Thoughts on this 'honest' 1974 Rolex Submariner 1680

[Mansell92]

I might have discovered why it is in good condition. When I originally received the watch the latch on the clasp was impossible to release without the aid of a hard utensil. Credit card or toothpicks were not tough enough, it needed a tough piece of plastic to pry it open.

Once opened I saw many small scratches. It appears as though someone used a paperclip hundreds of times to open the latch.

I noticed on one side of the latch, it was on a slightly inward facing angle to the clasp, so I moved it back into position. It is opening and closing as you would expect now.

I just wonder though how long this issue was occuring? It perhaps may have put the previous owner wearing it as often as they may well have liked. It certainly bugged me for a day or two. This may have inadvertently preserved the watch :-)

[Mansell92]

This watch is losing around 30 seconds per day. At what stage do you think it would need a service?

[J!m]

About now, particularly if the previous service history is unknown.

[mondo74]

guys i have this watch now. i had a mate say it's replacement dial everyone else likes it but as we all know, just takes one comment like that to throw everything..
can you experts shed some more light?

[alwayshere]

the question is did you pay more than $15K cos thats what the seller paid prior....

p.s. think the dial is genuine

[mondo74]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

the question is did you pay more than $15K cos thats what the seller paid prior....

p.s. think the dial is genuine

I paid less. And I think its a genuine mk1 dial too. Everything seems to line up to my eye..

Sent from my CLT-L29 using Tapatalk

[swish77]

Originally Posted by mondo74

guys i have this watch now. i had a mate say it's replacement dial everyone else likes it but as we all know, just takes one comment like that to throw everything..
can you experts shed some more light?

MKI dial. Show this link to your “mate:”

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=513941

Also, the price the previous owner paid was in Australian dollars, not U.S. Seems like a very good deal for this watch nowadays.

[1675-David]

that's a great original dial

[mondo74]

Originally Posted by swish77

MKI dial. Show this link to your “mate:”

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=513941

Also, the price the previous owner paid was in Australian dollars, not U.S. Seems like a very good deal for this watch nowadays.

The dial is possibly one of the neatest i've seen. original owner (prior to the OP) had it since new.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by mondo74

I paid less. And I think its a genuine mk1 dial too. Everything seems to line up to my eye..

Sent from my CLT-L29 using Tapatalk

GOod stuff!

Watch looks fine