These lugs are significantly overpolished, right?

[recapt]

I came across a listing for this 16800 with lugs that look pretty skinny. Just hoping to get some validation that my eyes aren't miscalibrated. Thanks in advance!

[zi464]

They are.

[worldofoyster]

they are, but the picture could be deceiving. ask for more pictures from different angles

[996marty]

Photo isn’t the best maybe a few different angles would help

[Seddyspaghetti]

Appears that way from the pic

[recapt]

Appreciate all the responses. Here are a few more pics:

[padi56]

Considering its age looks quite normal and remember lugs on the crown side have always been thinner on most all Rolex watches for the past 40 plus years.

[Cassidyanne]

It’s fine considering how old it is

[karleone]

Chamfers are gone, springbars getting out from the lug holes. Yes it has been polished many times and over polished to my eyes. Adding the endlink fitment it’s a hard pass

[recapt]

Originally Posted by karleone

Chamfers are gone, springbars getting out from the lug holes. Yes it has been polished many times and over polished to my eyes. Adding the endlink fitment it’s a hard pass

This echos my exact thoughts prior to the post. Thanks for the input.

[Tools]

Decent looking watch.

Tops have been re-scratches but the lugs themselves are typical for the era/age.

Looks like it may have mismatched end links or one of them is just improperly bent - might even be the wrong spring bar...

Nothing here that a little elbow grease and tweaking couldn't help.

40-50 year old watches aren't going to look like new watches.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by karleone

Chamfers are gone, springbars getting out from the lug holes. Yes it has been polished many times and over polished to my eyes. Adding the endlink fitment it’s a hard pass

well what would you expect from a watch of that age expect it has been warn and enjoyed and not like the mainly pampered watches of today. The spring bars could be simply down to the wrong bars being fitted quite normal back then as for the end-link just need a little bend to get it back in shape not rocket science to do..

[DavidUK]

My first thought... it's worthless.

An over reaction for sure, but it would have looked a whole lot better if the lugs were original with all the dings and dents from a lifetime of wear reflecting the enjoyment of its owner/s.

[GGGMT]

Springs bars poking out. Old or not old, pass on this. It’s a dog


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[Old Expat Beast]

Looks about right for an early 1980s Sub. An honest example, I'd say.

[Mystro]

I have no problem with it. It’s not a bad example.

[sevykor]

Typical amateur polish job(s) that are often performed by an AD’s so called watchmaker who doesn’t know any better. Very common on most watches. I had the pleasure of conversing with a Rolex trainer who had a shop after retirement. It was a 30+ minute discussion with demonstration on proper technique and tools so as to get the job done right each time. Did the service on my watches for over a decade and his work was meticulous.


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[csaltphoto]

IDK... seem to be a few issues. Something up with either the lugs or the 6 endlink. The natural asymmetry of the lugs is gone; the lugs opposite the crown should be slightly thicker and they are not. The endlink issue bothers me more. Might just need to be bent back into shape.

Unless it's really a good deal I'd move on depending on how much this stuff bugs you. Plenty of examples like this on owners wrists though as others have commented.

[1995akcoop]

That example is horrible. Not
only is it over polished but the end link is extremely loose


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[TimeAZ]

Polished, but I would not say "significantly overpolished"... this one actually looks like a light and professional polish

[Henrimontgomery]

Don't listen to them. It's going to look terrible in reality. The pins are exposed, the chamfers melted away, etc.

Find a better model or buy a 12x series if you want a sharp submariner.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by padi56

well what would you expect from a watch of that age expect it has been warn and enjoyed and not like the mainly pampered watches of today. The spring bars could be simply down to the wrong bars being fitted quite normal back then as for the end-link just need a little bend to get it back in shape not rocket science to do..

I know you love polishing your watches and you have something for collectors that prefer their watches unpolished as I do.
The question is simple and the answer is simple. The watch has been polished many times and the polishing job is not great. Chamfers are gone. I would never buy this watch and any serious vintage collector would not consider it as well.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by sevykor

typical amateur polish job(s) that are often performed by an ad’s so called watchmaker who doesn’t know any better. Very common on most watches. I had the pleasure of conversing with a rolex trainer who had a shop after retirement. It was a 30+ minute discussion with demonstration on proper technique and tools so as to get the job done right each time. Did the service on my watches for over a decade and his work was meticulous.


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+1

[karleone]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

Don't listen to them. It's going to look terrible in reality. The pins are exposed, the chamfers melted away, etc.

Find a better model or buy a 12x series if you want a sharp submariner.

Exactly

[karleone]

OP next time you should post on the Vintage section. Much more vintage experts there!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by karleone

I know you love polishing your watches and you have something for collectors that prefer their watches unpolished as I do.
The question is simple and the answer is simple. The watch has been polished many times and the polishing job is not great. Chamfers are gone. I would never buy this watch and any serious vintage collector would not consider it as well.

Your entitled to your opinion as I am mine and been wearing and owning Rolex watches for over 50 years, my opinion stands for the age of the watch quite a good example and would not hesitate to buy it if price was right..

[Swearengen]

I really don't see what all the fuss is about, its an old watch with some signs of wear. The end links can be either bent back into shape or cheaply replaced. It most likely has the wrong spring bars, no major dishing of the lug holes as far as I can see. The crown guard is reasonable. If you wanted a watch to actually wear this might be the watch for you

[1675-David]

It’s not bad, remember that back then these watch cases were finished by hand. No 2 left the factory exactly alike, uneven lugs, skinny cases, fat cases, uneven crown guards, tolerances were not to the 0.001 mm that they are today and you can’t look at these watches through a modern lens. The OPs watch looks OK in my opinion.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by padi56

Your entitled to your opinion as I am mine and been wearing and owning Rolex watches for over 50 years, my opinion stands for the age of the watch quite a good example and would not hesitate to buy it if price was right..

I agree Peter, it's an good/average 40 yr old 16800 submariner - - imho too many here just play the dreary 'it's polished card' too often.

[recapt]

Originally Posted by karleone

OP next time you should post on the Vintage section. Much more vintage experts there!

Good call. Thank you for pointing this out.