My 1680 Red Sub

[sishac]

So I recently picked up this red sub from another forum. It is from Reg, and it is an asian 21j version. I would love to hear from people if they think it is the new cartel version...I don't think so as the crown guards seem too long, but Reg sometimes gets some fun stuff (not a MBW of course, but a nice budget vintage I think.) I was up in the air between a 1680 and a 5513, and this came up. I bought it for 2 reasons....first, I didn't have a sub, and I LOVE the matte dial versions, and second, I really like a nice acryllic crystal...and this one had a clark 127 installed (although a bit high).

I paid for the watch on Saturday night and by Tuesday, the watch was in my hands. It came on a nice heavy oyster bracelet, but I soon took it off and put it initially on an olive nato (too high I think) and then onto a simply black oiled strap...it looks great on that I think!!

Anyway, the first thing that jumped out at me was the height of the crystal...the previous owner had mentioned that he didn't shave the crystal at all, and he gave me an idea as to how to do that...so that is on my to do list. In the future, I might try to put a 5513 superdome on it just to see how it looks..I loose the magnification, but I've always loved a domed crystal.

After examining the watch the biggest thing that jumps out at me (other than the crystal) is the date magnification...its HUGE almost to the point of being unreadable...I'm pretty sure that is a function of the clark 127 crystal, and the fact that it is slightly too high at this point. All of the gen 1680s I've seen have great magnification, and on another forum I was told that is one of the things the 1680 are known for.

The other thing that I noticed is that the crown guards are nice and long...I've been looking at this for a while and wanted people's opinion as to how they look...I know that they should be straight (and not curved) on the outside, but to my untrained eye, they look pretty good.

So, this is what I plan on doing to this watch eventually:

1. shave down crystal to a slightly lower height (14mm total watch thickness?)

2. slightly age the case by putting it in a box of coins, screws and such and shaking it up for a while...then polishing the watch with a cape cod cloth...also cutting down the sharp edges of the case with a nailfile.

3. slightly aging the insert by putting it in a solution of 50% water and 50% bleach...waiting until I start to see a swirl of paint and then removing it to an all water bath

4. oiling the bracelet and softening the edges a bit.

Oh, I almost forgot...its got a 2.5mm serial number...I believe that is 1969-1970 production...which I think it correct for a red sub!! Crazy right?!

So, on to the pictures...

Edited May 6, 2011 by sishac

[GoFaster]

Nice 1680 ! My Glass is thinner on mine

I Will try to show you pics

[TeeJay]

That looks really nice When you bleach the insert, I'd suggest sanding down the back of the insert so it sits a bit lower in the bezel, but other than that, looking good

[polexpete]

The reason why the magnification is so high is the hight of the tropic 127. When you shave it down it will fix the problem. Just be careful the 127 is a thick plexi and if you take too much off it will touch the hands...

Nice project...

Cheers

P.

[JAZ]

Sishac, have you made any headway on this project? Would love to see photos. I have the same watch coming in the mail this week from Reg (along with two others), and am very excited to try my hand at some of the things you mentioned.

[barbosas]

Hey,

Do you know if this case can fit an ETA2824 movement and a 26mm dial?

cheers,

Edited July 12, 2011 by barbosas

[preacher62]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the dealer name for Reg and is he one of our trusted dealers on RWG?

[Cats]

It's Narikaa

Carpe Diem

Cats

[preacher62]

It's Narikaa

Carpe Diem

Cats

Seize the day to you as well...and thanks!

Edited July 12, 2011 by preacher62

[txcollector]

nice piece.

Maybe I'm spoiled with my home Internet access but who in the world is still concerned about modems? That's actually a question, I'd like to know.

[sishac]

Modem burner is just a saying (at least for me)....I'm a FIOS guy.

Concerning the watch progress...honestly I've just been enjoying it and haven't done anything yet. I've worn it on an oyster bracelet, a black leather strap, and my favorite, a simple bond nato strap. I've gotten the new clark crystal, but I think that I am going to try and just sand down the original one first. Strangely enough, I've gotten used to the cyrstal height, but I it just seems a hair bit too high. My understanding is that a gen should have a thickness of 14mm...I don't have a digital caliper yet, but hopefully I will be able to just shave a mm or so off of the crystal to get to 14mm, and my date will be perfect and my height will look better.

I've really been struggling with the whole crown guard thing....how do you think they look? They maybe seem a bit too long, but I was looking on some gen forums and they seem to always focus on the back of the watch....

As I said, I was told that the watch was from Reg...I don't know what version it is though...to me it looks a bit better than some of the other bargain reps, especially the lugs...I love the vanilla of the dial markers....better lume would be nice though. I don't know the dial size yet...

Tom