Stephane Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 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 a week ago: While looking at my favourite dealer photos it reminded me of the route to love the 1680, and specially the white one. But it all started like this: My first 1680 from TTK/MBW/MBK. Photo taken upon arrival, before MM (Mystery Modder) took serious action Then, that MBW became this after MM treatment. In short, my franken 1680 white was a masterpiece and my favourite Rolex which I wore more and more. 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 and possibly collect all the replicate versions of it. Kind of crazy goal for sure! Here they are...oh my god! Then I wanted to check the non cycloped Rolex, and went for my first genuine one, a 16600. During that period I stated “I don’t like the cyclops in the end”. The maturity? 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. Then a 16800. The climax Sorry to have kept you waiting Here is the star of my collection. No need to say that all frankens and and some genuines are sold! 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 This watch comes from H. at SubGmt.com again. 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. Cheers Stephane Tribute to my MM 1680 White It's gone to a great home... A couple more... A little history. According to www.vintagesubmariner.com In 1965, Rolex introduced the caliber 1565, which was C.O.S.C. certified and had a date display. In 1971, Rolex iterated the caliber to include hacking (meaning the seconds hand stops when the crown is pulled out for time setting). The 1565 caliber lead to a new model series, the 168X series. Reference 1680 was introduced in 1965 or 1966 and had the chronometer status and a date display. This also introduced the Cyclops date magnifier to the Submariner line. The 1680 also marked the philosophical transition of the Submariner from a pure "tool watch" built for serious divers to also being built and sold as a luxury sports watch. According to www.doubleredseadweller.com One of the most synonymous names with the Rolex brand is its Submariner. From Sean Connery as the famous James Bond to Nicholas cage in ‘National Treasure’, the Submariner has become an icon of sorts in and out of the watch collecting community. The first Submariner to feature a date feature was introduced in or around 1967 and it was recognizable by its tall acrylic crystal that had a big magnifying eye, the infamous “cyclops” over the date window so that one could easily read the date. The early batches up thru approximately 1973 were adorned with the red word “submariner”; it is this version of the reference 1680 that is desired by many Rolex fans. While not the most rare of Rolex sport watches, it is hard to find a nice one with a clean dial and matching original hands because a lot of the dials were swapped out by Rolex during routine maintenance over the years. The red wording is not the only caveat to these magnificent time pieces. Because Rolex used several different dial makers, dial variations are abound and with them, a plethora of fakes. In fact, due to the popularity of the red sub, it is one of the most faked Rolexes in the world today and should you be in search of one, do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. According to me: there are simply no records, thus no experts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star69 Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 not much to say - a lot of passion and now perfection very very nice - congratulations - love it and - is the MBW 1680 close or totally off ? cheers, Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 I am very happy for you, Stephane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justasgood Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 A crown jewel in an awesome member's collection. Well done and well deserved. Wear and enjoy it in good health my friend...........Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 Like it like it like it like it like it. Please somebody help me before i go out hunting for a simular piece. Again a great catch Stephane wear it well. Capre Diem Cats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrandazzo Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 Mmm...you know what? You need another Rolex!!! :D Isn't it gorgeous? There are so many Rollies....and so small money. Sadly, I can't buy them all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmg Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 Magnificent Stephane, congrats! I've been so tempted lately with the better prices, I won't say deals... that are out there right now with vintage gens. You sir, have a fine collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 Congratulations Stephane. You certainly are a Sub Cannibal, no doubt. Ironically, my first gen Sub was a 5.4million 1680 white w/ silver date wheel and pristine dial just like yours, but with a 93150/580 bracelet. Alas, I kept beating it up and scratching the crystal, so now I'm mostly wearing my 16800 w/ a late tritium dial that still glows- it's my 'beater' these days. Great write-up, its cool to see how people's tastes change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVS Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 (edited) very nice!!! Congratulations I see you bought it in Amsterdam Edited June 18, 2009 by DVS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 Congrats Stephane... you found a nice one. One of these days I have it in my mind that I'll own a red sub from my birth year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 loverly watch stephane, I am very happy for you, jelious but happy, that is the best sub in my eyes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 A fantastic pictorial, thanks for taking the time to share it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 Not much else to say Stephane. Absolutely beautiful piece you've got there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebite Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 Superbe St Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJo35 Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 Congrats on a fine purchase Stephane. I can see, that surely you are now a WIS! Wear it well, while trying not to ever forget your humble rep beginnings Like mrandazzo said, now you need one of these: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolfire Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Amazing, amazing acquisition, Stephane!! Like the rest have stated, I am extremely elated for you! This one is an absolute beauty... I hope to admire it in person, should we ever meet one day... Meanwhile, wear it in great health (as if that needed telling )!