Looking for my first Rolex 1680 white.

[shura110]

Hi guys,
I am looking for my first Rolex 1680 white. I would like to find one with original tritium (no patina) and preferably serviced. The ones I looked on fleabay all have patina. Is it possible to find one without?
Thanks

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by shura110

Hi guys,
I am looking for my first Rolex 1680 white. I would like to find one with original tritium (no patina) and preferably serviced. The ones I looked on fleabay all have patina. Is it possible to find one without?
Thanks

They're out there! Not my watch:

[shura110]

Originally Posted by kyle L

They're out there! Not my watch:

Yes, that is exactly what I am looking for :)

[Eric88]

I had a 1680 with a lumi service dial and it did a great job of looking like a modern watch in a vintage case. My current 1680 has just a slight amount of patina. I recommend that you keep an open mind about the patina. Part of the charm of a vintage watch.

[shura110]

Yes, I know, but I would like one without the patine if I can find one :)

[Melanotaenia]

I would get in touch with Eric Ku

[Mickey®]

Originally Posted by kyle L

They're out there! Not my watch:

I hear ya! If I could find one of those I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Not a Patina(Yellow) Fan....

[Eric88]

If you don't like patina, get the first nice 1680 you find even with patina and then get a service dial.

[Mickey®]

Originally Posted by Eric88

If you don't like patina, get the first nice 1680 you find even with patina and then get a service dial.

Will the service dials have the WG hour markers or be without as original?

[therolexguy]

Yea, there's out there, just got to look. Service dials will look very white and glow and should be cheaper too.

[shura110]

Yes, I want to find one with the replacement dial and not very stretched bracelet. I figure they should be cheaper. I missed one last week for $4200

[Mickey®]

Originally Posted by shura110

Yes, that is exactly what I am looking for :)

Is that the same magnification on the date as now? What makes them look so different the "crystal"?

[TheChimp]

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20767...UMI+DIAL-HANDS


Have a look.

Ken

[Michael M.]

Yes, plenty of original white 1680's out there without patina...try TRF & VRF...not eBay.

[Eric88]

Originally Posted by Mickey®

Will the service dials have the WG hour markers or be without as original?

The 1680 never had WG plots, so the service dials are matte like the originals. You may be thinking about the 5513, which had a few years' run with WG plots and that is what comes with a modern service dial.

Here is a thread that shows a bunch of pictures including a lumi service dial.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=30759

[drockadam]

Just a question. Does a original 1680 dial still have lume, if it doesn't have patina?

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by drockadam

Just a question. Does a original 1680 dial still have lume, if it doesn't have patina?

Not exactly sure if I understood your question. My understanding is that Patina is just the shade of the lume on the markers that is a change in layer colour due to aging. Some prefer them a light patina and some with a yellowed one but irresective of patina shades, the lume is still there on the markers. Also they don't glow any more. Does that answer you question?:)

[sierra11b]

Originally Posted by drockadam

Just a question. Does a original 1680 dial still have lume, if it doesn't have patina?

I'm no expert but...

I think patina has little to do with lume unless it's a relatively newer tritium dial (such as an early Rolex 14060/16610, Tudor Sub 79190, and possibly Tudor 79090 for reference among others). In that case I would reckon the dial to have little patina (egg shell) or no patina and possibly have lume life left.

An older original dial watch like the 1680 will typically have no tritium life left so judging patina has more to do with how that particular batch of paint "matured" over the years. More believe it has more to do with the paint itself as opposed to exposure to the elements (also a factor) as there have been cases of NOS/Safe-queen watches with deep patina and vice versa.

[buffy]

What I have seen the 1680 with serial around 6mill have less patina/no patina then others. Or it could only be coincidence on my part when looking on different 1680s.

[Yeager]

Originally Posted by Mickey®

Is that the same magnification on the date as now? What makes them look so different the "crystal"?

My 1680 (which is the one in the wrist shots above) has an original crystal that has the great bevels on the sides that give it a smoother transition to the flat top unlike some of the "stovepipe" looking crystals. In addition, it has a higher magnification of the datewheel which is a brushed aluminum (instead of stark white like the new ones).

[shura110]

Should 16800 be cheaper then 1680? Now that I did my research I think I am leaning towards 16800.

[stoner97]

Here's mine - tritium dial, no patina, just beautiful.

[shura110]

Originally Posted by stoner97

Here's mine - tritium dial, no patina, just beautiful.

Beautiful. Hope I can find one either 16800 matte or 1680 like yours.