‘Triple Zero’ Submariner Unpolished

We’re excited to offer you guys this 168000 ‘Triple Zero’ Submariner with ‘Pallettoni’ dial in 100% unpolished conditions. This Iconic dive watch is presented as a super full set and was taken excellent care off during the past 35 years of service. This transitional Submariner is the successor to the 16800 and the predecessor to the 16610 – the 168000 is a very rare reference which was was only manufactured for roughly eight to nine months time. It’s one of the most rare Rolex watches around when we are talking manufacturing numbers, and it is best known to collectors as the Triple Zero Submariner. The extra zero in the reference was added after the production of the 16800 ceased, this extra zero marks the fact that Rolex changed its stainless steel for the production of the 168000 Submariner. You see, the 168000 is manufactured from 904L stainless steel making it more acid and corrosion resistant, more so than the 316 stainless steel made Submariners who preceded this model. Nowadays all Rolex watches are manufactured using that same 904L stainless steel. However today, that alloy is better known as Oystersteel (since 2018).

The matte grey ‘Pallettoni’ dial is the true gem here, this dial is spotless and shows a warm eggshell Tritium on all of the indices, including the Tritium inside the hands. Note that there’s a small opening in the Tritium for the seconds hand, however this is nothing to worry about as we sealed the tritium on the back-side of the hand. Some have argued that these matte dials solely belong in the 16800 reference Subs, however its hard to ignore this letter from a German Rolex Service Center in which it is written that the Service Centers keep both matte black and gloss black dials in their inventory as replacement dials for these Triple Zero Submariners. Besides that beautiful matte grey dial, the original black insert with Tritium ‘pearl’ remains in a very good condition with very little scratches or damages. The 904L stainless steel case remains in a 100% unpolished condition, it is not ‘refreshed’ or welded and/or re-cut. If you’ve been in this watch game for a minute you will be able to tell the difference. The bracelet and it’s Oyster clasp also remain in unpolished conditions. All things considered, this over-complete and unpolished sports Rolex is a very rare find and will make for a wonderful and very collectible Rolex Submariner, which also happens to be a huge part of the Rolex brand and its Submariner history.

This 168000 is accompanied with its original inner and outer boxes, punched and stamped warranty (Wempe, Germany) service booklet, Your Oyster booklet, Submariner booklet, hangtags, 300 meter stainless steel Rolex anchor, and a spare link to the 93150 Flip lock, Oyster bracelet. This neo-vintage ‘Triple Zero’ Submariner was fully serviced by our watchmakers and will be delivered with a 24 month warranty.

reference: 168000
case number: 98XXXX
year of production: 1987
case diameter: 40mm
movement: automatic, Rolex caliber 3035
box and papers: yes, super full set

Sold