Red Sub that needs work. Is it worth it?

[Dan S]

IIRC, a service case could have ORIG ROLEX DESIGN. But the data suggest that 4.38M is too early for a service case?

[Dom9]

Edited for poor maths but this is fascinating!

[southtexas]

I still don’t like the look of the case for a red sub 1680. Something about the lugs looks slightly more modern-style than your typical 1680 red case. I’ve had three 1680 reds and 2 1680 white (mid late 70s serials) and the cases looked TO ME to be slightly different. My later 1680 cases were originally cut with less bevel on the lugs. Picture lugs halfway between a red 1680 case and a 16800 case.

[996marty]

I think someone has taken a gamble on it as when I looked last night it had gone from the website……..but I said that last time so we’ll see

[Dom9]

Looking at their Instagram, they put it on a bracelet and it sold.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by southtexas

I still don’t like the look of the case for a red sub 1680. Something about the lugs looks slightly more modern-style than your typical 1680 red case. I’ve had three 1680 reds and 2 1680 white (mid late 70s serials) and the cases looked TO ME to be slightly different. My later 1680 cases were originally cut with less bevel on the lugs. Picture lugs halfway between a red 1680 case and a 16800 case.

I concur. I can't put my finger on it, but something just feels off.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by southtexas

I still don’t like the look of the case for a red sub 1680. Something about the lugs looks slightly more modern-style than your typical 1680 red case. I’ve had three 1680 reds and 2 1680 white (mid late 70s serials) and the cases looked TO ME to be slightly different. My later 1680 cases were originally cut with less bevel on the lugs. Picture lugs halfway between a red 1680 case and a 16800 case.

Yes agree with you and Zapokee - also tbh I'm not keen on the case back either. Best P.

[1675-David]

To be honest I wouldn’t have picked up on the shape of the case if you guys hadn’t pointed it out and I’m still not completely sure, a side shot showing the profile of the lugs would have helped but that was of course not included in the description. It’s the engravings and caseback I think are fishy ORIG.ROLEX DESIGN on a 1680 and the serial fonts are questionable. We also talk a fair bit about buying the seller here so when I saw that 5500 on the sellers website it was, if you’ll excuse the pun, case closed for my part.

[Dom9]

I like the look of that 5500 but I thought the dial and hands looked a little too sharp.

They also have an Air King Date listed with a 1520 for <£2500... some would charge that for the movement alone.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

...when I saw that 5500 on the sellers website it was, if you’ll excuse the pun, case closed for my part.

Pun excused. Superb. .

We need more watch puns.

This one was hands down the best so far, if you'll pardon the pun.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Pun excused. Superb. .

We need more watch puns.

This one was hands down the best so far, if you'll pardon the pun.

Two people who enjoy watch puns…. Maybe we should start a movement.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

Two people who enjoy watch puns…. Maybe we should start a movement.

You're just dialing it in now, if you'll pardon the pun.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by zapokee

You're just dialing it in now, if you'll pardon the pun.

Hahah! Nonsense humor really makes me tick!!

[TuRo]

I thought I was shockproof to this stuff, but the calibre of these puns is really out of ligne ;-)

[1675-David]

Is there no escapement from this terrible pun attack or are you guys just winding me up?

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

Is there no escapement from this terrible pun attack or are you guys just winding me up?

Come on. These puns are absolute jewels.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Come on. These puns are absolute jewels.

not sure I agree, some are definitely Sub standard...

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by Hot Xixi Wang

I think it looks great. I would NOT get it polished or change the bezel insert. You'll wreck the patina. I would replace the missing pip and install an oyster bracelet. That's it.

It sold eventually on a 93150….that’s what often blinkers buyers with a nice bracelet, as it helps the packages look, when something else is wrong.

I’m of the opinion as are a couple of other more learnedly inclined than me, that it has a fake midcase, caseback.

Whoever bought it was either an Uber gambler, non-moraled flipper or more likely unschooled or plain naive i.m.h.o.

# btw I’m either mad and I’ve responded to a ghost (no pun intended David ;-) comment, or the response before me was removed.

[Dom9]

The dealer does have some keen pricing... I like the look of the 5500 Explorer but David's #98 message suggests something is wrong. Dial and hands (not original)?

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by Dom9

The dealer does have some keen pricing... I like the look of the 5500 Explorer but David's #98 message suggests something is wrong. Dial and hands (not original)?

The dial is neither original to the watch (from 1958) nor an original Rolex part. None of this is mentioned in the sellers description. I would look elsewhere to scratch my vintage habit if I were you. There is also a very keenly priced 5508 on the site for those who are not risk adverse

[Dom9]

I like the 5508 as well and it's probably the cheapest on the market, as far as I can see, and good condition with it. Spent too much on vintage this year... but we're only a month or so from the New Year.

Still like the 5500 but... It's not worth the sale price (which would make it about the cheapest 5500 Explorer on the market) if the dial is hooky. They seem to be all over the Japanese auction sites (Tiffany and Cartier stamped too) for around a grand less if that was your thing.

I'm sure the gold Yachtmaster had sold as well, but now seems to be back and maybe I am misremembering. Also seems a lot of watch for the money: https://finewatchclub.co.uk/shop/rol...olid-gold-2003

[TuRo]

5500 is tbh no good as D says.....but the 5508 is v cheap and on first peep the dial looks ok with slight cracking around 3-4 but no biggy. Case engraving, case back and calibre (hopefully butterfly rotor) a must of course.

The photo is poor though to be certain about dial. Dial should lume up still for 10-15 secs but declining fast.

Service hands (or other) of course and daft large 78360 needs to come off, as it's WAY too big for a small crown case.

For those interested, the 5508 had at least a dozen dial variants incl 4 line cosc dials. The fonts, coronets, spacings etc differ quite a bit across dial types.

Within that, there are 3 dials that are almost identical except how the 100m = 300 ft lines up over Submariner. The variances might be because hand-applied retrospective inclusion of depth rating onto dial.

There are central situated, left justified and right justified. You can see all examples on C24. Serifs on 5 min markers, 3/6/9 and top of A in SUBMARINER are correct.

This a a 'right justified' one with 1 of 100m way over to the right of S of SUBMARINER but the t of foot in the centre of the R of SUBMARINER....and this is also almost imperceptible but a thinner and taller left coronet prong.

Here is same version dial btw.

Rolex Submariner (No Date)
£52,192
https://chrono24.app/rolex/rolex-sub...GB&SETCURR=GBP

[Dom9]

Thanks Paul - it's a lovely thing! Tempting...