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Rolex Submariner 1680 from 1978.


Stephane

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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.

 

:type:

 

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.

 

SubGmt1680_008B.jpg

 

But it all started like this:

My first 1680 from TTK/MBW/MBK.

 

:lazy:

 

Photo taken upon arrival, before MM (Mystery Modder) took serious action :)

 

RolexSubmariner1680_MBW_800_02.jpg

 

RolexSubmariner1680_MBW_800_05.jpg

 

RolexSubmariner1680_MBW_800_11.jpg

 

Then, that MBW became this after MM treatment.

 

:yahoo:

 

Rolex1680Couple_800_33B.jpg

 

Rolex1680Couple_800_09B.jpg

 

Rolex1680Couple_800_15B.jpg

 

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?).

 

:tease:

 

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!

 

Rolex16800_800_03B.jpg

 

Rolex16610Tibalized_800_02.jpg

 

Rolex16610WM9_800_08.jpg

 

NoobMariner_LuHoled_800_01.jpg

 

SubSoCalledPerfect_800_03.jpg

 

RolexSubmarinerUltimate20070815_-6.jpg

 

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”.

 

My16600_800_39.jpg

 

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.

 

My16610Gen_800_01B.jpg

 

Then a 16800.

 

Rolex16800_800_14.jpg

 

The climax

 

Sorry to have kept you waiting :(

 

:cupidarrow:

 

Here is the star of my collection.

No need to say that all frankens and and some genuines are sold!

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0011.jpg

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0012.jpg

 

It features the original Square crystal, not the beveled service one (allthoug I love the beveled, it’s better to have it 100% original!)

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0004.jpg

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0020.jpg

 

The dial is amazing. So neat and white for a 31 year old tritium one!

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0021.jpg

 

The CG’s aren’t bad either ;)

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0025.jpg

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0026.jpg

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0024.jpg

 

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!

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0019.jpg

 

The bracelet is the famous 9315, folded.

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0002.jpg

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0006.jpg

 

 

The end

 

SubGmt1680_003.jpg

 

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

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0016.jpg

 

It's gone to a great home...

 

A couple more...

 

SubGmt1680_005.jpg

 

Rolex1680From1978_800_0005.jpg

 

 

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 

:starwars:

 

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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.

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Amazing, amazing acquisition, Stephane!! Like the rest have stated, I am extremely elated for you! This one is an absolute beauty... :wub: I hope to admire it in person, should we ever meet one day... Meanwhile, wear it in great health (as if that needed telling :p )!!!

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Wow what a beauty :wub:

You get a nice Gen collection my friend.....

Damn i wish i had the money...... :bangin:

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 ....

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not much to say -

a lot of passion and now perfection :)

very very nice - :band1:

congratulations - love it :wub:

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. :D

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? :rolleyes:

You need another Rolex!!! :D :D :D

Isn't it gorgeous? :wub:

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 :p

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 B)

Not much else to say Stephane. Absolutely beautiful piece you've got there :thumbsupsmileyanim:

Thanks D! Yes, we're lucky to have the possibility to enjoy our grail watches. :rolleyes:

Superbe St
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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

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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.

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