108th Auction
2023/5/20
Lot 259
RolexNipple Dial Submariner
A heavy neo-vintage wristwatch with ultra-rare tropical "Nipple Dial", blue bezel and date
estimated
25.000—35.000 €
Price realized
-
specific features
Case
18 K gold, screw back, screwed "Triplock" winding crown, pinned 18 K gold "Oyster" bracelet ref. 92908 with diver's extension link, 6/5 bracelet elements, endlinks stamped 46B, bracelet length 140 mm, total length 180 mm.
Dial
Gold tone, applied luminous indexes (tritium), luminous Mercedes hands (tritium), minutes hand with small chip, seconds hand with crack in the luminous tritium material.
Movement
Automatic.
Case no.6510975
Ref.16808
Cal.3035
Diam.40 mm
Circa1980
Ctry.Switzerland
Wt.165 g
This is a breathtaking classic piece in a glamorous gold version with blue bezel. Originally, this watch had a blue "nipple dial", which changed colour as a result of environmental influences, changing from blue to a warm gold tone.
As the successor to the reference 1680, Rolex released its new Submariner 16800 with a sapphire crystal for the first time in 1979. At the same time, the gold counterpart reference 16808 was introduced, replacing the earlier reference 1680/8. The 16808 was equipped with the new calibre 3035 and got a quick date adjustable via the crown, as well as a new, only unidirectional rotating bezel, which should provide more safety when diving.