Reference:16808: Difference between revisions

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<small>[[Reference:submariner|Submariner]] → '''16808'''</small>

<small>[[Reference:submariner|Submariner]] -> '''16808'''</small>

The 16808 is the full 18k yellow gold Submariner Date (case, bezel, bracelet, crown, and crown tube all in gold) with caliber 3035 and sapphire crystal. It is the most materially committed member of its generation, the gold apex in a trio that also included the steel 16800 and the two-tone 16803. Among the three, the 16808 is the scarcest, and the Field Manual singles out its gilt nipple dial variant as the most desirable and collectible configuration.

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== Launch date discrepancy ==

Sources differ on when the 16808 entered production. The Vintage Rolex Field Manual text gives 1977, though the same ~~book’s~~ reference table gives 1979 to 1987. Monochrome and Gray & Sons place the run at roughly 1984 to 1988. The 1977 figure is more consistent with internal planning or a small prototype run; 1979 reads as the Field ~~Manual’s~~ own retail-availability estimate; the 1984 figure from the secondary sources probably tracks when production reached meaningful market volume. Absent primary documentation from Rolex archives or confirmed serial-band data, the launch date is uncertain and 1979 is the working assumption for retail availability.

Sources differ on when the 16808 entered production. The Vintage Rolex Field Manual text gives 1977, though the same book's reference table gives 1979 to 1987. Monochrome and Gray & Sons place the run at roughly 1984 to 1988. The 1977 figure is more consistent with internal planning or a small prototype run; 1979 reads as the Field Manual's own retail-availability estimate; the 1984 figure from the secondary sources probably tracks when production reached meaningful market volume. Absent primary documentation from Rolex archives or confirmed serial-band data, the launch date is uncertain and 1979 is the working assumption for retail availability.

End of production is generally placed at 1987 to 1988, when the 16618 replaced the reference with caliber 3135.

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Given the launch date uncertainty described above, production is best treated as spanning from about 1979 (retail availability working assumption) to about 1987–1988 (when the 16618 replaced it). That gives a run of roughly eight to nine years, comparable to the steel 16800 running alongside it.

Forum research highlights 1981–1982 as a transitional period within the ~~16808’s~~ production, during which specification details (including dial finishing and bracelet components) may have shifted. This aligns with the broader transitional activity across the Submariner line in the early 1980s, as Rolex was simultaneously updating specifications on the steel 16800. Collectors tracking early versus late 16808 examples should pay attention to this window.

Forum research highlights 1981–1982 as a transitional period within the 16808's production, during which specification details (including dial finishing and bracelet components) may have shifted. This aligns with the broader transitional activity across the Submariner line in the early 1980s, as Rolex was simultaneously updating specifications on the steel 16800. Collectors tracking early versus late 16808 examples should pay attention to this window.

Production numbers are believed to be very low. Full gold sport Rolex watches have always been a small fraction of total output. No confirmed serial-band data exists. The reference does not split into meaningful sub-families beyond dial color and the nipple dial distinction.

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End links are hollow. The gold bracelet stretches over time; gold is softer than steel, and the combination of a heavy gold case and daily wear leaves the links with visible play on almost every well-worn example. Stretching is one of the most important condition factors when evaluating a 16808. The weight difference from the steel 16800 is immediately obvious on the wrist.

The 93158 stayed on the 16808 for its full run. No solid-end-link transition occurred during this ~~reference’s~~ production; that upgrade came with the ~~16618’s~~ transition to the 93258.

The 93158 stayed on the 16808 for its full run. No solid-end-link transition occurred during this reference's production; that upgrade came with the 16618's transition to the 93258.

Clasp date codes for this era follow the standard Rolex scheme, running A for 1976 through M for 1988. The clasp code dates the bracelet, not the watch head.

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The 16808 is scarce at auction. Low production and a short run mean few examples circulate. When they appear, the full gold construction places them at the top of the 3035-era Submariner range, above the two-tone 16803 and steel 16800.

No specific hammer prices have been captured. Full gold Submariners from this era attract steady collector interest, and the 16808 sits in a historically specific gap: too modern for the vintage gold 1680/8 premium, too old for the ~~16618’s~~ sustained production story. The gilt nipple dial, when genuine and in strong condition, commands the most from the reference.

No specific hammer prices have been captured. Full gold Submariners from this era attract steady collector interest, and the 16808 sits in a historically specific gap: too modern for the vintage gold 1680/8 premium, too old for the 16618's sustained production story. The gilt nipple dial, when genuine and in strong condition, commands the most from the reference.

