1680 Red Pricing

[chriswang0130]

Originally Posted by 42itus

I actually purchased this one a few days ago and I just received it. A fellow TRFer found a listing on Vintage Rolex Forum and I checked it out. I paid just under $18. The insert is a newer replacement. The dial and hands are pretty close to flawless. It’s been polished but the price reflected it.

So I think you have to decide what’s important. Collectibility, condition, etc. For me I wanted one with a clean dial and hands.




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Beautiful !! I love it...Congrats man!

[chriswang0130]

Originally Posted by scooba

Well I have a MK1 full set and have been offered $40k twice in recent months , this was by a London and then a NY Dealer ,TBH im actually tempted when it gets too $45 but I am not searching for a buyer if one came along and said $45 i would let it go .

When I bought mine five yrs ago it cost me $22,500

I always think you get what you pay for .

Wow! May I see some pics of yours?

[42itus]

Originally Posted by chriswang0130

Beautiful !! I love it...Congrats man!

Thanks! Let me know what you’re looking for and your budget and if I see anything interesting I’ll run it by you.

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by chriswang0130

Beautiful !! I love it...Congrats man!

Is that a service dial? Its so white

[scooba]

Originally Posted by chriswang0130

Wow! May I see some pics of yours?

Hi Chris ,

this little gem http://sheartime.com/products/1969-r...ner-ref-1680-2

purchased five years ago from Andrew

[roh123]

Originally Posted by chriswang0130

I agree with buy to keep rather than to invest. I am buying to enjoy myself. But I thought the price for these are going up

Nah. Cash is king at the moment. Market is slow as sellers have too high expectations. I’d sit tight and wait for the right watch.

Best of luck!

[42itus]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

Is that a service dial? Its so white

No, it’s a MKIV dial.

[chriswang0130]

Originally Posted by scooba

Hi Chris ,

this little gem http://sheartime.com/products/1969-r...ner-ref-1680-2

purchased five years ago from Andrew

Super clean example!

[swish77]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

You do know peeling dials can be chemically reset and moulded carefully back into place. No? Well there you go. Someone is going to do that, have the movment easily overhauled, replace the seals and plexi and then read all this and laugh at you guys. I wish it was me, but it ended when I was asleep.

Yes, well aware of the restoration options out there, thanks. You make all this sound easy.

Even if that disastrous dial could be saved (no guarantee) it would be an expensive restoration, and even assuming it was done well, you'd be left with a refinished/repaired dial that virtually no vintage Rolex collector/hobbyist wants.

Then you have a rusted, wrecked movement that might not even be salvageable. Who knows what nightmare awaits with that? Throw in the time and headache of dealing with it all, and that $6,714 doesn't look like such a wise purchase, IMHO.

The end result in even the best-case scenario for a complete restoration and repair of that watch just ain't that great, and would be very expensive.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by swish77

Yes, well aware of the restoration options out there, thanks. You make all this sound easy.

Precisely, Aaron.
OysterQuartz17000, a week ago you didn’t even know a dial could be restored, now you’re making it sound like something any watchmaker can do, and presto, you’ve now got a perfect dial and you’re laughing all the way to the bank.

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by swish77

...
Prices for red 1680s are so inflated, IMHO. If you want a 1680, I'd suggest putting your money into a better white version and save a ton. Ask yourself this question: Would you rather have a mediocre red 1680 for $25K, or a fabulous white 1680 with boxes/papers for $18K? I know which one I'd choose, and it wouldn't be close.

I've own both versions, a couple of times, and that line of red is nice, but it ain't worth the price difference, IMHO.

You can get a nice red sub for $25k. Personally, I'd rather have a nice red sub for $25k than a nice white sub for $18k and, in the long run, the red sub will increase in value more.

Also, the notion that $25k is a ridiculous amount to spend on a watch, but $18k is reasonable is a little dubious. The vast majority of people think that spending over $1k just for a watch is crazy. We all know that it comes down to desirability, which is typically related to rarity, and that's what drives the values/prices.

If you prefer a white sub, great. I think preferring a red sub is equally reasonable (or equally unreasonable, depending on your perspective on these things).

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by roh123

Nah. Cash is king at the moment. Market is slow as sellers have too high expectations. I’d sit tight and wait for the right watch.



