Model on case and papers different (?)

[DrRBW]

I bought a Submariner 16800 last year complete set. The papers say it is a 16800, when I popped the bracelet off I saw the case says 168000. The serial #s match on the papers and case. From the serial number the watch was produced it 1987. Is this common?
As an aside I popped the bracelet off for photos. Two of the lugs are overpolished and am considering sending it to Rolliworks. Any thoughts?

[Tools]

The only difference between a 16800 and a 168000 is the 0, and the 168000 is 904L steel.

[DrRBW]

Thanks, but how common is it to find the case and papers differ? Again the certificate says 16800 and the case is marked 168000.

[offrdmania]

There were a lot of faked 168000s. An extra 0 would be engraved on the case of the 16800s in order to mark up their price back in the day. A real 168000 would say so on the warranty paperwork.

[DrRBW]

Thanks, the dealer sold to me as a 16800. I just recently discovered the discrepancy. The 168000 is evenly spaced between the lugs, and the engraving perfectly matches under 10 x mag. (?)

[swish77]

Can you post a photo of the Rolex guarantee paper and the engraving?

[springer]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

There were a lot of faked 168000s. An extra 0 would be engraved on the case of the 16800s in order to mark up their price back in the day. A real 168000 would say so on the warranty paperwork.

So, back in the 1980s, Rolex dealers were altering the model numbers on the 16800s to 168000? Where did this information come from?

Besides committing criminal fraud, I have a hard time believing that this occurred, especially by Rolex dealers, without anything substantive to verify these comments.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by DrRBW

Thanks, but how common is it to find the case and papers differ? Again the certificate says 16800 and the case is marked 168000.

What do you mean by "papers". If you mean the AD generated documents, it is quite common for there to be errors.

[Kowaco]

I bought one new in 1987 and papers said 16800 and I only noticed the watch said 168000 years later. I think the watch is actually 16800 and the extra 0 just signifies a change to the original model


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[DrRBW]

How do I attach the pix. It is asking for a URL

[swish77]

Originally Posted by DrRBW

How do I attach the pix. It is asking for a URL

Save the photos to your desktop, and when you're posting, scroll down and look for the "manage attachments" button. Click on that, choose the photos from your desktop, and upload them.

You'll need to make sure the photos are sized properly.

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by DrRBW

How do I attach the pix. It is asking for a URL

Instead of "Post Quick Reply" click the "Go Advanced" button when you post a comment. Use the paper clip to attach images. the dialogue window for inserting the images that you browse to will include instructions for the size limitations, both physical and file size that the images should be for .jpg and .gif images. The images are visible and do not need to be downloaded to view. this is the window when you try to attach images. Hope that helps.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by springer

So, back in the 1980s, Rolex dealers were altering the model numbers on the 16800s to 168000? Where did this information come from?

Besides committing criminal fraud, I have a hard time believing that this occurred, especially by Rolex dealers, without anything substantive to verify these comments.

I never said it was an AD. It was when the ADs were selling the 168000, the secondary market was altering 16800s. It’s no different than Explorer dials being put in Air King 5500 cases.

Since the 168000 only landed for a year, people thought it was going to skyrocket in price so a lot of altered 16800s started showing up.

1987 is early for a 168000. It is my understanding that they were all in 88-89.

[DrRBW]

photos

[DrRBW]

photo

[Exiztence]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=584962

Also some claims that papers contain R16800A

[DrRBW]

photo

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by DrRBW

photo

I think you forgot to hit the upload button on the dialogue box for the photo to attach.

[DrRBW]

a

[5pastfive]

The 168000 came after the 16800. The difference was the use of a new stainless steel 904L instead of the 316L.

The caseback and the bracelet were still made in 316L and the dial should only be glossy. The caseback is engraved only 16800 and the guarantee papers came also only with 16800. The production was to my knowledge from mid 1988 (9*) through 1989 (serial nr R*). The code is engraved between the lugs at 12o'clock 168000. However, as the 168000 is a transitional model and the production period was short, very often a price premium is allocated to the model rising appetite to dishonest people. Watch at the distance between the 0, should be equal and the shape of 0, all the same and the deepness and sharpness of the engraving, same. Hope can help.

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[DrRBW]

Thanks, your info supports what I have been finding. The only place where it says 168000 is on the case between the lugs at the 12 o'clock position.
Otherwise, all the paperwork bills them as a 16800. Again as stated the only difference is the case is 904L steel otherwise it is the same. This is what my research has found so far. I would be interested if any one does have a 168000, with paperwork that has 1680000 model # on it. From a Tim Masso video he states the only way you would know if you have a 168000 is by removing the bracelet and looking at the case.

[springer]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I never said it was an AD. It was when the ADs were selling the 168000, the secondary market was altering 16800s. It’s no different than Explorer dials being put in Air King 5500 cases.

Since the 168000 only landed for a year, people thought it was going to skyrocket in price so a lot of altered 16800s started showing up.

1987 is early for a 168000. It is my understanding that they were all in 88-89.

Sorry, I thought you meant Rolex dealers. With that said, I'm totally unfamiliar with, nor have I heard this before regarding the 16800 cases being altered.

[Deepsea Florida]

I have a 168000. I always thought it was a 16800. My Dad bought it new for me at an AD in 1986. It’s a 9.316 million serial number. Looking through a closet several months ago I found the paperwork. The model number was R16800A/B93150008 this number was printed on the cover of the green sleeve the warranty paperwork was in , the green Rolex sheet like the one earlier in this thread says, R16800A30B9315 on the green Rolex sheet. I though it was cool. I don’t wear the watch at all, but since my Dad gave it to me 34 years ago......it’s kinda special to me. I actually gave the watch back to me Dad after I bought myself a blue TT sub in 88. I got the watch back, sadly after my Dad passed 10 years ago.

[onthedial]

Would love to see 168000 paperwork as it’s something I haven’t seen before.
—————
IG: @onthedial


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[Deepsea Florida]

Like this fellow posted.........”paperwork”

I venture to guess to guess that there is NO paperwork showing the actual number “168000”. I’ve never seen it.

But the engraving on the side shows 168000.


https://www.rolexforums.com/attachme...1&d=1572373302

The above photo is what the thread starter posted. Mine look exactly like it be my serial number is 9.3