Rolex Red Submariner 1680

Vintage Watch Condition Examination:

This Submariner is in great vintage condition with wear consistent with age. The case is strong with scratches, wear, and some nicks. The bezel ring has remained sharp and the bezel insert is in great condition with some wear and scratches. The bezel has aged from black to a super dark grey that has a a slight bluish hue in certain lights. The Red “Mark V” dial is overall great condition with light patina it has a couple marks that can be hard to notice. The lume on the dial have developed patina and aged to an attractive pale yellow color; a couple plots show signs of degradation. The hands are in great condition and have developed patina; the lume in the hands has aged to a pale yellow color which matches the lume on the dial nicely. The minute hand shows some wear in the center with a slight crack in the lume. The lume plot in the seconds hand is slightly darker matching the lume on the dial. The bracelet is in great condition with some scratches and wear, it has a bit of stretch between the links.

Description: Rolex Red Submariner 1680

Rolex introduced the reference 1680 around 1969 and it was in production until roughly 1979. This was the first Submariner to feature the date function and Rolex still offers date and no-date models to this day. This example has the word “Submariner” written in red text and collectors refer to these as the “Red Submariner.” Rolex did this until around 1975 and then they switched to all white text. Collectors tend to gravitate towards these Red Subs and we have seen demand increase significantly in the last couple years. Collectors have identified six different dial variations that the Red Sub was offered with during its production and this example has a Mark V dial. The Mark V dial is distinguished by the feet first depth rating with open 6s and flat top “S” in Submariner. “Submariner” is also printed directly on the dial in red for this dial variation.