Rolex Submariner 16613 help/advice needed please

[1984swiss]

Hi guys, I am a total newbie here and this is my first post…so please forgive me if it’s a little long!

My girlfriend recently bought me a pre-owned bi-metal/two-tone Submariner (16613 – 1997 model – T serial number – blue dial/bezel). It’s not quite the model I was looking for so I am currently considering my options with regards to it. I would prefer a newer model with a gold through clasp, SELs and no lug holes.

However, this is my full story…

On first inspection, I noticed that the bezel insert was somewhat scratched and so I took it to St James (I work nearby) for a brand new bezel insert replacement. Whilst there, the service dept confirmed that watch has never been serviced by Rolex…but this doesn’t mean it hasn’t been serviced elsewhere. That got me thinking that for peace of mind, I would like to have it serviced. In addition, there a few other things I would like doing at the same time if I were to keep it. These being:

• New crystal – very slight scratch at 11 hour marker and bit rough around the edge near the 10 hour marker and between the 4-5 hour markers.
• New Dial – the lume has totally worn out.
• New Hands – again, the lume has totally worn out.

With regards to the dial, will it be a straight like for like replacement? i.e. Will it be replaced with a “sunburst” dial that has the SWISS – T < 25 text at the bottom and be lumed with tritium? Or will it be a newer “flat blue” dial with SWISS MADE text and a luminova lume? Or a combination of any of those options?

Also, will the hands be replaced with tritium lumed hands or luminova ones?

If I do decide to sell the watch, would I be better of having these things done myself and try to get a higher price for the watch? Or let the new owner take on these costs and suffer a lower selling price? I understand that having an official Rolex confirmation of a recent service will go some way to replacing the original papers…at least to further back up the authenticity.

I guess what I’m also concerned about is will any changes de-value the watch in any way?

The watch itself comes with the inner box, outer box, booklets, anchor and the hologram and serial number swing-tags (although the serial number sticker has been removed); but no guarantee/service papers. I think in total there are 11 ½ or 12 ½ links. I can’t quite remember exactly.

Could anyone provide a rough estimate for the work outlined above? I will take it to St James next week for an estimate but would like to be prepared!

If possible, based on the information above and the pictures below, could you give me an idea of what it is currently worth and also what it would/might be worth coming straight out of RSC having had all the above work done?

I know I’m asking a lot of questions here so I really appreciate any help anyone can provide!

Watch "as was" when purchased



Watch "as is" now following bexel insert replacement

[Tools]

beautiful watch.

A new dial and hands would run about 4 to 500USD in addition to the 700USD service charge. A new crystal will add an additional 200USD.

No, you would not recover those costs if you were to sell it.

A new dial will be similar to what is on it, they would not put on the later ceramic style dials (flat blue). They only replace with Luminova, never tritium.

[badass09]

I would say leave the dial alone.. and it's likely a better thing to change the crystal and also sell it the way it sits... at a lower price would be an easy sell.. let the next buyer decide if he wants to service it at rsc and do the replacement of dials and polishing and etc...

[Lgear080]

Please stop... She's a beaut

[judson]

Nice watch. Awesome girlfriend. Both are keepers!

[Sublover2166]

I have the exact same watch and same T serial number. I bought it new in 1997 and wore it everyday for the last 17 years. Your watch looks great. Consider a service and new crystal but leave the original dial and hands in the watch. Mine doesn't glow anymore either and hasn't for years. This was the nature of Tritium. You would not get back any money spent on a new dial and hands and leaving it original makes it more desirable. If I were you I would keep it and add another watch to your collection, but I guess I am a bit biased!

[tkerrmd]

Nice as is!

[1984swiss]

Thanks for all your help/advice/opinions guys, much appreciated!

I think I will go with the general consensus and get the watch serviced, have a new crystal installed, leave it as it is otherwise...and keep it!

Although this is my first Rolex, I highly doubt it will be my last. So it will always have a special place in my heart (or on my wrist!) with the sentimental value from it being a present from my girlfriend as well as being my first ever Rolex.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by 1984swiss

Thanks for all your help/advice/opinions guys, much appreciated!

I think I will go with the general consensus and get the watch serviced, have a new crystal installed, leave it as it is otherwise...and keep it!

