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Old 15 June 2016, 09:24 AM   #1
Haywood_Milton
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Submariner 1680 Whites : twins, but not identical.

The Submariner Date 1680 with all-white text is a very wearable classic and, while commercially less valuable than the Red 1680, hardly any less rare.

These are my two, which at first glance look somewhat similar :



There are, however, subtle differences in the dials and significant differences in their histories (more on that later).

The watch on the left has the Mark 1 dial, which has the "L" of "ROLEX" extraordinarily positioned on the mid-line of the coronet above it. Compare it with the Mark 2 dial watch on the right, where the "L" has a more traditional position, slightly to the left :




The Mark 1 dial features "closed 6s," which is to say that the figures of sixes in the depth rating have unbroken circles in the lower half. The "open 6s" of the Mark 2 dial have circles that are not complete :




You might also note that on the Mark 1 the word "SUBMARINER" is similar in width to the line of depth ratings underneath it, while on the Mark 2 it is slightly wider.

The text at the foot of the two dials is quite similar, but I do note the different, relative positions of the "I" in "SWISS" above the seconds marker :




It should be noted that a third version of the dial exists, identified by having both "closed 6s" and an "L" that is left of the coronet mid-line. I'd find one but, do you know, buying more than one of the same watch seems a bit pointless...

Now, the chronology of these dials and indeed their coincidence with case numbers is not as "settled" as we might hope or as might be found on other models. Both of these watches have low 6-million case numbers, but the Mark 1 on the left in fact has a case number 38,000 "later" than the Mark 2 on the right.



The Mark 1 (above) was supplied by Bucherer in August 1981 and comes complete with green stripe box, Bucherer papers and Bucherer export document. It has the correct (1570-badged) 1575 calibre movement numbered D829xxx.



The Mark 2 (above) was supplied in Singapore in December 1980 and again comes with box and papers. It has an identical movement, numbered D856xxx. This watch was bought by a British pilot, Captain P-, who flew with it throughout his army career in helicopters and then later with his own charter company.

In my view the white 1680 is undervalued compared with the high-flying "reds." Any other owners ready to celebrate the model here?

Haywood M
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Old 15 June 2016, 09:30 AM   #2
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Great pics, and interesting dial variation. The watch on the right in your first pic looks much crisper and more desirable than the other one.
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Old 15 June 2016, 09:48 AM   #3
5512vs5513
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Great info thanks! I agree 100%. IMHO, the 1680 white is perhaps the last vintage Rolex sports watch that is still "undervalued". Reds I can understand as they are a bit more rare, but some prices on 5513 and 1675 for instance have risen quite a bit in the last 2 years or so.

Going back to the article, I find it really interesting that the mk1 one has a higher case number. Logic of course would make one think the opposite, but then again vintage Rolex has little logic sometimes!!

Now wanted to ask you, what about pricing? Is there a premium on one over the other? I've been looking for one for a few months now, but I still havent found my perfect example yet.
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Old 15 June 2016, 09:51 AM   #4
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Very nice!
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Old 15 June 2016, 11:12 AM   #5
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I need one of those matte dials for my 16610.
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Old 15 June 2016, 11:25 AM   #6
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I'm a big fan of the 1680 white sub! Here's my mark 1 dial.







You've got 2 lovely specimens there!


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Old 15 June 2016, 11:51 AM   #7
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Mine is undergoing surgery at the moment. I hope to have it back together soon.

Another interesting Mk I dial detail is that the noon marker is bordering on "over filled" with lume, which gives it a slightly blunted appearance to the point above the coronet. It seems to be present on every Mk I I've seen.

Nothing wrong with a white sub!
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Old 15 June 2016, 01:12 PM   #8
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Two beauties, congrats!
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Old 15 June 2016, 01:18 PM   #9
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Great watches my friend! Mine is going through a service on the movement at the moment and cannot wait to have it back.
It is also a MK1 dial like the first of your 1680s and came with box and papers with one owner, 1979, 93150 bracelet from 1979 also. I also share your opinion that it is an underrated watch
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Old 15 June 2016, 02:51 PM   #10
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Can mine come and play? :)

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Old 15 June 2016, 09:01 PM   #11
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Great post & info

Anyone looking for a 1680 - the white as good as the red (imho) ��
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Old 15 June 2016, 10:08 PM   #12
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Yes great post. Easy to follow dial explanation.
Here is my Mk1.
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Old 16 June 2016, 01:58 AM   #13
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Learn something new again...and as always. Thank you
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Old 16 June 2016, 03:07 AM   #14
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Haywood, thank you for your always informative post. I love the 1680 white as well. My photo skills are not great but not sure if mine would be considered a Mk2 or the 3rd type you mentioned. The L is off to the left but the 6's appear closed to my eye. Would like to hear what you think. Thank you!
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Old 16 June 2016, 03:25 AM   #15
Haywood_Milton
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I reckon that's a Mark 2 and the 6s are in fact similar to what I illustrated above.

That "SUBMARINER" text is noticeably wider than the depth rating line below it.

You've lost a cyclops somewhere along the way, I notice....but still another great example.

Haywood
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Old 16 June 2016, 03:30 AM   #16
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Should have put a pic in earlier 😄
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Old 16 June 2016, 03:32 AM   #17
Haywood_Milton
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What, a Mark 2 "Dark side of the Moon" version is that? Slight shade accentuates the patina well, though

H
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Old 16 June 2016, 06:52 AM   #18
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Great post, the ref. that gets the most wrist-time in my rotation. Here are a couple shots of my mark1





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Old 16 June 2016, 11:54 AM   #19
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I love my 1977 Sub in White...it's the most awesome daily wear watch I've ever had. I enjoy it all the time. I want to get a Hulk....but that's not ever going to happen as long as I have this one. How on earth would I ever justify taking this one off just to wear a Hulk?

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Old 16 June 2016, 08:05 PM   #20
Haywood_Milton
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Lovely watches, all, thankyou for sharing.

It is a small sample, but interesting that no-one has posted a "Mark 3" yet. Will keep an eye out to see if further evidence suggests that is indeed rarer than the others.

Haywood
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Old 16 June 2016, 08:37 PM   #21
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Lovely watches Haywood as always.
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Old 17 June 2016, 02:01 AM   #22
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Excellent write-up! Thanks again for your extensive knowledge!

I agree that the white ones are as beautiful as the red ones!
I have both, but if I had to let one go, it would be the red before my white

Here is my MK1 in all it's glory
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Old 17 June 2016, 02:56 AM   #23
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This is making me miss mine more and more... Come on Michael!
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Old 17 June 2016, 04:46 AM   #24
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Here's mine, bought by my father in Riyadh in -78:
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Old 17 June 2016, 08:42 AM   #25
Haywood_Milton
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Two more lovely examples, thankyou......and still we have no Mark 3 !

Haywood
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Old 17 June 2016, 08:52 AM   #26
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I wholeheartedly agree! One of the most underrated Rolexes. I love my 1979.
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Old 17 June 2016, 09:30 AM   #27
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I have a service dial that's coming off to be replaced by the mk I. Does that vount?
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Old 17 June 2016, 09:36 AM   #28
Haywood_Milton
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J!m View Post
I have a service dial that's coming off to be replaced by the mk I. Does that vount?
Gosh yes, please post it. Would be a great thread if it could shake all variants out !

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Old 18 June 2016, 12:27 AM   #29
J!m
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Ok. Service dial, service insert and service date wheel. All to be corrected when the case comes back. Currently secure in an aftermarket case for protection in the mean time.
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Old 18 June 2016, 04:38 AM   #30
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here's mine...

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