Need advice: 16800 matte or glossy dial

[sevo88]

I am thinking about my first "vintage" Rolex. An affordable watch that I can wear daily. Therefore, I have decided on a 16800 Less expensive than 1680, and the saphire glass is scratch resistant. I also like the open numbers a lot .

However, I am undecided on whether a matte or glossy dial. More inclined for a glossy dial as I do not like luminous bits falling off corroding the hands. I still will go for T25 as I like the patina. The matte dial is more popular and more expensive. Have I missed something? Thanks in advance.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Welcome to TRF!

I'd go for the matte dial version if you can find a nice original one. Better investment and the "true Tool Watch look"!

[mike]

Well, first of all nice move on considering the 16800 as a first step into the world of vintage.

I think for several reasons these watches have a lot of upside potential to the collector.

The 16800 represents a major move by Rolex with their divers to the first quick-set diver with a fast beat 3xxx movement. It was the first to feature a 120 click uni-directional bezel.
Many feel it's a great everyday watch featuring the scratch resistence of the sapphire crystal with the look (in the matt dial) of the eariler offerings.
As it uses a 3xxx movement servicing is not an issue as with some of the older offerings.

As to which dial. I would look for a nice matt example. The gloss dial, while nice, represents little difference from early 16610s. IMHO upside favors the matt.
Consider also this was a time (mid 80s) that Rolex experienced a bit of a problem with the paint mixture on early gloss offerings. The dial paint has been known to crack or "spider" as some call it.
There are those that pump this as a desirable feature ( I'm not one ), but should the watch be sent to RSC for service and paperwork that dial would be replaced with a luminova replacement rendering the piece gutted to the collector.

I certainly do not mean to imply this happens to all watches of this era, but it is something to be aware of.

I would go matt,

[jac67]

Yep, I would also agree, the matt dial is distinctive 16800.

Mike, cool watch AND cool picture.


John.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

So I guess it's checkmat(t)e for the glossy dial!

[Spark]

Hi,
I too would agree with John and Mike as to go for the Matt dial.
It is the classic look.
I am also wondering where all this concern about luminous material falling off is comming from all of a sudden.
I have been collecting vintage watches for quite a few years now and even watches I have owned from the early 1910's from the 1st WW have not given me any problems with tritium falling off.
Rolex oysters are probably the most water tight watches on the market, which is why most have not ever had any dial damage.
The majority of the ones that have, have been down to people not having them serviced regularly or forgetting to tighten the crown down when entering water.

[sevo88]

Many many thanks for all the helpful replies. I shall try to grasp the idea of a "distinctive" "true Tool Watch look"!

Hope to find a good quality one soon.

[BiG JeEzY]

It seems like you already made your decision but if I may also say, my opinion is to definitely go with the matte dial as well.

I have my GMT 1 in matte and I'm glad that it has that dial. Its definitely more of a vintage look than the glossy dial.

Plus, I think the matte dial has more appeal to vintage watch collectors.