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Old 5 August 2021, 03:54 AM   #1
Gold Coast
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Swiss Only Dial on 16618 YG Submariner



Since I recently acquired a 16618, I’ve been interested in the history of this model. Today, I ran across the description below on Ricardo (similar to EBay but in Switzerland). Is there any validity to the last statement that only 200 YG Subs with SWISS only dials were produced?

Translation from German. Here’s the link to the listing: https://ricardo.ch/en/a/1181670964

RARE Rolex Submariner 1998/1999 18k 750 yellow gold SWISS ONLY

At the end of the 1990s, Rolex banned radioactive tritium from the luminous material on its dials. This also changed the designation on the lower edge of the dial at 6 o'clock from SWISS - T <25 to today's standard SWISS MADE. For a transition period of around two years, however, the dials were marked with a single SWISS, as can be seen in the picture using a Rolex Submariner 18k. Watches in this series are called SWISS only by Rolex connoisseurs.

It is rumored among Rolex fans that there are only 200 STK of the Geldgold Submariner Swiss Only series.

Worldwide only Swiss Only model online!

Without box and papers

Comes with a matching golden anchor

Work has been checked and revised.

Condition according to the pictures

The display and stand are not part of the auction.
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Old 5 August 2021, 04:01 AM   #2
Tools
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Not sure how anybody would know since Rolex doesn't release production numbers.

However, I would say that all 16618 Subs, as well as all the other models, that were made in '98 and '99 were using Swiss only dials.

Hard to believe that over two years of production, they only made a couple of hundred.
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Old 5 August 2021, 04:19 AM   #3
Gold Coast
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I too find this 200 pieces quite hard to believe
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Old 5 August 2021, 05:05 AM   #4
1665fan
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Lol only Hans wilsdorf knows……seriously the owners of Rolex don’t even know the exact number…..definitely produced 1-2 years for a short period that’s all anybody knows
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Old 5 August 2021, 05:07 AM   #5
L.K Johnson
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Great wristie is all I gotta say!!
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Old 5 August 2021, 05:31 AM   #6
Dr.Smellody
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Quote:
Originally Posted by L.K Johnson View Post
Great wristie is all I gotta say!!
Agree. Beautiful. We for sure know when modern SWISS only dials were used.

I'm always amazed when production quantities are listed. . . .wouldn't it be great to really know? I'm sure ROLEX will continue to keep that information close.
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Old 5 August 2021, 07:09 AM   #7
Gold Coast
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Dankeschön, I took this as a trade for my 1680 MKV. Had to add CHF 7K, but I’m happy with the transaction.
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