Rolex Submariner 168000

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Submariner 168000

The Rolex Submariner 168000, known to collectors as the "Triple Zero," is one of the rarest and most quietly significant references in the Submariner Date line. Produced for only around nine months in 1987 and 1988, it was the first Submariner made from 904L stainless steel, the corrosion-resistant alloy Rolex still uses today. Nearly identical to the 16800 it succeeded, it is the transitional bridge to the modern 16610. WatchGuys carries pre-owned and unworn 168000 watches, each authenticated in-house and backed by a 2-year warranty. Below we cover what the 168000 is, why it matters, what it costs, and how it compares to the 16800.

What Is the Rolex 168000?

The 168000 is a short-lived transitional Submariner Date produced in 1987 and 1988 in a 40mm steel Oyster case with a black dial, a black aluminum bezel, sapphire crystal, and 300-meter water resistance. Outwardly it is almost indistinguishable from the Rolex 16800 that came before it, sharing the same Caliber 3035 with quickset date, the same unidirectional bezel, and the same glossy dial with white gold surrounds and tritium lume. Its one defining change is invisible: the 168000 was the first Submariner built from 904L stainless steel instead of the industry-standard 316L, a harder, more corrosion-resistant alloy that takes a higher polish. Rolex signified the change by adding an extra zero to the reference number, which is how the watch earned its "Triple Zero" nickname. That material would go on to become standard across the entire Rolex catalog, later marketed as Oystersteel, making the 168000 the reference where it all began.

What makes the 168000 so collectible is the combination of genuine historical significance and extreme scarcity. Because it was produced for well under a year, far fewer were made than either the 16800 before it or the 16610 after it, and it is often described as one of the more undervalued transitional Submariners for that reason. Many examples now show attractive aging, with once-glossy dials mellowing and tritium plots developing a warm patina. Because the reference is so close in appearance to the 16800, correct reference identification, dial originality, and matching-period parts are central to any purchase, and we verify the reference, dial, movement, and case configuration carefully on every 168000 we handle.

Rolex 168000 Price

Pre-owned and unworn Rolex 168000 prices vary with condition, dial patina, and the presence of original box and papers, and the reference generally trades at a premium to a comparable 16800 because of its scarcity and transitional significance. Clean, original examples with attractive dial aging and full sets command the strongest prices, while the reference as a whole remains more attainable than many collectors expect for a watch of its rarity and importance. As the first 904L Submariner and a genuine turning point in Rolex history, the 168000 occupies a distinctive niche in vintage Rolex collecting. For current pricing on a specific 168000 in our inventory, contact our team directly.

Rolex 168000 vs. 16800

The 168000 and the Rolex 16800 are near-twins, and telling them apart is famously difficult. Both are 40mm, 300-meter Submariner Dates with a sapphire crystal, unidirectional bezel, quickset date, the Caliber 3035, and a glossy dial with white gold surrounds. The single meaningful difference is the steel: the earlier 16800 used 316L stainless steel, while the 168000 was the first Submariner made from 904L, signified by the extra zero in the reference. The 168000 is also far rarer, produced for under a year against the 16800's long run. The reference that followed, the modern 16610, kept the 904L steel but upgraded to the Caliber 3135, which makes the 168000 the exact pivot point between the vintage and modern Submariner Date. The 16800 is the more available transitional Sub, while the 168000 is the scarce, collectible turning point. For the wider lineage, browse our Rolex Submariner lineup or the full vintage Rolex collection.

Trusted Dealer

Why Buy a Rolex 168000 From WatchGuys

Every pre-owned Rolex 168000 for sale at WatchGuys is authenticated, accurately described, and protected end to end. A reference this rare and this easily confused with its predecessor demands real scrutiny, and here is what comes with every purchase.

Common Questions

Rolex 168000 FAQ

• Why Is the 168000 Called the Triple Zero?

  The nickname comes from the three zeros at the end of its reference number, 168000, which set it apart from the 16800 that preceded it. Rolex added the extra zero to signify a change in the case material: the 168000 was the first Submariner made from 904L stainless steel rather than the 316L used before. The reference number itself is the clue to the watch's one significant difference.

• What Makes the 168000 Special?

  The 168000 was the first Submariner built from 904L stainless steel, the harder, more corrosion-resistant alloy that Rolex would eventually adopt across its entire lineup and later market as Oystersteel. Combined with a production run of under a year, that makes the 168000 both historically significant and genuinely rare. It is the exact point where the Submariner transitioned from its vintage construction toward modern Rolex manufacturing.

• What Years Was the Rolex 168000 Produced?

  The 168000 was produced for only around nine months across 1987 and 1988, one of the shortest production runs of any Submariner Date. It replaced the long-running 16800 and was itself replaced by the modern 16610, which kept the new 904L steel but upgraded to the Caliber 3135 movement. That brief window is a large part of why the 168000 is so rare and collectible today.

• What Is the Difference Between the 168000 and 16800?

  Almost everything is the same: both are 40mm, 300-meter Submariner Dates with a sapphire crystal, unidirectional bezel, quickset date, the Caliber 3035, and a glossy dial with white gold surrounds. The one meaningful difference is the steel. The 16800 used 316L, while the 168000 was the first Submariner made from 904L, signified by the extra zero. The 168000 is also considerably rarer, having been produced for well under a year.

• Does the 168000 Have a Sapphire Crystal?

  Yes. Like the 16800 before it, the 168000 has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, which the Submariner Date first adopted with the 16800. This distinguishes it from the earlier acrylic-crystal 1680. The 168000 pairs that sapphire crystal with the glossy dial, white gold surrounds, and tritium lume of the era, and, uniquely, the first 904L steel case.

• What Movement Does the 168000 Use?

  The 168000 uses the automatic Caliber 3035, the same high-frequency movement with quickset date found in the 16800. Its successor, the 16610, upgraded to the improved Caliber 3135. So while the 168000 introduced the modern 904L steel, it retained the previous generation's movement, which is part of what makes it such a precise transitional snapshot between the vintage and modern Submariner.

Browse More