Rolex 1680 Meters First worn every day since 1971 with plenty of DNA, then serviced.

[RFC]

Terrific work Phillip, as usual.

Best,

Ricardo

[1665fan]

Very nice! Job well done

[Nickn]

Just enough
Lovely watch thanks for showing

[GMBorkovic]

Hello members and fans of the Red-Sub. I have read on a sticky that the MkI/II and III
dials were made by one of two contractors, Lemrich or Beyeler. Did Rolex have any other
contractors making re-sub dials? My watch looks great and spot on time. Mike

[JustinK]

Looks great!

Enjoy your clean watch Mike, its a gem!

[phillip ridley]

Thanks for the kind words to the members on this forum and thank you, Mike for allowing me to work on such a special family piece!

[Jinson]

Another great job and nice story, too!

[Avs Fan]

I too love these transformation posts. Looks so good!

[Lesnerelli23]

I enjoyed everything about this! Stories like these are why I wanted a Rolex!

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by 2loaded

Incredible. Finally had to use the hammer and chisel? Hah!
Great work. Ready for another 50yrs.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by cascavel

Interesting how white the indices are and how the beveling on the lugs has been rounded off from wear.

The watch was worn every day, so the Tritium did not have time to patina unlike one stored in a safe.

Mike, (Owner) did mention hand polishing the watch from time-to-time.

[FTX I]

Amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[GMBorkovic]

Yea, my red got polished sometimes. I would put it in my pocket working around the farm from time to time. The thing only cost $285 in 1969. Mike

[winst]

Great work as always!

[dstephns]

Great work and great watch. My 1680 looked a lot like the earlier condition too.
Case was not as bad from scratches but I cracked the plexi crystal and moisture
entered and really messed with the dial and hands . I bought the watch because I wanted a tool watch and something that was robust, withstanding the work I did which was working on a fire crew the U.S. Forest Service. Years later pulled the watch out of the safe and sent it to RSC in California. Had the dial, hands, crystal and bracelet replaced with Rolex service replacements. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't done that but at the time I used the watch as the tool it was meant to be, not so much as a collector watch. Forty-four years later I still have and wear that white 1680. I would never sell it. It shares wrist time with my 16610.

[Singhalager]

Such a dirty watch amazing the skin acids did not eat through bezel insert

[GMBorkovic]

Hey man, that red was on my arm every day for my after work shower!
Plus hot tub soaks and swims in the pool.

[Boopie]

Originally Posted by Undefeatable

These are by far my favorite posts on watch forums. Thanks for sharing this before & after Phillip!

Totally agreed. What a masterful job! Thanks for sharing!

[fizz]

From gunk magnet to beauty queen in less than 30 seconds (well okay not that quick). Stellar transformation and great work by one of the masters in the game.

[karleone]

Crazy how dirty it was! Looks way better now!

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by dstephns

Great work and great watch. My 1680 looked a lot like the earlier condition too.
Case was not as bad from scratches but I cracked the plexi crystal and moisture
entered and really messed with the dial and hands . I bought the watch because I wanted a tool watch and something that was robust, withstanding the work I did which was working on a fire crew the U.S. Forest Service. Years later pulled the watch out of the safe and sent it to RSC in California. Had the dial, hands, crystal and bracelet replaced with Rolex service replacements. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't done that but at the time I used the watch as the tool it was meant to be, not so much as a collector watch. Forty-four years later I still have and wear that white 1680. I would never sell it. It shares wrist time with my 16610.

[00Seven]

Love these threads. Nice work!

[phillip ridley]

Boom!

[GMBorkovic]

karleone, looks way better? Are you kidding. It was a miraculous transformation from
"gunk magnet" to beach beauty. You do go to the beach?

[dbhak22]

Mr. Ridley does it again. The best!

[GMBorkovic]

Phil, its Mike. Your pics of my red-sub will live forever on the Forum. Some shots look like a petri dish in a lab in China! Hope you dont come down with something.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by GMBorkovic

Phil, its Mike. Your pics of my red-sub will live forever on the Forum. Some shots look like a petri dish in a lab in China! Hope you dont come down with something.

[JRedford]

Wow fantastic transformation!

[cajunron]

This is a testament to how robust and durable the brand is. No frou-frou, wimpy safe queen here. Excellent work Phillip. Beautiful piece, OP. Wear in good health.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by cajunron

This is a testament to how robust and durable the brand is. No frou-frou, wimpy safe queen here. Excellent work Phillip. Beautiful piece, OP. Wear in good health.

Well said!