Inherited a Submariner. Anything rare about it?

[HandsomeMike]

It was my father in laws that he bought new in 1979. From research it’s a 1680, correct? Doesn’t have the quickset feature. It’s a meters first dial which is cool. Anything else I should know or you can tell me from the photo?

[Sglass]

Originally Posted by HandsomeMike

It was my father in laws that he bought new in 1979. From research it’s a 1680, correct? Doesn’t have the quickset feature. It’s a meters first dial which is cool. Anything else I should know or you can tell me from the photo?

Please add the photo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[btinl]

No meters first 1680s in 1979.

[HarryLime]

Yep it can't be both meters first and also from 1979.

[Dan S]

Crop and reduce your photos, and then post them. All will then be made clear.

[stmoore]

What’s the serial? Guessing it’s 69 and not 79.

[HandsomeMike]

I'm here! I'll get a reduced sized photo posted. I posted this thread on WUS at the same time and it's up to 11 pages of people saying I'm full of it, its a fake, I'm a scammer, and everything else. I've been to 3 watch stores and two watchmakers and the best I've learned is that it's authentic except for the dial. It's been repainted or replaced at some point with a dial that isn't proper. That and it appears the SN# has been polished off or something has happened to it over time. I regret ever posting anything about this and should've just gone to a watchmaker for answers.

[HandsomeMike]

See attached.

[JustinK]

Unfortunately the dial is refinished which hurts the value significantly. I would wear it and enjoy.

If you wanted to search for an original dial it would set you back a couple grand.

[Kingface66]

Any record of the watch’s service history? Both the insert and the dial aren’t correct. Not even sure about the case.

[HandsomeMike]

No service history. My father in law died six years ago and my wife got it from her step mother. He had told me that the crystal and insert have been changed a few times due to damage from diving. I figured I'll replace the crystal and just enjoy it! I've had two watchmakers in the past week basically tell me the same thing. One of them did open the case for me and verify it was a 1575. The serial number appears to have been polished off at some point. The words stainless steel are just barley legible and I had to really clean the other side to see registered design (I believe thats what it says?) and 1680.

[alwayshere]

Shame.. refinished dial, bezel looks strange as well and the crystal too.

Looks like original 702 crown (or early 703) but as others have said, a lot of value has been lost with the dial redone (and poorly)

[HarryLime]

Yikes. Yeah if you want to make this correct you're probably looking at a ~$6k investment at least.

[subx]

what the heck is this, honestly...

[harry in montreal]

Subx, play nice. It’s an heirloom with a refinished dial. In thirty years of collecting you should have seen a couple of these

[subx]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

Subx, play nice. It’s an heirloom with a refinished dial. In thirty years of collecting you should have seen a couple of these

I have no quibble to play nice ...

it's just that (VERY) so often a 'NEWBIE' with a ' story ' about a father in law / friend / local jeweler comes in our forum with a more than questionable piece, fishiing for info OR offers...

and if YOU know , ,this is NOT ' JUST ' a refinish dial....


;)

[Tools]

Originally Posted by HandsomeMike

. . . . I regret ever posting anything about this and should've just gone to a watchmaker for answers.

Then you wouldn't know about the controversy that surrounds these well used pieces.

Rolex still services and replaces faulty parts on 1680's

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by HandsomeMike

I'm here! I'll get a reduced sized photo posted. I posted this thread on WUS at the same time and it's up to 11 pages of people saying I'm full of it, its a fake, I'm a scammer, and everything else. I've been to 3 watch stores and two watchmakers and the best I've learned is that it's authentic except for the dial. It's been repainted or replaced at some point with a dial that isn't proper. That and it appears the SN# has been polished off or something has happened to it over time. I regret ever posting anything about this and should've just gone to a watchmaker for answers.

I missed this post. We're a far more mature lot here and most post with good intentions. I think you have your answer though.

1) confirming refinished / redone dial
2) bezel and crystal look odd as well but could just be the angle.

The problem now is Rolex Service Center would hesitate to touch it given the dial concern. If you want to restore it, you will have to source an original dial which is costly. You could also sell it as-is but will have to take a notable discount given the issues. Before you sell it to any watchmaker, worth checking back with us on what the offer price is - watchmakers can be very opportunistic at times.

Good luck

[1665fan]

Just because they are a watchmaker doesn’t mean they know anything about vintage Rolex.....just a heads up

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by HandsomeMike

I regret ever posting anything about this and should've just gone to a watchmaker for answers.

Well, as soon as you posted a photo, you got your answer here, confirmed by multiple members, so I don't know why you're complaining. You asked, the forum answered. If you don't like the tone of some of the people who answered, just ignore them. It's the internet.

A refinished dial is easy to identify, but as noted above, a watchmaker might or might not know more subtle details.

[HandsomeMike]

Let me rephrase. I regret posting on WUS. You folks have been way nicer
For the most part. I guess it’s hard to learn and be taken seriously on a message board when people can’t see exactly what you’re working with. I appreciate the constructive feedback though!

[Slimpee]

I look at that and see “older Sub.”

It never ceases to amaze me that people can see such critical but subtle differences. I can see how people get suckered.

[etp095]

Originally Posted by Tools

Then you wouldn't know about the controversy that surrounds these well used pieces.

Rolex still services and replaces faulty parts on 1680's

X2
Should just take it to Rolex service center, have them overhaul it. That would be the best bet, and least expensive. Since it has a refinished dial, and other suspect parts.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by etp095

X2
Should just take it to Rolex service center, have them overhaul it. That would be the best bet, and least expensive. Since it has a refinished dial, and other suspect parts.

as I have said earlier, many won't touch it given the dial and some won't have stock.

The local RSC here in Sydney flat out said vintage watches are getting harder for them to service so now they sometimes have to send it to Switzerland - i'm not sure if they are pulling my leg...

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by HandsomeMike

Let me rephrase. I regret posting on WUS. You folks have been way nicer
For the most part. I guess it’s hard to learn and be taken seriously on a message board when people can’t see exactly what you’re working with. I appreciate the constructive feedback though!

Yes, and like I said, a few people on here are more knowledgeable and educated in vintage Rolex than 99.9% watchmakers......they might be the one to fix the movement but still not know what you really have.....we see it all the time...

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Yes, and like I said, a few people on here are more knowledgeable and educated in vintage Rolex than 99.9% watchmakers......they might be the one to fix the movement but still not know what you really have.....we see it all the time...

Agree. We collectively know more about vintage Rolex than your average watchmaker (especially how to maintain/increase value), but we don't have the tools they have.

Good luck with your choice, OP.

[GimmeTheLoupe]

I’d just get a service dial or a better repainted one and rock the hell out of it

[Andjwhite]

Originally Posted by GimmeTheLoupe

I’d just get a service dial or a better repainted one and rock the hell out of it

I agree. The dial looks straight up fake the way it was retouched.

[HandsomeMike]

Where is the cheapest place to get a service dial? Internet searches pull up dials in the $2k-$3k range. Can you recommend a place for service dials or at the very least one that looks super damn close to original that wont break the bank? Thanks again for your help!

[harry in montreal]

I enjoy these new members posting photos of watches that have been unearthed or inherited. I hope the OP is not discouraged. He should flip the watch over and send a few other pics.

I don’t mind the risk of the odd fake making it on here. We just move it to junk folder. Members like Subx seem a little too wound up and cranky to look at a couple of Rolex photos.