1984 Rolex Submariner 16803 Nipple Dial

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WaffleDial

·Dec 12, 2019

I feel quite fortunate to have picked this up just over a week ago. It cost me 6k USD, but I feel like that is a very good price for what is a reasonably rare transitional watch with its original nipple dial. As this is from early 1984, the dial is fitting with that time period as I have read 16803's were sold in 83-84 with these dials.

Its a full set, box, papers and it was serviced in recent years, so it currently runs at -3 per day!

Oddly, it is the very same watch as seen in this video from 2014 and I was charged the same price they were asking back then, but in 2019.

 

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OMEGuy

·Dec 13, 2019

I was opening your post because of "nipples", got disappointed at first, but your "nipple" version is very nice as well. 😉

Cool watch. Enjoy! 👍

 

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mancio

·Dec 13, 2019

Are you kidding me !? 6k for a nipple dial submariner (which i never saw before in S&G).
You lucky

 

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JwRosenthal

·Dec 13, 2019

When I think nipple dial, I think of this

 

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jaspers

·Dec 13, 2019

The dial turned into a nice chocolate brown, too. What a catch! I like the black 16803 a lot better than the blue one. Black & gold somehow carries more heft—it says: I want be formal, but I'm also here to party 😉

 

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JwRosenthal

·Dec 13, 2019

jaspers

The dial turned into a nice chocolate brown, too. What a catch! I like the black 16803 a lot better than the blue one. Black & gold somehow carries more heft—it says: I want be formal, but I'm also here to party 😉

The mullet of watches- bidness up front but parte’ In the back.

 

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WaffleDial

·Dec 13, 2019

jaspers

The dial turned into a nice chocolate brown, too. What a catch! I like the black 16803 a lot better than the blue one. Black & gold somehow carries more heft—it says: I want be formal, but I'm also here to party 😉

I didnt even notice the dial. I saw the watch on gumtree (Original listing photos below) and it was pictured initially with the incorrect box and papers, I thought it was just a 16613. At that stage for the price I was still happy to take it. I did however notice the nipple dial and I simply thought it was dial swap as the 16613's never came with such a dail. The seller called me the next day to say there was a mix up and he had the correct box and papers. With the serial, I dated the watch to 1984. Then I knew the dial was correct and I had an amazing catch.

 

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WaffleDial

·Dec 13, 2019

mancio

Are you kidding me !? 6k for a nipple dial submariner (which i never saw before in S&G).
You lucky

How much are they worth with correct and original box and papers?

 

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03Hemi

·Dec 13, 2019

I love nipples.

 

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WaffleDial

·Dec 13, 2019

These are the box papers and other items the watch actually came with. Not what was pictured on Gumtree.

 

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jaspers

·Dec 14, 2019

Never heard of gumtree before, is it a UK thing? Seem to be quite some rolexes on there, lots of private sellers. Great platform. I just love those classified ads with poor pictures of 1980s watches—a lot of these are coming on the market now, and they're barely becoming fashionable again. Grab 'em while you can!

 

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WaffleDial

·Dec 14, 2019

Gumtree is in the UK and Australia I think. I never check it and I dont have notifications set up. I was listing another watch and this turned up as a fresh listing. It was sold within the hour.

 

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WaffleDial

·Jan 6, 2020

Its weird, the dial appeared black in the online photos, but it is kind of a brown colour. Is that a good thing with these old dials or should I source another dial? I know tropical submariner dials are desirable but what about on a two tone watch?

 

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WaffleDial

·May 13, 2020

Replaced the faded insert

 

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OmeGez

·May 13, 2020

Lovely. Just keep the faded bezel for future, if you decide to sell.

Also, leave the dial alone - you’ll just devalue it by putting a service dial in

 

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WaffleDial

·May 16, 2020

OmeGez

Lovely. Just keep the faded bezel for future, if you decide to sell.

Also, leave the dial alone - you’ll just devalue it by putting a service dial in

Will do, thanks for the comments. The insert was the only piece I wanted to change as it really aged the watch and badly. It looks great now and the original insert is tucked away in the box.