1680 Red vs 1680 normal white

[ticktack]

theres one of each at my local AD and some how i find the thick plexi look very sexy and handsome on my wrist. however, i dont see any differences between the two accept the red "submariner" writing on dial. my question is, is it worth paying double for the red which is $12k vs $6k or i should jusy stick with the white? please help!!!

thanks

[gouverneur]

Totally up to personal preference, the dial text color is really the only difference as far as I know. The white 1680 was also produced over a longer time period so may be younger. I'd personally be tempted by the red if I was going to buy a vintage Sub because it does seem a cut rarer and cooler but that may just be a hive mind perception.

[PoderEsBueno]

I would make my desicion towards the better condition/all original one. It would be helpful if you can provide some pics

[Evo6]

I'm a patina whore, so if money wasn't a concern, and the patina on the two was equally delicious I'd go red. If the patina on the white is nicer I'd go that way and save the cash.

[Strider]

I've always been a fan of the white. I don't know why, I guess I just liked the uniform colors of the wording, especially if the hour markers were clean too. However, I've found myself looking more and more for a red lately too, so I can definitely see their appeal.

[omitohud]

That red text will always b worth a lot more than the plain white now and the future. Whether its worth it, its up to u really. Get the one that sings to u the most. U can go wrong with either.


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[mike]

Amazing what a little dab of red can do isn't it.

The two references are the same save a couple things.

1. Submariner in RED and

2. Early examples of the 1680 RED were non-hacking--though how that might impact value is lost on me.

I think the REDS marked METERS FIRST certainly merit a premium over the FEET first.

I know popular thought feels the RED is the rarer of the two, but as mentioned run time for both seems to be about the same. (Of course raw numbers are the issue). That is where the gap may widen. Consider many REDS lost their original dial to service back in the day and some examples seen today carry dials that while the serial numbers are correct have dials purchased and then put in.

Personally at this point I'd probably put RED money toward a gilt dial diver or the 1665.

[nocrown]

it's def not something to rationalize in certain regards, and yet it may b rationalized in terms of value....the Reds hold their value better and have appreciated much more as evidenced in price discrepancy. Daytona's languished in the 80s and 90s and were considered undesirable for various reasons and now they are through the stratosphere...

i like the red personally and waited until i found the right one w/ the patina i wanted and the seller i could trust........

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by mike

Amazing what a little dab of red can do isn't it.

The two references are the same save a couple things.

1. Submariner in RED and

2. Early examples of the 1680 RED were non-hacking--though how that might impact value is lost on me.

I think the REDS marked METERS FIRST certainly merit a premium over the FEET first.

I know popular thought feels the RED is the rarer of the two, but as mentioned run time for both seems to be about the same. (Of course raw numbers are the issue). That is where the gap may widen. Consider many REDS lost their original dial to service back in the day and some examples seen today carry dials that while the serial numbers are correct have dials purchased and then put in.

Personally at this point I'd probably put RED money toward a gilt dial diver or the 1665.

i agree here. a red 1680 is definitely special but a 1665, with or without red text, is something special and just oozes that vintage cool any rolex collector lusts after. superdome>top hat, imo.

[ABChop]

yes the red is worth it in my opinion anyway!! : )

[barnez]

Go red, but I think try to learn as much about it as you can since their values can fluctuate significantly.

[ticktack]

ive been thinking... since im not a collector and im only after the plexi i think paying double for Red is stupid... i have decided after reading a lot im now leaning to get the 1665 bec the dome plexi is beyond sexy and handsomely over flowing... imho, the 1665 will eat that 1680 red all day... but of course vintage submariner is my only favorite thing so im still having a little dilemma between 1680 red and 1665 the great white

[Wing Zero]

If I had 12k to blow
I'd spend 6k on a white 1680 and 6k on a gilt tudor 7928 and put a superdome on it.
I'd put a nice clean SS band on the 1680 for crisp clean vintage look
I'd put a ghost bezel insert and a leather band on the 7928 for a nice worn vintage look

[colpol]

I was struggling to justify the extra premium for the red sub last year as my 1680 watch fund came to about 99% !! In the end I said whatever came up first in the right condition - I would go for

Hand on heart I'm glad I got the 1680 white & saved the extra cash

From an investment point of view - they do seem to be holding their value & nicely appreciating

As others have said maybe a nice 1680 white with the extra money towards something else ........ ?

[ticktack]

well said guys! may be a collector would pay premium for "red sub" bec im not going to pay double for red writing on dial... i think 1680 ordinary is what im getting and i will save to get the 1665 later