Submariner Date 16800 - Matte Tritium Dial - Watch Only - 1982

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

An early-production reference 16800 from 1982, presenting the transitional matte black dial with painted tritium markers that has aged to a warm, even cream patina. As the first Submariner to combine the new sapphire crystal, unidirectional bezel and quickset Caliber 3035 with the classic matte aesthetic of the preceding 1680, this is widely considered one of the most balanced vintage Submariners to wear today.

Details:

• Reference: 16800
• Year: 1982
• Case Size: 40mm, Stainless Steel
• Bezel: Unidirectional rotating bezel with black aluminium insert, 60-minute graduated, showing characteristic period fading
• Dial: Matte black with painted tritium hour markers and Mercedes-style hands, tritium lume aged to a warm cream tone
• Movement: Rolex Caliber 3035, automatic, 28,800 vph, 27 jewels, approximately 48-hour power reserve, quickset date
• Bracelet: Stainless steel Oyster bracelet ref. 93150 with folding clasp
• Water Resistance: 300 meters / 1,000 feet

Set Includes:

• Watch only - no box or papers included

Condition:

• Honest used condition consistent with regular wear
• Case sides retain definition with visible scratches and surface marks from years of use
• Aluminium bezel insert shows characteristic vintage fading and minor edge wear
• Matte dial fully intact with no spotting; tritium markers and Mercedes hands have aged to a uniform warm cream patina
• Sapphire crystal with cyclops magnification clean and clear
• Oyster bracelet ref. 93150 shows notable scratches across the links and clasp face, with light stretch consistent with age
• Caseback engraved with the previous owner's initials "J.H.T." on the exterior
• All functions operating, running on time at time of intake

The reference 16800 occupies a unique position in Submariner history as the bridge between the matte-dial, acrylic-crystal vintage era and the modern gloss-dial Submariner, making well-preserved early matte examples like this one increasingly collectible.