Vintage subs...

[freshacejay]

show them to me, i love them (too bad i dont have one... yet :D)

Also which is the most desireable one?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

DRSD's and original "COMEX" marked Subs, I would say.

Also the ORIGINAL "co-branded" Subs (especially CARTIER co-branding since they can be proven legit by a Cartier branding on the lugs, too), are very sought-after.

My personal vintage Sub is the "Red" 1680.

[freshacejay]

Pics please

Thanls for the info Bo!

Cheers!

[Tools]

Here's a couple of my favorites:

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

DRSD's and original "COMEX" marked Subs, I would say.

Also the ORIGINAL "co-branded" Subs (especially CARTIER co-branding since they can be proven legit by a Cartier branding on the lugs, too), are very sought-after.

My personal vintage Sub is the "Red" 1680.

Since the COMEX & DRSD's are and probably always will be out of my price range the Red 1680 is definitely my choice. That crystal is what originally drew me to Rolex years ago.

[freshacejay]

LOL, i think those were the first subs with a rating of 300 m!!! THanks larry!

[freshacejay]

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

Since the COMEX & DRSD's are and probably always will be out of my price range the Red 1680 is definitely my choice. That crystal is what originally drew me to Rolex years ago.

why? how much are they going for???

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by Tools

Here's a couple of my favorites:

There are a couple of those off the coast of VA and NC that are easily diveable. The U-352 and U-85 that went down during WWII. Many a Submariner has dived/dove(I can never figure that out) these subs. I haven't been on the U-85 yet but hope to soon.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by freshacejay

why? how much are they going for???

Circa

[freshacejay]

lol bo! ok im going to bed! cheers

[Letsgodiving]

Also the military Subs with sword hands bring a pretty penny and are very desirable.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Here are some sites to look at:

www.vintagesubmariner.com (you get some prices there, too in the for sale section).

www.doubleredseadweller.com

(latter link is a very good one IMHO).

[mike]

The Submariner made it's debut in 1954 as the reference 6204. Early subs differed from the latter vintage pieces most are familiar with in that early examples did not have crown guards and their overall size was somewhat smaller.

Here's an excellent example of an early reference the 5508,

NOT MY PHOTO,


The first shouldered sub was the 5512 created in 1959 followed by the wonderfull 5513. Early versions of these watches were possessed of gilt/gloss dials and today command high pricing depending on condition.
Mine is a bit latter version circa 1978. With it's 6.04 mil. ser. no. this is one of the "Maxi-dials" so named because the dial has slightly larger indices than are normally found.



The 5512 was discontinued circa 1978 as most opted to buy the less expensive 5513 which continued with it's matt dial untill about 1985 when Rolex switched to the gloss WG surrounds we see today.

Circa 1967 or so Rolex introduced the first diver with a date complication known as the 1680. A COSC reference, early 1680s were notable for their RED name. Early REDS had the depth reading meters first changing around 1970 or so to feet first (with over lap as nothing with Rolex is set in stone).

Mine marked III/70 on the inside caseback, non-hacking



Around 1974 or so Rolex changed the 1680 to one with white writing marking "SUBMARINER" but otherwise the watch remained the same.

mine with their RED brother,



Around 1979-80 Rolex introduced the reference 16800. This was the first diver to use a fast beat 3xxx movement, have a quick-set date feature, and a uni-directional ratching bezel(previous references used a bi-directional friction fit)

Early examples used the wonderfull matt dial with painted markers while latter versions had gloss with WGs. This was the first diver to use a saphire crystal increasing it's depth rating to the more familiar 1000 ft.

Mine,



Rolex also made special Subs for the British military and these are highly sought after (and faked pieces). One notable example used (at the Militaries request) a bezel insert marked in 60 minutes. Mil. Subs also featured fixed spring bars for added strength and special Gladiator hands. These pieces along with the COMEX series now trade at well over six figures.

NOT MY PHOTO,



COMEX is a special story as this was a watch created for the special needs of the professional diver. One member on the forum has on of these special pieces and could speak much better than I about it's special place in Rolex heritage.

[nwg]

How old do they have to be classed as vintage?

freshacejay,

Mine is 20 years (although it has had a new dial recently).

Pics of it before and after new dial by the RSC.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=17173

[mike]

Originally Posted by nwg

How old do they have to be classed as vintage?

freshacejay,

Mine is 20 years (although it has had a new dial recently).

Pics of it before and after new dial by the RSC.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=17173

You know, that's a question that gets a lot of different responses.

To the purist vintage seems to mean 25 years of age, plastic crystal, movement no longer used, and matt dial.
To others the transitionals fit the bill. To some a tritium dial is critical. I think as times change and new collectors come into the hobby we'll see what criteria constitutes vintage change with enthusiasts perceptions.

[Beef]

Mike, Great tutorial with excellent pics. "Let's Go Diving" Mike, I dove on the U-352 off Morehead City, N.C. back in the '70's. A dynamic dive. I believe it's listed as a National Grave Site at behest of the German Gov. The guy that ran "The Dive Shop-Your Innerspace Specialists," Swede Almark, brought up a skull,some bones and artifacts shortly after it was located. The Jacksonville N.C. paper did a local story on it and the AP or someone picked it. Next thing you know, the German Ambassador is having coffe, reading the Wash. Post....... Anyway, I dove it a couple of years later, wearing my DRSD.

