16710 - Spot the difference

[Uggi]

There is something different about my 2003 16710. It didn’t look like this from the factory and there may not be many others that look like it (yet). Can any eagle-eyed TRFers see what it is?




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[khalifam]

Minute markers by Swiss made have 5 lines as opposed to 3?

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[JP.]

Mine has a different bracelet.

[Rick_Nashville]

Except for the triangle marker at '12' on the bezel, most/all of the other numbers on the bezel don't appear to be lined up correctly with the hour markers on the dial. It could be the angle of the watch to the camera, but it doesn't look right.

[JP.]

It's just the picture. The watch looks ok.

The font is just different than mine. Rolex does change the fonts even among the same serial.

[Uggi]

It’s none of the above. Here’s a clue. This is how it left the factory before the change.


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[Rick_Nashville]

Originally Posted by Uggi

It’s none of the above. Here’s a clue. This is how it left the factory before the change. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The current photo (in your first post above) appears to show *less* reflections on the date magnifier than the original 2003 photo (immediately above)?

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by Rick_Nashville

The current photo (in your first post above) appears to show *less* reflections on the date magnifier than the original 2003 photo (immediately above)?

Yep that’s it.
Went in for service at RSC St James recently and I was asked what I thought of the watch. I said it was perfect apart from the fact the date was much harder to read than the date on my Sub LV. The tech looked on the system and said that all new replacement 16710 crystals had “recently” been given the full modern AR treatment so they’d be able to fit one if I wanted.
It’s a big difference when glancing down at the date. Massive improvement.

[Oyster Al]

Originally Posted by Uggi

Yep that’s it.
Went in for service at RSC St James recently and I was asked what I thought of the watch. I said it was perfect apart from the fact the date was much harder to read than the date on my Sub LV. The tech looked on the system and said that all new replacement 16710 crystals had “recently” been given the full modern AR treatment so they’d be able to fit one if I wanted.
It’s a big difference when glancing down at the date. Massive improvement.

NO kidding? My 16710 just happens to be at the Dallas service center right now. I’m going to ask for the same thing. Thanks for sharing

[Rick_Nashville]

Originally Posted by Uggi

Yep that’s it. Went in for service at RSC St James recently and I was asked what I thought of the watch. I said it was perfect apart from the fact the date was much harder to read than the date on my Sub LV. The tech looked on the system and said that all new replacement 16710 crystals had “recently” been given the full modern AR treatment so they’d be able to fit one if I wanted. It’s a big difference when glancing down at the date. Massive improvement.

Congrats, it really looks great. I recently purchased a Z-serial 16610 (that had been sent to a Rolex Service Center by the previous owner prior to my purchase). During servicing, it was fitted with a new crystal with the AR-coated magnifier, and yes it makes a huge improvement. By comparison, I have a U-serial 16613LB from 1996, and you literally can't read the date for all the reflections (although, admittedly, you can minimize the reflections by pointing the watch 'into' the light). Enjoy your amazing 16710, it's a beauty!

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by Oyster Al

NO kidding? My 16710 just happens to be at the Dallas service center right now. I’m going to ask for the same thing. Thanks for sharing

Great - good luck! My tech wasn’t aware they were available. I could tell he got a bit of a surprise when he looked it up.
Think it was only £100 or so.

[Jster]

I just did the same with my 16710. I had it in for service with a local independent (they have a Rolex parts account) and they swapped the crystal out for one with AR at my request. It has such a cleaner look now.

[StillTrying]

Is there now AR coating on the underside of the entire crystal, or just the magnifier? Did the original crystal have any AR coating?