For sale is an excellent condition 40mm stainless steel Rolex Submariner Date. The transitional reference 168000 is a R595,XXX serial, circa 1988 production, and is not accompanied by box or papers.

The Rolex features a brushed steel case, which is accented by a unidirectional divers bezel that retains its black tritium bezel insert. The Submariner is mounted on its original 93150 brushed steel Oyster bracelet, which contains an “M5” clasp code, corresponding to a production date of May 1988. The Oyster bracelet contains 10 full size links and will comfortably fit a 7.10 inch wrist. The Submariner features a black glossy “Spider Dial” with applied white gold surround tritium lume hour markers, polished white gold tritium coated hands, and a magnified date aperture at 3 o’clock. The tritium lume plots, hands, and bezel pip have developed a light golden-cream patina with age, while the dial shows light ‘spidering’ in its lacquer that reveals a silky web-like texture at an angle in the light. Caused by a known lacquer defect on early gloss dial Rolex Submariners and GMT-Masters of the mid to late 1980s, the formula was prone to cracking under UV and temperature changes. Rolex soon updated the process, leaving examples like this as distinctive products of the era. The movement used in the 168000 is the Rolex quickset caliber 3035, which is running smoothly. 

About the 168000:
The 168000 is a transitional version of the 16800 Submariner, featuring several improvements over its predecessor, most notably the upgrade from 316L to 904L steel, with the additional “0” in the reference denoting these changes. Produced for only approximately 9 months before being replaced by the 16610, the 168000 remains one of the rarest neovintage Rolex references.

Condition: 
The case appears unpolished, retaining thick even lugs with strong factory brush lines, crisp well defined chamfers, and its original caseback sticker mostly intact. The Oyster bracelet shows minimal stretch, and has stood the test of time well. The dial has been preserved exceptionally well and contains light spidering on its lacquer, which is a common trait found on early gloss dials. Overall the Submariner remains in excellent vintage condition, and is a wonderful one owner example of a seldom seen transitional Submariner reference 168000. 

 - All serial numbers are fully visible but have been covered in the listing photos 

- Feel free to reach out with any questions

Dimensions: 40mm

Box, Papers, etc.: None

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