Would really appreciate casting your eye over this . .

[nigelUK]

I've always wanted one of these and would really appreciate any comments good or bad. I'm not looking for a perfect example (I can't afford one!)

I believe the seller is ok and we can face to face. Information I got after a phone call ...

* Serviced 2012 by Rolex (card & paper receipt proof)
* Bezel replaced at service
* Correct end pieces & strap but replacement clasp
* 5.4 mill serial 1978
* Mark II original dial, minute & hour hand
* Second hand replaced at some point in life (possibly luminova?)
* Original Rolex slash box
* Serial number clearly visible on watch

If anyone can offer any advice I would be really appreciative. Thankyou in advance

[nigelUK]

I have a couple of minor (but I think acceptable) possible concerns. I wonder if you knowledgeable chaps have anything that screams out from the pics . .

[stil]

It looks overpolished to me. I would pass.

[Gina Marie]

P a s s

[JohnBaker3]

Service bezel insert....

PASS

[locutus49]

A bit over polished. I would wait for a cleaner model, but that's me. Good cyclops, though.

[swish77]

Tough crowd. It would depend on the asking price and how much the service replacement parts would bother you. I'd never let a service bezel insert alone be a deal-breaker. You could source a period-correct one if that was an issue for you.

However, all the hands look replaced, but hard to tell for sure from the photos. That would be more of an issue for me, but I'm a stickler for matching dial/hands tritium patina. Case does look quite polished, but I've seen worse.

What's the asking price?

[autofiend]

Definitely has some rounded edges/ thinned lugs from polishing. Service luminova insert. Not terrible but you could do better IMO.

[Sky21]

I agree that the service bezel is not that big of a deal, a period correct one can be sourced pretty easily. The polishing on the lugs and case may bother you or it may not, at least be aware that it's there. The hands not matching the dial would bother me the most for sure. That's not such an easy fix unless you start talking about a relume of the dial or hands or both, which goes down another path entirely. Overall it comes down to the asking price and what you can live with since you've already stated that you can't afford a perfect example. This one is not terrible, but does have its drawbacks.

[Tom1675]

The polish on that would be the deal-breaker for me. Throw in the inconsistency of a shiny new bezel with good dial patina and I would look elsewhere. Yeah you can source a bezel but you cant unpolish a case...

[nigelUK]

Thanks so much for your input . . .

One of my concerns was that it was a bit over polished, so you have confirmed exactly what I thought. I just love the plexiglass & matt dial.

Regarding the price I wouldn't get much change from US $8.5k or UK £6.5k . If I was to put in an offer I wouldn't budge much above £6k uk. I know you have more choice and therefore cheaper prices in US. There are so few for sale here in UK

I think you have probably tipped me over to passing on it . . although I can't see me ever getting one now.

Anyone have an idea on what might be a good price for this one ?

[jdog111578]

Originally Posted by nigelUK

Thanks so much for your input . . .

One of my concerns was that it was a bit over polished, so you have confirmed exactly what I thought. I just love the plexiglass & matt dial.

Regarding the price I wouldn't get much change from US $8.5k or UK £6.5k . If I was to put in an offer I wouldn't budge much above £6k uk. I know you have more choice and therefore cheaper prices in US. There are so few for sale here in UK

I think you have probably tipped me over to passing on it . . although I can't see me ever getting one now.

Anyone have an idea on what might be a good price for this one ?

Personally I wouldn't go higher than $5500. I could live with the service insert, but lack of metal would kill it for me.

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by jdog111578

Personally I wouldn't go higher than $5500. I could live with the service insert, but lack of metal would kill it for me.

5500 'Dollars' ? . . . you couldn't buy much for that in the UK at the moment

[jdog111578]

Originally Posted by nigelUK

5500 'Dollars' ? . . . you couldn't buy much for that in the UK at the moment

Yes. Maybe different here in the states but I can pick up a nice 1680, same year in much better condition, case wise, for around $7.5k. $2k less for a heavily polished case and service insert well justifies my price.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by jdog111578

Yes. Maybe different here in the states but I can pick up a nice 1680, same year in much better condition, case wise, for around $7.5k. $2k less for a heavily polished case and service insert well justifies my price.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

....maybe I should think about a trip to the states

[swish77]

Originally Posted by nigelUK

5500 'Dollars' ? . . . you couldn't buy much for that in the UK at the moment

You couldn't buy even a half-decent 1680 for that price in the States either. Those days are long gone. Start at $7K for an OK example, and up for better watches. And they really are not that easy to find in good shape anyway. Like everything else in the vintage world, they're drying up.

[Sky21]

The ask on that is really equivalent to $8.5k??? Wow, that's super high even with a generous dealer premium tacked on. I'm really sorry if that's what you have to pay to get that example in the U.K. Yes there are many, many more choices of that reference available here in the states. Maybe that does change things a bit for you if that's all you have to choose from. At a certain point, if you really want a certain watch you either pay the money to get one or you don't have a watch. Maybe if you get down to the £5.5k range that would be more in the ballpark.

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by Sky21

The ask on that is really equivalent to $8.5k??? Wow, that's super high even with a generous dealer premium tacked on. I'm really sorry if that's what you have to pay to get that example in the U.K. Yes there are many, many more choices of that reference available here in the states. Maybe that does change things a bit for you if that's all you have to choose from. At a certain point, if you really want a certain watch you either pay the money to get one or you don't have a watch. Maybe if you get down to the £5.5k range that would be more in the ballpark.

Yeah just checked £6500 todays exchange is $8390

i think I don't have a watch

[Gina Marie]

You can do better.

[springer]

I think we need to load up our GMTs and Subs and head on over to the UK.

[shawnmarz]

Originally Posted by springer

I think we need to load up our GMTs and Subs and head on over to the UK.

My thoughts exactly

[1675-David]

As mentioned above that case is a shambles and looking at the crown guards I'm not even sure it's genuine...

[stevedssd]

To add to all of the above that is not a Mark 2 dial it's a service replacement. At the end of the day it is down to whatever you are prepared to compromise on and pay. I think you are already thinking of looking elsewhere and I agree that there is a real paucity of White 1680's in the UK at present. There are just two on Chrono24, one with luminova hands and no cyclops and the other with no bracelet but original. Both for the princely sum of £8,000. If as Springer suggested any of our friends from the USA want to come over and sell their 1680's and 1675's. you would be very welcome!

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by stevedssd

To add to all of the above that is not a Mark 2 dial it's a service replacement. At the end of the day it is down to whatever you are prepared to compromise on and pay. I think you are already thinking of looking elsewhere and I agree that there is a real paucity of White 1680's in the UK at present. There are just two on Chrono24, one with luminova hands and no cyclops and the other with no bracelet but original. Both for the princely sum of £8,000. If as Springer suggested any of our friends from the USA want to come over and sell their 1680's and 1675's. you would be very welcome!

I agree with Steve, there are some very reputable and trustworthy sellers on the forum who ship all over the world and who have great references. I live in Scandinavia which isn't as expensive as the UK but is very small market making it almost impossible to find just what you are looking for when you want it. There is a list of solid vintage dealers in this section.

good luck!