Thoughts on this 'honest' 1974 Rolex Submariner 1680

[Mansell92]

Hello,

What would be your thoughts on this 1974 Rolex Submariner 1680?

My first question I suppose is, was the dial replaced with a service dial? When exactly in 1974 did Rolex cease selling their Subs with a Red dial?

General thoughts about the rest of the piece?

Merry Christmas to you all.

[1665fan]

Looks very nice to me, what are the first 2 digits of the serial number?

[Mansell92]

Hi there the serial is 385xxxx

Thanks for the feedback :)

[1665fan]

A lot of people believe reds stopped at 3.7 so it might be all original except maybe bracelet.

[Mansell92]

Hi, thanks. The bracelet is odd, 93150, but the clasp looks to be of the older style. I do not have this in hand as yet. I cant wait to give it a scrub.

[springer]

I've owned and seen other Subs with 3.8 million serials that have the Mark I white-lettered dial. I've also seen red Subs in the 3.8 million serial number range.

I would not consider the current dial incorrect at all.

While the posted photos could be much better quality, the watch appears to be in nice condition for its age.

[Mansell92]

You guys are incredible, you should charge for this service! Merry Christmas to you all!

I will have this watch in a few days so I will post some much better pictures. I am using my friends photos.

[Andad]

.

[btinl]

I have a 3.8M white 1680 with mk1 dial.

[Mansell92]

Originally Posted by btinl

I have a 3.8M white 1680 with mk1 dial.

Its it obvious that my dial is a mk1? I cant tell from the photos.

I have to ask, what is with the fat font '50' on the bezel?

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Mansell92

Its it obvious that my dial is a mk1? I cant tell from the photos.

I have to ask, what is with the fat font '50' on the bezel?

That’s just the light. Look at the hash Mark to the right of it and notice its thickness. Now lol at the one between the 30 and 40.

[saskmh]

Originally Posted by springer

I've owned and seen other Subs with 3.8 million serials that have the Mark I white-lettered dial. I've also seen red Subs in the 3.8 million serial number range.

I would not consider the current dial incorrect at all.

While the posted photos could be much better quality, the watch appears to be in nice condition for its age.

This, I agree ^^^

[Mansell92]

Fantastic! Here I was thinking I had purchased a nice 1974 Submariner with a service dial and it now seems to be all original. Well, this is certainly a fantastic Christmas present for me :-)

I will post some better photos next week once I have it. I asked the seller not to wash it, I will have my jeweler do all that.

[joli160]

Nice strong case as well, don't let your local jeweller touch it.
If it needs work stick to a RSC

[Mansell92]

Originally Posted by joli160

Nice strong case as well, don't let your local jeweller touch it.
If it needs work stick to a RSC

I agree! Thank you again for the advice, Merry Christmas!

[Mansell92]

Well I finally have it. It looks a lot better in person I have to say. Here are some photos if you are interested :-)

The bracelet is an A code, which is 1976. That seems a little too soon for a service replacement, so was it common practice to refit a watch with a 'newer' bracelet at the point of sale in those days?

[springer]

I would think an A code bracelet could very well be correct for the watch based on the serial number.

[J!m]

Nice one!

[southtexas]

Beauty...now get that crystal cleaned up with some toothpaste or polywatch.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mansell92]

I just happened to have an old tube of polywatch here, so I gave it a very light once over and WOW, it looks a lot better. None of the marks on the crystal were very deep at all, I only rubbed it over for 20 seconds or so.

I dont understand how a watch from 1974 can just pop up in 2018 looking so good? You should see the state of some of my Seiko's from 2005!

[alwayshere]

great pick up!

[Mansell92]

Thanks, its keeping good time too, date changed over 5 seconds past midnight, gains around ten seconds a day so far. Not bad at all.

[1665fan]

Beauty that’s for sure

[Mansell92]

The bracelet is oddly not too bad either. I am getting the impression this watch was lightly worn. However from now onwards is my daily, so it had better get used to it :-)

[Widows Son]

Your new watch is counterfeit, send it to me immediately for proper disposal!!! Gorgeous watch!!!! Nice surprise concerning the dial and bracelet. You did a nice job on the crystal too.

[Mansell92]

haha, you had me for a moment :-)

Thank you, I love it so much, it is a wonderful Christmas present to myself.

[chows99]

The watch is in good condition!

Mind sharing how you managed to buy the watch?

[Mansell92]

Ummm...it was literally on Gumtree. I cant remember the last time I looked on there for a Rolex. There it was a birth year 1680 Sub. It looked rough in the photos (Which are the very same ones above). It has turned out to be a gem of a watch. It looks almost new.

[edgware14]

Excellent find, well done. Can I ask how much you paid for it? I've always been a bit put-off by watches on Gumtree. Think you've just changed my mind.

Merry Christmas

[Mansell92]

Hi, I paid $15,000AUD, so around $10,500USD or 8500GBP. Perhaps this was on the high side, but I made a few lower offers and the seller was extremely firm about the price. In fact, 15K was his lowest, he wanted more. I managed to get him to settle on fifteen luckily.

I hope I didnt pay too much, it is a lovely example. I cant stop wearing it.