Make: Rolex
Model: Submariner ‘Serti’
Reference: 16613
Year: 1997
Movement: Automatic
Box and papers: Rolex box, July 2025 service receipt & Watch Register Certificate
Case: 40mm Steel & yellow gold
Dial: Grey, factory diamond and sapphire set
Bracelet/Strap: Oyster bracelet in steel & yellow gold
Condition: Excellent, neo-vintage
Serviced: July 2025
Warranty: 6 month RHW warranty
The Diamond Set Diver
The Rolex Submariner has been the world’s benchmark dive watch since 1953, but every so often, Rolex surprises collectors with something completely different. Enter the Serti Dial Submariner, a rare variation that brings luxury into the world of tool watches. The name Serti comes from the French word sertissage, meaning gem-setting—a nod to the exquisite diamonds and sapphires that grace the dial.
First appearing in the 1980s, the Serti dial Submariners were produced in limited numbers, most often in the steel and gold reference 16613. They offered a striking departure from the Submariner’s typically austere appearance, combining Rolex’s unrivalled dive-watch engineering with factory-set precious stones. The result? A watch equally at home on the wrist of a diver or at a black-tie dinner.
This example from 1997 features the highly coveted grey dial, adorned with eight round brilliant-cut diamonds and three sapphires at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock. It is paired with its original Rolex box and has just undergone a full service in 2025, remaining unworn since.
Why You’ll Love It
• Iconic grey Serti dial, factory-set with eight diamonds and three sapphires
• Classic two-tone construction in stainless steel and 18ct yellow gold for unmistakable Rolex presence
• 40mm Oyster case with sapphire crystal and unidirectional gold bezel
• Fully serviced in July 2025 and unworn since, presenting in excellent condition
• Supplied with an original Rolex box
• Exceptional value at £9,950 for a rare and freshly serviced Serti dial Submariner
Iconic Status
The Serti Submariners are true collector favourites because they blur the line between tool watch and jewellery piece. Produced in small quantities compared to standard dials, they stand out for their rarity and unique aesthetic.
The stones are not aftermarket or decorative add-ons—they are Rolex-factory set, using only high-grade gemstones. The diamonds are VS clarity brilliant cuts, and the sapphires are precisely matched for colour and saturation, ensuring that each Serti dial meets Rolex’s uncompromising standards. Unlike many gem-set watches, the Serti retains the rugged heritage of the Submariner, giving it a fascinating duality: toughness and luxury, side by side.
These watches gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s among collectors who wanted something different from the standard Submariner. Today, the grey Serti dial reference 16613 is among the most sought-after, admired both for its unusual beauty and for its rarity in the Submariner lineage.
Ready to Make It Yours?
Visit us at our new home inside Martin & Martin, 30 High Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey.
Buy online or book a private appointment to view this watch in person. Flexible payment options include:
• Apple Pay and all major debit and credit cards, payable directly on our website or your mobile device
• Bank transfers for a seamless transaction
• Secure email payment links for added convenience
• In-person card payments available in-store and by private appointment
• Book a private appointment via our website
As with all our watches, this Rolex Submariner has been checked against the Watch Register, ensuring it has not been reported lost or stolen. A Watch Register certificate is included for your peace of mind.
Rare, glamorous, and utterly unmistakable—the Serti dial Submariner is Rolex at its most unexpected.
Make: Rolex
Model: Submariner ‘Serti’
Reference: 16613
Year: 1997
Movement: Automatic
Box and papers: Rolex box, July 2025 service receipt & Watch Register Certificate
Case: 40mm Steel & yellow gold
Dial: Grey, factory diamond and sapphire set
Bracelet/Strap: Oyster bracelet in steel & yellow gold
Condition: Excellent, neo-vintage
Serviced: July 2025
Warranty: 6 month RHW warranty
The Diamond Set Diver
The Rolex Submariner has been the world’s benchmark dive watch since 1953, but every so often, Rolex surprises collectors with something completely different. Enter the Serti Dial Submariner, a rare variation that brings luxury into the world of tool watches. The name Serti comes from the French word sertissage, meaning gem-setting—a nod to the exquisite diamonds and sapphires that grace the dial.
First appearing in the 1980s, the Serti dial Submariners were produced in limited numbers, most often in the steel and gold reference 16613. They offered a striking departure from the Submariner’s typically austere appearance, combining Rolex’s unrivalled dive-watch engineering with factory-set precious stones. The result? A watch equally at home on the wrist of a diver or at a black-tie dinner.
This example from 1997 features the highly coveted grey dial, adorned with eight round brilliant-cut diamonds and three sapphires at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock. It is paired with its original Rolex box and has just undergone a full service in 2025, remaining unworn since.
Why You’ll Love It
• Iconic grey Serti dial, factory-set with eight diamonds and three sapphires
• Classic two-tone construction in stainless steel and 18ct yellow gold for unmistakable Rolex presence
• 40mm Oyster case with sapphire crystal and unidirectional gold bezel
• Fully serviced in July 2025 and unworn since, presenting in excellent condition
• Supplied with an original Rolex box
• Exceptional value at £9,950 for a rare and freshly serviced Serti dial Submariner
Iconic Status
The Serti Submariners are true collector favourites because they blur the line between tool watch and jewellery piece. Produced in small quantities compared to standard dials, they stand out for their rarity and unique aesthetic.
The stones are not aftermarket or decorative add-ons—they are Rolex-factory set, using only high-grade gemstones. The diamonds are VS clarity brilliant cuts, and the sapphires are precisely matched for colour and saturation, ensuring that each Serti dial meets Rolex’s uncompromising standards. Unlike many gem-set watches, the Serti retains the rugged heritage of the Submariner, giving it a fascinating duality: toughness and luxury, side by side.
These watches gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s among collectors who wanted something different from the standard Submariner. Today, the grey Serti dial reference 16613 is among the most sought-after, admired both for its unusual beauty and for its rarity in the Submariner lineage.
Ready to Make It Yours?
Visit us at our new home inside Martin & Martin, 30 High Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey.
Buy online or book a private appointment to view this watch in person. Flexible payment options include:
• Apple Pay and all major debit and credit cards, payable directly on our website or your mobile device
• Bank transfers for a seamless transaction
• Secure email payment links for added convenience
• In-person card payments available in-store and by private appointment
• Book a private appointment via our website
As with all our watches, this Rolex Submariner has been checked against the Watch Register, ensuring it has not been reported lost or stolen. A Watch Register certificate is included for your peace of mind.
Rare, glamorous, and utterly unmistakable—the Serti dial Submariner is Rolex at its most unexpected.
