Rolex 16800 (looks gilt)

[dgwatch]

Hello All,

Hoping to acquire some information regarding this watch. I have never before seen a non-gilt Rolex with the print in this color. As you can see in the photos, the print and markers have all "patina'd" to the same shade of yellowish. I have done some research and found only one other example with this similar pattern on the dial. It too is an 84 16800, but has white gold surrounds where the watch in question has painted markers/indexes. Further, I found a site describing some "patina problems", which stated this could've been caused by saltwater leaching into the dial. When inquiring about the specific watch, I was informed that it was most likely caused by humidity. I am not informed enough, nor will I pretend to be, to judge the legitimacy of this claim. Additionally, upon closer inspection of the watch, the hands appear to be gold. This leads me to believe the watch underwent one of two processes: 1) the dial was affected by saltwater and gold hands were installed to match (womp womp), or 2) was re-dialed and the hands came with it from a nipple of the same era (believe 16808), and had the nipples stripped (painful) and lume applied (quite nice looking lume though, if I do say so myself).

Anyway, as I alluded to, I am far less informed than most all of you and felt it best to inquire for some help/info on this interesting watch. Any information is greatly appreciated!

Best!

[datejust24]

Looks water damaged

[1675-David]

looks coffee damaged!! Seriously, people get up to all sorts!!!

[exador]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

looks coffee damaged!! Seriously, people get up to all sorts!!!

^^
This

[John Ireland]

I don't see signs of moisture damage because I would also expect to see it on the date wheel, which looks very nice and clean. Sun and age would produce the aging patina that you picture reveals. The easiest way to determine moisture intrusion is to open the case and look at the movement and the back of the dial and the rest of the date wheel.

[dgwatch]

Originally Posted by John Ireland

I don't see signs of moisture damage because I would also expect to see it on the date wheel, which looks very nice and clean. Sun and age would produce the aging patina that you picture reveals. The easiest way to determine moisture intrusion is to open the case and look at the movement and the back of the dial and the rest of the date wheel.

This was my thought as well, but I've never seen the print and crown patina before. I've seen some dark pumpkin dials, but unless they're gilt, the print and crown are typically always white.

[stevedssd]

In another thread Springer posted some photo's of a dial that had been "baked", which had turned the white text a similar yellow/browny colour. I've had a quick look for the post but have failed. If you can find it, it would be worth comparing..........

[ovodunn]

Baked or coffee.


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[springer]

The dial appears to have been "cooked." Heated in an oven or by some other form of heat.

Old thread of mine here: https://rolexvintageforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=142

[Matdaytona]

Is it me first pic matte (no wg surrounds) second pic gloss (wg surrounds)

[Matdaytona]

lol should have read the text

[stevedssd]

Originally Posted by springer

The dial appears to have been "cooked." Heated in an oven or by some other form of heat.

Old thread of mine here: https://rolexvintageforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=142

I knew I'd seen it somewhere