Best of luck!

I’ve noticed at least asking prices to be going up. I totally admit that I don’t know the actual selling prices though. I was surprised to see HQ Milton recently listing a Mk IV for $28k...no box or papers. Nice case, dial and insert but still that’s more than I’ve ever seen. https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...red-dial-A2659

[roh123]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

I’ve noticed at least asking prices to be going up. I totally admit that I don’t know the actual selling prices though. I was surprised to see HQ Milton recently listing a Mk IV for $28k...no box or papers. Nice case, dial and insert but still that’s more than I’ve ever seen. https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...red-dial-A2659

Good for them. I’ve sold two the last year and both been extremely slow. Both nice of course but still hard to get paid.

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by roh123

Good for them. I’ve sold two the last year and both been extremely slow. Both nice of course but still hard to get paid.

Good to know.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Racer X

You can get a nice red sub for $25k. Personally, I'd rather have a nice red sub for $25k than a nice white sub for $18k and, in the long run, the red sub will increase in value more.

Also, the notion that $25k is a ridiculous amount to spend on a watch, but $18k is reasonable is a little dubious. The vast majority of people think that spending over $1k just for a watch is crazy. We all know that it comes down to desirability, which is typically related to rarity, and that's what drives the values/prices.

If you prefer a white sub, great. I think preferring a red sub is equally reasonable (or equally unreasonable, depending on your perspective on these things).

It's about what you're getting for the money, not necessarily the amount of money. My point/question was ... Is that one word in red on the dial worth all that extra money? In my opinion, no, but I fully respect anyone who feels otherwise. It's a personal preference.

I also think it's crazy to spend more money just because a Sub has a certain number listed first for the depth rating, or a line of tiny text is aligned on a "rail dial." I'd much rather have a better-condition watch with a fat case, for example. But maybe that's just me.

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by Racer X

You can get a nice red sub for $25k. Personally, I'd rather have a nice red sub for $25k than a nice white sub for $18k and, in the long run, the red sub will increase in value more.

Also, the notion that $25k is a ridiculous amount to spend on a watch, but $18k is reasonable is a little dubious. The vast majority of people think that spending over $1k just for a watch is crazy. We all know that it comes down to desirability, which is typically related to rarity, and that's what drives the values/prices.

If you prefer a white sub, great. I think preferring a red sub is equally reasonable (or equally unreasonable, depending on your perspective on these things).

. I'm sure I'm not the only person on this forum to think that now; there are more phoney dials in Red subs than in any white so why take chances on ridiculous prices when it can end in heartache, not to mention putting your self into a financial loss.

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by swish77

It's about what you're getting for the money, not necessarily the amount of money. My point/question was ... Is that one word in red on the dial worth all that extra money? In my opinion, no, but I fully respect anyone who feels otherwise. It's a personal preference.

I also think it's crazy to spend more money just because a Sub has a certain number listed first for the depth rating, or a line of tiny text is aligned on a "rail dial." I'd much rather have a better-condition watch with a fat case, for example. But maybe that's just me.

x2.

[chriswang0130]

Thank you all for the response ! Anyone else has a 1680 Red? Let’s see em!!!!

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by swish77

It's about what you're getting for the money, not necessarily the amount of money. My point/question was ... Is that one word in red on the dial worth all that extra money? In my opinion, no, but I fully respect anyone who feels otherwise. It's a personal preference.

I also think it's crazy to spend more money just because a Sub has a certain number listed first for the depth rating, or a line of tiny text is aligned on a "rail dial." I'd much rather have a better-condition watch with a fat case, for example. But maybe that's just me.

Yes, of course it's worth the extra money! How do I know? Because these watches always sell at a premium over whites. If it wasn't worth it, no one would pay any more for it. You may not personally feel the extra money is justified, but clearly the majority does.

As I'm sure you know, the value of these watches often comes down to minute details. For example, if a dial is a little bit browner than most dials, it's worth a lot more. If a watch has, say, 1-2 millimeter's worth of additional metal on the lugs so the original chamfers are still there, it's worth a lot more. Small details matter!

Furthermore, to say that the extra money is only buying a "red lettering" is also dubious. It's not just that it's got red lettering, it's that it identifies the watch as the original version of the date submariner and it is much more rare. That's the true significance of the red lettering.

