$4,320
Ref. 16800, Matte Dial Rolex, “Oyster Perpetual Date, Submariner, 1000 ft./ 300m., Superlative Chronometer,Officially Certified,” Ref. 16800. Made in 1985. Fine and rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with date and a stainless steel Rolex Fliplock Oyster bracelet. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, graduated unidirectional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, Triplock winding crown protected by the crown guard, sapphire crystal with cyclops lens. Black with applied luminous round, triangular and baton indexes, aperture for the date, outer minute division. Luminous steel skeleton hands. Cal. 3035, rhodium-plated, 27 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 13 mm. Notes In the early 1980s the ref. 1680 was fitted with a synthetic sapphire crystal and a caliber 3035 movement and renumbered 16800. The early version of the ref. 16800 is considered transitional since the model still had a matte dial but was rated to 300 meters (1000 feet) and was equipped with the new movement.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2008-12-11
