Rolex 16808 question

[spencerstorm]

I am purchasing a vintage rolex 16808 18 k yg submariner and I had a question I was hoping someone could help me with. The serial number leads me to believe it was produced in 1980.
Is it possible for the dial to have a brown purple tropical color to it?
Also, does the dial of this year have a "nipple" number marker dots?

[spencerstorm]

The watch is a blue submariner 18k yg that originally had a blue face but is now a tropical dial.

[Kingair]

Welcome to TRF

Post some pics . . .

And you are in the wrong section . . . you should post in the Vintage Section

[spencerstorm]

Didn't realize I was in the wrong section! I am new at this. Thank you for letting me know.

[crowncollection]

Dial of that model is known to go tropical and change colour especially nipples.

[spencerstorm]

This is the picture of the watch if it helps at all

[andromeda160]

Normal for it to change that color.

[spencerstorm]

I was hoping so, but was wondering if everything else in regards to the dial and bezel insert looks normal. Thank you for your feedback!

[omitohud]

U need better pictures. It looks fine as far as condition. That said I don't like the color change on this dial. Maybe it's the picture, it looks like the dial has degrade almost brown which is less desireable IMO. It should be purple but still shiny. Here is my recent acquisition. Not nipple but close enough ;)




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[Lgear080]

IMO that dial looks to be bleached... The seep pattern and color isn't
"Normal" aging. There should still be an even, shiny finish.

A better pic would help.

[spencerstorm]

Here's another pic. The dial is faded to a shiny light purple/brown.

[omitohud]

That's not nipple dial which is period corect . If u like the color I guess it's fine. But it's too "tropical" for my taste. I like it with deep purple instead of this. I don't think it was bleached due to the fact that the outer perimeter is still deep purple. The insert looks


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[omitohud]

Sorry. I could b wrong but the insert looks thinner than mine which is later 1983.

I guess it depends on the price. It's still a solid gold sub.

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[spencerstorm]

Thanks for your input. Mine is from 1980 so may be different for that reason. I am more than happy with the color of the mine and actually prefer it.

[Lgear080]

I don't like the uneven patina. That photo is better, but I just highly doubt that
Dial achieved that coloration without external pressure. Without a bracelet that
May be a $9k head. The insert is a later replacement too IMO.

[Tcaviglioli]

looks like some moisture got into it, so as nice as some you can find imho.

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by Tcaviglioli

looks like some moisture got into it, so as nice as some you can find imho.

Yeah I was thinking about this too. But wouldn't it affect the lume?


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[HL65]

[waQstar]

Originally Posted by HL65

Wow

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by HL65

That's a 1680/8 correct? As u can see the fading is even. Awesome watch. Chocolate galore.


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[HL65]

Originally Posted by omitohud

That's a 1680/8 correct? As u can see the fading is even. Awesome watch. Chocolate galore.


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Thanks and yes it is a 1680/8 and paint defect by Rolex which turned the dial perfect even dark caramel. No fading dial was blue originally.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by omitohud

That's a 1680/8 correct? As u can see the fading is even. Awesome watch. Chocolate galore.


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All of Ken's watches are Top Shelf

[omitohud]

Yeah any one of Ken's watch can b my grail. Cheers


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[springer]

The dial is incorrect and should be a nipple dial. The one on the watch now appears to be a natural fade and not bleached.

[Lgear080]

Can you explain the inner and outer rings?

I've seen alot of these dials over the years, and this one seems forced to me.

My impression is that uneven patina is a red flag. It also looks similar to other
chemically altered (bleach, alcohol, mineral spirits) dials I've seen.

[omitohud]

If I'm not mistaken the ref. 16808 started in 1979 and continue until the late 80's. During this period, it seems there are two versions, nipple and ring markers. I have heard that Rolex still sell nipple dials through out the 80's. Also starting with 16808 the bezel is unidirectional and comes with sapphire crystal. Hope this helps.

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by Lgear080

Can you explain the inner and outer rings?

I've seen alot of these dials over the years, and this one seems forced to me.

My impression is that uneven patina is a red flag. It also looks similar to other
chemically altered (bleach, alcohol, mineral spirits) dials I've seen.

I guess its possible. I see what you mean. The color of the dial seems to have been rubbed off. I don't think we can know for sure. At least its real and the OP likes it.

[Vanquish1551]

I have a transitional R code 16808 from 1987, blue nipple dial, 300m, sapphire crystal. Probably the last year for nipple dials in 16808. So the nipple dial was available well into the 1980s.