If you think this is "crazy," that's fine, you're entitled to your opinion. Again, however, you're in the minority as things are worth what people pay for them, and they pay extra for red subs.

[twnturbo]

Picked up mine 2 years ago for $25k minty Mk 4 full set with kissing 40 bezel ,

Sometimes you can save some $ & get one with a later bezel or bracelet,& easily change those up later,but at least your in ,I saw a few on Bobs watches this ones under $20k
https://www.bobswatches.com/vintage-...rk-4-dial.html


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[southtexas]

Originally Posted by twnturbo

Picked up mine 2 years ago for $25k minty Mk 4 full set with kissing 40 bezel ,

Sometimes you can save some $ & get one with a later bezel or bracelet,& easily change those up later,but at least your in ,I saw a few on Bobs watches this ones under $20k
https://www.bobswatches.com/vintage-...rk-4-dial.html


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I’ve got one listed here in the FS section with a beautifully faded to gunmetal mk3 Insert for under $20k if anyone is interested...


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[fusionstorm]

Originally Posted by chriswang0130

Anyone else has a 1680 Red? Let’s see em!!!!

Mine says





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[oysterquartz17000]

Does anyone wear their 1680's on the original 9315 bracelets?

[scooba]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

Does anyone wear their 1680's on the original 9315 bracelets?

I do .

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by scooba

I do .

The look so much better on a 9315.

[zapokee]

Highish 20s for a decent standard example (e.g., MK IV) without box and papers.

[roh123]

This may come out as rude but I am trying to make a point.

Red subs are mostly for newbie collectors wanting to buy something they have heard of and something they think is a great investment. Historically it has been like this and with prices going up to current levels I think we have reached a level where’s theres just not much more room. Around ten, twelve years ago red subs and gilt subs cost just about the same. Gilt subs are/were however more rare. Especially in top, top condition. Newbies often focus on easy things such as box, papers, nice insert etc. As red subs are way more accessable, even with b+p, I think the hype just grew as this is what newbies have been discussing from day one. Gilt models have on the other hand sky rocketed in price but this have been happening in much smaller circles of collectors. Still today few people on this forum understand gilt dialed watches and if not handled in person it is difficult to understand why a great gilt dial cost three, four, five times more than a matte model.

Regarding red subs or white versions such as 1680, matte 5512/13, 1665’s etc I think swish77 has a point. Great example 5512’s and 5513’s probably have much more potential today compared to red subs. Just because they, opposite to red subs, haven’t made their trip. Red subs and Exp II’s 1655 was the hot flavour many years ago and haven’t really moved much if you compare to other things. With Daytonas and gilt models being out of reach for many I think the standard matte sports such as 5512, 5513 and white 1680/1665 still have room.

Each to their own though. And for those that had a great journey with red subs or whatever; congrats. I just wouldn’t expect it to continue forever. It is a very common watch and the premium is, at least not in my world, worth it. I’d much rather have a nice no-date sub than any 1680. Regardless color of the Submariner print.

In the end I hope most people buy what they love.

[subx]

I will say however that my personal experience with vintage rolexes has been 1680 then 5513 then gilt.... but am now circling back to 1680 because I now feel the matt dials and excitement of red , bubble date, silver disc and all is just right.
I am probably in the minority, but one can only suppose that it is 'possible' than the market circles back to those references 1680 and 1655 and re discovers their exciting dials. but yes @roh123 your observation of the current market totally correct

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by roh123

This may come out as rude but I am trying to make a point.

Not rude at all. We're all here to learn and exchange opinions

Originally Posted by roh123

...Red subs and Exp II’s 1655 was the hot flavour many years ago and haven’t really moved much if you compare to other things.

I guess it depends on the time scale you're looking at. I bougt my Red Sub five years ago at around 12 grand. It would now be in the high 20s, which beats any of my other investments. Lucky rather than smart, though.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by zapokee

I guess it depends on the time scale you're looking at. I bougt my Red Sub five years ago at around 12 grand. It would now be in the high 20s, which beats any of my other investments. Lucky rather than smart, though.

Well.. Most things are up a lot in 5 years. Happy you’ve done well.

But more importantly; I don’t think it will be the best in years to come.