Although this is my first Rolex, I highly doubt it will be my last. So it will always have a special place in my heart (or on my wrist!) with the sentimental value from it being a present from my girlfriend as well as being my first ever Rolex.

[Chelseafan]

Service it , keep it!
It's a fantastic model.

[ssultan]

Wear it and enjoy it. It's a lovely gift.

[jack81]

Its a great piece. Wear it with proud.

[Chris B]

Leave it as is & enjoy

We shouldn't part with gifts from loved ones

[LAFlyer]

Keep the watch.

Your girfriend is obviously a classy, marvelous woman. I'm sure she gets a great deal of pleasure, seeing you wear it.

Maybe you could get it serviced, but it is a fine watch the way it is.

You have a masterpiece on your wrist and another on your arm!

[cop414]

Originally Posted by LAFlyer

Keep the watch.

Your girfriend is obviously a classy, marvelous woman. I'm sure she gets a great deal of pleasure, seeing you wear it.

Maybe you could get it serviced, but it is a fine watch the way it is.

You have a masterpiece on your wrist and another on your arm!

This says it all...

[Dismount]

Originally Posted by cop414

This says it all...

Leave it as is, beautiful.

[Sublover2166]

The classic Bluesy is just that; A Classic! I am wearing mine today and as I look at it I keep saying to myself there is no way I will ever part with her! Mine has 17 years of history and sentimental value. Not too many here have many bad things to say about a 16613.

[joli160]

Be happy with it as it is, your girlfriend has good taste, appreciate it

[bobernet]

The clasp on it will resist scratching longer and require less attention/obsession. Lume is borderline worthless for anything but fun photography. Lug holes rule.

Service and enjoy.

[De Sisti]

Earlier this year I had a new dial/hands attached to my Exp II from the
Rolex service centre in Kent. The service was £340 (inc vat) and the dial/hands,
£334/£82 (plus vat) respectively. They had the watch for just over three weeks;
but it came back sparkling.

[BLM2]

I would not change the dial. Have that exact watch except mine is a '92. The dial has aged and is a beautiful blue/purple. The lume is gone but if I need to look at it at night I turn on a light. Enjoy it. I get more comments on this watch that all my other watches combined..
Lee

[T01]

Awesome watch!!

[Invictus Maneo]

Have it serviced and leave it alone! You have a classic beauty that will only get rarer as time goes by. Also, I should think your wonderful girlfriends feelings might be hurt if you were to sell it for something else. Don't risk that, IMO.

[phils]

1984, you have a wonderful girlfriend there. What does she think? Would she be hurt if you trade/sell it?
If so I strongly suggest you keep it. If not, I would consider a trade.

If you keep it I would have Rolex service it and you could ask how much a new dial and hands would cost.
Your choice.

[azguy]

I'd put a new crystal on it and wear it. When it stops keeping time have it serviced. It's really a classic....... I 100% think you'll come to appreciate it more with wear. I wouldn't touch the hands or dial now, maybe at service, maybe....

[Andad]

1984 - welcome to the Forum.

Looks like it has all been said already.

Enjoy wearing it - it's a beauty.

[irish john]

to be honest ,i wouldnt have done anything to it , i think the first pic is beautiful , just my 2 cents

[Vishy26]

Losing lume on dial and hands doesn't bother me at all. I have a gmt that had lost the lume. Likewise, many forum members here have watches with no lume. If lume is the criteria just buy a cheap spare watch that has it.

In any case Dial change is a no for me..In my opinion, 16613 is better than 116613, the gold font matches better with the darker blue dial. If I were you, I would just get it serviced along with the crystal replacement and keep the watch. Not to forget "its a gift from girlfriend" sounds better than "I bought it".

[kilyung]

I'm the kind of guy that once something bugs me, that's it. So if anything about the watch bugged me or it wasn't exactly what I wanted, I'd trade it for something else that I like rather than spending money on it and still not being 100% happy.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I'm the kind of guy that once something bugs me, that's it. So if anything about the watch bugged me or it wasn't exactly what I wanted, I'd trade it for something else that I like rather than spending money on it and still not being 100% happy.

Sometimes when you receive a GIFT from your significant other, you do the right thing and keep it and appreciate it. OP has a woman with good taste to buy him a nice watch. Nobody ever bought me a Rolex. I would be ecstatic if they did.