Red Sub question

[bayerische]

Alright Guys,

I'm interested in this one. It's from my local guy that I trust 100%, and if something was wrong, I know he would take care of it, so it's not so much about that, but more about, "what do we have here"...

Trying to educate myself, and he is no vintage expert either.

I also posted this on VRF, but it seems very slow today, and I guess not everyone here goes there so...

The watch has a Mark 1 dial, hands lume aren't a perfect match to the dial, but these pics make it worse than it is to the eye.

Serial of the watch is 215XXX which should put it in the range for the Mark 1 dials.

The date disk seems to have closed "6"'s... I guess this would mean it to be changed at some point. I did only check nr "16" though as there's no quickset.

Nice and fat case.

What say the experts?



Thanks guys.

[SubKing]

Meters first 1680 red.. early example compared to ft first.. This dial is a MK1 so its the first batch of the red 1680's.. early as reds get.

Insert looks nice, "kissing 4" mk2 and correct. hands are either relumed, or just in very poor shape.. Exposed to water at some point which can cause a greenish color OR relumed. Either way, I say the hands are not original to this watch.

I can see rust around the crystal retaining ring, Not sure if it continues on the inside? The crystal retaining ring could be stretched and no longer holding a strong pressure fit on the crystal and can let water in and cause rust. It can be cleaned and should be to preserve the watch. Just don't ever dive in it....

Watch needs a proper service.

Its hard to see past the crystal if there is any dial damage. If the dial is clean, then you have a diamond in the rough. Lugs look fat, bezel looks nice. Make sure the dial has not been relumed. Source a pair of tritium white to cream hands which are not that hard to find in the tone of your dial, after a service and a new crystal the watch will look great.

Just make sure your friend off sets the cost as you will incur $$$ fixing this piece up.. Bob Ridley or ABC to restore this piece. If you don't feel like putting in the time or effort, then my advise would be to find a watch that is already in good condition. But the price will be higher I'm sure..

Would you mind sharing what your friend is selling this piece for so I can tell you if it's worth it or not?

[Robbyvm]

One pic is not a lot...
Case seems to be in good shape, insert and bezel loog good, dial looks good but hard to say through the scratched chrystzl. Hands do not match ( this would bother me)
It depends on the price but you could have it turned into a great looking MKI

Here's mine

[omitohud]

Source a set of hands that match, polish the crystal n u have a stunning watch.


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[jedly1]

as subking says ...

budget to find some better hands...budget for a full service

...9/10 the tarnish is just surface tarnish and should be cleaned as part of the service ...1/10 it is actually corrosion and that 9/10 times can be skimmed off and the glass retaining lip stretched to compensate for a few microns going. usually if the corrosion is bad enough to be a problem its evident between the lugs and in the case back lip too so have a good luck at that area.

buying this way rather than already serviced should be cheaper for obvious reasons , but obviously you pick up more risk, though theres nothing there that looks alarming so far.

[SubKing]

Originally Posted by jedly1

as subking says ...

budget to find some better hands...budget for a full service

...9/10 the tarnish is just surface tarnish and should be cleaned as part of the service ...1/10 it is actually corrosion and that 9/10 times can be skimmed off and the glass retaining lip stretched to compensate for a few microns going. usually if the corrosion is bad enough to be a problem its evident between the lugs and in the case back lip too so have a good luck at that area.

buying this way rather than already serviced should be cheaper for obvious reasons , but obviously you pick up more risk, though theres nothing there that looks alarming so far.

hey Jed, How are things over at VRF mate? have not seen you for awhile.

[jedly1]

all good thanks mate ...either busy travelling or busy trying to have a family life :)

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by jedly1

all good thanks mate ...either busy travelling or busy trying to have a family life :)

Or buying more milsub. 👏


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[SubKing]

Originally Posted by omitohud

Or buying more milsub. ��


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haha I wouldn't doubt that for a sec.

[springer]

With a little work, you'll have a very nice vintage Submariner to grace your wrist. Good luck.

[jedly1]

Originally Posted by SubKing

haha I wouldn't doubt that for a sec.

mostly been more of a comex'y , omani, newman'y type of month :)

[bayerische]

Thanks guys!

The case is indeed in a very nice shape. This is a one owner watch, and the previous owner said he always declined to have it polished as he wanted his use to show. Good man!

I like the banged up crystal.

Is the date wheel an issue with the closed 6's and nines?

The hands do bother me, but luckily they're coming up worse on the pics than in real life. But you are right guys, it's enough of an eyesore to have them changed along with a service.

[bayerische]

Still thinking about this one.

I'll go and have a look monday.

[Dr DRW]

I was in Bob's shop today , left my 1665, 1680 , he had a couple of nice proper date wheels brushed silver open 6,9 for the 1575, around $450 or so ...(well one now because ones going in my 1665 ) So if that's all that's holding you back go for it, agree with the experts thou, plan on $1000+ service to protect that investment