1680 Help!

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by diver2012

It's the replacement case which has a 4 serial number - not the original.

Please see JPs comments above, which I agree with, and you'll understand my head-scratching !

You really need to advise the punched paper first 4 digits please (and if RSC have documented any switch) to get to bottom of this.

[diver2012]

Honestly, I'm completely lost.

Thanks for the help guys but it's looking like vintage watches aren't for me!

Seems like an expensive minefield I don't want to attempt to navigate through!

[albaserver]

Originally Posted by diver2012

Honestly, I'm completely lost.

Thanks for the help guys but it's looking like vintage watches aren't for me!

Seems like an expensive minefield I don't want to attempt to navigate through!

Yes it is. And actually it is the best thing of this passion. Money don't buy knowledge. Take your time, study as much as you can and you'll be able to choose your best vintage model :)

Good luck

[Swearengen]

Yes, thant makes sense now JP, thank you.

Originally Posted by springer

Check the number 4. It looks like a 1980s insert from a 5513.

[baumare]

I think it would be interesting at this point to know more about this watch, as Springer mentioned, my understanding is that 4.1 million could/should be NOT a service case,
I think also that Rolex used different fonts for marking the service cases, so it would be great to see some photos of the serial numbers and of the papers.

[Swearengen]

Are service case numbers in the range 4.4-4.7m?

Originally Posted by baumare

I think it would be interesting at this point to know more about this watch, as Springer mentioned, my understanding is that 4.1 million could/should be NOT a service case,
I think also that Rolex used different fonts for marking the service cases, so it would be great to see some photos of the serial numbers and of the papers.

[springer]

Originally Posted by diver2012

Honestly, I'm completely lost.

Thanks for the help guys but it's looking like vintage watches aren't for me!

Seems like an expensive minefield I don't want to attempt to navigate through!

You asked for 1680 help and have received plenty.

Let's move on with a serial number from the original warranty paper. From there, we might be able to figure out what is going on.

[CTech]

I doubt that there will be any more information available about this watch. This is the link to it on the Watch Club London website;

https://www.watchclub.com/rolex/subm...1680-year-1973

and it is now marked as sold (on 3/31/2023).

Apart from the excellent photography and lighting showing the watch off there was some very skillful placement of the papers, certificates, etc so that no useful information was visible.

The most likely explanation, in my opinion, is that this watch had a service case with a 4.4 million serial number, but there was a typo in the description and they listed it as 4.14 million.

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by diver2012

Honestly, I'm completely lost.

Thanks for the help guys but it's looking like vintage watches aren't for me!

Seems like an expensive minefield I don't want to attempt to navigate through!

Perhaps you misunderstood. Springer was referring to the "4" on the bezel insert not being correct, not the case in that particular comment. Although, the serial number for the case which should also start with a 4 but more like a 44XXXXX case instead of 41XXXXX case. And that is where more confusion arises, if I too am reading the comments correctly. If Rolex documented the change of case and paper work is included indicating the original serial number of the case in relation to the new serial number on the case then the documents have more value. If not, then you have docs which could have been purchased off EBAY for an entirely different watch and no connection can be drawn between the two without that service record indicating the case with serial number such and such was changed to a service case because it was badly damaged. I do hope that is a correct summary of the concerns I am seeing here. BTW, you could not ask for a better bunch of experts to comment on your example. They are truly experts in this area and you won't find more well informed advice, even (most likely…) from Rolex or one of their ADs. Part (actually most) of the fun to finding a good example is the chase. Good luck.