HELP!!! 5513, 16800 or 1680

[Acascio]

So the more and more I do research with my new obsession of vintage subs, the more and more I confuse myself on what I want!!! I like the 5513 all around, clean lines etc... I like the ability to use a 16800 of a daily wear piece... And the 1680 I like but would remove the top hat and put a dome... Pros and Cons of these would be greatly appreciated!!! Also my budget is 6-7k

[brandrea]

At that price range you can probably find a better example of a 16800 than the other two.

[Gina Marie]

I have a 16800 and a 1680. No 5513 but i am keeping an eye open for that. I would lean toward a matt 16800 as an everyday watch. I wear my 1680 on special occasions only. You can get a nice matt one for around 5k....which is nice. I would get a 16800 matt dial and a 5513 if i were you. However, get the 16800 first as their prices are beginning to move and the 5513s have topped out....at least for the next few months.

[colpol]

I love my 1680 but you'd have all the 'modern features' on a Matt 16800

The top hat makes the 1680 - if your going to remove it - then go for the 16800

When I bought my 1680 - if a 16800 had come along first - I'd probably have got as for me it was condition first. Having said that - 100% glad it was the 1680

The 5513 a different look from the other 2 - all down to personal taste. I'd rather have a 4 line 5512. The 5513 a bit bare for my liking

[ADINVA]

Dont fret. Before you realise it, you will be buying all 3 over time

With your budget, 16800 is probably achievable unless you do not mind "slightly less pristine" 1680 (white) or 5513.

[mineral]

I would recommend the Matt dial 16800. I owned the 1680 and did not like the top hat plexi as well, at the end I sold it away.

[yoast]

1680 with superdome is my vote... but then again... I am biased

[theflywrist]

I have both the 1680 on super dome and a 5513.
I really think you can't go wrong with either tbh.
I would pick up the best example of either one personally. I do however doubt that you can get a good one for 6-7K unfortunately.

From what I have learnt in my short span with vintage, when you pay less, you more often than not get less as well.

If you cannot stretch and can't find a good one around those prices, a 16800 is definitely not a bad option!
Good luck to you.

[Acascio]

So it seems like the 16800 is the one to go with for now? Unless I can stretch my budget for a 5513??

[Acascio]

Originally Posted by yoast

1680 with superdome is my vote... but then again... I am biased

That's a awesome 1680!! Did you put the superdome on after??

[Acascio]

It also seems to be with all my looking that the 16800 is way more difficult to find? Anyone else have that problem?

[yoast]

Yes I did... Found an original one for a really good price and like the look a lot better
It's one of the reasons I like the 1680, The option to change crystals. Unfortunately, the sapphire models make that close to impossible.
The advantage of the sapphire models though, is that you dont have to worry about water resistance and can use it more as a tool watch.
I do have to say that I am a lot more careful with my plexi watches than i am with my sapphire ones...

Originally Posted by Acascio

That's a awesome 1680!! Did you put the superdome on after??

[yoast]

Try to find a 168000

Even more rare

Originally Posted by Acascio

It also seems to be with all my looking that the 16800 is way more difficult to find? Anyone else have that problem?

[Dr.Smellody]

If you can't get all three, find the best example of any of the three would be my advice.

[sleepyman]

1680 with super dome gets my vote too!


Am still looking for a 5513 maxi tho...

Originally Posted by yoast

1680 with superdome is my vote... but then again... I am biased

[Gina Marie]

May i suggest the best bang for your buck among the three. Early matt dial mark 1 16800s have a paint flaw that turns the dial from black to pumpkin orange. I think these are under appreciated compared to the other 2 options and will...with time...gain a following. Serial range is approx 6.0 to 6.5ish. Just a thought!

The 16800 feels stronger to me and more able to be used as an everyday wearer.

[Acascio]

Originally Posted by Gina Marie

May i suggest the best bang for your buck among the three. Early matt dial mark 1 16800s have a paint flaw that turns the dial from black to pumpkin orange. I think these are under appreciated compared to the other 2 options and will...with time...gain a following. Serial range is approx 6.0 to 6.5ish. Just a thought!

The 16800 feels stronger to me and more able to be used as an everyday wearer.

Those are some beauties!!! my concern with the 16800 is that it is not going to feel "vintage" enough for me, if that makes any sense haha

[Acascio]

Originally Posted by sleepyman

1680 with super dome gets my vote too!


Am still looking for a 5513 maxi tho...

Just been reading up on some horror stories with changing to a super dome, did you buy the watch with it on already?

