Reply With QuoteLovely example, those painted dials are a joy to behold 8)
Hi all,
Here is my pictorial of the most important and oldest watch of my collection so far.
I sincerely hope you will share my happiness.
Rolex Submariner 1680 from 1978.
It all ended like this:
While looking at my favourite dealer photos it reminded me of the route to love the 1680, and specially the white one.
My relationship whith the Submariner is passionate (Oh, really?).
In the first period of this hobby, back in 2006, I’ve been looking for 16610 ONLY
Well, it took me till the age of 47 to realise that in the end my grail watch was the one and only Submariner.
Specialy with date and cyclop!
I added a genuine 16610 from 1999 to my collection first.
Then a 16800.
The climax
Sorry to have kept you waiting!
Here is the star of my collection.
It features the original Square crystal, not the beveled service one (allthoug I love the beveled, it’s better to have it 100% original!)
The dial is amazing. So neat and white for a 31 year old tritium one!
The CG’s aren’t bad either ;)
My favourite feature is the silver date wheel.
It looks much better in person. I’m very bad in capturing these details :(
I’m really lucky as this silver date wheel is not always found on vintage Rolex.
Now I have a 16800 and a 1680 with the silver touch!
The bracelet is the famous 9315, folded.
The end
It has been serviced in 2005.
The time keeping is just hard to believe.
24:00 => 0
48:00 => +7 and then going back to less than +7 and so on.
After a week, it was still around +10.
Thanks for looking,
Cheers
Stephane
Lovely example, those painted dials are a joy to behold 8)
"I looked with pity not untinged with scorn upon these trivial-minded passers-by"
Nice vintage 8)
What a beautiful piece and great photos!
Thanks guys, very much appreciated 8)
look after that beauty mate!
P.s. Froglish - like it!
I will look after it for sure Churchy.Originally Posted by churchy
So you like froglish? Why is that :shock:
Froglish or Franglais - common for us living abroad now! ;)
Lovely watch all in mate
I've got pretty much the same watch. 1978 1680 all original as far as I am aware. Very nice it is too and excellent on the timekeeping. Just interested, what's the code on the bracelet? Also, how do you tell the difference between service replacement crystal and original? I've never seen them both in profile. Mine has the silver datewheel too.
Although I do really love this watch...it was the 5513 I was looking for. If only I could find a 5513 in as good NOS condition as the 1680.
Thanks David
Hi David,
My clasp is thus on a 9315 bracelet and engraved S P11.
Here is a photo of both crystals:
The "new" replacement crystals (on the right) have beveled sides.
I'm lucky as my crystal has been very polished and gives it a real "used" look.
Here are close ups of the one on my 1680
Thanks very much for the post - looks like my top hat crystal is a service replacement as it has the bevelled edges. Still not sure how to date these bracelet codes!
Many thanks again David
David,
Don't mention it.
Now you have to know that Internet is a fantasticly confusing place to gather informations.
Some codes are described in one way, and the same codes are described in another.
The only important thing in my eyes is to love your watch as it is. With its history that is.
In the end, if a bracelet has been replaced or a crystal, there is nothing weird knowing that Rolex in some places (mine :x ) is changing original parts for replacement ones without even considering my request to not do that...
Anyway,
Enjoy your lovely watch...I'm sure you'll find your 5513 one day 8)
Cheers
Stephane
PS: this one is a good ressource it seems: http://www.oysterworld.de/1/index.htm
Unfortunately I never could match one of my clasp to the correct year :(
Agreed Stephane. Here's a link to mine. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=90169
Thanks again! Yes, the 5513 will turn up one day!
Cheers David
Yet another excellent review
thanks :D
Wow, wow, wow, that is brilliant.
As a Tudor owner, I'm slowly thinking about wading into these waters.....
SjhC
Thanks for the kind words again guys!
Well Tudor is great, but you know...the 1680 is really something different.
If you decide to get one, I'm pretty sure you'll love it.
very nice and the watch I have but my birth year :)
Great pics and top watch :wink:
My grail.......
...you're a lucky man!
Imagine if your grail was a double red ;-)
Good luck, I'm sure you'll fullfill your dream :D
Never really thought about 'old school' watches but i am starting to see the attraction now :bom:
very nice indeed mate....
Thanks a lot for reading and commenting guys!
Something special about the vintage subs.
Lovely watch .thanks for sharing. :bounce:
Love the 1680, it's one that is on mt radar! Great review, well worth a bump. Thanks for posting
Lovely photos & thanks for sharing, i'm a recent convert to the matte dials with my 16800 & couldn't be happier but that 1680 is a thing of beauty especially the crystal, couldn't understand what all the fuss was about with these vintage subs but i get it now.
This ones getting a lot of wrist time at the minute.
Lovely........ these are also awesome on the non cyclops plexis
Posting Permissions
