{"product_id":"rolex-submariner-date-ref-1680-red-sub-mk4-dial-2","title":"Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 1680 - 'Red Sub' MK4 Dial","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eRef. 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. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eThe piece that we have here, however, is no \u003cem\u003erun of the mill\u003c\/em\u003e Ref. 1680...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece features a line of text on the dial that reads: \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e“Submariner” in red, rather than the usual white. It has since become known to collectors as the \"Red Sub.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe example that we have here dates to circa 1970 and comes to us in honest overall condition. It features a tastefully previously polished case with symmetrical lugs and shows light signs of wear throughout no damage of note. The 'MK4' dial is fantastic. The matte surface remains clean and seemingly devoid of any major wear or damage, with evenly patinated Tritium plots and a matching handset. The 'fat font' bezel insert has faded to an attractive 'charcoal' with some patina visible on the markers themselves as well. It comes fitted to a correct, albeit later Oyster bracelet with a fliplock clasp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece offers compelling value in the world of 'Red Submariners' and makes for an excellent daily driver.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oliver \u0026 Clarke","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52637229973821,"sku":"OC3294","price":24500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0765\/6138\/3741\/files\/ROLEX_SUB_RED_WEB_1_bd0da59c-e9de-4100-b5de-2aeb42004d5d.jpg?v=1785435633","url":"https:\/\/oliverandclarke.com\/products\/rolex-submariner-date-ref-1680-red-sub-mk4-dial-2","provider":"Oliver \u0026 Clarke Vintage Watches","version":"1.0","type":"link"}