Vietnam combat 1680 Red Submariner-48 yrs

[SOG DIVER]

This is an interesting forum, and I am drawn to the vintage area for obvious
reasons. I am the original owner of this Submariner, and it has a most interesting history. It was made in 1970-I have worn it for 48 years.
I apologize for no picture-as a very new member-will work on that soon.

To my thinking, there may be more accurate watches-even more attractive timepieces. But no watch is as tough, while keeping time as accurate as a
jeweled self winding chronometer by Rolex.

This Submariner was purchased in Hong Kong, and by luck I missed an
early 5512 version while a young Army 1st LT in Vietnam-at the PX. The next opportunity was this 1680 MarkIV. It survived combat with US Army Special Forces, a very rough combat diver course at Key West in 1972
-numerous parachute jumps.
At the time I purchased 4 extra TH crystals, and even extra stainless
original push pins for the original band with diver extension clasp.
Its been almost as tough as a Winchester rifle on the frontier West.

I guess it has been a part of me-and has witnessed a great deal if not
the important parts of my adult life. The bezel is charcoal gray, but is all there with just a bit character to the case and bracelet band. It is on its last original crystal-cleaned internally but not polished externally. All original.
Boxes and chronometer certificate still in the internal box.

I gave my dad a 5512 Rolex 10 yrs before his death, and now my son wears that watch.

My challenge now as I am getting more mature in years-is figuring a good way to put a good horse out to pasture without insulting it -or having this Rolex winding up accompanying me all the way to the next stagecoach stop.

Your patience and comments are appreciated in advance. Best-RM

[Vanmarsenille]

Wow. What an amazing history and story. Would love to see pictures when you are able to post.

[cajuntiger]

cant wait to see photos.

Thanks for your service!

[Juhuatai]

Amazing story. Can't wait for you to post photos. Smart decision on purchasing the extra crystals and push pins!

[Jfullm42]

Wow thank you for your service and can't wait to see pictures!

[btinl]

Very cool. Looking forward to the pictures.

[Dangur]

Great story. Can wait for the pictures.

[Sublovin]

Waiting for pictures. Thanks

[Tomas Eriksson]

wow, this is a piece I would love to see as well. Thank you for sharing the history

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Dangur

Great story. Can wait for the pictures.

Ditto

[1William]

Welcome and thanks for the good story. I look forward to the pictures

[Lol-x]

Character and history has to be earned.

Looking forward to seeing that watch. A red 1680 is just as good as a 5512, both great vintage watches.

I agree Rolex does make an incredibly strong watch that is designed to take a beating and come through those occasions without failure

[shortsqueeze]

Great story. Looking forward to seeing the pictures, Colonel.

[linesiders]

Colonel,

You have several options and we can help with some. While the sentiment is nice, best to have this passed down to future generations if possible rather than that final stop. Give it to the grandkids, or sell it and put the proceeds in a trust for the g-kids. They don't appreciate as much when young but they may when older. Plus it can be a downpayment on a house.

You can obviously sell it (people are foaming at the bit right now for a chance) as this ticks several boxes in the mil-watch collector area. Depending on how original it is people are plotting and scheming various escapades to pry it out of your hands right now ; )

v/r,

JR

[mattedialdoc]

I can’t wait to see pictures. Can we help him get these posted somehow?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[junamuan]

Awesome story. Just like fellow TRFs, me too waiting for the pic.

[Jonnyj]

Way cool !! Send pics of watch would like to see ?

[ashbaug2]

SOG DIVER, Sir,

Just brushing the surface of your watch's history gives it better provenance than 99.9% of other vintage Subs out there. Oh, the stories your watch could tell... I am an officer in the Army and trying to do the same with my own GMT Master.

As the recipient of my dad's watch, I recommend keeping it in the family. The wolves are already sharpening their teeth, I'm sure, in hopes of parting your watch from you, but I truly believe such a sentimental piece deserves a place with family, not "friend". Maybe give it to your son, even though he has your father's 5512; the two pieces are unique and have their own stories, and I hope that if he already appreciates his grandfather's watch, he will appreciate yours even more.

My .02 cents.

Welcome to the forum, post pictures when possible.

[Rolex85]

Wow this is very cool. Thank you for sharing. Can't wait to see photos of it!

[Gecko10]

I have a 1967 GMT 1675 that I wore in Vietnam for two tours as a gunship helicopter pilot. 67-68, 70-71` 1/9th Cav, 1/7thCav. (USA,Retired 06).

[RouletteDate]

very well may be legit but seems too good

[stmoore]

Phoenix program?

[Rebel]

Sir, Please post pics when you can.

BTW, I served as well.

[Pacha]

Thank you for your service. I wish I still had my sub from Vietnam.

[Daytonaman799]

Would love to see pics of it. Great provenance. Please keep it in the family.

[Rogdogg]

As the recipient of my dad's watch, I recommend keeping it in the family. The wolves are already sharpening their teeth, I'm sure, in hopes of parting your watch from you, but I truly believe such a sentimental piece deserves a place with family, not "friend". Maybe give it to your son, even though he has your father's 5512; the two pieces are unique and have their own stories, and I hope that if he already appreciates his grandfather's watch, he will appreciate yours even more.



Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your story with us.
I agree with the post above that as long as you don't actually need the cash from a sale for other urgent priorities I would keep it in the family and give it to your son. It doesn't get more special than having your father and grandfathers watches, particularly when they have been worn through most of your adult life like yours has.
While no one can predict the future I would imagine that it is only going to keep going up in value so if you don't need the money from it's sale now it would be a great inheritance to leave your son. One he'll hopefully never sell either but in an emergency he would have no problem doing so.
As has already been said. I would imagine there are people already making plans to offer to buy your watch.
If it were me I would sincerely try not to unless I absolutely needed to.

I can't wait to see the pics so please get posting more stories of what your watch has been through and get your post count up!

That's just my opinion on it.

[rumjungl]

Excellent story! Thank you for your service and will love to see the pics.

[DocHorton]

Please don't ever sell it. An heirloom like that deserves to stay in the family forever.

Can't wait to see it.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by Gecko10

I have a 1967 GMT 1675 that I wore in Vietnam for two tours as a gunship helicopter pilot. 67-68, 70-71` 1/9th Cav, 1/7thCav. (USA,Retired 06).

. Big Brass Ones, Thank you.

[BigBlue1]

Hope this isn't just a story!