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Old 26 November 2021, 08:26 AM   #1
warpath
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Rolex Submariner 1680 Set with Military Provenance

Rolex Submariner 1680 Set with USMC Military Provenance
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Strahl Rolex 1680 Full Set (16).jpg (235.6 KB, 750 views)
File Type: jpg Strahl Rolex 1680 Full Set (19).jpg (100.0 KB, 752 views)
File Type: jpg Strahl Rolex 1680 Full Set (20).jpg (97.7 KB, 747 views)
File Type: jpg Strahl Rolex 1680 Full Set (29).jpg (97.1 KB, 746 views)
File Type: jpg Strahl Rolex 1680 Full Set (23).jpg (100.4 KB, 751 views)
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Old 26 November 2021, 08:27 AM   #2
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Box
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File Type: jpg Strahl Rolex 1680 Full Set (1).jpg (156.8 KB, 751 views)
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Old 27 November 2021, 12:27 AM   #3
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What’s the military connection? Not a big deal, but that Sub booklet is for a later watch.
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Old 27 November 2021, 02:17 AM   #4
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The Sub looks nice, but would be interesting to know what is the "military provenience"...
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Old 27 November 2021, 10:23 PM   #5
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newer hands
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Old 27 November 2021, 10:57 PM   #6
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One owner watch from a USMC Force Recon NCO who wore it during his service time.
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File Type: jpg Eric Russell Strahl Rolex Sub 1680 (4).jpg (85.0 KB, 601 views)
File Type: jpg Eric Russell Strahl Rolex Sub 1680 (1).jpg (110.6 KB, 611 views)
File Type: jpg Eric Russell Strahl Rolex Sub 1680 (2).jpg (132.3 KB, 601 views)
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Old 28 November 2021, 11:51 AM   #7
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The watch on the forward Marine in the modified RB 12- looks to be wearing a NATO band -on his watch. All the Marines in Class As are SGT E-5s.
The solo picture indicates that this Marine, possibly the owner of the 1680 Rolex Submariner, was at the time assigned to 2nd Force of the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune,
N.C. If so, he may have spent time at Onslow Beach area. Picture with watch on the wearer in uniform would provide irrefutable military provenance.
NATO bands are definitely recommended for hard service with Submariner tool watches.
My 1680 1969 red Submariner saw Vietnam combat service, SCUBA school, and many
military dives and parachute jumps. Additionally, it had 5th Special Forces case back engraving.

A friend who was an E-5 Marine with 1st Force Recon-1st Marine Division in Vietnam owned a 5513 Submariner.
purchased in Hong Kong.
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Old 28 November 2021, 10:34 PM   #8
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A cool piece.. is the insert service as well?
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Old 28 November 2021, 11:01 PM   #9
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Great watch.
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Old 30 November 2021, 05:00 AM   #10
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I love 1680’s and their top hat crystals…really distinguishes it from other subs. I wonder how you can prove provenance unless there is a purchase receipt with the soldier’s name. Otherwise, I could take any 1680 and provide pics of my dad in Vietnam…just sayin…
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Old 30 November 2021, 05:18 AM   #11
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I love 1680’s and their top hat crystals…really distinguishes it from other subs. I wonder how you can prove provenance unless there is a purchase receipt with the soldier’s name. Otherwise, I could take any 1680 and provide pics of my dad in Vietnam…just sayin…
I think that when you buy a watch from the original owner, you tend to believe the provenance. However, when you go to sell the watch several years later, it may be a different story. Major dealers have been caught making false claims often enough that I tend to be skeptical.
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Old 30 November 2021, 06:01 PM   #12
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I think that when you buy a watch from the original owner, you tend to believe the provenance. However, when you go to sell the watch several years later, it may be a different story. Major dealers have been caught making false claims often enough that I tend to be skeptical.
I bought a 1967 Datejust full set from a fairly well-known dealer in Florida a few years ago. They blurred out the name on the papers and I only saw it when it arrived. Turned out to a be an NCO military owner (watch was bought on a USAF base in Spain) who had an unusual name, and I spent about a week following his career online, all over Europe and across the USA. I have a folder of stuff somewhere, but I don't think I'd disclose it before the sale if I let it go.
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Old 2 December 2021, 11:02 AM   #13
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Cool watch.
Insert is from mid 80's.
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Old 2 December 2021, 01:15 PM   #14
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The hands look relumed to match the unusual yellow-greenish shade of lume.

