The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 8 March 2018, 06:28 AM   #1
Chronokid
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Illinois
Watch: One I'm wearing!
Posts: 274
What would YOU do to this 1680?

I just purchased this 1680 Sub from 1979 and I believe it's generally a pretty "honest" watch. Case has not been over-polished, crystal may be original (but starting to fog), bezel insert has been replaced. Mainly, I'm curious about the color relationship of the dial and hands. I'm guessing that the Mark I dial may have been washed at some point to remove old tritium residue. Consequently, the hands (which I also think are original) have become a dark tan and much darker that the dial plots. Suggestions?

Chronokid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 March 2018, 06:37 AM   #2
colpol
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2,838
If it was me - i’d Wear it as is OR sell it & put money towards a more original / better piece.

Just my personal opinion ;.)
colpol is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 March 2018, 06:50 AM   #3
HERITAGE82
"TRF" Member
 
HERITAGE82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 3,418
What would YOU do to this 1680?

I would put luminova hands on it since it’ll match the dial and get an insert that appeals to you. Also I’d put a new crystal on it to give it that fresh look.

Overall it’s a nice looking Watch!

On a side note... I have owned a handful of Vintage Rolex & Tudors and have gone through many stages of what I desired out of my vintage piece. Recently I had an opportunity to purchase a beat up 16750 GMT and took the plunge. I replaced the insert, crystal and bracelets with original parts, but decided to keep the dial that had hand drag circles and put aftermarket aged hands on it. Yes I know aftermarket anything in a Rolex is blasphemy, but the hands happen to match perfectly and I was able to keep my costs low.

Now I have a perfectly useable watch that I enjoy looking at. However, I would be lying if I said that I don’t look at matte dials and tritium hands to buy and put into my watch because once you enter this world of perfect vintage Rolex in every post we have a hard time just enjoying these old watches for what they are.

So my advice above comes from a place that says make the watch enjoyable to YOU and try not to chase the idea of perfection that will only cost you headaches, time and money.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
__________________
- Rolex Explorer - 214270
- Tudor Black Bay - 79230B
- Tudor Chronograph - 79270P
- Breitling Chronomat - 10th Anniv.
- Huguenin Freres Speedmaster Prototype
HERITAGE82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 March 2018, 09:19 AM   #4
alwayshere
"TRF" Member
 
alwayshere's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,502
a couple of things worth considering

1) might be the angle but that crystal doesn't look original - the mag power looks low.

2) the hands show some early signs of corrosion (you mention you notice some fogging) so worth having it serviced properly and making sure no real moisture is inside.

3) Bezel insert pearl isnt original to the model / era. Either replace the insert with a service one (at least that would correct the pearl) or replace the pearl directly (my guess is the hole that the current pearl sits on will be too large for the original pearl)
alwayshere is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.