Questions about gold vintage subs

[Ruiz]

I am looking for a vintage gold sub with a purple nipple dial in good condition. I do have some questions. I would appreciate any help.

Which reference was the first gold sub? Did it have a black dial? Which reference had the first blue dial?

When did rolex start and stop using the applied rolex crown on submariners?

When did rolex transition from hollow gold links to solid gold links?

When did Rolex abandon the nipple dials?

Here is what I am looking for. Which references should I be looking at?

[rootbeer7]

I believe that's a 1680/8. It is stunning and I hope you've saved up!!

[ryan5446]

First Gold sub was the ref 1680/8 with black dial (mtrs first) introduced in 1969. Shortly followed by a blue version. From then, both black and blue dials were ft first.

Not sure about the hollow vs solid gold links. Could have been an option (not sure), perhaps to limit the weight. There is a lot of quality difference between the two. Solid links are so much better and bring that extra to the watch.

The watch you are looking at is a blue ref 1680/8 Most blue dials have turned purple-ish by now. Some go brown. It really is a cool watch.

Here is a picture of mine. It is "hot rodded" a bit with a T39 plexi and a regular sub insert.



and another one with the proper blue insert

[Dries]

Originally Posted by ryan5446

First Gold sub was the ref 1680/8 with black dial (mtrs first) introduced in 1969. Shortly followed by a blue version. From then, both black and blue dials were ft first.

Not sure about the hollow vs solid gold links. Could have been an option (not sure), perhaps to limit the weight. There is a lot of quality difference between the two. Solid links are so much better and bring that extra to the watch.

The watch you are looking at is a blue ref 1680/8 Most blue dials have turned purple-ish by now. Some go brown. It really is a cool watch.

Here is a picture of mine. It is "hot rodded" a bit with a T39 plexi and a regular sub insert.



and another one with the proper blue insert

Gorgeous gold sub.

[robbrum]

Amazing that purple dial, how is the dial getting these purple color?

[topjimmi]

Incredible how that dial turned.