I'm not sure that a few pics of some guys in uniform count as military provenance. The watch doesn't even appear in the photos. The single blurry watch visible in the boat shot is clearly different from the one in the close-up images.

The mis-matched booklet is another red flag if it's claimed to be from the original owner. Procede with caution in the absence of further knowledge.

I'd go with a trusted dealer if I wanted one of these.
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Old 2 December 2021, 01:24 PM   #15
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I bought a 1967 Datejust full set from a fairly well-known dealer in Florida a few years ago. They blurred out the name on the papers and I only saw it when it arrived. Turned out to a be an NCO military owner (watch was bought on a USAF base in Spain) who had an unusual name, and I spent about a week following his career online, all over Europe and across the USA. I have a folder of stuff somewhere, but I don't think I'd disclose it before the sale if I let it go.
Well that's real provenance, with paperwork and research. Well done. Very different from "word of mouth". On a couple of occasions, I've been able to research the original owner using a case-back engraving. The most interesting was a WWII fighter pilot.
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Old 4 December 2021, 10:06 AM   #16
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This 1680 provenance was through his family and the watch was serviced a few years ago by a family member who inherited the watch.
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Old 4 December 2021, 12:09 PM   #17
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I bought a 1967 Datejust full set from a fairly well-known dealer in Florida a few years ago. They blurred out the name on the papers and I only saw it when it arrived. Turned out to a be an NCO military owner (watch was bought on a USAF base in Spain) who had an unusual name, and I spent about a week following his career online, all over Europe and across the USA. I have a folder of stuff somewhere, but I don't think I'd disclose it before the sale if I let it go.
I had a similar one - i bought an Oysterquartz at auction, not the most military watch out there but when it arrived all the paperwork was to a man who was head of British Military Intelligence and who then was in charge of the Tower of London. All the paperwork was to his Tower of London office
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Old 4 December 2021, 02:57 PM   #18
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I had a similar one - i bought an Oysterquartz at auction, not the most military watch out there but when it arrived all the paperwork was to a man who was head of British Military Intelligence and who then was in charge of the Tower of London. All the paperwork was to his Tower of London office
I love the idea of a military OQ.

Can we have a pic?
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Old 4 December 2021, 09:02 PM   #19
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I love the idea of a military OQ.

Can we have a pic?
Military OQ!
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Old 5 December 2021, 10:14 AM   #20
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Military OQ!
That is super - nice sharp case and a dial with a delightful ivory patina.

I do enjoy this earlier three-line dial variant . The later OQs had four lines. Love the royal paperwork, too!
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Old 5 December 2021, 01:27 PM   #21
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Military OQ!
Very nice. One of the first OQs with that dial. I had one years ago, was a 5.2 mil serial I think. Would be interested to know date of sale. Suppose 1977 or 78?
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Old 6 December 2021, 06:21 AM   #22
Pete_mcC
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Very nice. One of the first OQs with that dial. I had one years ago, was a 5.2 mil serial I think. Would be interested to know date of sale. Suppose 1977 or 78?
Thanks! It’s a very early ‘78, 5485xxx serial.
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Old 6 December 2021, 06:43 AM   #23
indianmachine
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very cool OQ! OQ is a great watch, used by some amazing people do to amazing things. Reinhold Messner wore won when summiting Everest.
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Old 6 December 2021, 08:26 AM   #24
zapokee
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...Would be interested to know date of sale. Suppose 1977 or 78?
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Thanks! It’s a very early ‘78, 5485xxx serial.
Adam nailed it!
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Old 6 December 2021, 09:26 AM   #25
GimmeTheLoupe
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That oyster quartz is magnificent and with the provenance it’s really bloody cool. Would love to add one to the collection one day
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