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 1978... One year younger than me! An absolute treasure, and it fits your collection perfectly. Although... I think you have some other beauties to show as well, no? Like a certain piece with new hands and a shield? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gplracer Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Congratualations Stephane! It is a great watch that you will prize for many years. It is good to see it go to such a nice guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Congrats again my friend... like I said, 1680 is a legendary watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elepaolo Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Congrats bro, it's a beauty!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Wow what a beauty You get a nice Gen collection my friend..... Damn i wish i had the money...... This one is really in good condition and I love to see the Tritium markers are similar to my Lumejobs hehe.... Congrats to this beauty .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted June 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 not much to say - a lot of passion and now perfection very very nice - congratulations - love it and - is the MBW 1680 close or totally off ? cheers, Frank Well Frank, the MBW after MM treatment is so close, it's hardly believable. I would say, as usual, the biggest tell is the dial! I am very happy for you, Stephane. Thanks a lot Freddy for these nice words. A crown jewel in an awesome member's collection. Well done and well deserved. Wear and enjoy it in good health my friend...........Congrats! I will Kurt. It's due to guys like you that my passion grew so much. Like it like it like it like it like it. Please somebody help me before i go out hunting for a simular piece. Again a great catch Stephane wear it well. Capre Diem Cats Get it get it get it...You will love it, I'm sure ! Mmm...you know what? You need another Rolex!!! :D Isn't it gorgeous? There are so many Rollies....and so small money. Sadly, I can't buy them all! It is gorgeous...and you are so right: so many Rolex, and few bucks available Congratulations Stephane. You certainly are a Sub Cannibal, no doubt. Ironically, my first gen Sub was a 5.4million 1680 white w/ silver date wheel and pristine dial just like yours, but with a 93150/580 bracelet. Alas, I kept beating it up and scratching the crystal, so now I'm mostly wearing my 16800 w/ a late tritium dial that still glows- it's my 'beater' these days. Great write-up, its cool to see how people's tastes change. Ah, Alligoat. You are one of my main reference, you know that I'm sure. Happy to share this model number with you ! very nice!!! Congratulations I see you bought it in Amsterdam Hey, thanks for the congrats. Yes, it comes from NL All my gens are coming from the same source...Holland rocks! Congrats Stephane... you found a nice one. One of these days I have it in my mind that I'll own a red sub from my birth year. Thanks Chief. Well, I'm too old to dream about a Date Sub from my birth year, but I wish you will fullfil yours! loverly watch stephane, I am very happy for you, jelious but happy, that is the best sub in my eyes! Hey Andy, I'll lend it to you when we next meet...so you can be even more jealous A fantastic pictorial, thanks for taking the time to share it Well, TeeJay, I'm less active in pictorials and reviews because I have few new watches. But I must admit it's a pleasure to share my happiness with the community and also I think it's a good idea to see the gens here for references. It will give us more knowledge in the end than some gen boards members Not much else to say Stephane. Absolutely beautiful piece you've got there Thanks D! Yes, we're lucky to have the possibility to enjoy our grail watches. Superbe St Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pre V Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Definitely one of my favourite renditions from Rolex! You've got a prize there!! I love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 Stephane. Late to the post but still better late then never... I'm not gonna go into how good it looks etc... all has been mentioned above by the guys. Sincere congrats my dear friend im happy to see it on your wrist i know you will enjoy it for years to come! Kind regards Laz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted June 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 Definitely one of my favourite renditions from Rolex! You've got a prize there!! I love it! Thanks so much Monsieur Pre V Stephane. Late to the post but still better late then never... I'm not gonna go into how good it looks etc... all has been mentioned above by the guys. Sincere congrats my dear friend im happy to see it on your wrist i know you will enjoy it for years to come! Kind regards Laz Oh yes Laz. I think I reached my grail in the end. This baby should stay forever in the collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now