I have been looking at birth year watches and I was thinking about a 168000 submariner. I just wondered what people thought of this watch as it's a bit unloved from what I've read and was only made for 9 months.

Cheers

 

Here's an article on the 16800 that you might find interesting. Good luck.

 

I think it doesn’t get as much love because of the wider appearance. And for me, knowing those lume plots will never truly age like many of the 1680s and the sweet 5513s to come before it. That being said, if it’s a birth year you’re after and that puts you into a 16800, then I say find the best example possible and treat yo’self!

 

Sorry I guess i didn't explain that i am not after the the 16800 I mean the 168000 (three zeros).

It was a short run transition model which ran for only 9 months between 1987 and 1988

 

Oh, misread that. For those, I think modern watch lovers don’t like the spider webbing that happens to the gloss dial with the new material Rolex used when switching to gloss dials. Personally I’ve seen some online that look AMAZING, plus you get tritium lume, so it’ll age beautifully. Again, that’s me as a vintage lover, but others disagree and might want the watch to look cleaner. Where as I say patina is beautiful, especially on the ultimate tool watch that is the Submariner! Enjoy!

 

Personally I would go for the 16800. They come with the matte dial and with a sapphire glass - to me the best of vintage/ modern. I had a beautiful one I flipped to buy a 5508 and I still regret it to this day.

 

There’s a lot to love about these transitional triple zeros (168000).

Sapphire. Tritium lume that’s slowly turning yellow. White gold surrounds on hour markers. Slim case lugs and lug holes. Modest shamfers. And first of the 916L steel (improved corrosion and pitting resistance).

Haven’t seen any spider dials on these refs... dial lacquer seems to be aging well.

Collectors don’t pursue them because they’re not visually/obviously distinguishable from the later 16610.

They’re currently good value as a modern classic with no price premium for rarity

You get to enjoy in secret the smug satisfaction of knowing you’re wearing a very rare and unusual sub.

 

Nice photos - I definitely find it odd that they are indeed rare, but totally underloved.

I'll keep my eye out for one over the next few months! Cheers

 

Right on the money here, bought a matte dial 16660 which has doubled in value in two years. 16800 with matte dial is the deep-value play. Attractive ROI in the long-term relative to even the 168000. I would take rare dial over rare reference any day.

 

I think at end it's also in the condition, overpolished 16800 with matte wont make me happier than perfect 16800 with glossy. Same with 5513...

 

Fair point, perhaps I should've clarified that all else being equal, i.e. condition is the same, my statement should apply. Cheers mate.

 

Yup, if equal than Matte takes the cake, matte tripplesix must be the invesment of past 5 years. They are all the rage now, and hardly any in any condition anywhere and damn the prices.


To not derail that much, if we are in glossy 16800 teritory, and compare to 16610/168000 I would buy the one in best condition, most appealing patina, papers etc. It doesn't matter what's between lugs, can't see that stuff anyway.

 

@yyir
Lol!
Ref. 168000 "unloved" ...in 2018???!!!