Rolex 1680 Luminova Red Replacement Dial

[bcenney]

Hello,
I'm new to the forum, so bear with me.
I've seen images of a "Rolex 1680 Red Submariner Luminova Replacement/Service Dial" on the internet.
I called Dallas Rolex and asked if such a dial was ever produced or offered for 1680 Red Subs. The answer was ..."No."
Then, I wrote to Rolex in Switzerland asking if such a dial was ever made. They sent me a nice letter and referred me to Rolex NY. Well, soon Rolex NY called me on the phone and also said there is no such thing as a Rolex 1680 Red Submariner Replacement/Service dial. The suggestion is that, what is seen on the internet has been regular Rolex Replacement 1680 Luminova dials painted over in red by someone other than Rolex. What do you think?

[mike]

I moved this to the vintage section where those in the know are better equipped to answer.

Welcome to the world of Rolex USA. It doesn't exist to them, but indeed such a dial exists. It's a matt luminova dial that was/is used as service replacement.

Some here have the dial and it looks amazing.

[jdmi32]

They're real. And they're spectacular!

[Jason71]

I love mine

BTW, I'm wearing my Luminova Red sub at the moment and I just looked at the red lettering under a loupe. There is NO POSSIBLE WAY that this lettering has been repainted by someone. It is perfect. My 5513 that I had relumed looks fantastic to the naked eye. Under a loupe, it is obvious that it was freehanded when applied.

This was definitely produced by Rolex S.A. IMHO

[foodle]

Some info on this thread:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...=286496&page=2

It seems that Rolex has at least at one time admitted these dials do exists. I was hoping that I could swap a ruined red dial for a new luminova one, but it seems unclear at this point. A bit of a gamble given the costs involved.

[springer]

Originally Posted by bcenney

Hello,
I'm new to the forum, so bear with me.
I've seen images of a "Rolex 1680 Red Submariner Luminova Replacement/Service Dial" on the internet.
I called Dallas Rolex and asked if such a dial was ever produced or offered for 1680 Red Subs. The answer was ..."No."
Then, I wrote to Rolex in Switzerland asking if such a dial was ever made. They sent me a nice letter and referred me to Rolex NY. Well, soon Rolex NY called me on the phone and also said there is no such thing as a Rolex 1680 Red Submariner Replacement/Service dial. The suggestion is that, what is seen on the internet has been regular Rolex Replacement 1680 Luminova dials painted over in red by someone other than Rolex. What do you think?

The RSCs are not a great source for accurate information regarding their vintage watches. Dealers are worse.

[nsumner]

Very real and very, very rare. Here's mine that has since been sold.

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by springer

The RSCs arel not a great source for accurate information regarding their vintage watches. Dealers are worse.

Yup, true

[pdoukas]

I keep hearing these dials were European acquired. May want to hoof it across the way and walk it into Rolex on your next European vacation.

[the_general_trader]

Thanks again Nate(nsumner) for my favorite watch in my collection. I love the lume and clarity. I love having something a little different that flies under the radar except to WIS.

I'm hesitant to keep wearing it daily I love the red service dial 1680 so much - but it just has the right amount of character compared to modern rolexes and omegas, and it does seem to make watching time go by so much more enjoyable!

[soundserious]

Originally Posted by springer

The RSCs are not a great source for accurate information regarding their vintage watches. Dealers are worse.

Thankfully we have this forum then!

[bcenney]

Just as a footnote....as of today (25 August 2014) currently listed on Ebay is a 1680 with what appears to be a Rolex service replacement red sub dial. There is also a picture of the Rolex Dallas service papers showing the date of 2012 for the service. Yet, on the phone, Dallas says they have no such replacement dial. Odd isn't it?

[bcenney]

Picture of my 1680 with Luminova service dial for diving. Been diving this watch for 40 years.
http://mail.aol.com/38711-111/aol-6/...wMail&partId=0

And the night picture.
http://mail.aol.com/38711-111/aol-6/...wMail&partId=1

[foodle]

Originally Posted by bcenney

Just as a footnote....as of today (25 August 2014) currently listed on Ebay is a 1680 with what appears to be a Rolex service replacement red sub dial. There is also a picture of the Rolex Dallas service papers showing the date of 2012 for the service. Yet, on the phone, Dallas says they have no such replacement dial. Odd isn't it?

Does the ebay one look legit? I'm thinking hard about it ...

[CrownMe]

Originally Posted by foodle

Does the ebay one look legit? I'm thinking hard about it ...

Definitely legit but 14k seems high

[Frogdog]

Originally Posted by bcenney

Just as a footnote....as of today (25 August 2014) currently listed on Ebay is a 1680 with what appears to be a Rolex service replacement red sub dial. There is also a picture of the Rolex Dallas service papers showing the date of 2012 for the service. Yet, on the phone, Dallas says they have no such replacement dial. Odd isn't it?

The asking price for the piece on eBay is rather optimistic!

[foodle]

Originally Posted by Frogdog

The asking price for the piece on eBay is rather optimistic!

Aren't they always ... yeah, I'm not willing to go anywhere as high as the asking price, but I might put in a reasonable offer based on what some recent ones have gone for.

[garywatch]

My 1680 was overhauled by Rolex service centre in Sydney in 2010.
This included a replacement service dial.It looks fantastic.Bloody expensive!!
They stopped doing this a few years later, as I am told.

[watchcrank]

Rolex service centers are notorious for bad information as said. And they seem to be getting worse, their parts shipments are out 4-6 weeks for some parts to CW21's. And the Dallas Center is returning a 1016 of mine as they say no service dials available for any 4 digit reference. But they are putting one on a 1675 for another fellow I know. Seems to depend on who you speak with.

[Toronto Soup King]

Originally Posted by watchcrank

Rolex service centers are notorious for bad information as said...they say no service dials available for any 4 digit reference.

RSC here in Toronto put a new dial on a ruined old 1018 for me just recently. The techs know what they're doing but in terms of the info they give out I'd trust the forums and experts more

[Rc30matt]

I noticed this for sale on ebay the other day. Thoughts?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-19...53.m1438.l2649

Im a complete newbie but it seems to me the lug-hole to bezel distance is enough to pass on this as a v heavily polished, near ruined example

[bcenney]

Finally got a Rolex red sub service replacement dial for my sub serial 39xxxxx courtesy HQ Milton, to replace my old non-red service dial from Rolex service center. I really like it.

[cardiel]

Yay, good things come to those who wait!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by bcenney

Finally got a Rolex red sub service replacement dial for my sub serial 39xxxxx courtesy HQ Milton, to replace my old non-red service dial from Rolex service center. I really like it.

That dies look great

Patience is a virtue