Sub Dial Change Question From A Newbie

[king arthur]

Hello everyone,my name is arthur from manila who is seeking some expert advise from all you rolex afficionados. I'm just one of those regular guys eyeing for that first rolex watch which I intend to keep for good. I know that the first rolex would be the sweetest and the most memorable so I humbly seek your advise so I wouldn't make a mistake.

First,I would like to say that I'm going for the sub date. During my hunt,a friend of mine who owns a 16800 gave me the original matte dial of his sub which he has serviced and changed almost all parts over the years. His sub now looks updated which by the way I was asking him to sell me for it was made by rolex in 1979 or 80 according to him. I particularly liked this bec 1979 is my birth year. He wouldn't sell as this sub is sentimental to him.

And so I was thinking,if I have the dial which by the way is still in great shape,would it be possible for me to get a newer sub and replace the dial with the 16800 one? I really like the feel of the watch being that it had a 1979 touch to it and I also like the look of that dial than the newer ones which has superluminovas. Also,which years of a sub would best fit? I know that there are subs which does not have lug holes and I think it would be more fit for 16800 matte dial to have lug holes go with it similar to the original.

Thank you in advance for your replies. God bless!

[chicagowatchman]

If it fits the new one it can be done.....but i think you will not be able to have it done at the RCS as the warinty will show your original dial and i thik once this is done the warinty is no longer valid

[SKSeoul81]

Originally Posted by king arthur

Hello everyone,my name is: arthur from manila who is seeking some expert advise from all you rolex afficionados.

Oh man you are one unfortunate guy with such a long name, that must be a pain in the ass when filling in forms.

Ontopic: shouldn't be a problem I reckon, but as said before go to a (independent) watch maker, since Rolex won't allow such customization.

[scottschoe]

Why not just pick up an original 16800 and just save yourself the headache?

[mike]

Hi Arthur, welcome.

A couple things if I may.

In answer to your question, yes the matt dial will fit a newer reference (16610), but.....

To do so would create something that is neither fish nor fowl. The matt/tritium dial was used on the reference 16800 till about 1983 or so (give or take a year in the Rolex timeline) prior to the switch to a gloss/white gold surround style.

Of course it's your watch to with as you please.

16800 matts are out there. Resale favors originality,

[Erix]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Why not just pick up an original 16800 and just save yourself the headache?

x2 much easier this way. good luck.

[king arthur]

Point taken. Thanks all for your expertise!

[king arthur]

Yup,you're right erix. Will just keep the 16800 dial. At least I can say that my first rolex piece is a 1979 one,the year of my birth.

Thanks again everyone!