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by Beef

Mike, Great tutorial with excellent pics. "Let's Go Diving" Mike, I dove on the U-352 off Morehead City, N.C. back in the '70's. A dynamic dive. I believe it's listed as a National Grave Site at behest of the German Gov. The guy that ran "The Dive Shop-Your Innerspace Specialists," Swede Almark, brought up a skull,some bones and artifacts shortly after it was located. The Jacksonville N.C. paper did a local story on it and the AP or someone picked it. Next thing you know, the German Ambassador is having coffe, reading the Wash. Post....... Anyway, I dove it a couple of years later, wearing my DRSD.

I remember reading about that, maybe in one of Gentile's books. The last time I dove the 352 the outer pressure hull was gone and it was kind of like diving a tube in the water b/c I didn't have b@lls to take off my rig and penetrate. There was so much silt in the hatches that it looked pretty impossible to make any serious penetration. Anyway, I like your Churchill quotes(I'm a Churchill geek and have many of his books) and also I notice you have Jump Master wings in your avatar and I was in the 82nd in the '80's so nice to meet a bit of kindred spirit!

[Beef]

I was in the Marine Corps (infantry and recon units '74-'78)and was stationed at LeJeune at the time of the dive. We did not enter the boat,it was a guided tour of the exterior. Pressure hull was somewhat intact. When I got out in '78 I went into an SF Guard unit ( C/2/20th SFGA, 18B,18C,18D) and did some TDY to 3/7th SFGA at Gullick in Panama in the '80's. Of course did all my training but SF Medic(-Goat Lab) at Bragg. If you read Churchill, you're no geek. If he couldn't make it as a statesman, he had a promising future as a soldier or as a stand-up comedian. "My Early Life" is priceless. You are definitely a kindred spirit!

[maverick]

Nice pics Mike, here are a few. =) maverick

I sold this one


And this one


newer 16800

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by Beef

I was in the Marine Corps (infantry and recon units '74-'78)and was stationed at LeJeune at the time of the dive. We did not enter the boat,it was a guided tour of the exterior. Pressure hull was somewhat intact. When I got out in '78 I went into an SF Guard unit ( C/2/20th SFGA, 18B,18C,18D) and did some TDY to 3/7th SFGA at Gullick in Panama in the '80's. Of course did all my training but SF Medic(-Goat Lab) at Bragg. If you read Churchill, you're no geek. If he couldn't make it as a statesman, he had a promising future as a soldier or as a stand-up comedian. "My Early Life" is priceless. You are definitely a kindred spirit!

I have "A Roving Commission" (My early Life) and it is probably my favorite book of Churchill's. He was a character that is likely never to be seen again. Do they still have the Goat Lab I wonder. That seems unlikely these days. I jumped into "Hell & Purgatory" DZ at LeJeune in a joint ops deal with some Marine recon guys. Our pre-jump briefing made it sound like it was the worst DZ ever (flooded, 5ft water trenches, snakes, power lines etc.) and it was the softest landing I ever had. I landed in a pile of soft watery mud. I also trained with the 3/7th SFG at Bragg as an MI guy. Now about that DRSD!!

[Beef]

The DZ you jumped was probably DZ GOOSE. All the DZs at LeJeune were named for birds and all pretty much sucked. Goose was by the Intracostal Waterway. Anyway, I bought the DRSD on a Med. Cruise Deployment. We were in Naples, went to Rome, rode the train to Geneva and went to the Rolex Factory to buy watches. They don't sell them to hung over Jarheads, only to ADs. They refered us to Bucherer's and that's were we went. Picked up the DRSD at the strong urging of another guy that already had one. I wanted a GMT, but peer pressure convinced me that the GMT was a WIMP WATCH. (I also have several tatoos!) It was paid for by my Plt. Ldr. that used his AMEX as I was short about $75. It was $564.06. Wore it daily until 1993 when my wife bought me a GMT II. Attached are pictures of the watch, wallet, warranty, reciept, booklet. The reciept has a date time stamp that you can't see for 03-27-78 in the upper right corner. Sorry about the quality, I gotta get a real camera.

[freshacejay]

DAMN 500 bucks for a DRSD!!! :D Lucky man!

[Jocke]

Ok here is a few.

5513



1680



16660



Jocke

[Letsgodiving]

DRSD, all the paperwork and a great story! I think you made the right decision even if it was at the urging of your buddy. Great stuff and an awesome watch.

[Beef]

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

DRSD, all the paperwork and a great story! I think you made the right decision even if it was at the urging of your buddy. Great stuff and an awesome watch.

Yeah, but now what do I do about the tatoos?"...and in the morning, I shall be sober." W.C.

[Letsgodiving]

Well, tatoos are kind of like the scratches and dings on a watch right, they add character and remind you of where you were and what you were doing at that point in your life.

One my favorites Churchill quotes is, Dogs look up to you, cats look down on you but I like pigs they just treat you as equals, or something to that effect. I just noticed your list of watches at the bottom of your posting. That is quite a collection you have there.

[Beef]

I guess that's one way to look at it. As far the collection, thanks.

[freshacejay]

Nice Jocke, very nice, especially the first one! And beef, also very nice!

[watchgeek]

1966 5513 gilt - not showing up??
1958 5508 gilt - no crown gaurd
DRSD
Redline 1680

[mike]

Originally Posted by watchgeek

1966 5513 gilt - not showing up??
1958 5508 gilt - no crown gaurd
DRSD
Redline 1680

Wonderfull examples!!!