Submariner 16800 1981

[George Pawson]

I am a new member and trust what I am asking is ok.
Until recently I new nothing about Rolex watches until I bought a new Submariner. I have an old one which I thought was a fake but have now researched it with interest. Serial no. 7105xxx which puts it at 1981. It has a flat 4 on the bezel and a perfect sapphire Crystal glass. The bracelet has all the right numbers but the clasp is marked AB1 which appears to be 2000. Is this watch a run of the mill transition model or might it be rarer? Any idea of worth? I would appreciate any comments please, thanks.

[Tools]

"Transitional" is a somewhat misleading tag. The 16800 Sub was the model that followed the 1680 Sub, nothing really transitional about that.

It introduced the sapphire crystal and the fast beat 3035 movement. Early versions used a matte, non-surround dial, and so this version could be referred to as "transitional" since it pre-dated the later surround dials. Any redial would use the gold-surround version.

Sounds like yours is likely a very nice watch that has had the original bracelet replaced at some point.

Values for your area could likely be found all over the Internet.

[TimeLord2]

Post pics George, you can do so with just one post. "Go Advanced" instead of "Post Quick Reply". Hit the paper clip to attach the images and resize them based on the specifications in the pop-up window. Good luck, and welcome to the forum!

[Styles Bitchley]

Can you post a few photos?

[Filipão]

OP, what makes you think you have "triple zero" 168000?

Your serial # is way too early for one.

Did you check the reference by removing the bracelet?

My 16800 is #8.275.XXX (still with a matte dial)

Please post some pictures!

Best wishes, Filipe

[Woody]

Originally Posted by Filipão

OP, what makes you think you have "triple zero" 168000?

Your serial # is way too early for one.

Did you check the reference by removing the bracelet?

My 16800 is #8.275.XXX (still with a matte dial)

Please post some pictures!

Best wishes, Filipe

The OP states his watch is a ref: 16800 and not a 168000 - so the serial number detail you have provided supports this. The OP could try searching e-bay and Chrono24 for a ball-park value in the UK, but needs to understand that value will be highly dependent on condition of the dial and overall originality.

[stewester]

A 16800 of that serial would have come with a matte dial originally. Value is very much dependent on whether it still has that dial and the overall condition. Could be worth in the region of 10k US dollars if it's all original and in great shape. Pics would definitely help.

[George Pawson]

Thank you very much for all of your replies, please find attached a few pictures of the watch , thanks

[Handey0465]

I'm curious....

You have an old submariner. You thought it was fake. Now you're wondering if its real.

How did it come into your possession?

[ciceroyeah]

Originally Posted by George Pawson

Thank you very much for all of your replies, please find attached a few pictures of the watch , thanks

Nice! It’s an original matte dial 16800 in good condition.

[George Pawson]

I found it in some rubbish quite a while ago.I knew very little about Rolexes and thought that they all had the Rolex name etched all around the inside of the dial. I chucked it into a drawer and forgot about It. I recently bought a new Submariner and decided to get it out and compare the two. This then prompted a bit of research which proved to be very rewarding. I nearly threw it away!!

[George Pawson]

Thanks. the end of the winder is dented and the bezel ratchet doesn't work properly so as soon as lockdown ends I will get it serviced and repaired by a Rolex dealer. I wear it some days and keep the new one as unworn at the moment. Had I have known the watch was genuine I don't think I would have bought a new one.

[Goochy]

Originally Posted by George Pawson

I found it in some rubbish quite a while ago.I knew very little about Rolexes and thought that they all had the Rolex name etched all around the inside of the dial. I chucked it into a drawer and forgot about It. I recently bought a new Submariner and decided to get it out and compare the two. This then prompted a bit of research which proved to be very rewarding. I nearly threw it away!!

“Found it in some rubbish”? That doesn’t sound suspect at all.

[Kingsking]

Hold my beer , going through my rubbish real quick lol

[dimag333]

man I need to look through some "rubbish"

steve

[Yacht-Master]

Congrats! I recently compared mine to a friends new TT Sub Date and the case is thinner.

I bought mine in 1982 and wore it daily till 2003. Along the way I had service replacement dial and hands, now it has luminova. I also wore out the bracelet and replaced it.

My plan was to have it serviced at RSC and then give it to my daughter's husband. She is engaged and as soon as they get married, it's his.

While not matte dial and tritium or having original bracelet, it's 100% Rolex and in like new condition.

Best wishes for your project, wear it in good health.

[George Pawson]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to eventually getting it into excellent condition once we get out of lockdown.

[cm70]

apparently it looks to be a nice maxi dial 16800 Submariner Date ... I am not sure about the insert ...
with some picture of the engraved serial and reference my opinion would be better ...

[cm70]

apparently it looks to be a nice maxi dial 16800 Submariner Date ... I am not sure about the insert ...
with some picture of the engraved serial and reference my opinion would be better ...

[Mikel212]

I found this in the rubbish also, but with box and papers. Here in Bklyn, we say "it fell off the truck" instead. (kidding).

This is 8.2 dated '84. The inserts are diff especially the "4".

[ciceroyeah]

Originally Posted by George Pawson

Thanks. the end of the winder is dented and the bezel ratchet doesn't work properly so as soon as lockdown ends I will get it serviced and repaired by a Rolex dealer. I wear it some days and keep the new one as unworn at the moment. Had I have known the watch was genuine I don't think I would have bought a new one.

I would recommend carefully vetting who works on it as Rolex authorized service centres are infamous for replacing vintage parts like the dial and hands (which severely reduces the value of the watch because it ceases to be original and changes the look) and polishing the case (also reducing the value of the watch). There are specialist watchmakers that primarily restore valuable vintage peices, who are a safer bet, such as Ashton Tracy here in Canada or LA Watchworks in the states.

[George Pawson]

As requested I’ve attached pictures of the serial numbers from between the lugs

[George Pawson]

Thank you for your advice which is very much appreciated. Someone else I know experienced something similar. I think I will make enquiries and obtain a recommendation as to whom in the UK would do a proper job which would not affect the value of the watch detrimentally.

[MrChamfers]

It's got that weird 5 that doesn't show up in the summary of Rolex engraving fonts.

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by George Pawson

Thank you for your advice which is very much appreciated. Someone else I know experienced something similar. I think I will make enquiries and obtain a recommendation as to whom in the UK would do a proper job which would not affect the value of the watch detrimentally.

George, I have sent mines to the UK to William Rice. 5 stars on vintage Rolex, located in Beverley, East Yorkshire

[George Pawson]

Thank you Pilipe for your recommendation. I have been in contact with Bill & Heather Rice and I am going to send them the watch on Monday. Many thanks.