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Old 2 June 2020, 10:21 AM   #1
Weghead
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My father’s 1680


This is one of my first posts on this forum so please forgive any mistakes. I looked through the rules to try and make sure I made this post correctly

Anyways, on to the watch. After many years of waiting, my father finally let me have his Rolex Submariner. I’ve loved this watch for years; it’s what perked my interest in mechanical watches to begin with and has inspired my own modest collection. I’m a teacher so purchasing an actual Rolex isn’t financially viable, but I’ve done the best I can within my own means.

He didn’t have any of the original paperwork but knew he bought it new in the mid 70’s from an AD. After some cursory Internet research on my own over the the last few days, it appears that this is a 1978 (as determined by the “C” code on the clasp, which is original), 1680 White Mk1.

I know it was last serviced in 2004 through a certified service center but I don’t know the details of what was replaced inside or out. It looks like the face is original from the wonderful patina it has developed but the hands and bezel pearl seem to be newer. It doesn’t seem to have been polished as it shows signs of being his daily wearer over the last 40 years or so. All of this is just my own guess work as a definite neophyte in this type of knowledge so any insight you all could provide would be welcomed.

I’m making this post partially to convey my excitement in finally owning this beautiful piece but also to ask a bit of advice on two fronts.

1.) Should I have this serviced? I’ve heard mixed thoughts though the prevailing opinion, including that of the jeweler from who he originally purchased the watch and who most recently sent it for service, is not to service it until it stops performing properly.

2.) Any other general advice I need about owning a vintage Rolex such as this? It’s going to be my daily watch for the most part going forward, so I want to make sure it’s well cared for and able to be passed down to my own son in 40 years.
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Old 2 June 2020, 10:39 AM   #2
Melanotaenia
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Rule 1: Never change any of the parts of the face: dial, hands, bezel. They have aged well and it would be a shame for RSC to replace them with newer replacement parts. The hands on your version do look to have been replaced in the past given their newer non-patina look.
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Old 2 June 2020, 11:05 AM   #3
JustinK
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Nice watch congrats!

If it were mine and I was going to wear it daily I would have the watch serviced and the hands color matched to match the dial.

Many vintage specialists around but I would recommend LA Watchwerks for service and to match the hands.

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Old 2 June 2020, 01:01 PM   #4
alwayshere
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nice piece and definitely has been serviced previously.

As another has said, the hands have been replaced and similarly, the crown and the plexi. Nothing fatal though.

Wear it well. The only suggestion I would make is to remove the bracelet and confirm the serial number for your own benefit. There is a chart that confirms year of manufacturing vs. relying on the clasp code as that could also have been replaced with servicing.
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Old 2 June 2020, 02:29 PM   #5
77T
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My father’s 1680

Quote:
Originally Posted by Weghead View Post

This is one of my first posts on this forum so please forgive any mistakes. I looked through the rules to try and make sure I made this post correctly

Anyways, on to the watch. After many years of waiting, my father finally let me have his Rolex Submariner. I’ve loved this watch for years; it’s what perked my interest in mechanical watches to begin with and has inspired my own modest collection. I’m a teacher so purchasing an actual Rolex isn’t financially viable, but I’ve done the best I can within my own means.

He didn’t have any of the original paperwork but knew he bought it new in the mid 70’s from an AD. After some cursory Internet research on my own over the the last few days, it appears that this is a 1978 (as determined by the “C” code on the clasp, which is original), 1680 White Mk1.

I know it was last serviced in 2004 through a certified service center but I don’t know the details of what was replaced inside or out. It looks like the face is original from the wonderful patina it has developed but the hands and bezel pearl seem to be newer. It doesn’t seem to have been polished as it shows signs of being his daily wearer over the last 40 years or so. All of this is just my own guess work as a definite neophyte in this type of knowledge so any insight you all could provide would be welcomed.

I’m making this post partially to convey my excitement in finally owning this beautiful piece but also to ask a bit of advice on two fronts.

1.) Should I have this serviced? I’ve heard mixed thoughts though the prevailing opinion, including that of the jeweler from who he originally purchased the watch and who most recently sent it for service, is not to service it until it stops performing properly.

2.) Any other general advice I need about owning a vintage Rolex such as this? It’s going to be my daily watch for the most part going forward, so I want to make sure it’s well cared for and able to be passed down to my own son in 40 years.

Congrats - here are my thoughts...

1) Have it inspected by a well-known, trusted vintage watchmaker - by searching around the vintage section you’ll figure out who to use. If they find problems, have it serviced before damage can occur. At least 5 invisible internal problems have virtually no symptoms in timekeeping accuracy.

2) If you disregard servicing now, then have a pressure check done because you want to know if gaskets and/or o-rings are functioning nominally. Check all the links, screws and clasp for weak points that could fail you at the worst possible moment. Life is short some say...a Sub’s life can be snuffed out by a bracelet failure.

Maybe use some plexiglass polish to remove scuffs on the crystal. Then see what happens next.

If you don’t get a pressure check, I wouldn’t shower, swim, wash it or run around in the rain...just sayin’...


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Old 3 June 2020, 12:16 AM   #6
Jackie Daytona
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I agree with what was said above.

I got my fathers watch as well (Matte 16750) and went this route. Had it serviced and brought up to par by a watchmaker that respected vintage and originality, and it came out perfect and gave me a good piece of mind.

Some may love the scratches on the crystal, but personally I got mine with some .5 micron diamond paste, (basically the same thing as plexiglass polish) and couldn’t be happier cleared up the look of the face of the watch a lot.
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Old 3 June 2020, 03:02 AM   #7
Weghead
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I appreciate all the advice. I’m hoping to find a quality vintage watchmaker that is local in my area of New Orleans to hopefully develop a long term relationship for this watch and any others I may have over the year. Any suggestions on how to figure out who is any good?
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Old 3 June 2020, 08:50 AM   #8
Jackie Daytona
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CW21 certified, and reviews mostly, and sit and talk with him and see if their plans for servicing it align with advice you’ve gotten from here.

I personally still send my fathers old watch across country cause I trust him a lot, but a brief search in New Orleans of cw21 watch makers should get you started if you want to stay local.
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