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Old 29 August 2015, 12:28 PM   #1
agsstructures
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1680 Red Insert Question

Hello Experts,

Quick question on the attached pic. Watch is a Mark IV but I cannot tell if it is a service insert or not. What are the thoughts from the experts? Thanks

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Old 29 August 2015, 01:21 PM   #2
stmoore
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Can you provide another photo or two, please? There's something I am not sure about.
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Old 29 August 2015, 01:25 PM   #3
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looks like MK3
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Old 29 August 2015, 01:30 PM   #4
agsstructures
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Some additional pics attached and thanks for taking the time
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Old 29 August 2015, 01:37 PM   #5
Wing Zero
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Great looking Red.
It's a MK3 Fat Font insert. Not service
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Old 29 August 2015, 03:58 PM   #6
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The pearl looks to have been replaced but don't think it's a service insert.
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Old 29 August 2015, 04:37 PM   #7
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Yes it's a MK3 fat font inlay and it has aged nicely to a blueish hue.
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Old 29 August 2015, 09:40 PM   #8
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Much better.

That insert is the first of the mk3 inserts (what I call 3.1).

The "4" tells it all.

Roughly, it would have been used from about 1970 until the mid 70s. Later 70s would have had (again roughly) the 3.2, which had a radiused 4 (smooth on the outermost point) and anything prior would have been one of a couple mk2 inserts.

The "3.3" would have been on something like a late 1665 (including the rail) which takes you into 79/80+
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Old 29 August 2015, 09:49 PM   #9
agsstructures
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stmoore View Post
Much better.

That insert is the first of the mk3 inserts (what I call 3.1).

The "4" tells it all.

Roughly, it would have been used from about 1970 until the mid 70s. Later 70s would have had (again roughly) the 3.2, which had a radiused 4 (smooth on the outermost point) and anything prior would have been one of a couple mk2 inserts.

The "3.3" would have been on something like a late 1665 (including the rail) which takes you into 79/80+

Wow, thanks very much for the information. Thanks to all who helped me out. Love this place
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Old 30 August 2015, 02:41 PM   #10
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what are the distinguishing feature of the 3.3?
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Old 31 August 2015, 12:57 AM   #11
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with the "3.3" the numbers, especially the 4, sit flush with the outside of the insert. Also the "hypotenuse" side of the 4 isn't rounded at the corner (3.2) nor does it have a inward bend (3.1) at the end.

btw - no one but me subscribes to the 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 nomenclature. There wasn't a way to catalogue these cool differences so I made one up. These mk3 inserts were used for a very large window (more than 10 years) so not all of them are alike.

Cheers,
Steve
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Old 31 August 2015, 02:51 AM   #12
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Is this insert a service insert? The pearl seems newly replaced. Apologise for hijacking this thread with another insert.

Many thanks in advance.
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Old 31 August 2015, 03:29 AM   #13
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Steve
Thanks for the great mrk 3 information!
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Old 31 August 2015, 06:37 AM   #14
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Looks great - MK3 fat font
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Old 31 August 2015, 01:19 PM   #15
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Hi Vincent,

Were you referring to Knobberboy's insert or the photo I posted. I think identifying an insert is even harder than identifying the dial's version.
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Old 31 August 2015, 02:10 PM   #16
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Adi, urs is a mark 3 fat font. Fatter than op but both FF. the difference thickness is due to the worn pad used to print these. Check out my pic below. The two at the bottom r what Steve refers as 3.2. Notice the rounded top 40?



I blame it on the autoconnect.
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Old 31 August 2015, 04:33 PM   #17
Vincent65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADINVA View Post
Hi Vincent,

Were you referring to Knobberboy's insert or the photo I posted. I think identifying an insert is even harder than identifying the dial's version.
The OP's, but both, actually. It's only my humble view, and there's no definitive or official classification of inserts, other than the obvious service ones, and long 5s. Some say the so-called 'MKI' is the same as the 'MKIII', and, as has already been said, it's generally agreed that it's largely down to worn pads/bleeding, giving rise to fatter digits.
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Old 31 August 2015, 05:11 PM   #18
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Thanks guys! Really appreciate it. Very informative.
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Old 31 August 2015, 06:39 PM   #19
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Great Photo Sam.


Can anyone add to this as the "flat 4" and spacing either side and noticeably different (the one at the top) is that a service insert or the last of the originals? cheers
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Old 1 September 2015, 10:45 AM   #20
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Great Photo Sam.





Can anyone add to this as the "flat 4" and spacing either side and noticeably different (the one at the top) is that a service insert or the last of the originals? cheers

Hi Pict. If u look at my pic, the top one in the bezel, that's the flat four mid font. The 4 in 40 is fatter than service n looks squarish. I think it was used in the early eighties as u could see many seadweller 1665 fitted with these originally. I would assume rolex would also use it for service replacement in the early 80's.


I blame it on the autoconnect.
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Old 1 September 2015, 10:55 AM   #21
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Its an MKIII and its correct for the watch. Looks great, enjoy it.
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Old 20 September 2015, 09:29 PM   #22
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Cheers Sam, apologies to the OP for jumping on the thread but here's pics of my 5.99 mil 1680. It looks like its perhaps a mid font flat 4 to me but i had previously thought it was a service dial, could this be original to the watch, papers are dated 81? Thanks
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Old 20 September 2015, 09:35 PM   #23
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Hopefully here:

nope, ok i'll give it a go later, something ain't working :)
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Old 20 September 2015, 11:35 PM   #24
stmoore
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It could be original to the watch. It's not a service insert, it's what I'd expect to find on a late matte 5513, for example (of the same vintage).

In this time period one could also find the latest of the mk3 inserts.

Personally, I think you are good to leave it as is.
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Old 21 September 2015, 01:52 AM   #25
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Thanks Steve, thats good to know.

I had actually looked into buying a period correct insert but was put off by the cost, which I'm kinda pleased about now
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