say this but you are too hung up on a date wheel... If that is causing you concern on the originality of a 32 year old watch, which could have been changed along the service history of the watch, then move on or take it to a watchmaker to break down the watch and inspect every part of it for your peace of mind..

31 October 2015, 10:16 PM	#3
JustinK 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Justin Location: Jupiter, FL Watch: 1530,1665,1680 Posts: 2,054	My 16800's from 82-83 both have open 6 and 9's. If the watch was later serviced and they replaced the date wheel it will probably have closed 6 and 9's. If it's a nice watch otherwise who cares. You can always source the correct date wheel and have it installed. Post some pics of what your considering and the forum will help you out. Welcome to TRF!

31 October 2015, 11:46 PM	#4
swish77 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Aaron Location: CT/NYC Watch: ing the time! Posts: 6,792	Open-6 date wheels were used on many Rolex models until at least the late '80s. (Even my '88 DJ has one.) I'd assume the 16800 you're looking at has a service date wheel, which might not be a deal-breaker for me, although I fully understand why you'd want one. Those open-6 date wheels are super cool, and I get hung up on them too. If the rest of the watch is good, you could always try to track down a period-correct date wheel. Good luck.

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