The Story of Rolex Submariner Onyx

The Story of Submariner Onyx

In my entire two decades of watch collection I have seen two Submariner Onyx and one Submariner Lapis Blue under same the Ref 16618. They are all in solid 18KT Gold.

The Submariner Lapis was on my wrist some 7 years ago one old friend sold me with HK$130,000 in a small restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui.

I did not take that instead I bought a Daytona in Yellow Gold 15628 with HK$130,000!- Big mistakes!

That was my first RolexRegret as the watch was taken for auction and sold in that year at HK$730,000.

In 2014, the same guy sold me another Submariner Onyx 16618 at HK$180,000 but I hesitated in five minuets the watch was sold to an owner of a Pawn Shop in cash…. So I had not more chance to see that again until 2017 the same guy sold me another Submariner Onyx this time I did not think for a second and I not even asked how much I say I buy it…

Next day to went to borrow money from one of my mistresses for that watch….and I started to feel great and happy about it…and You have read probably about the haunted story that Watch owner died when My watch was having problem and stopped in the same week!? Weird right!?

 

Well I sold it to a rich man at HK380,000 and after less then month he sold me back again as he had financial issue and he had to run to Japan he lost 10% of the money and I got the Submariner Onyx again.

Well, Later I sold it to my friend at HK$240,000 and he had been a very Happy time with the watch and he showed to many dealer and even Rolex Service centre asking for proofing it and no one seemed had seen such a watch there. Of course the watch was authenticated later after that they have checked the serial number of that watch was originated with a rare Onyx Dial from HQs of Rolex.

A few buyers had asked about the watch and no one give a step forward and most are tire kickers though some are real collectors who know about it, one mentioned that Onyx dial must come with gold lines instead of white… Another one claimed that the bezel insert colour yellow is too fake!
Another one say there is no such Onyx dial on submariner. They must just want to get it at cheaper which is pretty common in Hong Kong…

At last friend of mine had been contacted by an American who is the Toyota Agent at Utah… very knowledgeable and he has the Submariner Lapis Blue… so within 30 minutes of communication, the deal was set and next day my friend received over HK$3X0,000 and the watch was then sent on courier to USA...

 

Moral of this articles is, there are many Rolex varieties that even Rolex Service centre people haven’t seen it. There are many things we need to earn from the gurus and experts and try to explore more we can as a Watch Hunter…

In HK colloquial saying: “Never be wrong to buy expensive…. but always a mistake bought it cheap..!”

Worth a Thought!

HK Snob

Submariner Ref 16618 Onyx dial

Left is a ordinary dial of Submariner in Gold and Right is with Onyx Dial

 There is a thin layer of Onyx seen at the Arrow, the thickness of the Onyx is 0.2mm

and the diameter of the onyx is slightly smaller the inner diameter of the watch perimeter.

 This is a ordinary dial, there is no such layer on the edge

Ordinary dial

There is simple way to tell that the dial is ordinary painting dial of Onyx

1. there is a Gold Trim insert at the Date window of the Onyx dial.

2. There is a thin layer seen at the rim of the Onyx dial, it is very obvious under a 10X eyepiece.

I used my Handphone to capture the detail as shown on top.

HK Snob



Rolex Submariner Ref 16618

Two Submariners in Gold.

Left Submariner 16618 with Onyx dial, Ultra Rare item

Right Submariner 16618 in blue patina dial.

HK Snob

HK Snob

Rolex Submariner with Onyx Dial ref 16618

Onyx is formed by the deposition of silica in gas cavities in lava, which results in the distinctive bands we see in the stone. They come in varied shades of red, orange, and brown, which often alternate with striking bands of white. The banding in onyx is straight, and is either brown or black and white, while curved bands occur in the variety of quartz known as agate.

                                             Natural Onyx

 

Natural and Commercial Onyx

Since ancient Egyptian times, onyx has been stained to improve or change its color. Natural black onyx is rare, so the commercial black variety is usually agate that has been stained by the sugar-sulfuric acid treatment, soaked in sugar and then heated in sulfuric acid to carbonize the sugar. It may be banded or solid black.

Where Onyx is from?

Natural Onyx can be found in Uruguay, Brazil, Afghanistan, India, Madagascar, Peru, California and Northwest Mexico.

Ornament

Onyx was also traditionally used for carving cameo brooches. Onyx was widely used in the past as bases and handles for gold items and inlay work. Onyx seals were very popular with the Romans.

