Vintage Rolex Red Submariner 1680 Feet First Dial

Vintage Watch Condition Examination

This Submariner is in great vintage condition with wear consistent with age. The case is in good condition with normal signs of wear. The bezel ring has remained sharp and the insert is in great condition with some wear. The pip in the bezel has developed patina and aged to a lovely caramel color. The dial is in great condition with light patina and some light wear around the edge. The lume on the dial has developed patina and aged to an attractive buttery color. The hands have developed patina and the lume has aged to match the lume on the dial. The bracelet is in great condition with some wear and some stretch between the links.

Vintage Rolex Submariner 1680 Stainless Steel Oyster

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. 

This watch is in overall beautiful condition. The lume has aged to a fantastic butter yellow color which pairs nicely with the beautiful bezel that has aged to a super dark grey color. When looking at the bezel closely, you can see how the silver numbers on the bezel have aged nicely and almost have a very light champagne tint; this just adds to the overall vintage charm. Collectors have identified six different “Red” 1680 dial variations. This watch features a Mark V dial. The Mark V dial is distinguished by the feet first depth rating with open 6s; the red “Submariner” text is also applied directly to the dial for this version and the coronet on the dial is specific to this variation.