My Neo Vintage Subbie-Last of the matte dial

[feilong108]

[smallcandle]

Very nice! I love the matte dial and saphire crystal...

[Speed]

Sweet!!!

[Chris B]

Beautiful

[feilong108]

Thanks for all the kind comments...i like the matte dial..searched for a long time for a nice specimen and i pulled the trigger instantly for this beauty!!!

[SS Oyster]

Great watch!

[feilong108]

Still trying to learn more about this watch though..any one kind to enlighten me?

Thanks alot!

[mike]

Nicely done.

Looks like you have an excellent example of the 16800. Sometimes refered to as the "transitional" Submariner, the 16800 was the first Sub to introduce the 3035 fast beat movement. Additionally it was the first Sub to feature a sapphire crystal increasing the depth rating to 300M along with the first uni-directional ratching bezel.

In it's matt version it's the one collector's look for some feeling it combines the best of both worlds. It's always been interesting to me that a common feature of the reference is the darkening of the pearl compared to the idices and the hands.

Also worth noting is the elongated coronet common on the dial.

Nice score.

[feilong108]

Thanks Mike for your kind explaination....like to know if my dial and bezel insert and hands are original too...

Thanks again for your kind inputs!!!

[mike]

Originally Posted by feilong108

Thanks Mike for your kind explaination....like to know if my dial and bezel insert and hands are original too...

Thanks again for your kind inputs!!!

I'd say so without handling the watch. Check the endlinks. The 16800 uses 593s.

[feilong108]

Thanks alot for your quick reply Mike...my endlinks is 593s...bracelet is 91350....i like to know if oxidation on the hands are common and whether it is possible to clean up the hands?

Thanks alot....

[mike]

Originally Posted by feilong108

Thanks alot for your quick reply Mike...my endlinks is 593s...bracelet is 91350....i like to know if oxidation on the hands are common and whether it is possible to clean up the hands?

Thanks alot....

Yeah, it can happen on hands used prior to the use of WG. A very good watchmaker can do something with it, but from the photos it doesn't look bad. The big thing to me would to be sure it has been pressure checked (Not knowing the service history).

Humidity has been called the "silent killer".

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by mike

Yeah, it can happen on hands used prior to the use of WG. A very good watchmaker can do something with it, but from the photos it doesn't look bad. The big thing to me would to be sure it has been pressure checked (Not knowing the service history).

Humidity has been called the "silent killer".

To add to what Mike said.........

I just recently acquired a 16800 from approximately the same era. I did not know the service history, but thought that it might be a good idea to get it serviced for the peace-of-mind (even though it was keeping excellent time). I am very glad that I did. The watch seals had been compromised, and it had a small amount of localized rust in the movement slowly eating away at the watch and movement. Luckily, the problem was caught in time, but I could see how it might have been a major problem on down the road.

Do me a favor and send it in to Bob Ridley. He will take excellent care of such a magnificent specimen.

http://www.watchmakers.com/

[feilong108]

Thanks Mike and Jason for your kind inputs...will be sending to my local watchsmith for servicing and water pressure test next week...

Thanks for all the kind advice and i m sure hooked on vintages....currently on the prowl for a nice 1665....saving up $$$ along the way too...

[Clay]

Nice example......For what it's worth, the vast majority is 16800's I've seen over the years have oxidation on the hands.....
Not sure why???

[sea-dweller]

Nice Sub!

[SS Oyster]

Please don't refer to Submariner as "Subbie" ... it's not very manly.

[feilong108]

Thanks for viewing....i have no idea...so far almost all the 16800 have oxidation issues on the hands...