39 Rolex Precious and Esteemed Submariner Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 1680, With Black Matte Dial, Submariner in Red, Date, Bracelet and Service

Estimate: € 14,000 –⁠ 30,000

Sold € 20,800

Model: Submariner
Material: Stainless Steel
Reference N°: 1680
Year: 1969
Case N°: 2254107
Caliber: 1570
Movement type: Automatic
Bracelet: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 40 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement
Accessories: SERVICE Rolex

The Submariner is among the most iconic – if not The most iconic – timepieces Rolex has ever produced and beyond any doubt one of Rolex’s most coveted models in the history of horology. The first model went into production in 1953 and was launched at the Basel World Fair in 1954 with the references 6204 or 6205. In the following years, other models were presented like the 6538 Big crown or Coroncione, the 5513 and 5512. Around 1965/66, Rolex discontinued use of guilt/silver gilt dials on the Submariner watches, switching to white printing but another important change came with the introduction of the 1680 model in the late 1960s. The 1680 was the first Submariner equipped with a date function, marking the completion of the transition of the Submariner line from specialist tool watch to mass-market fashion accessory. A sporty yet ultra-chic piece for everyday wearing, collectors will make a distinction between a reference 1680 with red writing on the dial and a reference 1680 with all-white writing. Unlike the later-era examples of the reference 1680 Submariner that received matte black dials with all-white text, early production of the reference 1680 had dials that featured the Submariner name printed in red. The reference 1680 Red Submariner is certainly one of the most easily recognizable vintage references and is frequently considered an entry point into serious vintage Rolex collecting. This lot is one of those Red Submariner that you can’t miss: its stainless steel case is nice and well preserved with no evident signs of wearing; the stainless steel Oyster bracelet is fresh with the original Rolex clasp while the graduated black bezel maintains its vivid colors. The dial is a true gem not only for the sought after red signature, but mainly because it is a MK2, a very difficult to find quadrant since it has been produced for only 2 years: that is demonstrated by the meter first designation of the depth and the open style “6s” in “660ft”. The watch also features still beautiful clean white indexes that form a perfect circumference and the Mercedes hands in the same way are perfectly conserved, gaining a considerable charm. The watch is also provided with the official letter from Orologeria Verga of a service executed the 11th November 2007, a further peculiarity that is added to a decidedly desirable piece.