Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 1680 - 'MK2' Dial

The Rolex Submariner is a true icon — and the word "icon" does get thrown around an awful lot. If you were to ask ten people at random to draw you their idea of what a watch looks like, there is a significant chance that they would draw or describe something that looks like a Rolex Submariner. It’s the dive watch of reference, and good/bad/indifferent there is no escaping it. Throughout its 70-year production, there have been countless small changes made to the model, particularly in the first decade or so, with the 1680 representing a true landmark in the history of the model.

The Ref. 1680 was the first Submariner to feature a date and enjoyed a long production run spanning close to 15 years. Why would a dive watch need a date? Well, this was the first step in marketing a tool watch beyond the diving community and crowd - because you definitely do not need to know the date underwater! The 1680 started a shift to civilian friendly models, and to this day, the Submariner Date outsells and outnumbers its 'no-date' sibling something like 10-1. Purity aside, this does make sense for most buyers. It utilizes the iconic Rolex cyclops married with the date function, yet remains clean and functional as ever. 

The example that we have here dates to circa 1978 and comes to us in excellent overall condition. Having been lightly previously polished in the past, the case remains thick and symmetrical at each corner and shows normal signs of wear. The bezel and black insert both shows light signs of wear and present beautifully. Inside, the correct 'MK2' dial is beautifully preserved condition, with a clean matte surface, seemingly devoid of any wear or discoloration. The Tritium plots exhibit an attractive, even patina throughout and the handset matches beautifully. It comes fitted to a correct Oyster bracelet with a fliplock clasp.

It is strange to say, but we believe there to be far less 'White Subs' in this kind of condition out there than 'Red Subs.' This fine example is one of the best we've come across in recent years.