Thoughts on this 1680

[njc313]

New to the forum. Just bought my 1st submariner and have the bug to buy something more "vintage". Can anyone give me their thoughts on this 1680 from 1978? It was serviced back in 2016 by a vintage watchmaker. Sounds like everything is original but he did have the watch polished "back to factory look". Still waiting to hear back regarding serial number. Thanks in advance guys!

[njc313]

...

[FrankNYC]

The case doesn’t look overpolished for a watch that’s ~40 years old. How fair a deal you’re getting depends on the price.

[njc313]

Originally Posted by FrankNYC

The case doesn’t look overpolished for a watch that’s ~40 years old. How fair a deal you’re getting depends on the price.

The seller is asking $11,500. I was hoping to negotiate a bit. What do you consider a fair deal?

[BigBlue1]

Looks beautiful of course. Little Pumpkin. It’s been polished we can see but the lugs look healthy still. A nice choice if you don’t mind the polish. I like it.

[77T]

Polishing is what Rolex recommends - it is only in recent history that the careful removal of scratches has become anathema. That one looks just fine - not over-polished.

If you are happy with the price he’s asking, it would be a nice one to have.


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[Dan S]

To me it looks like it has been refinished and recut, and dealer-prepped in general. Of course, that's very popular these days.

[njc313]

Originally Posted by Dan S

To me it looks like it has been refinished and recut, and dealer-prepped in general. Of course, that's very popular these days.

Yes the seller did disclose that, recut meaning the bezel? Does 11,500 sound like too much. It does include box, booklet and anchor. Thanks for all of the great feedback.

[1665fan]

It’s on eBay right

[FrankNYC]

Anchor is about $100. Box/booklet without paperwork is another $200-250?
So let’s say $11,000 for the watch. That seems like a fair price considering there’s some patina on the dial. My only question is: there appears to be a white spot on the 6’oclock. Is that a chip?

[OliverD]

Not sure if you are aware but that appears to be a service dial.

In addition I think that's probably a service crystal and possibly date wheel, if that matters to you.

These things (particularly the dial) should be taken into account when considering the price.

[Phllox]

Service plexi, dial (mark IV or Beyeler service dial?), service insert and service date wheel. 93150 clasp is probably later than 1978 (is it stamped "C")
Nice case

[Lgear080]

Case is a winner but as stated above there a bunch of service components replacing original parts.
Correct clasp alone is well over $500. Correct dial way north of $2k.

[njc313]

How can you tell that it’s a service dial and not original? I wasn’t positive on the clasp either, did seem later than 1978.

[Lgear080]

Check web resources for dial variants. you’ve gotta do a lot of homework so this was a good start pre-purchase.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by njc313

How can you tell that it’s a service dial and not original? I wasn’t positive on the clasp either, did seem later than 1978.

I would urge everyone (especially those advising a prospective buyer) to check out this thread on dial variants. It's fantastic that we all help each other, but if you say something, for example, like, "Except for the polished case, everything looks great!" and don't mention, or, aren't well-informed enough to know that there's a service dial on a particular watch, you're not helping the buyer at all.
I learned (and believe me, it was the HARD way!) years ago to never, ever comment on something about a watch unless I was 100% certain. All it does is muddy the waters with incorrect information.


https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=513941

[Phllox]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

I would urge everyone (especially those advising a prospective buyer) to check out this thread on dial variants. It's fantastic that we all help each other, but if you say something, for example, like, "Except for the polished case, everything looks great!" and don't mention, or, aren't well-informed enough to know that there's a service dial on a particular watch, you're not helping the buyer at all.
I learned (and believe me, it was the HARD way!) years ago to never, ever comment on something about a watch unless I was 100% certain. All it does is muddy the waters with incorrect information.


https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=513941

Yep as suspected, it looks like it is a service dial "type C" according to thread : https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=513941
and
https://www.rolexforums.com/attachme...1&d=1483458352

[enginerd]

I know that watch. I even made an offer on it that I thought was fair all things considered. The seller didn't even respond to the offer, which I said I'd raise if my suspicions were confirmed (dial, for one). He (assuming a he) never even replied to any of my questions before I made the offer. I gave up.

[FrankNYC]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

I would urge everyone (especially those advising a prospective buyer) to check out this thread on dial variants. It's fantastic that we all help each other, but if you say something, for example, like, "Except for the polished case, everything looks great!" and don't mention, or, aren't well-informed enough to know that there's a service dial on a particular watch, you're not helping the buyer at all.
I learned (and believe me, it was the HARD way!) years ago to never, ever comment on something about a watch unless I was 100% certain. All it does is muddy the waters with incorrect information.


https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=513941

How much would a service dial lower the price, considering it’s still all original and somewhat period correct? (ie tritium dial, pre-1983 dial lacking white gold hour markers).

[Lgear080]

Thousands. In addition to the fact that you’ll need to piece the correct dial, hands and insert - none of which will be original to the watch.