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unknown · 9 November 2010, 01:06 AM

The reference 1690, a prototype made around 1980.
Only 2 pieces made, never went into production

(I don't know who took these pictures)

Dr. Robert · 9 November 2010, 01:37 AM

I always knew the U.S. Marines had class....hoorah.

JIFF1975 · 9 November 2010, 01:41 AM

I think 95% HAS seen those pictures...

There is a story about this watch and it is supposed to be an urban myth... Another story is that a japanese collector has had this watch made by a local watchmaker...

Or something like that...

It's a nice watch that's for sure!

Just google rolex 1690 and you'll find a ton of stories about the watch...

Thanks for sharing!

Johny · 9 November 2010, 02:34 AM

has anyone ever asked rolex about it?

esm · 9 November 2010, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unknown

ThI'm almost sure 95% of our members have never seen that sportrolex before

The reference 1690, a prototype made around 1980.
Only 2 pieces made, never went into production

i'd be the first to admit - never seen it until now.

interesting design, especially the end piece? is there a reason for that which goes into part of the fluted bezel? (maybe i should do a research later

)

thanks for thread throgh

Lion · 9 November 2010, 02:42 AM

Interesting looking watch...thanx for sharing!!!

PhilM · 9 November 2010, 02:49 AM

That's been posted before on TRF, it's very unusual

GradyPhilpott · 9 November 2010, 03:38 AM

It's the first time for me.

I got out of the Marine Corps in 1971 and at that time I never knew any Marine who had ever been issued a watch. There may have been some, but not long ago I did a quick and dirty survey on a Marine board and no one there had ever been issued one.

A lot has changed in the Corps since I left, especially the Corps' standing in relation to other branches of the service and budgetary issues, but somehow, I just cannot imagine the United States Marine Corps issuing Rolex watches to Marines.

It just goes against the parsimonious ethos of the Corps.

Sweramic · 9 November 2010, 04:09 AM

Never seen it before! Thanks for sharing

Any ideas where the two pieces are located?

snog · 9 November 2010, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreambaby

Never seen it before! Thanks for sharing

Any ideas where the two pieces are located?

I would bet not on a wrist

David Woo · 9 November 2010, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esm

is there a reason for that which goes into part of the fluted bezel?

It's a dive bezel lock: when the bracelet is worn, the links lock down onto the bezel to prevent it from turning. When the watch is off the wrist, the end links can pivot away from the bezel so it can be turned.
This piece/info has been floating around for years.
DW

chris russell · 9 November 2010, 04:47 AM

Not likin' it, sorry, not even a tiny little bit.

Well, come to think of it, I do like the lack of a cyclops.

Danand · 9 November 2010, 04:50 AM

I don't like it either. Reminds me a bit of the omega flightmaster (ugly)

Wolfgang427 · 9 November 2010, 05:20 AM

Its been a highly faked watch and many different variations of it exist.

RolexABC · 9 November 2010, 05:26 AM

It's a bit fugly that!!!

beerformeplz · 9 November 2010, 05:27 AM

Not for me.

tkc324 · 9 November 2010, 05:53 AM

Learn something new everyday.... first time seeing this for me... very interesting~

dddrees · 9 November 2010, 10:17 AM

It's different thats for sure.

I must be in the minority, thats the first I had seen of it.

Thanks for sharing.

exxondus · 9 November 2010, 10:45 AM

i think RWX Ken trading made some homages out of this model

Mockingbird · 9 November 2010, 11:32 AM

I've never liked it. It's a bit of an urban myth nowadays anyway.

TheVTCGuy · 9 November 2010, 12:01 PM

Rare? I have six or seven of those.....

Porsche · 9 November 2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johny

has anyone ever asked rolex about it?

I'll give them a quick call and find out. Get back to you in 3 min...

Shade · 9 November 2010, 12:55 PM

Must be one heck of a marine to order a custom made watch by Rolex! :D

sea-dweller · 9 November 2010, 02:33 PM

First time for me, interesting...

rob · 9 November 2010, 11:17 PM

Never seen it! Well I guess us USAF guys can say rolex mad one for us too.... The thunderbird!!! LOL!!!!

Johny · 9 November 2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche

I'll give them a quick call and find out. Get back to you in 3 min...

so...how did you get on with the call is it real?

Welshwatchman · 10 November 2010, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unknown

I'm almost sure 95% of our members have never seen that sportrolex before

"Almost" being the operative word.

We've been discussing this watch since 2004. Did it come out of the Rolex factory, who knows?

nowzen · 10 November 2010, 02:02 AM

I'm sure Rolex would never make such an ugly watch - check out the pointed crown guard? I think antiquorum lost all credibilty when one sold there for $103,000...
biggest scam since the piltdown man.

http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/2008/1...prototype.html

Sunshine · 10 November 2010, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esm

i'd be the first to admit - never seen it until now.

interesting design, especially the end piece? is there a reason for that which goes into part of the fluted bezel? (maybe i should do a research later

)

thanks for thread throgh

2nd.

