Advice on 16800 Matte Dial

[cupboard]

Hi fellow forum members. This is my first post on the forums and I would like to seek some advice on the conditions of the watch and their pricing. I'm currently looking for a 16800 Matte dial and have found 2 pieces for sale that I can view in person.

The first is going for about $5000 but seems to have some flaking of the tritium hour markers and some abrasions on the clasp, have not seen such damage before does anyone know if its normal? I'm guessing this is possibly due to 306L steel being weaker.

The second piece is going for about $7200 seems to be in really good condition but the dial seems a little too.. perfect. To me the case looks pretty heavily polished, but I'm unsure if its too much.

Both of them are without box or papers.

I've actually been really fixated on getting a Matte dial sub for awhile now especially since I think they are only going to get more expensive. The alternative that I've considered is to just get an early example of the 16610 but the heart says otherwise Appreciate any advice and thanks in advance.

[cupboard]

Anyone able to help?

[brockburst]

I would pass on the 5k one, I don't like the wear on the dial

The other looks good to me, case has been polished but doesn't look too bad, can always have the bevels redone

[gt0279a]

Date Mag looks small on the second one

[cupboard]

Brock by the wear of the dial are you referring to the flaking of the tritium hour markers? Is this something that's normal with age or is indicating some inherent problems? Also with regards to the price for the 2nd piece do you think its reasonable? Thanks in advance for your response!

[swish77]

Definitely Door No. 2. Much better dial, great matching patina and a better case, although the crown guards have been polished down quite a bit. (The crown guards on that first one look like tiny nubs they've been polished so much, in the photo anyway.) If it turns out there's an issue with the crystal on the second watch, replacing it with a real one is not too expensive. Good luck!

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by swish77

Definitely Door No. 2. Much better dial, great matching patina and a better case, although the crown guards have been polished down quite a bit. (The crown guards on that first one look like tiny nubs they've been polished so much, in the photo anyway.) If it turns out there's an issue with the crystal on the second watch, replacing it with a real one is not too expensive. Good luck!

⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Agree. Good advice

[cupboard]

Swish, I've more pictures of the crown guards of the 1st piece, are they really bad? Am thinking of getting either for use as almost daily. Thanks for the advice!

[Sky21]

2nd one looks to be in much cleaner and crisper condition. The dial, hands, and insert look very nice. The case has been polished but not so much that it should override all the other nice things on this watch. Price is not too high, see if you can get to around $6.5k but it seems like a nice buy.

[michaelodonnell123]

Before you consider buying either one, will you be taking them to a professional to verify that they are both 100% original? Otherwise how do you even know what you are spending your hard earned money on? No box and no papers is really a let down. I would search for a complete example if I were in your shoes.

[cupboard]

Hi folks recently came across this 16800 for sale, would appreciate any comments on the condition of this watch, its unpolished and going for $6500.

Cheers