914
Rolex
Ref. 1680
Submariner, “Red Sub”, MK IV
A rare and attractive stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, date, MK IV dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$160,000 - 320,000€19,000 - 38,100$20,500 - 41,000
HK$189,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1971
- Reference No
- 1680
- Movement No
- 613’617
- Case No
- 2’694’187; inside caseback stamped “1680”, “IV.70”
- Model Name
- Submariner, “Red Sub”, MK IV
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “93150”, endlinks stamped “580”, max length 190mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “S”
- Dimensions
- 40mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Debuted in 1967, the reference 1680 was the first Submariner to be fitted with a date function. Early dial variations of the reference displays a ‘meters first’ depth rating and the single line of red ‘Submariner’ script, hence the name “Red Sub”. Highly sought-after, these rare diver’s watch with a dash of red marks an important milestone for this utilitarian tool watch and are beloved details by vintage Rolex collectors.
Characterized by the open 6s in the feet first depth rating with a thick application of red print over white graphics, the present example belongs to the MK IV dial amongst the “Red Sub” series. Boasting a well-preserved dial, the present example features lume plots that have aged to an attractive buttery yellow hue enhancing its vintage appeal. Bearing a 2.6 million from circa 1971, the present handsome example features a desirable greyish Ghost bezel insert, further elevating its charm.
Characterized by the open 6s in the feet first depth rating with a thick application of red print over white graphics, the present example belongs to the MK IV dial amongst the “Red Sub” series. Boasting a well-preserved dial, the present example features lume plots that have aged to an attractive buttery yellow hue enhancing its vintage appeal. Bearing a 2.6 million from circa 1971, the present handsome example features a desirable greyish Ghost bezel insert, further elevating its charm.
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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