| Brand: | Rolex |
| Model: | Oyster Perpetual Submariner |
| Reference: | 1680 |
| Gender: | male/uni-sex |
| Year: | 1978 |
| Material: | stainless steel |
| Dial Color: | black |
| Dimensions: | 40mm |
| Watch Movement: | automatic |
| Bracelet/Strap: | stainless steel |
| Box/Paper: | WRIST ICONS watch pouch if ordered at WRIST ICONS |
| Condition: | EXCELLENT |
Stunning Rolex Submariner 1680, with nice cream indexes on the MK1 dial and a really great case. The hour and minute hands are most likely service hands (seconds is original), pearl is aftermarket, all of the parts are original Rolex. With its 5425XXX serial this Sub was crafted in 1978. Nice bracelet (service buckle), silver date disk: a nice vintage Sub (and lets be honest: isn’t this 10x nicer than the modern Sub + date?). In 2019 the watch has been completely overhauled.
The Rolex reference number 1680 was the first Rolex Submariner with a date wheel. This was an important change to change for Rolex since the Submariner became less a tool watch and more a fashion icon. The reason for this is because a diver does not need to know the date while diving. Before the 1680 Rolex believed there was no use for a date window.
The 1680 was introduced in 1969 it was the successor of the 5513 model. The 1680 used the movement with caliber 1575 which was basically the same as caliber 1570 only with the addition of a date window.
From 1969 to 1974, the "tool-watch", reference 1680 was delivered with Red printing “SUBMARINER” line., aka Red Sub, 7 different versions of dial are known Mark I to Mark VII. With serial number around 4 million, the model was then produced with white submariner printing. Between 1974-1975, red and white versions were available. However, according to collectors and owners, some red submariner were delivered with serial 5 million. For others, red sub stopped before 1975 with serial 4.2mil. Depending on the layout of the writings, three layouts of "white submariner" are known, but only exit with 660FT=200M depth rate.
And there are 3 dials variations of the White Submariner called Mark I and Mark II and Mark III.
So why are there so many dial variations? Rolex did not manufacture the dials for the White1680 and instead used the dial manufacturers Lemrich and Beyeler. Three different dials were produced commonly referred to as Marks 1,2 and 3. All three Marks of dial are found in watches across the entire serial number range for White 1680’s, so they were in use simultaneously, rather than one Mark following another.
You can recognize the white Submariner Mark 1 dial, which has the “L” of “ROLEX” extraordinarily positioned on the mid-line of the coronet above it. The Mark 2 dial has the “L” has a more traditional position, slightly to the left.
The text at the foot of the two dials is quite similar, but I do note the different, relative positions of the “I” in “SWISS” above the seconds marker
Another way how you can recognize the different dial variations is to look also that on the Mark 1 the word “SUBMARINER” is similar in width to the line of depth ratings underneath it, while on the Mark 2 it is slightly wider.
And then you can spot the third difference if your look at the text at the foot of the two dials, which is quite similar, but the MK I and MK II have different, relative positions of the “I” in “SWISS” above the seconds marker. The MK has the I located exactly above the minute track while the MK II is slightly placed to the left of the minute track.
Third version of the dial exists, identified by having both “closed 6s” and an “L” that is left of the coronet mid-line, and there are some others.
This particular Rolex 1680 from 1978 has the second dial variation called the Mark I.
Last check to recognize this dial by looking at the following areas.
The Mk1 dial was made by Lemrich, key points to note are the shape of the Coronet with long spikes and a small mass of white at the bottom; the L in Rolex centered underneath the coronet, the sixes in 660 are closed and directly underneath the SUB of Submariner. The F in ft is quite upright.
(more info on the dial variations can be found here: rolexforums com / showthread.php?t=513941)
This particular watch has just undergone a full service. This work was carried out by our Rolex authorized watchmaker using Rolex parts.
As with all of our pre-owned watches this watch comes with a full 12 month warranty with ourselves that will be invoked from the day of purchase.
If you put it on your wrist, you feel you have locked and Wrist Icon!
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