Revolution: The Evolution of the Role...

New York, Apr 17, 2008

LOT 189

Ref. 168000, Submariner Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, "Submariner, 1000 ft./ 300 m." Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 168000. Made in 1987, sold on June 25, 1987. Fine and very rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel diver's wristwatch with date and a stainless steel Rolex Fliplock Oyster bracelet. Accompanied by a Warranty Certificate (now void) and a hang tag.

USD 4,000 - 6,000

EUR 2,700 - 4,000

Sold: USD 9,000

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, graduated uni-directional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, Triplock winding crown protected by the crown guard, sapphire crystal with cyclops lens. D. Black with luminous round, triangular and baton steel indexes, aperture for the date. Luminous steel skeleton hands. M. 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.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Toward the end of the production run of the ref. 16800, for only about nine months, Rolex delivered a reference 168000 (note the extra zero) in which the quality of the stainless steel was upgraded from grade 316 to grade 904. The ref. 168000 used the same case as the later ref. 16610, but with the movement and dial of the earlier ref. 16800.