Rolex Submariner 16800

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The 16800 Submariner takes an important spot in the history of Rolex diving watches: it’s the halfway point between the first Submariner Date (1680) and the well-known 16610 from the 1990s. This transitional Sub combines the best of both worlds.

The 16800 was introduced in 1978/1979 and discontinued just a decade later. It was the first Submariner to have a sturdy sapphire crystal, while still sporting a matte dial with applied tritium markers. In other words, it combines the wearability and robustness of a modern Submariner paired with the character and aesthetics of a vintage one.

This 16800 is in wonderful condition. The 40mm stainless steel case is thick and the sturdy stainless steel Oyster bracelet features only moderate stretch. The matte dial has turned to a wonderful charcoal gray color with creamy tritium lume with a faint green tinge. The bezel still features its original deep black color, while a few scratches here and there add character to this legendary toolwatch.

This beauty dates back to 1984 and comes as a full set with the original box and paper.

Introduction

In 1953, Rolex introduced one of the world’s first wrist watches geared specifically towards divers: the Submariner. Rolex had to confront a number of challenges when designing its first dive watch. The watch obviously had to withstand significant amounts of pressure and had to accurately measure time spent underwater, which the first Submariner achieved by featuring a 330ft/100m depth rating and a rotating diving bezel. It also had to be easily legible in conditions of reduced visibility yet aesthetically pleasing. Hence, the Sub’s iconic large white tritium hour markers and Mercedes hands set against a contrasting black dial. The Submariner is the most iconic and desirable luxury watch of all time and has been adopted by luminaries such as Jacques Cousteau, Che Guevara, and none other than James Bond. Our favorite Bond, Sean Connery, wore a big crown Sub in the 1962 classic ‘Dr. No’. The watch was also featured in ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘Thunderball’.

Specifications

Shipping

Packages are generally dispatched within 2 days after receipt of payment and are shipped within the Netherlands by Registered Mail through the Dutch carrier PostNL and for other countries by Fedex. Consult us if you prefer another method of shipping. For most destinations tracking is available.