16800 or 16610 for dialy wear?

[rc51matt]

ok so I've narrowed my next purchase down to 2 models (I think!!)
always liked the matte dialed Subs, might get one but here are my dilemma's!

-16800 sapphire & matte dial with newer movement, slightly harder to find
-16610 solid end links, way more of them out there, better price point

I've owned many subs and still have a 16613 blue that I wear some days but stainless models always get more wrist time with my lifestyle.

my biggest question is could a matte 16800 be re-lumed and if so can it be done so it doesn't look like it has?

I think the colors of the older faded black bezels is stunning & pair that with matte maxi dial and it a real home run. 16800's &16610's look great with them. My only set back is I prefer the plots more white than yellowed out & functioning lume would be huge. My 16613 and my 6605 haven't had lume for a long time and it does frustrate me some times in the evening to pull my phone out to see the time.

Any help or thoughts would be appreciated and if there's something I missed please educate me!!! lol

[rc51matt]

Why couldn't the last of the 16610's with maxi plots have had a matte dial so I could just find & nice faded bezel for it!!!

[Blue Lantern]

I had thought of doing something similar myself a while ago: I wanted to get a matte 16800, get luminova hands installed and a luminova pearl in the bezel, and then get the hour plots relumed. There are several professionals whose names come up on these forums who I'm sure could do a great job with the re-luming. Part of the reason I didn't pursue it is that the price would add up for what's ultimately a 30+ year old watch. If you want a matte dial and maxi hour markers, you could pick up the new Sea Dweller instead.

[rc51matt]

Originally Posted by Blue Lantern

I had thought of doing something similar myself a while ago: I wanted to get a matte 16800, get luminova hands installed and a luminova pearl in the bezel, and then get the hour plots relumed. There are several professionals whose names come up on these forums who I'm sure could do a great job with the re-luming. Part of the reason I didn't pursue it is that the price would add up for what's ultimately a 30+ year old watch. If you want a matte dial and maxi hour markers, you could pick up the new Sea Dweller instead.

I had a 116610 last year and only kept it 4 months. As much as I like all the improvements on the newer models I'm just not a fan of the shiny black ceramics bezels. I wish they where al little more subdued like the omega PO black ceramic bezels that are almost a really dark grey. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the squared of lugs.
Now I do like the SD4K as the lugs seem more streamlined but at 7-8k used I'm not sure I need it!!!

One other thing I noticed about my ceramic sub was how heavy it was compared to the 16610lv I flipped for it. Not that it was to heavy but seemed a little out of balance some times.

[Jason71]

You could always keep your eyes open for a 16800 with a matte service dial. I'm not sure if I've ever seen one of those, but I have a 1665 and a red 1680 both with service dials and hands. They are really pretty bright at night.





I also have a 5513 that I had relumed by Everest watch works (Kent Parks). I would avoid this route because it will kill your resale value if you ever need it. Mine had been relumed in the past (poorly), and I didn't have much choice. Kent did an EXCELLENT job though. I was very pleased with the work.

Before:


After: (I had him use vintage / patina colored lume)

[Blue Lantern]

Originally Posted by Jason71

You could always keep your eyes open for a 16800 with a matte service dial.

Because the 16800 was issued later on with gold surrounds on the dial, I believe all service dials for this model will be with gold surrounds. Same thing you run into with 5513s.

[Blue Lantern]

Originally Posted by rc51matt

I had a 116610 last year and only kept it 4 months. As much as I like all the improvements on the newer models I'm just not a fan of the shiny black ceramics bezels. I wish they where al little more subdued like the omega PO black ceramic bezels that are almost a really dark grey. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the squared of lugs.
Now I do like the SD4K as the lugs seem more streamlined but at 7-8k used I'm not sure I need it!!!

One other thing I noticed about my ceramic sub was how heavy it was compared to the 16610lv I flipped for it. Not that it was to heavy but seemed a little out of balance some times.

Ah, well then your quest makes sense! I'd say the easiest thing to do would be to get a late 16610 or to re-get a 16610lv. But I think it'd be awesome if you got a matte 16800 and relumed it. Be sure to post pics if you do that.

[jfmiii]

the choice is obvious :)

[rc51matt]

Originally Posted by jfmiii

the choice is obvious :)

Damn that's good looking

[rc51matt]

Jason those are beautiful!!! I'm trying to stay under the 6k range so I have some loot for service or anything else so unfortunately that pretty much kills decent 1680's & 1665's!!! Also I'm not sure I want a plexi model for everyday use. I'm not kind to things sometimes!!! I do realize that plexi can be buffed as I have an old 6605 & an old Gruen sub looking watch with a Pepsi bezel. I hit them with 3000 grit wet paper then polish with a wool wheel. I was a body & plant guy for 18yrs!! Also as much as I think the top hats are cool not sure if I want one for every day use?