Rolex 1680 red - 1971 approx

[Plexiglass]

Hello, i have been told that the date disk of this reference should be silver color and not white. All the ones i am looking at seems white to me. Any feedback here?

[Dan S]

Brushed metallic silver is correct, but it can be pretty difficult to see in photos.

[swaini3]

For that year, it should be off white / white. The font will differentiate it from later sevice wheels. The silver ones came later imo.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by swaini3

For that year, it should be off white / white. The font will differentiate it from later sevice wheels. The silver ones came later imo.

There were subtly different finishes (speckled vs brushed), but I believe that all 1680s had silver date wheels. Certainly, I've seen many meters-first and also Mk4 red subs with silver date wheels, so I don't think it's an issue of silver coming later.

[Plexiglass]

IMG_6347.jpeg

Can you guys tell is this is fine?

[Dan S]

Smart phone photos are often overexposed, you often need really good high resolution or macro photos in good lighting. As Mo mentioned, it's sometimes easier to judge by the 6s and 9s.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Plexiglass

Attachment 1417562

Can you guys tell is this is fine?

Hard to tell about the color, but the cyclops/magnifier doesn't look right. The font of the date wheel should appear bigger/bolder. Here's my (former) 1680 for comparison. This date wheel looks white in the photo, but it actually had a subtle silverish hue to it.

[Plexiglass]

Originally Posted by swish77

Hard to tell about the color, but the cyclops/magnifier doesn't look right. The font of the date wheel should appear bigger/bolder. Here's my (former) 1680 for comparison. This date wheel looks white in the photo, but it actually had a subtle silverish hue to it.

Thanks. Should i ask for other pics maybe of the 6 or 9 as dan suggested?

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by Plexiglass

Thanks. Should i ask for other pics maybe of the 6 or 9 as dan suggested?

Ask for 3, 6, 26. (I doubt you'll get them ). If the date wheel is the same as this finish, it's later.

[TuRo]

Just consulted my notes : This from Gerhard/Xeramic a year ago :

'Red Subs came with different date wheel colors/surfaces - as a guess of the periods: "off-white" versions in 1969 and probably 1970, matte (including very slightly brushed, only visible under the loupe) silver versions in about 1970 to 1973, strikingly brushed silver versions from 1973 onwards'.
__________________

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by Dan S

There were subtly different finishes (speckled vs brushed), but I believe that all 1680s had silver date wheels. Certainly, I've seen many meters-first and also Mk4 red subs with silver date wheels, so I don't think it's an issue of silver coming later.

Dan,
Early 1680's did come with white / off white date wheels. These could be the same ones referred to as silver by some. It's probably silver if seen with a loupe but not as striking or with the brushed lines like the one in my pic. An example is like swish's pic.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by swaini3

Dan,
Early 1680's did come with white / off white date wheels. These could be the same ones referred to as silver by some. It's probably silver if seen with a loupe but not as striking or with the brushed lines like the one in my pic. An example is like swish's pic.

Yes, my own 1970 1680 is the same as Aaron's. The date wheel looks off-white in photos, but when I view it carefully in-person, it's clearly matte silver. Not brushed.

[GB2]

IMHO : First MF 60’s : date wheel white with 6 and 9 closed, 7 hooked, 26 with 6 open.

[GB2]

IMHO : First MF 60’s : white date wheel with 6 and 9 closed, 7 hooked, 26 with 6 open.

[BH13GMT]

my 3.3 million 1680 has a silver date wheel but at a glance it looks more white than silver. Photos do not make it clear.

[Plexiglass]

Originally Posted by swaini3

Ask for 3, 6, 26. (I doubt you'll get them ). If the date wheel is the same as this finish, it's later.

Hi thanks but i am not very clear on your post.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Plexiglass

Hi thanks but i am not very clear on your post.

Ask the seller to send you pics of the date set to 3,6, 26 and compare the font to the wheel posted by swaini

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by Plexiglass

Hi thanks but i am not very clear on your post.

I doubt the seller will wind through a (non quickset) watch through all the dates to take pictures of the numbers, unless he has pictures already That's what I meant, and yes as Omar rye mentioned. If it looks the same as the silver brushed wheel pic I showed, its a replaced date wheel.
Overall, a later date wheel is not a big deal, its bound to be replaced anyways and a correct one should not be costly to replace. Not a big consideration for me if everything else is good.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by swaini3

I doubt the seller will wind through a (non quickset) watch through all the dates to take pictures of the numbers

I wouldn't buy from a seller who can't be bothered spending a few minutes doing this, when you're talking about a $20k+ purchase.

[springer]

Originally Posted by swaini3

For that year, it should be off white / white. The font will differentiate it from later sevice wheels. The silver ones came later imo.

I agree. Off-white is correct for early 1970s. Brushed silver is later 1970s.

[Plexiglass]

Ok so it comes out that the date wheel is service one. A friend said is not a big deal as you can find easy a period correct one. That seems to be the only issue. Do you guys agree that a period correct wheel is easy to get? But, price?