== Sources ==

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 }}
-<small>[[Reference:submariner|Submariner]] → '''16808'''</small>
+<small>[[Reference:submariner|Submariner]] -> '''16808'''</small>
 The 16808 is the full 18k yellow gold Submariner Date (case, bezel, bracelet, crown, and crown tube all in gold) with caliber 3035 and sapphire crystal. It is the most materially committed member of its generation, the gold apex in a trio that also included the steel 16800 and the two-tone 16803. Among the three, the 16808 is the scarcest, and the Field Manual singles out its gilt nipple dial variant as the most desirable and collectible configuration.
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 == Launch date discrepancy ==
-Sources differ on when the 16808 entered production. The Vintage Rolex Field Manual text gives 1977, though the same book’s reference table gives 1979 to 1987. Monochrome and Gray & Sons place the run at roughly 1984 to 1988. The 1977 figure is more consistent with internal planning or a small prototype run; 1979 reads as the Field Manual’s own retail-availability estimate; the 1984 figure from the secondary sources probably tracks when production reached meaningful market volume. Absent primary documentation from Rolex archives or confirmed serial-band data, the launch date is uncertain and 1979 is the working assumption for retail availability.
+Sources differ on when the 16808 entered production. The Vintage Rolex Field Manual text gives 1977, though the same book's reference table gives 1979 to 1987. Monochrome and Gray & Sons place the run at roughly 1984 to 1988. The 1977 figure is more consistent with internal planning or a small prototype run; 1979 reads as the Field Manual's own retail-availability estimate; the 1984 figure from the secondary sources probably tracks when production reached meaningful market volume. Absent primary documentation from Rolex archives or confirmed serial-band data, the launch date is uncertain and 1979 is the working assumption for retail availability.
 End of production is generally placed at 1987 to 1988, when the 16618 replaced the reference with caliber 3135.
@@ Line 93: / Line 93: @@
 Given the launch date uncertainty described above, production is best treated as spanning from about 1979 (retail availability working assumption) to about 1987–1988 (when the 16618 replaced it). That gives a run of roughly eight to nine years, comparable to the steel 16800 running alongside it.
-Forum research highlights 1981–1982 as a transitional period within the 16808’s production, during which specification details (including dial finishing and bracelet components) may have shifted. This aligns with the broader transitional activity across the Submariner line in the early 1980s, as Rolex was simultaneously updating specifications on the steel 16800. Collectors tracking early versus late 16808 examples should pay attention to this window.
+Forum research highlights 1981–1982 as a transitional period within the 16808's production, during which specification details (including dial finishing and bracelet components) may have shifted. This aligns with the broader transitional activity across the Submariner line in the early 1980s, as Rolex was simultaneously updating specifications on the steel 16800. Collectors tracking early versus late 16808 examples should pay attention to this window.
 Production numbers are believed to be very low. Full gold sport Rolex watches have always been a small fraction of total output. No confirmed serial-band data exists. The reference does not split into meaningful sub-families beyond dial color and the nipple dial distinction.
@@ Line 151: / Line 151: @@
 End links are hollow. The gold bracelet stretches over time; gold is softer than steel, and the combination of a heavy gold case and daily wear leaves the links with visible play on almost every well-worn example. Stretching is one of the most important condition factors when evaluating a 16808. The weight difference from the steel 16800 is immediately obvious on the wrist.
-The 93158 stayed on the 16808 for its full run. No solid-end-link transition occurred during this reference’s production; that upgrade came with the 16618’s transition to the 93258.
+The 93158 stayed on the 16808 for its full run. No solid-end-link transition occurred during this reference's production; that upgrade came with the 16618's transition to the 93258.
 Clasp date codes for this era follow the standard Rolex scheme, running A for 1976 through M for 1988. The clasp code dates the bracelet, not the watch head.
@@ Line 165: / Line 165: @@
 The 16808 is scarce at auction. Low production and a short run mean few examples circulate. When they appear, the full gold construction places them at the top of the 3035-era Submariner range, above the two-tone 16803 and steel 16800.
-No specific hammer prices have been captured. Full gold Submariners from this era attract steady collector interest, and the 16808 sits in a historically specific gap: too modern for the vintage gold 1680/8 premium, too old for the 16618’s sustained production story. The gilt nipple dial, when genuine and in strong condition, commands the most from the reference.
+No specific hammer prices have been captured. Full gold Submariners from this era attract steady collector interest, and the 16808 sits in a historically specific gap: too modern for the vintage gold 1680/8 premium, too old for the 16618's sustained production story. The gilt nipple dial, when genuine and in strong condition, commands the most from the reference.
 == Sources ==