Sunshine · 10 November 2010, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nowzen

I'm sure Rolex would never make such an ugly watch - check out the pointed crown guard? I think antiquorum lost all credibilty when one sold there for $103,000...
biggest scam since the piltdown man.

http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/2008/1...prototype.html

I like it. But I am

9 November 2010, 01:06 AM	#1
unknown "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 2,802	I'm almost sure 95% of our members have never seen that sportrolex before The reference 1690, a prototype made around 1980. Only 2 pieces made, never went into production (I don't know who took these pictures) __________________ Instagram : @collectible_watches

9 November 2010, 01:37 AM	#2
Dr. Robert 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Bob Location: U.S.A. Watch: 1655 Posts: 61,299	I always knew the U.S. Marines had class....hoorah. __________________ Founder & Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

9 November 2010, 02:34 AM	#4
Johny "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: john Location: Scotland Watch: sub 16610Lv Posts: 13,523	has anyone ever asked rolex about it? __________________ "AFTER DARK" BAR AND NIGHT CLUB GM.

9 November 2010, 02:42 AM	#6
Lion "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Leo Location: Midwest Watch: GMT-II 16710 PEPSI Posts: 21,461	Interesting looking watch...thanx for sharing!!! __________________ SS GMT-II 16710 PEPSI(Z-serial#) THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND BOYS IS THE PRICE OF THE TOYS!!! MontBlanc Meisterstuck Doue Silver Barley MontBlanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue Signum Proud Card Carrying Member of the Curmudgeons.....Yikes!!!

9 November 2010, 03:38 AM	#8
GradyPhilpott 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: 116710 BLNR Posts: 34,347	It's the first time for me. I got out of the Marine Corps in 1971 and at that time I never knew any Marine who had ever been issued a watch. There may have been some, but not long ago I did a quick and dirty survey on a Marine board and no one there had ever been issued one. A lot has changed in the Corps since I left, especially the Corps' standing in relation to other branches of the service and budgetary issues, but somehow, I just cannot imagine the United States Marine Corps issuing Rolex watches to Marines. It just goes against the parsimonious ethos of the Corps. __________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

9 November 2010, 01:41 AM	#3
JIFF1975 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Hague Watch: SDDS, 116610LV Posts: 384	I think 95% HAS seen those pictures... There is a story about this watch and it is supposed to be an urban myth... Another story is that a japanese collector has had this watch made by a local watchmaker... Or something like that... It's a nice watch that's for sure! Just google rolex 1690 and you'll find a ton of stories about the watch... Thanks for sharing!

9 November 2010, 02:49 AM	#7
PhilM "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Phil Location: London Watch: Sea-Dweller Posts: 1,765	That's been posted before on TRF, it's very unusual

9 November 2010, 04:09 AM	#9
Sweramic "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Europe Watch: Movies Posts: 4,531	Never seen it before! Thanks for sharing Any ideas where the two pieces are located?

9 November 2010, 04:47 AM	#12
chris russell Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Peterborough, ON Watch: your mouth. Posts: 1,023	Not likin' it, sorry, not even a tiny little bit. Well, come to think of it, I do like the lack of a cyclops.

9 November 2010, 04:50 AM	#13
Danand "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Jonathan Location: Ottawa Watch: 116610LN Posts: 1,246	I don't like it either. Reminds me a bit of the omega flightmaster (ugly)

9 November 2010, 05:20 AM	#14
Wolfgang427 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Wolfgang Location: New Jersey. Watch: Rolex Tudor Omega Posts: 5,590	Its been a highly faked watch and many different variations of it exist. __________________ TRF member #917

9 November 2010, 05:26 AM	#15
RolexABC "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Real Name: Saf Ahmed Location: UK Posts: 298	It's a bit fugly that!!!

9 November 2010, 05:27 AM	#16
beerformeplz "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Pat Location: chesapeake Watch: seadweller Posts: 764	Not for me.

9 November 2010, 05:53 AM	#17
tkc324 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Tom Location: Chi town Watch: Daytona AP DD Sub Posts: 3,717	Learn something new everyday.... first time seeing this for me... very interesting~

9 November 2010, 10:17 AM	#18
dddrees "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Dan Location: USA Watch: This N That Posts: 34,251	It's different thats for sure. I must be in the minority, thats the first I had seen of it. Thanks for sharing.

9 November 2010, 10:45 AM	#19
exxondus "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 568	i think RWX Ken trading made some homages out of this model

9 November 2010, 11:32 AM	#20
Mockingbird "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: -- Posts: 2,097	I've never liked it. It's a bit of an urban myth nowadays anyway.

9 November 2010, 12:01 PM	#21
TheVTCGuy Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Paul Location: San Diego Watch: 126619LB Posts: 21,540	Rare? I have six or seven of those.....

9 November 2010, 12:55 PM	#23
Shade "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Norman Location: Jakarta Watch: All of 'em.. Posts: 2,926	Must be one heck of a marine to order a custom made watch by Rolex! :D __________________ My collections.. Plus PAM 233, 232, 249 & PAM 417.

9 November 2010, 02:33 PM	#24
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	First time for me, interesting... __________________ TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)

9 November 2010, 11:17 PM	#25
rob 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern Ca. Watch: DSSD JC Posts: 809	Never seen it! Well I guess us USAF guys can say rolex mad one for us too.... The thunderbird!!! LOL!!!! __________________ GMT Master II 116710LN, GMT Master 1675 Pepsi Submariner 16610LV, Sea Dweller 126600 SD43 DSSD-“JC” 136660, Polar Exp II 226570

10 November 2010, 02:02 AM	#28
nowzen "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 741	I'm sure Rolex would never make such an ugly watch - check out the pointed crown guard? I think antiquorum lost all credibilty when one sold there for $103,000... biggest scam since the piltdown man. http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/2008/1...prototype.html

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