1983 Submariner 16800 - Restore or preserve?

[Mafagera]

I'm a bit torn here, and i seek some advice and opinions.

For about three years now, i've been looking for a birthyear 16800.
I live in Norway, and it's not often that 16800's show up here, and definitely not from the right year. But this Friday it finally did. A 1983 transitional with a matte dial and painted indices.

The watch was really badly beat up, and the seller wasn't a watch guy what so ever, so we met at our local Rolex AD and the watchmaker performed a quick inspection to rule out larger issues or water damage. It was in decent shape, and definitely repairable.

The seller purchased the watch brand new in 1983 and then replaced it with a 16610 in 2001. For 22 years, this has been stored in a drawer.

My intention was to restore it back to its original condition with the help of a specialist here in Norway that performs micro welding using only he correct alloys, and is really able to perform miracles. They would definitely be able to set it completely back to factory condition.

But, here is the thing.... After sitting down for a cup of coffee with the seller after the deal was complete, I asked some questions about the cosmetic state and the history of the watch. And that was some pretty incredible stories.

He was an older gentleman, and in hes younger days he made a living as a sailor and dive instructor. After hes old watch failed, resulting in that he almost downed when he ran out of air during a dive, he decided he wanted the best dive watch made, and purchased this sub the same day. He then wore it every day for the coming 18 years. It accompanied him in over 500 dives, and was also on hes wrist when he sailed around the world (literally), on a large sail boat (that is how the bezel was lost, it broke off after the boom on the sail boat struck hes wrist, and was thrown overboard)

I think this is some pretty rad history, and i'm suddenly unsure if i want to wipe away all that by restoring it. But again, it is not MY history. As this is a birth year watch, and I'm turning 40 this year, a part of me also wants to "reset" it to make my own patina and wear, and then pass it down some day.

What do you guys think?

Restore and "wipe" it, and make it my own?

Or, get a hold of a worn bezel with a ghost/faded insert and only give it a full service so it is mechanically 100% and fully waterproof, and use it as it is?

[Tools]

Doesn't seem to be in bad shape except for the missing parts.

I would likely just gave a proper service/overhaul done and see how I feel after that.

You really don't want to do anything that is going to affect its value and authenticity going forward.

(You cannot ever make it "original", that ship has sailed)

[Dan S]

What needs doing except for replacing the bezel? It looks fine, just some dings on the case.

[Filipão]

Just have it serviced.

And why follow the fashion "worn bezel with a ghost/faded insert"?

Do you really like worn out inserts?

[hutch300]

Looks good to me. Would be a shame to "restore it". I would get a bezel and new "used" insert. I personally am not into the ghost thing nor would a real diver be. Honor the owner and enjoy that history!

[joli160]

I would want to make my own history

[TuRo]

Looks fine as is, though the crown, which is showing its brass underlying material, I think is not correct for early 16800.

Apart from that I'd just lob a bezel and insert on it and go !

For what it's worth, I think the 16800 matte is undervalued at moment, as it's only 15% more than a WGS version, but 50% less than a 16660 matte dial...that's gonna change I predict !

[Mafagera]

Thanks!

It does look a bit better in the pictures than it does in the metal. But i agree, its absolutely not unusable in it's current condition.

It has taken a pretty hard hit in the 6 o'clock area though. The metal sleeves inside that end link has broken off, the spring bar is pretty bent, and one of the lugs are deformed inward to such a degree that a solid end link won't fit (it does at 12). It's probably from the same hit that broke the bezel.

I'm considering just getting the bracelet tightnened up and get some new spring bars, replace the crystal, and source a bezel.

Maybe i'll look into replacing the crown as well then, as its pretty worn and might not be the correct one as TuRo mentioned here. It's probably replaced during service in the 90's. The seller was the original owner, and has only served it at the same Rolex AD the years it was in use. It looks the part though, and i feel it contributes to the whole aesthetic.

If i want it restored back to its former glory, i can always do that at a later stage. After all, when it's gone, it's gone. It can't be reversed.

[Arnozerosix]

needs slight touch up on the case imo ...

[Zeus6542]

Do some due diligence on this, no affiliation but...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/39453250306...Bk9SR8i0ga3kYQ

[Dan S]

Spring-bars are routinely replaced, they are expendable items. And I would also have that crown replaced, which will help with water resistance. It sounds like the bracelet may need restoration as well.

The lugs don't look significantly deformed in the photos. That watch doesn't take solid end links anyway, so who knows why it didn't fit; maybe there is a protruding burr associated with one of the dings, or maybe it's just the way the watch was made.

Don't let us make the decision for you, it's your watch. If you want to have the case refinished, do it.

[HERITAGE82]

A proper service with new crystal, crown, spring bars, bezel and a used insert. Also I would have the bracelet re brushed.

Then I would see how the watch feels and looks before doing anything to the case.

[Jackie Daytona]

Could go either way really.

They aren’t your stories and memories. They are cool stories about it however.

I would say it just depends on how attached to the story of the watch you are. If not that much the damage will irritate you in the long term. However if it bonds you with the watch more just get a bezel/insert and have at it.

[996marty]

I think it would look great with just a light refresh, replace the parts that are needed and it’ll be perfect