1680 Question for the Vintage Oracles

[brettpaul]

Gentlemen,

I'm interested in purchasing a Red Sub - here are the things I'm looking for:

- Ideally, unpolished case (or only polished during service by Rolex)
- Mark VIII Red Sub Service dial - I understand this is the only dial with Sub in red and Luminova (correct?)
- Bracelet (not important as I'll put a brand new 93150 on it when I buy it)
- Box and papers (if possible)

My questions

- How much should I plan to spend?
- Have any of you seen the Mark VIII service dail? Can you share photos?
- Any specific recommendations on production year as I would prefer the hack feature to be in place with the watch?
- What was the last year they were sold? I've read they were only mfgd through 1973, but may have sold until 1977 with red Submariner on the face - correct?
- What is the highest serial number I should consider as authentic? Is it 4 million, 5 million?

Thank you in advance for your help and knowledge!!

Brett

[Poohsan]

Brett,
It is widely excepted that 3.9mil is the cut off point for red subs.
I think it is best that you start here:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...nce+%28Long%29
and here:
http://doubleredseadweller.com/

[mike]

Yeah, to my knowledge the RED service dial is the only one with luminova.

3.9 to 4 mil. is the cut off for most collectors.

[TheDude]

IMO, the papers that would be most important in a luminova Red would be the service papers showing the RSC installed the dial in a swap.

If you're simply after a watch with functioning lume, why not buy a nice red and then have someone track down a Luminova Service dial, hands, pip?

Mothball the proper tritium red stuff for the sake of keeping the value of original parts.