Phillips is proud to present what is most probably the best-preserved, most complete example of a gold Mark I “meters first” Submariner ref. 1680 we have ever seen. The case is stunning - unrestored, beautifully displaying its factory original brushed and polished surfaces, razor-sharp edges, and crisp hallmarks. Its original Mark I dial is equally well-preserved, with a flawless matte black surface, gilt printing, and perfectly intact luminous hour markers.

The Rolex Submariner has become such an icon that not only can it be considered the benchmark for all future diving watches, but it has also spawned its own scholarly following devoted to every nuance and variation from its first appearance in the Rolex catalogue in 1954 until the present day. The Rolex Submariner reference 1680 was launched in 1967 and was the first Submariner model fitted with a date function. Soon to follow in 1969, Rolex introduced the first Submariner to be produced in 18K yellow gold. The model would eventually be produced with an option of either a blue dial with blue bezel insert or black dial with black bezel insert, like the present model.

This extremely early example with a 2.1 million case serial number is one of only approximately 100 18K gold Submariners believed to have been produced with a Mark I “meters first” dial. Later examples sported a Mark II dial with “feet first” depth rating. Furthermore, the dial found on the gold reference 1680 differs from stainless steel examples as it features hour markers playfully known as "nipple indexes" - round applied gold hour indexes with smaller tritium markers.

Offered complete with its original and stunningly preserved solid gold bracelet, punched Rolex guarantee and punched guarantee booklet, this is an opportunity to own a hardly ever worn, exceptional, and early example of the first luxury diver's watch made by Rolex.