Rolex 1680 Red - This is why we screw downt he crown!

[oysterquartz17000]

Hi, this is on fleabay atm.

Looks like a very abused example. The crown was left unscrewed and the owner went for a swim. Also the owner has melted the plexi at some point.

I cant believe people are actually bidding on this, surely this is a joke.

This watch is the definition of a write off.

[Juhuatai]

The seller is clearly selling it for parts...

[Rebel]

[Kingface66]

Not sure why this is so baffling. The seller describes it as a “project watch” or simply for parts. As he states, the case, case back, bezel and insert are all very salvageable, and are certainly worth some money.

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Not sure why this is so baffling. The seller describes it as a “project watch” or simply for parts. As he states, the case, case back, bezel and insert are all very salvageable, and are certainly worth some money.

Its not baffling. I read it was a parts watch. If you want parts like these in your rolex then go ahead and bid away.

[214270Explorer]

Ebay "Like New and keeps excellent time."

[oysterquartz17000]

wow, thats crazy. It sold for 7k US. What can anyone do with this watch in this state. It will need a new movement, dial, handset.

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

wow, thats crazy. It sold for 7k US. What can anyone do with this watch in this state. It will need a new movement, dial, handset.

Someone who has these parts can make a 20K Watch out of it,Simple.

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

Someone who has these parts can make a 20K Watch out of it,Simple.

How? 20k is the price for a good example. The dial is where all the money is and well, the dial is literally destroyed.

[JustinK]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

How? 20k is the price for a good example. The dial is where all the money is and well, the dial is literally destroyed.

Dial Restoration and it’s like new.

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by JustinK

Dial Restoration and it’s like new.

Ok, damn, I should have bid then. I watched it all week. So the movement is salvagable?

Is/was the dial a mark III or mark IV, hard to tell? The bezel insert looks like a service insert.

You guys have better eyes than me.

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by JustinK

Dial Restoration and it’s like new.

So this dial can be restored? I just dont see it and whoever has the work done would have to declare this fact if they chose to sell it. I am sure you wil be able to see the repair job through a loupe.

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by JustinK

Dial Restoration and it’s like new.

So who exactly restores dials?

[watchtung]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

So who exactly restores dials?

Probably could have sent it to LA watch works to bring it back to life.


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[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by watchtung

Probably could have sent it to LA watch works to bring it back to life.


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Do ABC Watch works do dial restorations? I checked their website and it isnt listed as an offered service. There is a guy in Hong Kong who restores dials too. I will be ready next time a red like this pops up. I just thought it was a lost cause, but it looks like quite possibly it could be completely salvagled, dial, movement handset.

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

Do ABC Watch works do dial restorations? I checked their website and it isnt listed as an offered service. There is a guy in Hong Kong who restores dials too. I will be ready next time a red like this pops up. I just thought it was a lost cause, but it looks like quite possibly it could be completely salvagled, dial, movement handset.

It depends what you’re looking for. Fix it up and flip it? You’d only profit if you try to pass a restored dial off as original. If you want it for yourself and don’t mind a restored dial there are plenty of these around for cheap.

For something like this you’d have to replace so much it’d only be worth it for someone who could do it themselves. I actually think it would be cool left mostly as is with a full movement service (or replacement). Gnarly worn look. One things for sure, it’s a project.

[Jamie1111]

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

Ebay "Like New and keeps excellent time."

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[Mark020]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

So the movement is salvagable?

Cheapest option is to buy a donor movement and switch all parts to the main plate.

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

It depends what you’re looking for. Fix it up and flip it? You’d only profit if you try to pass a restored dial off as original. If you want it for yourself and don’t mind a restored dial there are plenty of these around for cheap.

For something like this you’d have to replace so much it’d only be worth it for someone who could do it themselves. I actually think it would be cool left mostly as is with a full movement service (or replacement). Gnarly worn look. One things for sure, it’s a project.

Yup, if I had even bid on the watch I could be considering this now. Sadly I held back, which I am definitely regretting. I agree with you about just wearing something like this and not caring too much.

I would be worried about the dial falling to pieces though, so I would have gotten it stabilized somehow.

[1675-David]

For 7k someone did well and bought a nice project for less than the sum of the cost of the individual parts (assuming there are no issues with the caseback theading nicely into the case.) Many here will tell you that most of the value in a vintage watch lies in the dial. But you will quickly find, if you are sitting on a nice dial that it's much easier said than done to find a matchning period correct case in nice condition.
The movement looks salvagable as are the hands, the bezel insert and bezel look OK too and the pip has a nice colour to it.
Looks like the water got in through the crack in the crystal on the left side just under the 50.

[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by JustinK

Dial Restoration and it’s like new.

And I thought the dial was the only good part out of it…

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

For 7k someone did well and bought a nice project for less than the sum of the cost of the individual parts (assuming there are no issues with the caseback theading nicely into the case.) Many here will tell you that most of the value in a vintage watch lies in the dial. But you will quickly find, if you are sitting on a nice dial that it's much easier said than done to find a matchning period correct case in nice condition.
The movement looks salvagable as are the hands, the bezel insert and bezel look OK too and the pip has a nice colour to it.
Looks like the water got in through the crack in the crystal on the left side just under the 50.

I didnt even see the crack but I can see the burns on the plexi, man this thing was abused. I am sure the heat damage weakened the crystal. Whats worse though is that it looks like it filled with water and someone has tried to remove the case back based on the small marks and just gave up and left it.

The case looks nice doesnt it, I see chamfers, looks to be not over polished. Anyhow, I will keep looking.

[oysterquartz17000]

I have shown photos of this watch to a few watch makers now. To be fair it is very hard to make an assessment based on low resolution photos. However they are all saying the dial is 'ok'. One said the movement was a complete write off and another sad the movement should be ok.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

I have shown photos of this watch to a few watch makers now. To be fair it is very hard to make an assessment based on low resolution photos. However they are all saying the dial is 'ok'. One said the movement was a complete write off and another sad the movement should be ok.

You tend to have alot of afterthoughts after a transaction that doesn't involve you...

Best to move on mate.

[Ashton_Horologist]

The movement is salvageable. It will most likely need a full set of screws and train wheels. But all the bridges, plates, etc would be fine.

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by Ashton_Horologist

The movement is salvageable. It will most likely need a full set of screws and train wheels. But all the bridges, plates, etc would be fine.

Well thats fantastic news ;)

What are your thoughts on the dial? Doesnt look too bad to me.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

Its not baffling. I read it was a parts watch. If you want parts like these in your rolex then go ahead and bid away.

Are you still now?

[Racer X]

That'll buff out

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by Racer X

That'll buff out

Surprisingly, thats what everyone is saying.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Are you still now?

lol