Your thoughts on this White 1680?

[theflywrist]

Hey guys.
Was fortunate enough to have tried a whole bunch of Vintages today, including one that I was eyeing for a while now, the 1680.
Hard to find in the flesh, and I would like to know what you guys think of this.

The insert is actually of a 16800.
Is there anything else that anyone notices as being off? Any red flags?
I do trust the seller, but there is always a chance that he has missed something, and it has gone unnoticed. Would love to see what you guys think of this piece, its overall condition, if you see anything you don't like, etc.
Thanks guys!

[theflywrist]

Some more.
Watch comes with original bracelet, that was being used on another 1680 RED, also owned by the same guy.

[Pharmlou]

It has a 200m dial, how is that a 16800 dial? I thought the transitional 16800 with the matt dial had a 300m dial. Looks nice in any case.

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by Pharmlou

It has a 200m dial, how is that a 16800 dial? I thought the transitional 16800 with the matt dial had a 300m dial. Looks nice in any case.

Just the bezel insert.
Thanks for your input! Appreciate it

[Pharmlou]

Originally Posted by crazypilot

Just the bezel insert.

Thanks for your input! Appreciate it

Apologies. Need to start wearing my glasses more!
Would not worry about the insert. The patina on the lume plots and matching hands is very nice. Send it to me if you don't want it. I would be putting a nice t19 dome acrylic crystal that has no cyclops on it though!


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[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by Pharmlou

Apologies. Need to start wearing my glasses more!
Would not worry about the insert. The patina on the lume plots and matching hands is very nice. Send it to me if you don't want it. I would be putting a nice t19 dome acrylic crystal that has no cyclops on it though!


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No worries at all!
Haha plenty that can be done. I love it this way though. Other than the patina flaking at the 8 clock marker, I think it is pretty perfect.
Would you say $7K is slightly overpriced though?

Appreciate your help again man!

[Pharmlou]

If its freshly serviced and it comes with a warranty $7k USD is about spot on. Otherwise you have bargaining room.


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[ADINVA]

Strong case and nice patina. Great piece

[frankie69]

Very good watch for me!

[Nobody.Move]

Make the deal.

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by ADINVA

Strong case and nice patina. Great piece

Originally Posted by frankie69

Very good watch for me!

Originally Posted by Nobody.Move

Make the deal.

Thanks guys. Appreciate the responses, and glad they are positive.
Will try and negotiate the price though.
The dial patina matches perfectly, and I doubt they were replaced. The watch was serviced and still under warranty, so I don't have much doubts about movement either.
I am curious though how difficult it would be to find a proper bezel for the 1680 of the same serial. It would be very ideal for me if it was a completely perfect watch that should look how it would when it was made in 1978, except that it is aged of course. :)

Appreciate all the help guys!

[lhanddds]

Not hard to find the correct insert but expensive. Correct fat font inserts are north of $1000.

[Wing Zero]

the diameter of a 16800 bezel insert is bigger than a 1680 bezel insert so it would not fit on a 1680 unless you sand the insert down.. and it doesnt look sanded to me.

I think you have a sapphire pearl on a skinny mk3 fat font insert, which many watchmakers installed on the insert when the pip fell off. This of course damages the insert as the pearl hole has to be enlarged to fit the sapphire pearl.

I would need to see a close up of the 4 in 40 to be certain.

I would negotiate down. 7k is for a perfect example, with a 93150/9315, MK3 FF insert, original 702, original hands, thick lugs etc.

you have missing tritium and 703, questionable/damaged insert.

[springer]

deleted...

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by Wing Zero

the diameter of a 16800 bezel insert is bigger than a 1680 bezel insert so it would not fit on a 1680 unless you sand the insert down.. and it doesnt look sanded to me.

I think you have a sapphire pearl on a skinny mk3 fat font insert, which many watchmakers installed on the insert when the pip fell off. This of course damages the insert as the pearl hole has to be enlarged to fit the sapphire pearl.

I would need to see a close up of the 4 in 40 to be certain.

I would negotiate down. 7k is for a perfect example, with a 93150/9315, MK3 FF insert, original 702, original hands, thick lugs etc.

you have missing tritium and 703, questionable/damaged insert.

Again thanks for your help man, I appreciate it.
Going to hold off, read more and try to hunt for a better one.
Meanwhile the seller is not in a hurry to sell this one, and I have the option should I want it.
Going to see it again next week.

Ideally I would prefer to pay a slight premium but to have it all correct.
Crown, insert, and also Patina without any flakes.
Worries me that it will eventually flake off completely..

Will take patience, but I am sure they come by.

Thanks for the help. Will keep posted!

[moorflax]

The hands don't match the index of the dial. It´s darker then index so I guess it could be natural. Really nice looking watch, especially with that Bulang and Sons rubber!

[1675-David]

very nice looking sub!!

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by moorflax

The hands don't match the index of the dial. It´s darker then index so I guess it could be natural. Really nice looking watch, especially with that Bulang and Sons rubber!

I genuinely think this is a good watch. Not many red flags at all.
Im just glad I have one that sang to me, that is correct for the most part, and that I have the convenience to buy at my own time.
The owner, also a friend, is not in a rush and hasn't posted it for sale, but would let her go if I want it.
That is why I will be patient and see other options. Will be seeing this 1680 again next week however.
Let's see how it goes.
The flaking patina is the only worrying part though slightly. Wouldn't want it all to flake off. Will keep you guys posted.
I really do appreciate all the feedback!

[Pharmlou]

You are buyng vintage. You could easily buy a perfect one and pay a premium for it, only to have some lume flake off later. No warranty for vintage.

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by Pharmlou

You are buyng vintage. You could easily buy a perfect one and pay a premium for it, only to have some lume flake off later. No warranty for vintage.

Very true.
What do you do when this happens personally?

Must say I have been on here, and the vintage rolex forum, and I have really been learning so much. It is a different world all together and an amazing one.

[Wing Zero]

Personally I'm OCD and my eyes would go directly to the plot with the missing tritium once I know it's there.

Bob Ridley offers service to stabilize the tritium on dials and hands if you do buy a perfect example.

[Pharmlou]

Take to someone familiar with restoring Vintage watches and get them to stick it back on. Unless it crumbles completely it can usually be stuck back. If the plot is looking suspect they can also "stabilise" it with a clear layer of epoxy or some type of glue. Ask The Walrus, he had exactly this happen to him very recently.


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