Submariner Date 16800 - Matte Dial Transitional - Watch Only (1982)

Submariner Date 16800 - Matte Dial Transitional - Watch Only (1982)

A transitional-era Submariner Date from circa 1982, sitting at the crossroads between vintage and modern Rolex diver design. This early production 16800 retains the desirable matte black dial with painted tritium markers - a configuration only fitted for roughly the first half of the reference's run before Rolex switched to glossy dials with white gold surrounds.

Details:

• Reference: 16800
• Year: ca. 1982
• Case Size: 40mm, stainless steel Oyster case
• Bezel: Unidirectional rotating with black aluminium insert, 60-minute dive scale
• Dial: Matte black with painted tritium hour markers and Mercedes-style tritium hands, date at 3 o'clock under cyclops
• Movement: Rolex Caliber 3035, automatic, 28,800 vph, 27 jewels, ~48-hour power reserve, COSC chronometer-certified, quickset date
• Crystal: Sapphire with cyclops date magnifier
• Bracelet: Stainless steel Oyster (reference 93150) with folded centre links and stamped Rolex folding Oysterclasp
• Water Resistance: 300 meters (original specification; vintage gaskets mean this watch should be treated as splash-resistant only and water tested before any wet use)

Set Includes:

• Watch only

Condition:

• Very good condition with light signs of wear
• Very sharp and nice case
• Matte dial presents cleanly with even, warm tritium patina across all markers and hands
• Bezel insert clean with crisp markings
• Crystal clear and free of significant scratches
• Bracelet and Oysterclasp in honest condition consistent with age
• Movement running, all functions operating

The 16800 is widely regarded as the most collectable modern-era Submariner Date: it introduced sapphire crystal, the upgraded Caliber 3035 with quickset date, and a 300m water resistance rating to the line, while early examples like this one still wear the matte tritium dial of the preceding vintage 1680.