1680 assistance

[Kyvelia]

Hiya, new to the forum and relatively new to collecting vintage Rolexes.
Super excited about the prospects and the journey.

A trusted friend has the attached 1680 and I am interested in buying it from him. He doesn't know the provenance.

it seems that the hands were replaced as they don't have the patina the dial has.
It's a 2.2M serial, so is this must a service dial?
He thinks the bezel insert is also a replacement.

The watch seems is in very good condition and it would be a great one to own. I love the Plexiglas and how much it sticks out and the patina on the plots looks great.

I have seen the watch in person, but for now this is the only image I have,

Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated

[swish77]

Should have a meters-first red dial with that serial number, so you're right the dial has been replaced, and presumably the other parts you mentioned too.

Depends on what you're looking for ... Just a cool vintage Rolex vibe with an acrylic top hat crystal? Or a fully "correct" vintage Rolex Submariner 1680 that most likely will increase in value and be a lot more collectible?

Either approach is totally cool, and will be at different price points. Just a personal decision based on your goals.

[Kyvelia]

Thank you for your feedback. I am cool with the replacement parts as it seems more common than 100% original and indeed the price points are massively different.

[Droggo]

It was very common to "update" the face to a white back in the day, Rolex would do it during a service if there was any blemish with the original Red face.
Some people changed the face of their Comex so as to look like a Retail model.
Who would have thought years later it would wipe thousands off the value.
BTW I have a 3.8M 1680 which should have been a Red but has exactly the same face as the one in the picture.

[Kyvelia]

Originally Posted by Droggo

It was very common to "update" the face to a white back in the day, Rolex would do it during a service if there was any blemish with the original Red face.
Some people changed the face of their Comex so as to look like a Retail model.
Who would have thought years later it would wipe thousands off the value.
BTW I have a 3.8M 1680 which should have been a Red but has exactly the same face as the one in the picture.

thank you. it's a great watch and I am getting more excited about it :)

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Kyvelia

thank you. it's a great watch and I am getting more excited about it :)

What's the asking price?

[stevedssd]

Originally Posted by Droggo

It was very common to "update" the face to a white back in the day, Rolex would do it during a service if there was any blemish with the original Red face.
Some people changed the face of their Comex so as to look like a Retail model.
Who would have thought years later it would wipe thousands off the value.
BTW I have a 3.8M 1680 which should have been a Red but has exactly the same face as the one in the picture.

A 3.8m could possibly have come with a Mk 1 White dial as an original fit.... do you have a photo of your dial.

[Kyvelia]

Originally Posted by swish77

what's the asking price?

$10,500.00

[athom]

Originally Posted by Kyvelia

Thank you for your feedback. I am cool with the replacement parts as it seems more common than 100% original and indeed the price points are massively different.

Whatever the price, I do not find a good idea to buy a 4 digits Rolex with replacement parts...

[saxo3]

Replacement dial, different hands that don't color fit .... not my cup of tea.
OP: get much better photos, then check the dial, insert, case etc.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Kyvelia

$10,500.00

That would be a big pass for me at that price. There's nothing wrong with an old Sub with service parts, but the price needs to reflect that the watch has lost most of its originality.

At that price, you're approaching the neighborhood of a nice all-original 1680. I'd stretch your budget to get a better example.

For comparison, I just sold this 1680 for $13.5K. Look around, they're out there.

[Dan S]

Could be a nice watch to wear, but the price doesn't seem to reflect enough of a discount for the loss of collectibility and mismatched lume. I think it would be more appealing in the $8k range.

[FLAMAN]

If you like it and can live with the wrong parts then go for it. In my area depending on buyer and seller the price would reflect At low end 5000.00 at high end around 8500.00

[zapokee]

Pass for me. You can get something much better for that price.

[Kingface66]

$10,500?
Way over-priced for what it is. Plus, when you get around to selling it, it will not be easy or fun.

[Kyvelia]

Wow...thanks for all the feedback...and the advice.

love this forum and it's making my decision to pass that much more easier

I will be back :)

[AlfredGreeneIV]

Purchasing my first vintage Rolex soon from my boss. I can’t wait super excited for the 1680. Hope you find one soon!

[Droggo]

Originally Posted by stevedssd

A 3.8m could possibly have come with a Mk 1 White dial as an original fit.... do you have a photo of your dial.

Sadly NOT a mk1 dial, as stated exactly like on in photo, mine has NOT got the centred L of a MK 1

[stevedssd]

Originally Posted by Droggo

Sadly NOT a mk1 dial, as stated exactly like on in photo, mine has NOT got the centred L of a MK 1

That's a shame...........

[michaelw4248]

pass