The Vault › All references › Submariner
Submariner · 1979 to 1988
“Transitional Sub”
Grade B · 76/100Today's call: Hold
B: solid, selective. Ranked #64 of 129 references in The Crown Index vault.
| Original retail (1983) | $1,150 |
|---|---|
| Market today | $9,800 – $13,500 |
| Vs original retail | +913% |
| 1-year trend | +4% |
The bridge between vintage and modern: first Submariner Date with a sapphire crystal, 300m rating, and a unidirectional bezel, still wearing the vintage matte dial in its early years.
Matte-dial examples are the ones collectors fight over; the later gloss dials trade closer to a 16610. Either way it's vintage charm with usable water resistance.
Transitional references are where vintage collecting's best values live: too new for the gilt-dial crowd, too old for the modern crowd, priced accordingly. The 16800 is the type specimen of the breed.
Matte-dial examples (to about 1984) carry the premium and the charm; gloss-dial examples carry the value. Both wear like a modern watch and read like a vintage one, the whole point of transitional.
Our verdict: B: the thinking collector's entry into vintage Subs. Matte dial, original bezel insert, and honest patina are what you're paying for.
| Sizes | 40mm |
|---|---|
| Case & bracelet material | Oystersteel (stainless) |
| Factory bracelet | Oyster |
| Factory bezels | Black aluminum, unidirectional (first Sub with sapphire and 300m) |
| Notable dials | Matte (early, collectible); Gloss with white gold surrounds |
| Caliber | 3035 |
| Production | 1979 to 1988 (discontinued) |
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