Onyx is the Greek word for “claw” or “fingernail” because these veins resemble the colors of a fingernail. The marble is still called “onyx marble,” being less valuable and softer than onyx which has a hardness rating of 7.

Myth

The origin of onyx says that the goddess Venus was resting on the banks of the Indus River. As she slept, Cupid used the point of one of his enchanted arrows to give her a manicure. The parings of her nails then fell into the waters of the sacred river. Since the nails were of heavenly origin, they sank to the river bottom and were metamorphosed into onyx!

As a Protective Device

Onyx is a protective stone worn when facing adversaries in battles of conflicts of all kinds.

In classical ceremonial magic, the image of the head of the god Mars or a figure of the hero Hercules was engraved on onyx and carried for courage.

Indians and Persians believed that wearing onyx protected them from the evil eye, and that placing onyx on the stomach of a pregnant woman in labor would reduce the labor pain and bring on earlier delivery.

Harmony and mental calmness

Onyx is also used as defense against negativity consciously directed towards you. It has also been used to reduce uncontrollable sexual impulses. The close union and yet strong contrast between the layers of black and white in some varieties of onyx may suggest its connection with romance.

In India, Gemologists recommend Onyx as a protective measure for harmonious relationships, thus keeping away any probability of disturbances or differences between the couple. Onyx as a birthstone provides the structure and authority you crave. It can help you be the master of your destiny and strengthen your confidence. It provides support in difficult times and centers your energy in times of mental or physical stress. It also offers the gift of wise decisions. As many ancient ring are set with Onyx wearing on your left middle finger which is closest to your heart!

Moreover throughout history, onyx has also been thought to reinforce the knowledge that there is no death, aiding in the understanding of the wheel of birth, death and rebirth. It brings about the knowledge that separation is an illusion and reunion will come. It aids psychic contact with those who have died, facilitates séances, brings messages from the dead, and aids past-life and between-lives regression work. It helps future life progressions, and prevents and removes spirit possessions. 

Power and Stamina

Contemporary authors say the onyx brings increased vigor, strength, stamina, and self-control. It alleviates worry, tension, and nervousness and eliminates confusion and nightmares. It is used to provide glimpses of that which is ‘beyond’ and activates one’s memory of one’s roots and reality. Medicinal applications include the treatment of bone marrow diseases, teeth, foot, blood and bone problems, and soft tissue disorders. It is also believed to aid in ailments such as epilepsy or glaucoma and is known to have powers to rectify damage done to cells.

Use in Analogue Audiophile

Japanese Cartridge manufacturers Kiseki and Koetsu had been produces valuable Cartridges with solid Onyx shell for pickup minutes signal in the magnitudes of grooves of the Vinyl. Attached is the Koetsu Onyx Platinum cartridge.

Koetsu Onyx Platinum MC cartridge US$9,995.00

 Rolex watch with Onyx dial.

Rolex has been doing a few watch models with Dial made of Onyx.

Rolex Submariner 16618 with Onyx Dial X Series. 1992 year

We can tell onyx dial by the window of the date, there is a Golden Frame insert under the Cyclops glass. It takes a block of 2 kiogram of onyx to be cut and grind into a thin layer of Onyx of 0.2mm thick and adhere onto the bronze support plate, drill the eleven holes to insert the circulate hour Luminous dot, and mill a square window on the date at 3 o’clock position, insert the rectangle gold trim insert.

We could see that these MUST be done by hands and the production yield of this kind of dial is about 10%. 9 in 10 pieces would fail by having even hair line crack that could not pass the Rolex inspection criteria.

So the cost of making this kind of dial is extremely expensive…

Rolex Collector is looking for some watch with specialty, double name, Comex Submariner, special stone, Lapis Blue, Onyx, Coral, Sodalite, marble, Meteorite, jade…etc. 

If you are Rolex collector you should feel what I am feeling right now the joy of having such kind of watch.

HK Snob

 

 

 

 

Rolex Submariner 16618 with Onyx Dial

The 90’ were an inventive time for watches. Watch giant Rolex taken his experience from the renowned colourful Day Date series trying to experimenting some interesting attraction on their sport lines typically the Submariner!

Rolex Began to use hard stones to make their dial on Submariner model 16618.

Take his 1991 x series 16618 Onyx Dial as a case study.

Rolex watch markers delved into the painstaking process of trimming and lapping a two kilo Rock into a 0.20 mm thick piece of Onyx to be mounted onto the copper base plate.

These dials are entirely hand made as they are brittle and not machinery friendly.

And the onyx dial production yield is as low as 20%.

Meaning out of 10 pieces of dial only 2 could pass the Rolex quality standard.

