Rolex Submariner Ref 1680 - Mark 4 Red Sub with Full Kit

Straight Facts

The Rolex Submariner is a true icon - and the word icon does get thrown around a lot. If you were to ask 10 people to draw you their idea of a watch looks like - chances are they would draw or describe something that looks like a Rolex Submariner. Its the dive watch of reference, good/bad/indifferent there is no escaping it. Over its 70 year run there have been numerous changes made to the model, but one of the smallest and most desirable hails from a brief period in the 70’s where the word Submariner changed to red printing. Why the change? Nobody really knows - and Rolex certainly isn’t one to offer explanations. What we do know, is that these watches hail from an era when the Submariner was still mostly used by people who needed the ruggedness and capability of a true sports dive watch. Over the life of these pieces many watches got destroyed, had their dials changed out, or just got lost in the cushions of a couch that ended up in a trash compactor (Check the cushions ASAP!) What we do know, is that these Red Submariners are extremely beautiful and rare making them a great way to stand out, while blending in. The present example is known as a Mark 4 Dial and dates to 1971. Subtle details like the silver date wheel with open 6’s and 9’s as well as the serifs and fonts tell us this watch is as it left the factory. While the case has been polished gently over its 42 year life, it presents extremely well and has a highly attractive and patinated bezel insert. Furthermore, its accompanied by all the fixin’s of boxes, papers, brochures, and its original Rolex anchor. This is a special one, and with the 70th Anniversary of the Submariner in 2023, what better way to celebrate.

*Some marks or spots on the dial are reflections or dust on the crystal and are due to high intensity strobe lighting used while photographing. They are not actually on the watch or visible in natural lighting.