The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Vintage Rolex Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 15 November 2016, 11:30 PM   #1
Antarctic Jamie
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 6
Early 1980s Sub - bi-directional bezel? Help!

A friend recently inherited this Sub from father-in-law who was known to have had it since the 1980s. There are some concerns he may have 'traded' it at some point and so I'm after some thoughts on whether it's genuine.

The first strange thing is that the bezel is bi-directional and has no ratchet or click, it just turns smoothly in both directions with a small resistance - have never heard of that on a Rolex. It also has quite a fine, almost sharp edge to the outside of the bezel ring.

It also has a really pronounced crystal that is several mm above the bezel.

Very grateful for any thoughts or input. I found one similar looking photo on the Internet but no real reference to a Sub with bi-directional bezel anywhere.

Many thanks. Photos attached.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 03.jpg (49.1 KB, 304 views)
File Type: jpg 02.jpg (39.9 KB, 304 views)
File Type: jpg 04.jpg (42.9 KB, 305 views)
File Type: jpg 05.jpg (43.2 KB, 302 views)
File Type: jpg 06.JPG (111.1 KB, 304 views)
Antarctic Jamie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16 November 2016, 05:56 AM   #2
Fredrik
2024 Pledge Member
 
Fredrik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Sweden
Watch: 1680
Posts: 1,826
It looks like a 1680 submariner. It has an "auto-lock" revolving bezel(as Rolex called it). You press down on it to rotate it and it is bi-directional. The plastic crystal is called a top-hat, yours look heavily polished or perhaps non-original. The bracelet is the original as far as I can see.
Fredrik is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16 November 2016, 07:22 AM   #3
Tools
TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron
 
Tools's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,049
[
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....)
NAWCC Member
Tools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16 November 2016, 08:51 AM   #4
alwayshere
"TRF" Member
 
alwayshere's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,511
in other words, OP, the watch looks good so far.
alwayshere is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16 November 2016, 08:56 AM   #5
Haywood_Milton
"TRF" Member
 
Haywood_Milton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: Yes, it is !
Location: Cheshire & Mersey
Watch: Military issue Sub
Posts: 1,319
Yes, bezel functions as it should for a 1680/0.

Haywood
__________________
*Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 *Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 *Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 *Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 *GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN *Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 *Milgauss 1019x3 *Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.
Haywood_Milton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16 November 2016, 12:50 PM   #6
sfc rick
"TRF" Member
 
sfc rick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Real Name: Rickey Higgins
Location: Huntington, TX
Watch: 1680 Sub in white
Posts: 354
Yes it's good. The bezel operates in both directions during that era of Submariner production.
sfc rick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16 November 2016, 01:35 PM   #7
SSD
"TRF" Member
 
SSD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Real Name: Jamie
Location: Georgia
Watch: Stainless Sub Date
Posts: 3,023
Good? It's awesome!!!
__________________


SUBMARINER OWNERS' CLUB
ESTABLISHED 1953
TRF Member # 5464

SSD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 November 2016, 03:01 AM   #8
Antarctic Jamie
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 6
Thanks all for info, much appreciated.
Antarctic Jamie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 November 2016, 06:41 AM   #9
strafer_kid
"TRF" Member
 
strafer_kid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Kenny
Location: northern ireland
Watch: SDs, Subs & GMTs
Posts: 5,127
Nice 1680!
strafer_kid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 November 2016, 09:35 AM   #10
htbilgic
"TRF" Member
 
htbilgic's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Chicago
Watch: Doxa Pro 300 NoT
Posts: 535
It's fake. I'll pay you $100 to take it off your hands.

Just kidding! :)

That's a solid 1680. Enjoy it in good health!
htbilgic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 November 2016, 01:00 PM   #11
J!m
"TRF" Member
 
J!m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Real Name: Jim
Location: Connecticut
Watch: this! Hold my beer
Posts: 2,813
Rare early 93150 bracelet too!

Certainly worth restoring with some nos parts with a competent smith.

Enjoy it!
J!m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 November 2016, 03:21 PM   #12
Craft&Tailored
"TRF" Member
 
Craft&Tailored's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 6,254
Watch is solid! Great inheritance!
Craft&Tailored is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 November 2016, 01:46 AM   #13
Rolex fan 61
"TRF" Member
 
Rolex fan 61's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 1,262
Very nice
Rolex fan 61 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 November 2016, 04:57 PM   #14
onthedial
"TRF" Member
 
onthedial's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Watch: IG @onthedial
Posts: 587
@AntarcticJamie
Looks like there could be some lume deterioration at the 9 hour marker, although it's tough to say with the limited pics. Even so, it's a great looking 1680. 👏👏👏
-----------
Instagram: @onthedial
onthedial is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

Asset Appeal


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.