108
Rolex
Ref. 1680
"Red Submariner"
A fine and rare stainless steel wristwatch with date, bracelet, presentation box, original guarantee and chronometer certificate
- Estimate
- CHF12,000 - 18,000€10,300 - 15,400$12,700 - 19,100
CHF28,750
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1970
- Reference No
- 1680
- Movement No
- D739'791
- Case No
- 2'631'521 inner caseback stamped I.70
- Model Name
- "Red Submariner"
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet reference 7836, end links stamped 280, max length 220mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex twinlock folding deployant clasp stamped 3-69
- Dimensions
- 39.5mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex fitted box, Guarantee dated October 8th 1972, Attestation de Chronomètre Officiel, product literature, wallet, extra crystal and service papers from 2013.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Submariner is not only synonymous of a dive watch but its design has become the benchmark to which all modern dive watches take cues from and its versatility makes it the perfect wrist adornment in every occasion.
The vivid, red “Submariner” inscription positioned at 6 o’clock on the dial of the reference 1680 – Rolex’s first Submariner model to be fitted with the date – makes it one of the most widely sought after of all vintage Rolex sport wristwatches. Launched in 1967, the “Red Submariner” is, without a doubt, an iconic watch.
Interestingly, the present watch was bought in 1972 at the Seattle Navy Exchange, and as such may have lived an exciting life filled with adventures in exotic lands over and under the seas. The Navy Exchange is a retail store chain owned and operated by the United States Navy and offers goods to active military, retirees, and certain civilians on navy installations in the United States, overseas navy bases, and aboard navy ships.
The present model with Mk IV dial impresses with its superb condition, strong case and bevels, and beautiful cream indexes. Further enhancing its appeal is the complete nature of this wristwatch, which comes accompanied by its presentation box, guarantee, Attestation de Chronomètre Officiel and product literature, making it an exciting trophy watch for a collection of vintage sports watches.
The vivid, red “Submariner” inscription positioned at 6 o’clock on the dial of the reference 1680 – Rolex’s first Submariner model to be fitted with the date – makes it one of the most widely sought after of all vintage Rolex sport wristwatches. Launched in 1967, the “Red Submariner” is, without a doubt, an iconic watch.
Interestingly, the present watch was bought in 1972 at the Seattle Navy Exchange, and as such may have lived an exciting life filled with adventures in exotic lands over and under the seas. The Navy Exchange is a retail store chain owned and operated by the United States Navy and offers goods to active military, retirees, and certain civilians on navy installations in the United States, overseas navy bases, and aboard navy ships.
The present model with Mk IV dial impresses with its superb condition, strong case and bevels, and beautiful cream indexes. Further enhancing its appeal is the complete nature of this wristwatch, which comes accompanied by its presentation box, guarantee, Attestation de Chronomètre Officiel and product literature, making it an exciting trophy watch for a collection of vintage sports watches.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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