Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 1680 - 'Red Sub' MK4 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 piece that we have here, however, is no run of the mill Ref. 1680...

This piece features a line of text on the dial that reads: “Submariner” in red, rather than the usual white. It has since become known to collectors as the "Red Sub."

The example that we have here dates to circa 1971 and comes to us in honest overall condition. It features a previously polished case with symmetrical lugs and shows normal signs of wear throughout no damage of note. The 'MK4' dial shows some patina on the surface with Tritium plots that exhibit a 'toasted' patina. The handset matches the dial nicely, as well as the Tritium pip in the bezel insert. The insert itself is period-correct 'fat font' unit and has developed a slight fade, resulting in a beautiful charcoal color. It comes fitted to a correct Oyster bracelet with a fliplock clasp.

This piece offers compelling value in the world of 'Red Submariners' and makes for an excellent daily driver.