So as the cost is very high!

We don’t know how many pieces were made but this is the second piece that I have seen for the past 25 years in Hong Kong.

And I know that they will not make again on SUBMARINER!

Look at the special ultra flat surface and an added gold window frame for the date display, this is to tell this is onyx dial.

This is my new collection item.

HK Snob

Hong Kong watch fever

Rolex Submariner in 18KT gold Ref 16618 on Sale

Rolex Submariner in a Navy Blue dial.
Weight of 172 gram.
R- Series (1988)


Comes with an original Wooden Box and a Recent Rolex Service paper.


HK$146,000


HK Snob

Wonderful Patina Purple Dial Rolex Gold Submariner Ref 16618 on Sale

This is the second found beautiful sample of Patina Dial of Submariner. 90/100 new, no paper., with box.


In superb un-polished condition, original untouched dial which is the core value of this Watch.

Seller is asking HKD$122,000 cash

HK Snob

PS Sold on 24 Oct 2015

Rare Rolex Submariner 18 KT Purple Patina Dial for Sale

This is a rare Submariner in 18KT gold in excellent condition.

L Series, cleaned and properly Lubricated movement.

Comes with 11 links, Dial is naturally changed to purple evenly.

Fat case, never been polished.

Comes with Big wooden Box.

Asking HKD$140,000 Cash.

HK Snob

Watch is now reserved by one Buyer 23:27 5 May 2015

Watch Sold on 9 May 2015

Rolex Submariner Ref 16618 on Sale

A discontinued Rolex Submariner Ref 16618 in like new condition, YXXXXX , just been serviced by replacing with new Crown, Crystal and crown tube.
It comes with big original big wooden Box.
Asking HKD$122,000.

HK Snob

Rolex Submariner Ref 16618 18 KT Gold With Kick-Ass Onyx Dial.

“A Haha, I can read Chinese, but not write. I enjoyed your 'casual' observations of the life as you experience and see it. One will realize there are many colors to a crayon box, and just as in life. There are always oddities, as such, life is full of Ying and Yang, and large shades of gray all over. Just enjoy as we can, we only live 100 years! on 週日發噏風 Casio, taxi”

I appreciate Glen that sent me such comment as stated above.

We are getting “MATURE” or “OLD” but not getting “SMART” by learning from mistakes… As I commented, my Life Battery has only 40% left...base on 100% =100 Years. There is no RE-Charge on life, we will consume it like Candle, an estimated life span provided no rains, no winds no jerk comes to blow off the candle as he thinks this is his birthday cake!

Life could be so meaningful, or awful is all depending on you... well, I would have made mistakes in my life but I don't regret as every time you feel regret you are still burning your candle....

Today, we had a chat with someone in a Restaurant, he is planning to run a new Restaurant such that only customer could come wearing a Rolex, AP or PP watch. I asked him what if he wears a Seiko, he said that well, they can BORROW him the watch for his entry.

On certain days, I had a plan to open a Cafe or Jazz Bar where y I can place my Analogue Audio Equipment there….playing 50 or 60s Jazz music from the B&W or JBL loudspeaker, the ECC803S and WB300B* power tubes could possibly delivery WATTS into the loudspeaker!? WE300B, can it be as it can deliver 6W max in an optimized bias into the loudspeaker. What I am trying to say is WE300B valve as Pre-amp tubes, not in the power amp stage. Driving the power starved JBL or B&W may need EL34 or even KT88!

Today, friend of mine show me his Rolex 16618 Solid Gold with Onyx dial, WHAT? Onyx dial again?

Yes, Onyx dial on Submariner a Solid 18KT gold Submariner?

This is rare, sorry I should say “SUPER RARE”!

And it comes with Paper and Box, who is that chap wants to sell this item!

Someone that may have two of these watches,  someone that is looking for Submariner with lapis Blue dial? Someone who may drive his Orange Lamborghini to go work!

Not me of course, But at least I have a chance to take a closer look into it.

Times flies only hours, there are already INTERESTED PARTIES looking for that.

Price, I think Only HK Snob cannot say “NOT CHEAP” simply I am poor, but someone who knows Rolex would have said :CHEAP!” but of course in his heart. It is only $180,000!  (HK Dollars)

By time I post this on my blog, likely It would have gone already…into some Collector’s hand, Are you interested?


PS 
ECC803S is the Telefunken pre-amp valve.
WE300B is Western Electric power valve.

HK Snob

Note this watch was sold to one pawnshop owner and a gem diamond expert on 27 June 2014. L