[J!m]

Go for the best 16800 you can now and save for a good 1680 later.

But, if you are going to ditch the top hat, you probably want a seadweller. Either plexi or sapphire but that seems to be what you really want. For me, the top hat "makes" the 1680. Otherwise it's just an old watch. My opinion but same with the 9411 Tudor which uses a similar (but different) top hat. The devil is in the details and even service crystals with their large bevels and reduced mag cyclops rub me the wrong way.

The bad news is you will need to save a bit longer for a plexi dweller... Sapphire ones can be had in your budget however.

[jfmiii]

for your price range, matte 16800. i think it is the most undervalued vintage Rolex out there. and a previous poster was correct, the early ones do develop some crazy patina. these are true transitional watches. a high beat movement, sapphire crystal and beautiful matte dials. they are the last true "bargains" in vintage Rolex, imo. now that being said, i would prob take a 1665 or lollipop 5513 over this one but we are talking $10k+ vs $5-6k for a mint 16800 matte.

[Tempusfugitus]

I have both a 5513 matt dial and 1680 white with T19 super dome instead of top hat. I adore them both, and both cost me around $7K (£4.5K UK) from dealers. Both have excellent matching patina and good provenance but no original papers. I would say either watch is achievable in your price range, especially in the US.

I am a big fan of the super dome look instead of the top hat.

[5512vs5513]

Am on the same boat! But leaning towards 1680 vs. 5513. For some reason it feels nicer on my wrist. Had not considered the 16800. They don't come with the fat font inserts do they? That's one of the things I like about the "older" pieces too, and I do like the top hat, alhought I must say that at first I didnt like it. But I really grew on me later...The other option is a 1675 but I feel Subs are a bit more versatile.

[trackpad]

I love this thread – more or less sitting with the same dillema.

With a strong preference for "no-date" Subs...where does this leave me? Can it be true that there are no no-date 16800's?

[RJC1]

1680 with a dome. Here's mine...

[flamos]

Hi

I previously owned this 16800....and should have kept it ! Now on the search for a suitable replacement which must have a matte dial with creamy markers , ' Ghost ' insert and on a BCT too:



Anyone know of one ?

Best - Neil

[J!m]

Originally Posted by trackpad

I love this thread – more or less sitting with the same dillema.

With a strong preference for "no-date" Subs...where does this leave me? Can it be true that there are no no-date 16800's?

No. 16800 is the evolution of the 1680 with new case, movement and sapphire crystal. It has the date. Next was the 168000 (very rare) and soon thereafter the 16610, which endured for a couple decades I believe.

No date options are (as far as I am aware):

5512 - plexi and (most have) four lines of dial text to indicate a chronometer

5513 - plexi and two lines of text. More popular and less expensive than the '12. More plentiful too.

14060 - sapphire and two lines of text. The "no date" version of the 16610 essentially.

14060m - sapphire and two (early) OR four (late) lines of text. Essentially the 5512 replacement. The "M" indicates the "improved" movement although there was nothing really wrong with the old one... The four line dials also have the rehaut engraving apparently. I'd like one with four lines and NO rehaut engraving but those don't exist.

Tudor subs can be had with no date as well.

[trackpad]

Excellent overview, Jim...much appreciated. Now I just need to understand where matte/tritium dials fit into this reference timeline :-) – it's the only dial I'm interested in.

[trackpad]

A little more info on the matte v. glossy dial of the 16800...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 16800 or 168000. I think for the most buyers the 16800 is not attractive b/c they can't tell the difference between a 16800 and a 16610 so they would rather have newer than older.

The 16800 is what is commonly referred to as a transitional Sub because it was the first Rolex sport model to have a Sapphire crystal along with the introduction of high beat movement. All the added new features while retaining the original matte dial. Later 16800's were less transitional because the matte dial were replaced with a glossy finish and hour markers surrounded with white gold. – source

Still a no-go for me if it can't be had without the date, but if you're into the date then an early 16800 with the matte dial seems like a bargain.

[mrricks]

Did some 1680s originally come with a sapphire "dome"? or are they replacements of a "top hat"?

[J!m]

Originally Posted by mrricks

Did some 1680s originally come with a sapphire "dome"? or are they replacements of a "top hat"?

All 1680's came with the plastic crystal with cyclops for the date (T-127). a T-19 will fit and is installed by some who don't like the top hat look. a T-39 also fits but it is made for the taller rehaut of the seadweller.

The 16800 has sapphire.