Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 1680/8 - 'Lava Tropical'

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 1680/8 representing a true landmark in the history of the model.

In the case of the piece that we have here (no pun intended), its the metal that it is constructed out of.

At the tail end of the 1960's Rolex had already become aware that their watches were not only being bought and worn by those who needed them to do a job, but also by individuals wanting a premium product. Enter the Submariner Date finished in solid 18k yellow gold: the Reference 1680/8.

The example that we have here dating to circa 1979 — roughly a decade after its introduction — was born with a sunburst blue dial and blue bezel insert. Over time however, that sunburst blue dial has changed to an absolutely gorgeous 'tropical' purple color, with almost no indication that it was ever blue. Other than a small area of discoloration around the top of the 6 o'clock marker, patina is even and consistent throughout and the Tritium within the applied 'nipple' indices shows an attractive and even patina with a beautifully matching handset. The Oyster case remains has been professionally refurbished and is in fantastic overall condition, showing normal signs of wear with defined chamfers and symmetrical proportions. The bezel has been lightly previously polished and has a later blue insert. To top it all off, this piece is still fitted to its solid gold Oyster bracelet, which isn't as common as you might think.

It could be argued that a yellow gold GMT-Master makes sense, but a solid gold dive watch? There is no point. And that is exactly what makes it great.