I thought I'd have a look at this in more detail with some time over the holidays.
The basis for understanding that the three different 1680 White dials were in circulation simultaneously, was from information in other threads on the forum such as:
This thread by Haywood Milton, plus the original work on Haywood’s website
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ite+1680+dials
https://www.miltonaires.com/4499/two...ate-submariner
and this one with invaluable input from Marchello Pisani
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...rchello+Pisani
There has also been the consistent appearance of all three dial variations across the serial number range for White 1680’s both on this forum and in relation to watches for sale over the past few years.
So I’ve spent a while going through historical posts and looking at watches that have been advertised for sale on line that have details of the serial number and dial.
From this I’ve listed a total of sixty one 1680 White’s in serial number order (where the numbers are partial, I’ve listed those with missing digits first). It’s in a basic list format, as I’m unsure how the text will convert when posted to the forum.
As you can see from the list, it appears that the Mk l dial was in circulation from the introduction of the White 1680’s towards the end of the 3m serial range and the first Mk ll in the list starts at 5.0m. Both dials are in use in White 1680’s from serial number 5.0m to 5.4m and the first Mk lll is seen from 5.4m onwards, with all three dials then all in use until the end of 1680 production around the 6.15m serial range.
Of course 61 watches is a small sample and so there may be some watches with the Mk ll and Mk lll dials, with earlier serial numbers than those shown.
It would be interesting to see if the approximate 5.0m and 5.4m serial numbers for Mk ll and Mk lll dials is supported by member’s own watches or if the serial number range is in fact slightly different to this.
It would be great to see photos of White 1680 dials and details of the serial number’s first three or four digits, to get a better picture.
Irrespective of the exact serial numbers where Mk ll and Mk lll dials were used, the list below does support previous threads and thinking in that, unlike the 1680 Reds, all three of the White dial versions were in use at the same time.
Haywood’s thread also shows a Mk l and Mk ll with provenance, that were both purchased at the end of the White 1680 run, supporting that the earlier dials were used in 1680 watches right to the end.
Now the list:
38xxxxx Mk 1
39xxxxx Mk 1
39xxxxx Mk 1
39xxxxx Mk 1
39xxxxx Mk 1
399xxxx Mk 1
3997xxx Mk 1
421xxxx Mk 1
438xxxx Mk 1
503xxxx Mk 2
5036869 Mk 1
506xxxx Mk 1
51xxxxx Mk 1
52xxxxx Mk 2
522xxxx Mk 1
5232xxx Mk 1
5232xxx Mk 2
5263xxx Mk 1
528xxxx Mk 2
5280xxx Mk 2
5294989 Mk 2
53xxxxx Mk 2
5350xxx Mk 2
5350xxx Mk 2
5368xxx Mk 1
537xxxx Mk 2
54xxxxx Mk 1
54xxxxx Mk 1
54xxxxx Mk 2
54xxxxx Mk 1
54xxxxx Mk 3
541xxxx Mk 2
5426344 Mk 3
5447xxx Mk 3
5513693 Mk 3
56xxxxx Mk 2
56xxxxx Mk 3
56xxxxx Mk 3
56xxxxx Mk 2
5609002 Mk 3
561xxxx Mk 3
57xxxxx Mk 2
58xxxxx Mk 1
586xxxx Mk 2
5861xxx Mk 1
58611xx Mk 3
5862xxx Mk 1
5862xxx Mk 1
5864968 Mk 2
5899322 Mk 2
59xxxxx Mk 2
59xxxxx Mk 3
59xxxxx Mk 1
60xxxxx Mk 3
609xxxx Mk 2
61xxxxx Mk 1
61xxxxx Mk 1
61xxxxx Mk 2
61228** Mk 2
615xxxx Mk 1
61524xx Mk 2
Thanks a lot
