The fake Rolex product line saw many interesting developments in the 1980s. The Cosmograph Daytona replica watches for sale went from the brand’s worst seller to its most sought-after timepiece thanks to the introduction of their first self-winding chronograph movement with the launch of the references 16520, 16523, and 16528 in 1988. Quick-set date functionality made models like the Day-Date far more user-friendly, and the universal incorporation of sapphire crystals across the brand’s models kissed the vintage, acrylic-crystal era goodbye.
Around 1984, just prior to the introduction of sapphire crystals in their bread-and-butter entry-level sports models – the black dial best fake Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 “no-date” Submariner and the copy Rolex ref. 16750 GMT-Master – Rolex introduced an important dial change that has lasted to the present day. After 18 years, Rolex switched from the matte dials used since 1967 to vibrant glossy, lacquered dials with white gold, luminous hour markers.
These still vintage, acrylic-crystal models were both discontinued and replaced with sapphire crystal versions: The blue and red bezel luxury replica Rolex ref. 16700 GMT-Master launched in 1988 replaced the 16750, and the ref. 14060 Submariner (now water resistant to 1,000 ft/330 m) replaced the 5513 in 1990.
The glossy-dial versions of these acrylic-crystal references are therefore quite rare, having been produced for just six years for the 5513 and only four years for the 16750. They combine the best of two worlds – vintage and modern – and are still quite affordable as the knowledge surrounding these rare variants is not widespread.